Erick L. Gonzalez
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Posts by Erick L. Gonzalez
Eric K. Shinseki’s VA budget proposal aimed to transform the VA into a 21st century organization
February 5, 2010 - 12:40 pm
Tags: Budget, Eric K. Shinseki, White House
Posted in Benefits, Budget, Healthcare, News, Politics | No comments
(Media-Newswire.com) – WASHINGTON – White House Seeks $125 Billion for Veterans in 2011 to expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of new disability compensation claims, the White House has announced a proposed $125 billion budget next year for the Department of [...]
Change in Military Policy, Punishing Commanders for Injured Troops
February 5, 2010 - 11:40 am
Tags: Afghanistan
Posted in Afghanistan, OEF | No comments
Military members in Iraq can recall in the early days of the war the rules of engagement (ROEs) and the frustration they caused U.S. commanders on the ground. Then, ROE incidents had career consequences if civilians were injured in the course of action. Today, in Afghanistan, U.S. commanders face even tougher discipline for battlefield failures.
The [...]
Veteran Groups Resist ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal
February 5, 2010 - 9:18 am
Tags: Don't ask Don't Tell, Gays
Posted in Don't ask Don't Tell | No comments
In an article yesterday, the Washington Times reported that two of the most prominent veteran groups have come out in opposition to President Obama’s plan to end the military’s long-standing ban on open homosexuals in the ranks.
The American Legion, the largest veteran group and Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesmen told The Washington Times on [...]
Despite military efforts, troops still shy from seeking mental care
January 25, 2010 - 4:46 pm
Tags: Mental health
Posted in Mental health | No comments
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, January 25, 2010
WASHINGTON — The Army staff sergeant knew something was seriously wrong when he still couldn’t sleep weeks after returning from Afghanistan. But he never considered going to Army psychiatrists.
“There’s still too much of a stigma in the military with seeing a therapist,” said the [...]
Veteran’s claim files backlog may collapse building
January 20, 2010 - 12:13 am
Tags: Veterans Claims
Posted in Benefits and Claims | No comments
The problem is literally from floor to ceiling inside Roanoke’s Poff Federal Building. According to a report uncovered by our Lynchburg newsroom the News and Advance, nearly 11,000 folders were found sitting on top of full file cabinets. That was during an inspection between August 25 and September 2.
In the report by the [...]
Veterans minister plays down compensation figures
January 20, 2010 - 12:05 am
Posted in Benefits and Claims, Veterans Affairs | No comments
By Online political correspondent Emma Rodgers
Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin says figures which show thousands of troops have been injured or become ill in the past decade in overseas conflicts do not mean that the Defence Force is over-committed.
Around 4,000 military personnel from the East Timor operation and Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts have put in [...]
Fallen Heroes Project Debut at Arlington National Cemetery
January 19, 2010 - 5:56 am
Posted in Uncategorized | No comments
The Fallen Heroes Project by the Michael G. Reagan Portrait Foundation makes its debut at Arlington National Cemetery’s Visitors Center on Tuesday, Jan. 19th at 3 p.m.
All are welcome to attend! For more information about the project, please visit http://www.fallenheroesproject.org. The project will be on display at the Visitors Center for several months.
Nine years later, USS Cole attack and PTSD claims another victim
December 30, 2009 - 3:51 pm
Posted in Mental health, PTSD | No comments
The October 2000 terrorist assault on the USS Cole killed 17 sailors and injured 39, among them Petty Officer 3rd Class Johann Gokool of Homestead, Fla., an electronic warfare technician who lost his left leg.
On Dec. 23, a week after his 31st birthday, Gokool transitioned from survivor to victim. Relatives say he died in his [...]
Deadline rapidly approaching for Post-9/11 transfer option
December 17, 2009 - 9:49 pm
Posted in GI-Bill | No comments
By MC2 Alexis R. Brown
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 00:00
Members of the armed forces wishing to use their military education benefits to provide financial assistance for their spouse or dependent(s) have little time to elect that option.
The last day to transfer educational entitlements under the Defense Department’s Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is Dec. 31. This deadline applies [...]
Pentagon plays catch-up as toll of repeat combat duty rises
December 17, 2009 - 9:46 pm
Tags: PTSD
Posted in PTSD | No comments
A Department of Veterans Affairs study reports a three-fold increase in depression and post-traumatic stress after repeat combat duty, raising questions about the Pentagon’s ability to keep soldiers with combat-related psychological problems away from the front.
Emotional pain, depression, and angst among US soldiers seeing multiple deployments in war zones are much more common than the [...]
