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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