military
Hiring Our Heroes
Last year in Fort Belvoir, Virginia minutes away from the nation’s capital, a job fair was held to hire America’s Veterans. This is a two-fold dynamic. On the one hand, it is a good thing that special emphasis is being placed on hiring Veterans. However, on the other hand, why would someone who has served his/her country have to go through the often unrewarded hassle of a job fair?
Job fairs are only valuable when the organizations have direct-hire authority and actually intend to fill positions most immediately and not use the data as part of their outreach efforts on paper. I have been to a lot of job fairs as a hiring vendor. For research purposes I have also used myself and members of my staff to act as job seekers. The outcome as a hiring vendor reaped great results because I went there to hire and not buttress a report about hiring efforts. I needed to hire a record number of Social Workers for the Government. I had asked for and been given direct-hire authority of which I used every morsel of that authority to hire 300 Social Workers with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and a Licensed Graduate Social Work license (LGSW). I hired qualified Social Workers on the spot.
It is as fresh in my mind as it was when it happened back in 1997-98. I went to job fairs at The Catholic University of American that hosted other District of Columbia Universities (Howard, George Washington, Georgetown, American, Trinity, and the University of Maryland). I traveled along the East Coast to the University of Maryland at Baltimore, Johns Hopkins, Pennsylvania, New York University, and Temple. The Universities I could not get to in person were informed via other means. In essence, our recruitment efforts spans the country into Puerto Rico.
It was nearing graduation time in the USA, the best time to recruit to fill positions with new energy and enthusiasm and pair them with seasoned personnel to make the learning curve seamless. For many Veterans, there is no learning curve because they have received some of the best training possible via the military. They have the unique skills of discipline, leadership and the ability to work cohesively in a team, all proven ingredients for success. Veterans may have a slight adjustment to transitioning from the Military to the Civilian world, but that pales in comparison to the skills they bring to the table.
We hired more than 300 Social Workers in the 3 month period given and even beat that deliverable by 15 days. Veterans have given their all to protect and defend America’s shores. They need jobs, housing and health care. They need to be taken care of. It is time to put all Americans back to work. It is time to show our appreciation to Veterans and connect them with jobs now.
We’ll check back with Ft. Belvoir in a couple of months and see if we can get any statistics on how well the Hiring Our Heroes job fair did for our deserving Veterans.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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President Obama Nominates Bob McDonald Secretary of the VA
President Barack Obama will nominate Bob McDonald as the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. McDonald is the former CEO of Procter and Gamble and a Vet. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army for five years. Mr. McDonald is also a businessman with a lot of executive experience under his belt. He is esteemed like Dr. Cosgrove of the Cleveland Clinic, but it appears that the President wanted to move away from appointing another decorated general, a doctor or a politician. Nevertheless, the nomination remains in the arena of males who have served in the military.
It is amazing a workforce as large as the Federal Government seems to only be able to identify major glitches in management responsibility after a crisis or a scandal. There is something called proactive management, the anticipation of problems and the immediacy of solving those problems before they become national headline negative news. It serves no purpose to write up a 200 page report of the ills at the VA after the dams have burst and a tsunami of water is running in the streets. Reports that an internal audit was completed in May by VA that revealed approximately 1,700 veterans were at-risk of falling through the scheduling cracks in a Phoenix facility because they were no where on the wait list. This makes good press to underscore what a poor job the VA is doing.
The question is, however, does it help the veterans to talk about these dynamics after the fact. Proper and appropriate management means periodic audits, consistent monitoring and evaluation to make certain the pistons are properly firing. In the world of reasonable thinking, you don’t take the car to have the oil changed, after it has blown up on the highway. Federal workers make up the largest civilian workforce in the world. These individuals perform some pretty significant work to keep the nation moving forward.
It matters not how decorated or esteemed any appointment to a position is if the understanding is not there to be proactive from the top to the bottom. Good leaders never have to tell anybody that they are in charge, their actions simply demonstrate that. When we listen to our Vets not being taken care of, that sentiment should resonate with the heads of every agency within the Federal Government to begin doing an inventory of the tasks involved in their mission.
Leaders are often imbued with writing and making lofty statements that sound good. Secretary Shinseki, former Secretary of the VA, along with his senior staff put beautiful words on paper: being people-centric, results-driven, and forward-looking. There were those 16 initiatives including eliminating veteran homelessness and transforming health care delivery through health informatics. The VA is being whipped because they are tasked with providing very important services to veterans and their families, real life and death provisions unique to that agency. The VA has very complex and monumental responsibilities to take care of those who defend the nation. The tasks of the VA can be accomplished, just as the tasks of every federal agency. However, some hard, consistent work is required by not just a few people but all the people involved in the business of each individual agency.
The Federal Government must examine employing the technology of the CLOUD or some similar technology. The work of the Federal Government, particularly for an agency like the VA, is too complex and time sensitive for one entity not to know what another is doing. Collaboration and corroboration must take place with integrity to ensure customers are getting even more than the service they expect.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Taking Care of Vets and Their Families
The Department of Veterans Affairs has been a headliner in the news for a few months now. It appears from all reports that the second largest civilian agency in the Federal Government is not getting a good report card when it comes to taking care of Vets. The Department of Veteran Affairs has a most noble mission to care for those who defend the nation. Abraham Lincoln said it best – “…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan….” What more can be asked of a human being than to lay down his life for his country.
The Department of Veteran Affairs has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of quantity and capacity since its inception. When the Plymouth colonists fought against the Pequot Indians back in 1936, the Pilgrims passed a law stating that disabled soldiers would be taken care of by the colony. Then in 1776, the Continental Congress decided that offering pensions to disabled soldiers would be an enlistment incentive. States and communities took care of disabled soldiers when the country was first forming. In 1811, the first medical facility for veterans was authorized by the Federal Government. The veterans assistance program was expanded during the 19th century to encompass benefits and pensions for veterans and their families.
At the end of the Civil War a number of State run veteran homes began to crop up. Veteran homes provided treatment for all injuries and diseases whether service related or not. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the Congress established a new system of veteran benefits which included Veteran insurance programs for service persons and veterans, vocational rehabilitation for the disabled and disability compensation. The Veterans Bureau, the National home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department administered the various benefits to veterans during 1920; making three different federal agencies responsible for providing benefits to veterans.
It was not until the 1930s that Congress authorized the President to established the Veterans Administration which consolidated all government programs impacting services to veterans. The three separate agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brigadier General Frank T. Hines was named the first administrator of Veteran Affairs. He remained in that post until 1945 just at the close of World War II. The VA grew from 54 hospitals in 1930 to 152 hospitals, 800 community-based clinics, 126 nursing home care units and 35 domiciliaries.
World War II dramatically increased the number of veterans, including those with disabilities. The increase in the needs of veterans also broadened the number of benefits available to them. The GI Bill signed into law in 1944 provided veterans with and opportunity to receive an education they had only imagined. Getting an education, receiving a college degree enabled veterans to create a better life for their families because of greater opportunities in the job market.
Although the Department of Veteran Affairs has little or no resemblance to the Pilgrim’s idea of taking care of disabled veterans in 1636, the mission remains the same. This noble mission is a work in progress since veterans from around the country are saying to the nation – “you are not doing enough to take care of us.” President Obama appointed Secretary Eric K. Shinseki in 2008 to transform the second largest civilian agency in the federal government into a high-performing, strategic entity poised to take better care of our Vets. It is the consensus of many Vets and their families that it didn’t happen.
President Obama, like his predecessors, has appointed persons of high-caliber to the post of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Prior to 1989, the VA Secretary was not a cabinet-level position. President George H. W. Bush appointed two Secretaries to the post from 1989 to 1993. President Bill Clinton appointed four Secretaries from 1993 to 2001, followed by President George W. Bush’s appointment of four Secretaries from 2001 to 2009. President Barack Obama has appointed two Secretaries from 2009 to present, to include acting Secretary Sloan Gibson who replaced Secretary Shinseki.
There is news that President Obama is considering Dr. Delos “Tony” Cosgrove as the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Cosgrove is a Vet and a heart surgeon of renown. He is also the CEO of the famed Cleveland Clinic and is reported to have made a number of notable achievements. He has something in common with the past twelve Secretaries. He is, of course male, a Vet and imminently qualified for the job, bringing a high-degree of management success from the acclaimed Cleveland Clinic. Although the Cleveland Clinic is as distinctly different from the Department of Veterans Affairs as night is to day, the connecting dynamic is that people come to each institution seeking quality medical care. They also come to the VA seeking benefits from disability to laying the Vet at his/her final resting place. No other organization is going to have the same complex mission as the VA, it is unique. It was formed to provide for Vets and their families.
Each President has had the best interest of Vets and their families at heart when they appointed fine men to head up the Department of Veteran Affairs, but the veterans are still in need of so much. Every Secretary who has held the post had one thing in common – they were Veterans and male. One does not have to be a Vet to understand the needs of veterans and their families. Hospitals many years ago decided to move away from hiring physicians as CEOs of hospitals. Instead they began recruiting MBAs with the knowledge of operating businesses to lead hospital operations. Many physicians realizing they needed something else in order to be more effective business leaders, combined their MD degrees with MBAs and MPAs.
Being a good and forward thinking strategists sometimes demands changing course. At least twelve men who were Vets have been Secretaries of the VA. Why not a woman who has the knowledge, skills and compassion to understand what Vets and their families need and make sure they get it? These Vets in many cases have made the ultimate sacrifice to their country, and we are obligated to give them what they need. The woman does not have to be a Vet, but if she is give her an opportunity to serve her country, just like the twelve men who served their country and then became Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, serving their country once more.
Vets serve in the military and many transition to the Federal Government looking for opportunities to better support their families. One day they, like the rest of the federal workforce, will retire. But long before that, it might be time to change course and get about the business of doing what President Lincoln promised – “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan…”
P.S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Veterans Benefits for Women
Women Veterans Benefits
Obviously both Men and Women receive Veterans Benefits. Aren’t we extraordinarily proud of our women veterans and women in uniform. The military was once thought of a place for men. Veterans were men. Wounded warriors were men. The soldiers returning from wars were men. Now the paradigm has shifted 180 degrees. Women are soldiers. Women are Veterans. Being the forward thinking human being that I am, it still gives me pause to see women who have lost their limbs in war. Then I snap out of the daze of yesterday and I say, these are warriors, these are patriots, these are defenders of our nation’s borders – they represent today’s military and I am proud of them.
In reality women have always served in the military in some capacity or the other. The difference today is that they are much more visible. They are capable and focused and recognized for their talents and skills. They are leaders who are as committed to safeguarding their country and its citizens as the next soldier.
Because the military has been traditionally geared towards men, many facilities and services within the VA have had to be expanded. Comprehensive health services are available to Women Vets from primary care, mental health services, to reproductive treatment. Maternity care is covered and treatment options include OB/GYNs, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Family Practitioners.
The VA also covers the cost of care of newborns of Veteran women for a period of seven days after birth. There are also limited services for infertility assessment and evaluation. The military has changed and women have been instrumental in bringing about a change that demonstrates the fortitude of women committed to serving the nation amid great sacrifice.
HAIL TO THE WOMEN – OUR HONORED VETERANS
P.S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Veterans Benefits Basic Requirements
Veterans Benefits Reqirements
In order to qualify for basic veterans benefits via the VA one must have served in the active military, naval or air service and was honorably discharged. If called to active duty for reasons other than purely training, both National Guard and Reservist members may also qualify for VA health benefits given they completed the full term for which they were summoned or ordered to active duty.
Veterans must have served 24 continuous months or the full term for which they enlisted in order to qualify for health benefits if the enlistment occurred after September 7, 1980 or came on active duty after October 16, 1981.
The 24 month minimum requirement may not be applicable if the Veteran was discharged due to a hardship, a disability or an aggravation of the disability in the line of duty or as a result of an early out.
To receive all the benefits and information the VA has to offer, most Veterans must enroll in the VA Health Care System. Veterans can enroll online at VA.gov or via phone (877)-222-8387.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Veterans Benefits: The VA and DOD
Veterans Benefits: VA and DOD
I write about 12-15 blog articles per week in addition to a weekly newsletter. That’s a lot of writing and more over, I choose my own topics. I do have a little help from the classes I teach and the many wonderful people I get the opportunity to talk with. I am always getting flooded with loads of questions. I like it because the questions give me something interesting to write about. The questions also let me know what is on the minds of people concerning retirement, veterans benefits, planning and how to make sure their families are going to be okay in the event they are not around.
When I told some people that I was going to be dedicating this week’s articles to our active and retired military personnel, did they have lots of topics for me to pull from. I thought the question about the difference between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) where health care was concerned was a great topic to tackle in brevity.
The VA and DOD are distinctly different federal agencies. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs led by the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health is tasked with implementing medical assistance programs for the VA via outpatient clinics, medical centers,community-based outpatient clinics and nursing homes. These services collectively come under the Veterans Health Administration which is a component of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsors a health benefits program called CHAMPVA wherein the VA shares in the cost of certain health related services and supplies to beneficiaries eligible to participate in the insurance program. CHAMPVA is essentially the civilian health and medical program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for all of the U.S. military hospitals around the world where medical services and treatment are provided to service members and their eligible family members. One of the most noted military hospitals is located in the nation’s capital – Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It is a military hospital and not a VA facility.
TRICARE is a major part of the Military Health System managed by the Defense Health Agency under the auspices of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. TRICARE is a health care program for service members and their families around the world whether they are active, retired, guard or reserve.
Hope this gives some clarity to the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) via health care facilities and visions provided to service members retired and active.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Veteran Benefits: Application
Applying for Veterans Benefits
If you are applying for Veterans benefits or if you ever need to, the journey will be made easier if you know what you need to get started. All of your important papers should be kept in a safe, secure and accessible place. Your family members or someone you trust should also know where you important papers are.
Sometimes injuries might prevent you from taking care of a lot of your important business on your own. Communicating with family members or individuals you trust is perhaps one of the most important things you will do. Knowing where your vital information is and being able to get to it as quickly as possible could take the headache out of getting your benefits in a timely manner.
Always keep your service discharge papers in a safe place that is easy for you to put your hands on and the person or persons you have designated to represent you in the event you cannot represent yourself.
As a Veteran seeking benefits initially, you will need a copy of your service discharge form – a DD-214, DD-215, or a WD form for World War II Vets. The service discharge form outlines service dates, the type of discharge and the Vet’s full name, military service number and branch and dates of service.
If family members are applying for death benefits for a deceased Veteran they will need to present certain documents in order to process the claim: If married, a certificate of marriage is needed from the surviving spouse or children. Birth certificates of natural or adopted children are needed to determine the benefits the children are eligible to receive. A copy of the Vet’s birth certificate is also needed to determine if there are any benefits belonging to the Vet’s parents and the Vet’s death certificate if he/she did not pass away in a VA hospital or facility.
Putting plans in place before a crisis is a good idea. Talking to family members and outlining benefits available during active and non-active military service save time and will undoubtedly help to expedite getting your benefits when you or your family need them most.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Veterans Benefits – What Wartime Benefits Do You Qualify For?
What Veterans Benefits Do You Qualify For?
There are some veterans benefits that are categorized as Wartime Service. In order to receive such benefits one must have served in at least one of the wars recognized by the Department of Veteran Affairs. The VA lists the wars and the dates of service that qualify as wartime service on its website.
1. Mexican Border Period (May 9, 1016 – April 5, 1917)
2. World War I (April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918; for Veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917, through April l, 1920; extended – July 1, 1921, for Veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.)
3. World War II (December 7, 1941, – December 31, 1946)
4. Korean War June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955).
5. Vietnam War August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for Veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964) – May 7, 1975.
6. Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – a date to be set)
Although the Iraqi and Afghan war were not listed on the Veterans Administration website as of January 1, 2013, it would be wise to check for the status of Veterans who served in those wars. Other stipulations may apply. Check with your VA benefits Office to check your wartime status for veteran benefits.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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Veterans Benefits
Veterans Benefits
I did a job for the Department of Education (ED) a few years back that focused on Veterans Benefits. The time to complete the project was very short, but I accepted the challenge because I feel indebted to render services to Veterans whenever and however I can. I was called upon to do an online guide for Transitioning Veterans from the Military to the Federal Service. It was a great project, particularly having the opportunity to work with an outstanding Vet whose commitment to her fellow Vets is nothing short of remarkable.
I have worked in Human Resources leadership for a number of years and am driven to do as much as I can to make certain workers understand their benefits now and how they work in retirement. After working for the greater part of our adult lives, retirement should be a bonus, a happy transition into the next adventure of one’s life.
Veterans are eligible for a wide and diverse range of benefits that are under the auspices of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Benefits offered may be taken advantage of while on active duty and after appropriate discharge. Qualifying for benefits is generally based on the active full-time service member’s discharge status – barring that there has not been a dishonorable discharge. Individuals may have served in the Air Force, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Army, the Coast Guard or as commissioned officers in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Public Health Service and the Environmental Science Services Administration.
If you are a Vet and are serving a prison term you should still contact the VA to check your eligibility status. Persons who have been dishonorably discharged or have been discharged because of bad conduct via courts-martial are generally not qualified for VA benefits. Veterans or their dependents who have outstanding felony warrants also do not qualify for VA benefits.
Contact a VA Benefits Office to determine your eligibility status and benefits that may also cover your family members. When you serve your country with honor, you deserve the honor of accessing benefits that will provide the assistance and support you need.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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As A Veteran – What Wartime Benefits Do You Qualify For?
