In this issue:
Defense Commissary Conference Call
New DoD Discharge Appeal Review Board 
VA Restarts Johnson & Johnson Vaccines

Defense Commissary (DeCA) Conference Call 
FRA staff (ADLP Theo Lawson) among other organizations held a meeting with the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to discuss a range of issues concerning commissary benefits. Mr. William Moore, Director of DeCA, presented the current state and the future of the agency as well as asking for feedback from the audience on improvements and new ideas. 

A recent focus group conducted on junior enlisted service members revealed the lack of knowledge on the benefits of the commissary. Mr. Moore also stressed the importance of educating certain groups of veterans of their commissary benefits which started in January 2020 as part of the FY2020 NDAA. The agency believes the pandemic hindered the outreach program to inform veterans about these benefits. 

The agency plans on an early education program of the commissary benefits as early as the completion of Bootcamp. The Patron Council, which originally provided guidance on the needs and wants of the commissary users, was shut down due to the cost of logistics. With the onset of virtual meetings, the agency is looking into reinstating the council.  

The commissary with its tax-free shopping and other perks grants users about 23.7 percent in savings compared to the local market, the agency is looking to increase the savings up to 25 percent. The agency is planning an expansion of their online shopping and curbside pickup currently at 11 stores to about 200 stores by the end of the year with a possibility of home delivery.  

Veterans can find out how to gain access to their commissary benefits.



New DoD Discharge Appeal Review Board
The Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced a new discharge characterization upgrade board of appeals for service members with separation dates on or after December 20, 2019. This new board, titled the Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB), will provide final review of discharge or dismissal characterization upgrade requests when petitioners have exhausted all available administrative remedies.

These service members, who have exhausted all available appeals with the appropriate Service Discharge Review Board (DRB) and Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR), may apply to the DARB. If a current or former Service member is deceased or incapacitated, the surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative may apply on their behalf. The DARB is a document review board with no requirement for personal appearances. Only records from the Service BCM/NR case file will be reviewed. Any petitioner wishing to present new evidence must first submit a reconsideration request to, and receive a decision from, their Service BCM/NR before that new evidence may be considered. If the DARB recommends that the petitioner’s service characterization be upgraded, this recommendation will be transmitted to the Secretary of the Military Department concerned for final action.

The DARB was created by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act and is the final level of administrative review provided by the Department. The DoD has designated the Air Force as lead agent to execute and operate the DARB process. 

Individuals who believe their discharge or dismissal was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade, are encouraged to apply for review. To learn more about the DARB and how to apply for review, visit the Air Force Review Board Agency Portal.

VA Restarts Johnson & Johnson Vaccines
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will resume offering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years and older, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance, following a 10-day pause recommended by the CDC and FDA after a very small number of people who received the vaccine experienced rare but serious blood clots. After careful review and evaluation, the FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe for use and effective in preventing COVID-19. The available data show that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and the chance of blood clots occurring following its administration is very low. Anyone who is offered the J&J vaccine from VA will receive information about the potential risks and benefits of the vaccine, including the rare risk of blood clots and will be made aware of alternative vaccine options. The primary goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to protect those we serve from COVID-19, and VA’s priority remains the safety of all those receiving vaccine from VA, including veterans, their spouses, caregivers, employees and federal partners.

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