Military Officer - August 2008 - (Page 38)

washingtonscene protect military families from facility shortfalls at either closing or expanding bases. the reality that combat risk is no longer a “front line versus rear echelon” issue; ■ differences in communication, language, and culture within and between the active and reserve components; and ■ gender-unique issues on PTSD and risk of mental health problems. MOAA, the VA, and other groups supporting the summit encouraged women veterans to seek membership in advocacy organizations to strengthen their voice in Congress and support for issues of concern to them and their families. MOAA Supports Women Vets Unemployables’ Pay “On Track” ■ The FY 2008 Defense Eleven percent of military females are at war. Authorization Act authorized full concurrent receipt for those servicemembers rated 100-percent disabled because of unemployability retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005. DFAS officials reported that, barring any unforeseen problems, qualified retirees should see their new monthly payments in the November paycheck. T hree MOAA deputy directors, Capt. Linda Speed, USN-Ret., Cmdr. Katherine O’Neil Tracy, USNR, and Cmdr. René Campos, USNRet., attended the VA’s National Summit on Women Veterans’ Issues in Washington, D.C., June 20-22. Campos is a member of VA Secretary James Peake’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. Today, over 200,000 women are serving in the armed forces, with 11 percent of them deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Fourteen percent of women veterans are expected to use VA facilities in the next two years, which requires additional resources to focus on their unique needs. VA ofﬁcials acknowledged they must earn the trust and conﬁdence of women vets in the areas of access and quality of health care. The VA has expanded the number of women’s clinics and women veteran coordinators in the ﬁeld as ways to address these and other key concerns. Employee training and outreach efforts are underway to improve customer service, information, and access. Discussion topics included: ■ rising homelessness rates among women veterans; ■ lack of access, privacy, and safety for military sexual trauma victims at VA facilities; ■ statutory limits on family members’ access to VA support services, counseling, and health care; ■ the changing role of women in combat and the need for updated policies to reﬂect New Guard and Reserve Bills Bills address earlier retirement age and expanding health coverage. E ven though the legislative year is nearing the end, a couple of very important Guard- and Reserve-related bills still are pending before Congress. At press time, MOAA expected amendments based on these bills’ language to be offered to the Senate version of the FY 2009 Defense Authorization Bill. Reserve retirement age: S. 2836, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and H.R. 4930, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), would reduce the reserve retirement age three months below age 60 for each 90 days on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation. Last year, Congress passed legislation that only allowed credit for active duty service after Jan. 28, 2008. Reserve health care premiums: H.R. 6185, Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), would let “gray-area” reservists (i.e., those who are retired but have not yet attained age 60) purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) coverage. This would sustain eligibility for coverage, but gray-area eligibles would not receive the government subsidy enjoyed 38 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - August 2008

Military Officer - August 2008 Contents MOAA Online From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapters in Action Financial Forum Ask the Doctor MOAA Member Services Cover Story: A Stronger Voice Virtual Combat Mental Floss Steady as She Goes Pages of History Faces of MOAA Member Books Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Scholarship Donors Encore

Military Officer - August 2008

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