July 14 2017

In this Issue:
House Approves NDAA
VA Offers OTH Veterans Mental Health Care
Navy Secretary Nominee 
PCS Improvements Implemented

House Approves NDAA
As NewsBytes goes to press, the full House of Representatives is amending, debating and will later today approve its version of the FY2018 Defense Authorization bill (H.R.2810). The House is considering 210 floor amendments. Most floor amendments so far, have been defeated by floor votes including one that would have struck a provision prohibiting the Pentagon from implementing a new round of Base Relocation and Closures (BRAC). 

The Senate Armed Services Committee recently approved its version of the FY2018 Defense Authorization (S.1519) and the bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate in the near future. Once the Senate completes work on its bill a conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills and then voted on by both chambers of Congress.  If approved by the House and Senate, the bill will then be sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law or vetoed.

VA Offers OTH Veterans Mental Health Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that veterans with Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges can receive care for mental health emergencies, which can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care. "Suicide prevention is my top clinical priority," said VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, "We want these former service members to know there is someplace they can turn if they are facing a mental health emergency-whether it means urgent care at a VA emergency department, a Vet Center or through the Veterans Crisis Line." 

The VA has reported 20 veterans commit suicide every day, making veteran suicide a high priority for FRA. Any veteran in crisis should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 (press 1), or text 838255.

Navy Secretary Nominee 
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) recently held a confirmation hearing for Richard Spencer to Secretary of the Navy. Spencer, a financier and former Marine Corps officer, was nominated for the post on June 2 after months of speculation. Former Navy Secretary and Senator John Warner (Va.) introduced him to the SASC. Ten former Secretaries of the Navy signed onto a letter of support for this nominee. He is the second pick for the job. President Trump's first choice, financier Philip Bilden, withdrew due to difficulty untangling his finances.

According to an ethics agreement and financial disclosure posted by the Office of Government Ethics, Spencer will effectively shut down his venture capital firm, Fall Creek Management. If confirmed, he will resign his positions with 17 separate companies and nonprofit groups as well as divest stock from 45 different corporations.

PCS Improvements Implemented
The Department of the Navy has recently made changes to the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves. The objective is to reduce stress for Navy and Marine families. Many Sailors and Marines nearing the end of their current assignment will receive a letter of intent. The letter enables them to begin the PCS process, set up shipment of their household items, complete required screenings and start searching for housing before receiving their official PCS orders. 

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven Giordano testified in March before the House Appropriations, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee. He stated that in past years, PCS orders were issued four to six months before the move. Today, the current average for PCS orders is only two months before the scheduled move. 

FRA's 2017 Legislative Agenda includes tracking the PCS process to ensure adequate funding and timing and authorization of increased PCS mileage rates and higher household goods weight limits for senior enlisted personnel.

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