August 19, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) called on the next administration to work with Congress to address the national security challenges that confront America today and in the years ahead.
“No matter which Presidential candidate American voters choose in November, we need to begin planning now for the issues our country must focus on when the new President begins to govern. All areas of American policy present challenges, but the challenges in the national security arena are particularly acute and critical to the nation,” said Skelton.
http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/SkeltonDefenseChallenges081908.shtml
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Skelton on the Principles for a National Strategy
August 1, 2008
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) released the fifth in a series of speeches concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests. Attached please find Skelton’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“I rise to speak about how the United States can best advance its national interests by adopting a new strategy. In my prior speeches, I have asserted that we currently lack an effective strategy and that the next President should engage in a focused effort, in concert with Congress and the American people, to identify and adopt a new strategy early in his Administration. I have noted that we live in a time when the U.S. is the world’s preeminent power, but also in a time when transnational events are increasingly significant and in which several large nations, and some entire regions of the world, are returning to prominence. All of this stresses the international system.
http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr080108.shtml
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) released the fifth in a series of speeches concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests. Attached please find Skelton’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“I rise to speak about how the United States can best advance its national interests by adopting a new strategy. In my prior speeches, I have asserted that we currently lack an effective strategy and that the next President should engage in a focused effort, in concert with Congress and the American people, to identify and adopt a new strategy early in his Administration. I have noted that we live in a time when the U.S. is the world’s preeminent power, but also in a time when transnational events are increasingly significant and in which several large nations, and some entire regions of the world, are returning to prominence. All of this stresses the international system.
http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr080108.shtml
Skelton Speech on National Strategy at The Brookings Institution
July 31, 2008
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) spoke on national strategy at a luncheon seminar hosted by The Brookings Institution. Attached below please find Skelton’s speech as prepared for delivery.
"I want to thank Dr. Singer for inviting me to address this luncheon seminar. It’s an honor to be with you and to share the program with one of our country’s most distinguished soldier scholars, my friend Major General Bob Scales.
"From the time I was a young man, reading military history has been my hobby. And while this hobby didn’t necessarily serve a professional purpose when I was practicing law in Lexington, Missouri, it has certainly helped me in my work on the House Armed Services Committee. My background as a student of military history also impressed upon me the importance of professional military education, which is key to developing the strategic thinkers and innovative leaders who will serve as military advisers to the President and to Congress.
http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr073108.shtml
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) spoke on national strategy at a luncheon seminar hosted by The Brookings Institution. Attached below please find Skelton’s speech as prepared for delivery.
"I want to thank Dr. Singer for inviting me to address this luncheon seminar. It’s an honor to be with you and to share the program with one of our country’s most distinguished soldier scholars, my friend Major General Bob Scales.
"From the time I was a young man, reading military history has been my hobby. And while this hobby didn’t necessarily serve a professional purpose when I was practicing law in Lexington, Missouri, it has certainly helped me in my work on the House Armed Services Committee. My background as a student of military history also impressed upon me the importance of professional military education, which is key to developing the strategic thinkers and innovative leaders who will serve as military advisers to the President and to Congress.
http://armedservices.house.gov/apps/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr073108.shtml
Skelton on Our Role as the Indispensable Nation
July 24, 2008
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the fourth in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
“Tonight, I rise to continue my series of discussions about the future of American grand strategy. Last week, I suggested that we strive to remain and even bolster our role as the world’s indispensable nation, and that should guide our thinking as we consider the imperatives that define our national interest.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr072508.shtml
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the fourth in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
“Tonight, I rise to continue my series of discussions about the future of American grand strategy. Last week, I suggested that we strive to remain and even bolster our role as the world’s indispensable nation, and that should guide our thinking as we consider the imperatives that define our national interest.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr072508.shtml
Skelton on the United States’ Role in the World
July 16, 2008
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the third in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
“I rise once again to discuss the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests in the world. Last week I delivered two addresses on this topic. In the second speech I argued that our understanding of the role the U.S. should play in the world is the foundation for our strategy. It will define our vital interests and will condition the means we use for advancing those interests.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr071708.shtml/
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the third in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
“I rise once again to discuss the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests in the world. Last week I delivered two addresses on this topic. In the second speech I argued that our understanding of the role the U.S. should play in the world is the foundation for our strategy. It will define our vital interests and will condition the means we use for advancing those interests.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr071708.shtml/
Skelton on America’s Strategic Context
July 10, 2008
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the second in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
"Yesterday, I rose to speak about the need for America to embark upon a process to develop a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests in the world. Today, I rise to continue that theme; I want to take the conversation a little further. A strategy, as I said last night, describes the way we employ all elements of national power to advance our critical interests. Ultimately, determining these critical interests depends upon the place America occupies in the world. What do we see as our role? Who do we want to be and how do we want to interact with the rest of the globe’s inhabitants to get there? That is the fundamental question, of course, but we are not ready to answer it yet.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr071008B.shtml
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the second in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
"Yesterday, I rose to speak about the need for America to embark upon a process to develop a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests in the world. Today, I rise to continue that theme; I want to take the conversation a little further. A strategy, as I said last night, describes the way we employ all elements of national power to advance our critical interests. Ultimately, determining these critical interests depends upon the place America occupies in the world. What do we see as our role? Who do we want to be and how do we want to interact with the rest of the globe’s inhabitants to get there? That is the fundamental question, of course, but we are not ready to answer it yet.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr071008B.shtml
Skelton: U.S. Needs Comprehensive Strategy to Advance National Interests
July 9, 2008
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the first in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
“I rise today to talk about a fundamental problem affecting the national security of the United States which has not received the notice and consideration it deserves. The United States suffers from the complete absence of a comprehensive strategy for advancing U.S. interests. This strategic void detracts from almost every policy effort advanced by the United States Government. As a result, major policies are inconsistent and contradictory in different areas of the world and across different policy realms. We find ourselves unable to agree upon and set national priorities for addressing the major challenges of our time. We suffer from a splintering of national power, and an inability to coherently address threats and reassure and cooperate with allies.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr070908b.shtml
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) today delivered the first in a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S. interests:
“I rise today to talk about a fundamental problem affecting the national security of the United States which has not received the notice and consideration it deserves. The United States suffers from the complete absence of a comprehensive strategy for advancing U.S. interests. This strategic void detracts from almost every policy effort advanced by the United States Government. As a result, major policies are inconsistent and contradictory in different areas of the world and across different policy realms. We find ourselves unable to agree upon and set national priorities for addressing the major challenges of our time. We suffer from a splintering of national power, and an inability to coherently address threats and reassure and cooperate with allies.
http://armedservices.house.gov/list/press/armedsvc_dem/skeltonpr070908b.shtml
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tricare Beneficiaries Can Get Benefit News by E-mail
American Forces Press Service
August 21, 2008
The Tricare military health system’s 9.2 million beneficiaries now have an easy way to receive the latest newsletters and stay informed about changes in coverage, pharmacy updates and other news.
A new electronic delivery system is up and running, Tricare officials said, and subscribing is fast and secure by clicking on the “little red envelope” on Tricare’s Web site, www.tricare.mil.
“We’re excited to offer beneficiaries a chance to sign up for the Tricare benefit news they want and need,” said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of Tricare Management Activity. “We have offered some limited e-mail delivery options in the past, but this new subscription service enables anyone interested in Tricare news to sign up for a wide range of topics. It’s one-stop shopping.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50887
August 21, 2008
The Tricare military health system’s 9.2 million beneficiaries now have an easy way to receive the latest newsletters and stay informed about changes in coverage, pharmacy updates and other news.
A new electronic delivery system is up and running, Tricare officials said, and subscribing is fast and secure by clicking on the “little red envelope” on Tricare’s Web site, www.tricare.mil.
“We’re excited to offer beneficiaries a chance to sign up for the Tricare benefit news they want and need,” said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of Tricare Management Activity. “We have offered some limited e-mail delivery options in the past, but this new subscription service enables anyone interested in Tricare news to sign up for a wide range of topics. It’s one-stop shopping.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50887
Peake: VA needs young, tech-savvy workers
By Rick Maze
August 21, 2008
Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake is happy to see younger workers being hired to handle veterans’ benefits claims because he said they tend to have more computer skills than longtime Veterans Affairs Department employees.
“Getting rid of some of those older-age guys in the work force is not that bad. It gives you the opportunity to move forward,” Peake said Thursday in a breakfast meeting hosted by the Defense Writers Group to talk about veterans’ issues.
Peake said the key to reducing the backlog of disability and benefits claims from veterans and their families will be technology — especially making active-duty medical records electronically available to quickly determine if a veteran’s injury or illness is connected to military service.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/military_va_peake_082108w/
August 21, 2008
Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake is happy to see younger workers being hired to handle veterans’ benefits claims because he said they tend to have more computer skills than longtime Veterans Affairs Department employees.
“Getting rid of some of those older-age guys in the work force is not that bad. It gives you the opportunity to move forward,” Peake said Thursday in a breakfast meeting hosted by the Defense Writers Group to talk about veterans’ issues.
Peake said the key to reducing the backlog of disability and benefits claims from veterans and their families will be technology — especially making active-duty medical records electronically available to quickly determine if a veteran’s injury or illness is connected to military service.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/military_va_peake_082108w/
Web site to educate employers about hiring vets
By Kimberly Hefling
August 21, 2008
They survived war, but for some veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, returning to work back home hasn’t been easy.
An estimated 300,000 veterans from the two wars have come home with mental health problems, so-called invisible wounds, and about the same number suffered head injuries, according to a private study by the Rand Corp. think tank. Associated problems can include depression, flashbacks, irritability, headaches and short-term memory loss.
For those in the National Guard and Reserves, returning to a civilian job at a workplace such as a bank or firehouse can be difficult as they make the transition while trying to cope with new issues. Also, some veterans have complained that they can’t find work after leaving the military because employers are hesitant to hire them.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_veterans_website_082008/
August 21, 2008
They survived war, but for some veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, returning to work back home hasn’t been easy.
An estimated 300,000 veterans from the two wars have come home with mental health problems, so-called invisible wounds, and about the same number suffered head injuries, according to a private study by the Rand Corp. think tank. Associated problems can include depression, flashbacks, irritability, headaches and short-term memory loss.
For those in the National Guard and Reserves, returning to a civilian job at a workplace such as a bank or firehouse can be difficult as they make the transition while trying to cope with new issues. Also, some veterans have complained that they can’t find work after leaving the military because employers are hesitant to hire them.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_veterans_website_082008/
Equal employment report shows mixed success
By Alyssa Rosenberg
August 21, 2008
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported a decrease in discrimination claims filed governmentwide during fiscal 2007 in its annual federal workforce survey released Tuesday.
Agencies have reduced their average claims processing time by 12 days since fiscal 2006, but they've paid out more money to employees who filed discrimination claims. And many agency leaders were not receiving the required briefings or directly overseeing the work of their equal employment opportunity directors.
"I look forward to seeing continued improvement in workforce diversity and complaint processing," EEOC Chairwoman Naomi Earp said.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/082108ar1.htm
August 21, 2008
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported a decrease in discrimination claims filed governmentwide during fiscal 2007 in its annual federal workforce survey released Tuesday.
Agencies have reduced their average claims processing time by 12 days since fiscal 2006, but they've paid out more money to employees who filed discrimination claims. And many agency leaders were not receiving the required briefings or directly overseeing the work of their equal employment opportunity directors.
"I look forward to seeing continued improvement in workforce diversity and complaint processing," EEOC Chairwoman Naomi Earp said.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/082108ar1.htm
Scientists, Battlefield Medics Share Ideas
By Sarah Maxwell
August 19, 2008
Scientists and battlefield medical clinicians shared their knowledge and experiences to advance medicine during the military’s premier trauma care conference here.
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command’s annual Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Casualty Care Conference was held Aug. 11 to 15.
What evolved from a disjointed vendor-oriented conference more than 10 years ago with just a couple hundred participants is now an extremely relevant knowledge exchange that has the ability to improve military medicine, said Army Col. Bob Vandre, a former MRMC Combat Casualty Care Program director who organized the conference for more than 1,100 attendees.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50869
August 19, 2008
Scientists and battlefield medical clinicians shared their knowledge and experiences to advance medicine during the military’s premier trauma care conference here.
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command’s annual Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Casualty Care Conference was held Aug. 11 to 15.
What evolved from a disjointed vendor-oriented conference more than 10 years ago with just a couple hundred participants is now an extremely relevant knowledge exchange that has the ability to improve military medicine, said Army Col. Bob Vandre, a former MRMC Combat Casualty Care Program director who organized the conference for more than 1,100 attendees.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50869
McCain pledges to expand health care options for veterans
By Elizabeth Newell
August 18, 2008
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain on Monday repeated his pledge to provide veterans with the option of seeking medical care outside the Veterans Affairs health system if they do not have convenient access to a VA facility.
In a speech before the National Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Orlando, Fla., the Arizona senator said a veterans' care access card is necessary for low-income vets and those with injuries or illnesses incurred during military service.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081808e1.htm
August 18, 2008
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain on Monday repeated his pledge to provide veterans with the option of seeking medical care outside the Veterans Affairs health system if they do not have convenient access to a VA facility.
In a speech before the National Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Orlando, Fla., the Arizona senator said a veterans' care access card is necessary for low-income vets and those with injuries or illnesses incurred during military service.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081808e1.htm
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Study Spurs Reassessment of Alcohol Awareness Programs
By Donna Miles
August 13, 2008
Defense Department officials are assessing ways to better prepare servicemembers, particularly members of the reserve and National Guard, for the stresses of combat so they’re better able to avoid alcohol-related problems when they return home, defense officials said today.
The goal, officials said, is to beef up existing strategies to address alcohol issues before and during deployments to mitigate post-deployment drinking problems.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50798
August 13, 2008
Defense Department officials are assessing ways to better prepare servicemembers, particularly members of the reserve and National Guard, for the stresses of combat so they’re better able to avoid alcohol-related problems when they return home, defense officials said today.
The goal, officials said, is to beef up existing strategies to address alcohol issues before and during deployments to mitigate post-deployment drinking problems.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50798
Behavioral Health Conference Looks for Best Ways to Help Veterans
By Samantha L. Quigley
August 12, 2008
Behavioral health issues affecting veterans returning from deployment took center stage yesterday during the first day of a three-day conference in Bethesda, Md.
In collaboration with the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is hosting “Paving the Road Home: The National Behavioral Health Conference and Policy Academy on Returning Veterans and Their Families.”
“This … conference and policy academy is really designed, overall, to help states and territories and the District of Columbia think about new approaches, particularly approaches that blend expertise and resources from multiple contributors,” said Kathryn Power, director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services. “It’s going to provide framework to consider different approaches, dialogue with colleagues, and work toward a unified plan that they can take to their states to ensure that veterans have the [mental health] services they need and want.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50782
August 12, 2008
Behavioral health issues affecting veterans returning from deployment took center stage yesterday during the first day of a three-day conference in Bethesda, Md.
In collaboration with the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is hosting “Paving the Road Home: The National Behavioral Health Conference and Policy Academy on Returning Veterans and Their Families.”
“This … conference and policy academy is really designed, overall, to help states and territories and the District of Columbia think about new approaches, particularly approaches that blend expertise and resources from multiple contributors,” said Kathryn Power, director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services. “It’s going to provide framework to consider different approaches, dialogue with colleagues, and work toward a unified plan that they can take to their states to ensure that veterans have the [mental health] services they need and want.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50782
OPM reevaluates human capital marks for management score card
By Alyssa Rosenberg
August 12, 2008
Five departments and agencies saw their human capital ratings go from green to yellow on the latest President's Management Agenda score card, but officials say those results are the product of rigorous reevaluations and new initiatives, rather than a decline in quality.
"I was looking back over the past years of the PMA and all the things we asked agencies to do, and it occurred to me it was a good time to step back and assess how well the human capital initiative was doing across agencies," said Kevin Mahoney, associate director for human capital leadership at the Office of Personnel Management. "What I was particularly interested in doing is figuring out if check marks agencies had earned earlier on could be substantiated.... We said we're going to spend the entire year re-validating every check mark on their score card."
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081208ar1.htm
August 12, 2008
Five departments and agencies saw their human capital ratings go from green to yellow on the latest President's Management Agenda score card, but officials say those results are the product of rigorous reevaluations and new initiatives, rather than a decline in quality.
"I was looking back over the past years of the PMA and all the things we asked agencies to do, and it occurred to me it was a good time to step back and assess how well the human capital initiative was doing across agencies," said Kevin Mahoney, associate director for human capital leadership at the Office of Personnel Management. "What I was particularly interested in doing is figuring out if check marks agencies had earned earlier on could be substantiated.... We said we're going to spend the entire year re-validating every check mark on their score card."
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081208ar1.htm
Military health care benefit extended to reservist family members
By Kellie Lunney
August 12, 2008
Families of some active-duty Reserve and National Guard members will get a break on paying annual deductibles associated with the military's health care system, according to a final rule published on Tuesday in the Federal Register.
The rule, which was proposed in August 2006 and took effect on Tuesday, makes permanent the Defense Department's authority to waive the annual TRICARE deductibles for eligible dependents of reservists and Guard members who are called to active duty for more than 30 days. It applies to those who choose to participate in TRICARE Standard or Extra, rather than TRICARE Prime.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081208m1.htm
August 12, 2008
Families of some active-duty Reserve and National Guard members will get a break on paying annual deductibles associated with the military's health care system, according to a final rule published on Tuesday in the Federal Register.
The rule, which was proposed in August 2006 and took effect on Tuesday, makes permanent the Defense Department's authority to waive the annual TRICARE deductibles for eligible dependents of reservists and Guard members who are called to active duty for more than 30 days. It applies to those who choose to participate in TRICARE Standard or Extra, rather than TRICARE Prime.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081208m1.htm
Telework becomes more attractive as quality-of-life concerns spike
By Alyssa Rosenberg
August 11, 2008
Gas prices are up $1.13 per gallon since the summer of 2007. Agencies are struggling to inculcate cultures of performance. Hackers and employee carelessness have made information technology security a major concern. A new generation of federal recruits wants workplace flexibility. Labor and management find it hard to agree on just about anything. Ensuring continuity of operations has more urgency in a post-Sept. 11 world.
In the face of all these challenges, the federal government is turning to the little workforce policy that could. Telework might not solve all the federal government's workforce ills, but it's providing relatively cheap and easy relief for agencies struggling to make themselves more resilient and performance-oriented. And telework is a major weapon in the fight to make the federal government an ahead-of-the-curve employer.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081108ar1.htm
August 11, 2008
Gas prices are up $1.13 per gallon since the summer of 2007. Agencies are struggling to inculcate cultures of performance. Hackers and employee carelessness have made information technology security a major concern. A new generation of federal recruits wants workplace flexibility. Labor and management find it hard to agree on just about anything. Ensuring continuity of operations has more urgency in a post-Sept. 11 world.
In the face of all these challenges, the federal government is turning to the little workforce policy that could. Telework might not solve all the federal government's workforce ills, but it's providing relatively cheap and easy relief for agencies struggling to make themselves more resilient and performance-oriented. And telework is a major weapon in the fight to make the federal government an ahead-of-the-curve employer.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/081108ar1.htm
Stress Management Important Throughout Military Careers
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
August 11, 2008
The Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control is teaching sailors and Marines how to deal with everyday and combat-related stress starting at the beginning of their military careers, a senior Navy official said.
The center recently was established at Naval Medical Center San Diego to address the issues of psychological health by improving care for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, but also how to effectively teach sailors and Marines to recognize the signs of stress.
“The idea of the center is … not only to help sailors and Marines in distress, but to promote good stress management and promote psychological health so it starts when … people come into boot camp and [lasts] all of the way until they graduate from war college,” Navy Capt. (Dr.) Paul Hammer, the center’s director, said Aug. 7 in an interview on Dot-Mil-Docs radio show hosted on BlogTalkRadio.com.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50767
August 11, 2008
The Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control is teaching sailors and Marines how to deal with everyday and combat-related stress starting at the beginning of their military careers, a senior Navy official said.
The center recently was established at Naval Medical Center San Diego to address the issues of psychological health by improving care for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, but also how to effectively teach sailors and Marines to recognize the signs of stress.
“The idea of the center is … not only to help sailors and Marines in distress, but to promote good stress management and promote psychological health so it starts when … people come into boot camp and [lasts] all of the way until they graduate from war college,” Navy Capt. (Dr.) Paul Hammer, the center’s director, said Aug. 7 in an interview on Dot-Mil-Docs radio show hosted on BlogTalkRadio.com.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50767
GAO: Defense must improve assessment of IT systems
By Gautham Nagesh
August 08, 2008
The Defense Department lacks the capability to assess whether its business modernization program is compatible with a broader information technology strategy, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
Comment on this article in The Forum.The report (GAO-08-972) stated that Defense has not adequately demonstrated that the modernization program, which was first designated as high risk by GAO in 1995, fully complies with the department's blueprint for its computer systems, or enterprise architecture.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080808_6345.php
August 08, 2008
The Defense Department lacks the capability to assess whether its business modernization program is compatible with a broader information technology strategy, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
Comment on this article in The Forum.The report (GAO-08-972) stated that Defense has not adequately demonstrated that the modernization program, which was first designated as high risk by GAO in 1995, fully complies with the department's blueprint for its computer systems, or enterprise architecture.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080808_6345.php
America Supports You: Troops Offered Chance to Gain Civilian Work Experience
By Samantha L. Quigley
August 11, 2008
A California group is offering active-duty servicemembers the chance to secure a key component to finding a job before they reenter civilian life: experience.
The group, Military Civilian Experience, created by active-duty servicemembers for their fellow troops, was partly inspired by the military’s practice of thoroughly training servicemembers before sending them to the battlefield, according to the organization’s Web site. The group’s officials feel it shouldn’t stop there, and they’re working to give servicemembers a head start on finding their civilian careers.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50760
August 11, 2008
A California group is offering active-duty servicemembers the chance to secure a key component to finding a job before they reenter civilian life: experience.
The group, Military Civilian Experience, created by active-duty servicemembers for their fellow troops, was partly inspired by the military’s practice of thoroughly training servicemembers before sending them to the battlefield, according to the organization’s Web site. The group’s officials feel it shouldn’t stop there, and they’re working to give servicemembers a head start on finding their civilian careers.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50760
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Defense Department Commemorates 60 Years of Armed Forces Integration
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
Aug. 6, 2008
As the Defense Department commemorated the 60th anniversary of the armed forces’ integration today at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the observance is a reminder of “how far we’ve come toward living up to our founding ideals and how far we still have to go.”
The Defense Department began breaking down the barriers of race at the close of World War II in 1945. The military had just returned from fighting in Europe and the Pacific, yet black Americans who served with distinction still faced the bigotry of Jim Crow laws, he said.
“The treatment of patriots as second-class citizens was a sharp contradiction that gave impetus to change,” he continued.
Many measures against discrimination were taken to implement that change. There were public negotiations and tough speeches by civil rights activists. President Harry S. Truman signed executive orders mandating fair practices in the federal government and equality and fair treatment within the armed forces, Gates said. \
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50715
Aug. 6, 2008
As the Defense Department commemorated the 60th anniversary of the armed forces’ integration today at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the observance is a reminder of “how far we’ve come toward living up to our founding ideals and how far we still have to go.”
The Defense Department began breaking down the barriers of race at the close of World War II in 1945. The military had just returned from fighting in Europe and the Pacific, yet black Americans who served with distinction still faced the bigotry of Jim Crow laws, he said.
“The treatment of patriots as second-class citizens was a sharp contradiction that gave impetus to change,” he continued.
Many measures against discrimination were taken to implement that change. There were public negotiations and tough speeches by civil rights activists. President Harry S. Truman signed executive orders mandating fair practices in the federal government and equality and fair treatment within the armed forces, Gates said. \
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50715
Panel Recommends Changes to Military Retirement
By Jim Garamone
Aug. 5, 2008
A panel looking at military compensation has recommended dramatic changes in the military retirement system.
The recommendations are part of the second volume put out by the 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation.
The first volume -- released in March -- looked at cash compensation. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. “Denny” Eakle was director of the panel, and she briefed the press during a Pentagon news conference today.
Eakle said critics of the current military retirement system say it is not equitable, it is not flexible, and it is not efficient.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50702
Aug. 5, 2008
A panel looking at military compensation has recommended dramatic changes in the military retirement system.
The recommendations are part of the second volume put out by the 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation.
The first volume -- released in March -- looked at cash compensation. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. “Denny” Eakle was director of the panel, and she briefed the press during a Pentagon news conference today.
Eakle said critics of the current military retirement system say it is not equitable, it is not flexible, and it is not efficient.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50702
Compensation Panel Recommends TRICARE Changes
By Jim Garamone
Aug. 5, 2008
The Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has recommended fee changes to Tricare, the military’s health care system.
The recommendations would mostly affect retirees and will not affect active-duty servicemembers or their dependents, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. “Denny” Eakle, the director of the study, said in a Pentagon briefing today.
“Retiree fees ought to relate to how much the plan is worth,” she said. “The … higher-value plans should have higher premiums associated with them.”
The panel believes fees need to be fair to all retired military members, Eakle said. “They ought to reflect how much income an individual has, so that if they make more money and are therefore better able to pay for a system, they should do so,” she said.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50705
Aug. 5, 2008
The Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation has recommended fee changes to Tricare, the military’s health care system.
The recommendations would mostly affect retirees and will not affect active-duty servicemembers or their dependents, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jan D. “Denny” Eakle, the director of the study, said in a Pentagon briefing today.
“Retiree fees ought to relate to how much the plan is worth,” she said. “The … higher-value plans should have higher premiums associated with them.”
The panel believes fees need to be fair to all retired military members, Eakle said. “They ought to reflect how much income an individual has, so that if they make more money and are therefore better able to pay for a system, they should do so,” she said.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50705
Defense launches mental health portal for vets
By Bob Brewin
Aug 05, 2008
The Defense Department's Military Health System launched on Aug. 5 a behavioral health Web portal that will allow service members to anonymously seek mental health treatments for maladies such as combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder in what the agency called a "stigma free" environment.
Comment on this article in The Forum.The shame and fear associated with seeking mental health treatment is the primary reason veterans avoid seeing care, according to a study of Iraq veterans with the Army National Guard published in October 2007 by Dr. Tracy Stecker, a psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Dr. Joseph Pursch, a former Navy psychiatrist and flight surgeon, said despite the best efforts by Defense to remove the stigma associated with PTSD, it still has an influence "when it comes to the promotion board."
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080805_4104.php
Aug 05, 2008
The Defense Department's Military Health System launched on Aug. 5 a behavioral health Web portal that will allow service members to anonymously seek mental health treatments for maladies such as combat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder in what the agency called a "stigma free" environment.
Comment on this article in The Forum.The shame and fear associated with seeking mental health treatment is the primary reason veterans avoid seeing care, according to a study of Iraq veterans with the Army National Guard published in October 2007 by Dr. Tracy Stecker, a psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Dr. Joseph Pursch, a former Navy psychiatrist and flight surgeon, said despite the best efforts by Defense to remove the stigma associated with PTSD, it still has an influence "when it comes to the promotion board."
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080805_4104.php
Bill would increase oversight of federal IT project
By Gautham Nagesh
August 4, 2008
A bipartisan bill introduced last week would require agencies to report to Congress when information technology projects are behind schedule or over budget, and would create a strike force within the Office of Management and Budget to help struggling endeavors.
Comment on this article in The Forum."What we've learned is that some agencies can't keep the expected cost of their investments down or deliver on time as promised," said Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., one of the bill's sponsors, on the Senate floor on Thursday. "Nor do these agencies, in many cases, have qualified IT experts they can turn to before a project spirals out of control."
The 2008 Information Technology Investment Oversight Enhancement and Waste Prevention Act (S. 3384) would force agencies to think more deeply when establishing cost, schedule and performance baselines for major IT investments. Agencies would be held accountable for their initial projections; if a project varied more than 20 percent from the original baseline estimates according to the standards of earned value management, the chief information officer would be required to notify the head of the agency within two weeks, who would then need to inform the appropriate congressional committee.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080804_1745.php
August 4, 2008
A bipartisan bill introduced last week would require agencies to report to Congress when information technology projects are behind schedule or over budget, and would create a strike force within the Office of Management and Budget to help struggling endeavors.
Comment on this article in The Forum."What we've learned is that some agencies can't keep the expected cost of their investments down or deliver on time as promised," said Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., one of the bill's sponsors, on the Senate floor on Thursday. "Nor do these agencies, in many cases, have qualified IT experts they can turn to before a project spirals out of control."
The 2008 Information Technology Investment Oversight Enhancement and Waste Prevention Act (S. 3384) would force agencies to think more deeply when establishing cost, schedule and performance baselines for major IT investments. Agencies would be held accountable for their initial projections; if a project varied more than 20 percent from the original baseline estimates according to the standards of earned value management, the chief information officer would be required to notify the head of the agency within two weeks, who would then need to inform the appropriate congressional committee.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080804_1745.php
Bush taps new OPM director
By Alyssa Rosenberg
August 1, 2008
President Bush nominated Michael Hager to be the next head of the Office of Personnel Management on Friday.
The nomination, the White House said, would be "for a term of four years."
Hager has a long history in human resources management in the public and private sectors. He currently serves as assistant secretary for human resources and administration at the Veterans Affairs Department, a position he has held since November 2007.
Hager also was senior vice president for human resources at federally chartered mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Between his stints at Freddie Mac and VA, he was associate administrator in the Office of Capital Access at the Small Business Administration, where he managed a variety of investment programs.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/080108ar3.htm
August 1, 2008
President Bush nominated Michael Hager to be the next head of the Office of Personnel Management on Friday.
The nomination, the White House said, would be "for a term of four years."
Hager has a long history in human resources management in the public and private sectors. He currently serves as assistant secretary for human resources and administration at the Veterans Affairs Department, a position he has held since November 2007.
Hager also was senior vice president for human resources at federally chartered mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Between his stints at Freddie Mac and VA, he was associate administrator in the Office of Capital Access at the Small Business Administration, where he managed a variety of investment programs.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0808/080108ar3.htm
Friday, August 1, 2008
Balance at Heart of New Defense Strategy, Gates Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2008 – Balance is the key word of the new National Defense Strategy, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a news conference today.
Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that the U.S. military must be prepared to perform the full range of missions. The department must be ready to wage a full-out war and handle irregular warfare and humanitarian missions, Gates said.
"Now, the reality is that conventional and strategic force modernization programs are strongly supported in the services and in the Congress," Gates said.
More at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50657
Link to National Defense Strategy: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/2008%20National%20Defense%20Strategy.pdf
Transcript of press conference: http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4268
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2008 – Balance is the key word of the new National Defense Strategy, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a news conference today.
Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that the U.S. military must be prepared to perform the full range of missions. The department must be ready to wage a full-out war and handle irregular warfare and humanitarian missions, Gates said.
"Now, the reality is that conventional and strategic force modernization programs are strongly supported in the services and in the Congress," Gates said.
More at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50657
Link to National Defense Strategy: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/2008%20National%20Defense%20Strategy.pdf
Transcript of press conference: http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4268
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