From: Wayne Gatewood, Jr To: Wayne Gatewood, Jr Subject: Veterans News for Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Date: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 8:52:05 PM Attachments: FY 2012 Preliminary 10-2-12 one decimal 5 SBA Scorecard Categories includes 6 FRCs.pdf WW II Hero Kovar.jpg WW II POW Len Kovar How I Survived.pdf

Happy Tuesday good people. Hope you and yours are well. Sequestration is the hot topic and so it should be. Have to tell you folks, we deserve better. God only knows the price our Troops are paying while all the while the folly on the Hill continues. Shameful, simply shameful!

For Today. “The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.” Bill Gates

VA/FedBid Shuts Out SDVOSBs if They Don't Have a GSA Schedule. OK Gang, have you wondered why you weren't seeing as many VA opportunities? It's because VA/FedBid worked out a programming process to give buyers the option to hide the buy from any SDVOSB without a GSA schedule. From FedBid: “If your company is not a GSA Schedule holder, you will not be able to view the Buy on FedBid, regardless if you are an authorized agent of another organization's GSA schedule.” I have been told folks that large firms are getting small purchase work through FedBid. Hope this is not the case because as we all know, Small Purchases MUST go to small business.

Federal Government Preliminary Small Business Accomplishments for FY 2012 and a big thanks to DHS, Kevin Boshears, OSDBU; Dan Sturdivant, USMC Vietnam Vet and Deputy OSDBU; and Tony Bell, Small Business Officer. Please see the attached preliminary 2012 data. Of note, based on this preliminary data, DHS exceeded all of the socioeconomic categories (SDB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB). DHS’s SDVOSB dollars of about $678 million with a percentage participation rate of about 5.4% is their highest since 2003. Also, based on this preliminary data, DHS stands at 31.0% in the overall small business category noting that their goal of 32.0% is 9 points higher than the government-wide goal of 23.0%. For those of you that have a special interest in SDVOSB participation, please see the following federal government website and please pass it along: Small Business Dashboard http://smallbusiness.data.gov/ In the far right hand column, you see the SDVOSB category with dollars and percentage for each federal agency. Again, Thanks and Congratulations to DHS and the OSDBU Team! Well Done DHS!!

Those Who Have Served: A Symposium on Hiring Veterans. On October 5, 2012, from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm, the American Freedom Foundation will be hosting this event along with the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, at the Sheraton Premier at Tysons Corner. Please visit this link for more information AND also, please see attached Press Release. Any questions, please contact Ted Hacker, Co-founder, President & COO, American Freedom Foundation, Inc..American Freedom Festival http://www.americanfreedomfoundation.org Thanks Ted!

A Promise Kept. http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8155/a-promise-kept/

Veterans Group Assesses VA Care. http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8164/veterans-group-assesses-va-care/

1500 AM - Federal News Radio Headlines - IG Report Cites Failed Leadership in Wasteful VA Conference Spending. http://view.community.federalnewsradio.com/? j=fec6157172630c7c&m=fe91157073620c7b76&ls=fe2215727763027a731179&l=ff5d1c7877&s=fe5e177475670c7e7013&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe91157172610c7e70&r=0

"I Can't Afford To Live Like This"; VA Weeks, Months Late Paying Student Veterans - US News. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/02/14174104-i-cant-afford-to-live-like-this-va-weeks-months-late-paying-student-veterans?lite&ocid=msnhp

For Our Vets Dealing with Type II Diabetes (especially our Vietnam Vets): http://www.insulinnation.com/insulinnation/2012issue6? pg=12&pm=1&u1=texterity&linkImageSrc=/insulinnation/2012issue6/data/imgpages/tn/0012_qdjxbw.gif/#pg12 Thanks to Vietnam Veteran Randall Brown for sending this to us.

VA Committed to Ending Veteran Homelessness. VA is committed to ending Veteran homelessness. If you or someone you know is homeless or about to become homeless, please utilize our resources and call 1-877-4AID-VET. Learn more about homeless Veteran resources.

Reserve Officers Association (ROA) SmartBrief for October 2, 2012. http://www.smartbrief.com/servlet/wireless?issueid=102A408D-FE3B-4E72-8400- 636F2CDEFD5F&sid=22cbe9eb%2d3ef0%2d4eca%2d8105%2def9f466dc32d

Learning to Eat Healthy During Football Season. (Good luck!) :-) http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8152/learning-to-eat-healthy-during-football-season/

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones and for our selfless and dear Troops and their loved ones everywhere.

Best.....Wayne ------Read below - pretty shameful stuff from a so-called Veteran. Sent in by our good friend Lee Dougherty, Army Ranger and Attorney

Accused Navy vets scammer is former lawyer October 1st, 2012 · No Comments · Fraud

The man known as “Bobby Thompson” is a former lawyer with degrees from the University of Virginia and Harvard, federal officials say.

U.S. Marshals say “Thompson” is really John D. Cody, an Army veteran and former Arizona lawyer wanted since 1987 on fraud charges.

“Thompson” is accused of running an elaborate fake veterans support group that collected millions in donations, allowing him to give to political campaigns and rub elbows with top elected officials.

In Virginia, he helped persuade lawmakers to relax charity oversight regulations, a change that was promptly reversed after the veterans scam was exposed.

A U.S. Marshal credits Google for helping to undercover the defendant’s true identity. He said an Internet search led him to an old FBI wanted poster for Cody and he noticed a resemblance to “Thompson,” reports The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer.

According to the FBI, Cody graduated from U.Va. in 1969 and earned a JD from Harvard Law School in 1972. He served in the Army as a in military intelligence and practiced law in Arizona from 1980 to 1984.

As a lawyer, Cody was known for his shabby clothing, flamboyant pompadour and outlandish accusations about his courtroom opponents, according to published reports.

Cody was never licensed in Virginia, according to the Virginia State Bar.

Cody was wanted in the Eastern District of Virginia for allegedly stealing money from probate accounts and seeking loans using false identities. He dropped out of sight in 1985, leaving his Corvette parked at the Phoenix airport with the keys in the ignition.

The Florida-based U.S. Navy Veterans Association headed by “Thompson” collected at least $2 million from Virginia residents and donated $55,500 to the campaign of Virginia Attorney Ken Cuccinelli. After the scam came to light, the General Assembly repealed a change limiting oversight of charity fundraising, and Cuccinelli donated the Thompson contribution to veterans’ groups.

“Thompson” disappeared in 2010 but was arrested April 30 in Oregon after a nationwide manhunt. ------VA Veterans News for Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Thanks to Kevin Secor, VA VSO Liaison

1. Video shows US reporter—former Marine—alive after capture in Syria. 2. US Veterans Agency Official Resigns Before Report on Spending. 3. IG: VA wasted hundreds of thousands on extravagant conferences. 4. Talking to troops, top NCO hears about “insider threats”. 5. US: $100M veterans scam suspect in Ohio is Harvard Law grad. 6. American Humane Association Calls on Veterans Administration. 7. MacDill event looks for leaders. 8. Four arrested in shooting at Florida VFW post. 9. New survey strives to get input from state veterans. 10. VA fails to track cause of veterans deaths. 11. Suicides: More Common Than Murder. 12. Consolidating Field Offices: Big Promise, Little Progress. 13. Facility In California Would Pool Resources From VA, DOD, Civilian Hospitals. 14. IG To Release Report On VA Conferences. 15. VA Touts New Digitized System As Antidote To Claims Backlog. 16. VA Is Transitioning To An Electronic Claims System. 17. Rescuing Veterans From The Abyss. 18. Housing Proposed To Help Homeless. 19. Volunteers Beautify Northport Veterans Association Medical Center. VA Official Requested Grant For Project. 20. VA To Hold Open House For Complementary And Alternative Medicine Program. 21. Annual Event Aids Homeless Veterans. 22. For Disabled Vets, Skiing On Lake Seminole Brings "Freedom." 23. Give Thanks For Men And Women In The Military. 24. Veterans Pay Respects To Japanese Americans Killed During World. 25. VA / VSO-MSO Hearings as October 2, 2012: 26. Today in History:

1. Video shows US reporter—former Marine—alive after capture in Syria. Austin Tice, a former Marine and American freelance journalist in Syria who hasn’t communicated with family and colleagues since mid-August, is shown alive and in the custody of armed men in a video posted on YouTube.

2. US Veterans Agency Official Resigns Before Report on Spending. Businessweek The top human resources official at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resigned a day before the scheduled release of an inspector general's report on questionable spending tied to two conferences in Florida. The agency announced in a brief ...

3. IG: VA wasted hundreds of thousands on extravagant conferences. Investigators looking into lavish spending for a pair of Veterans Affairs training conferences in 2011 found evidence that department employees improperly accepted gifts, wasted hundreds of thousands on unneeded expenses and exhibited “serious management weaknesses” in handling taxpayer dollars.

4. Talking to troops, top NCO hears about “insider threats”. The priority for frontline troops was clear as Command Sgt. Maj. Bill Johnson, America’s top enlisted man for ground operations, trudged up the stairs of a bombed out, teetering building in this crucial southern city: on an upper floor two U.S. “guardian angels” peered out over their base through a broken window, rifles at the ready, looking for signs of Afghan soldiers about to attack their coalition counterparts.

5. US: $100M veterans scam suspect in Ohio is Harvard Law grad. A former fugitive suspected of running a $100 million cross-country scam collecting donations for Navy veterans has been identified as a Harvard-trained attorney wanted on unrelated fraud charges since 1987, authorities said Monday.

6. American Humane Association Calls on Veterans Administration. RedOrbit American Humane Association, the nation's leading advocate on behalf of animals and children, today called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reverse a policy that would ... 7. MacDill event looks for leaders. More than most of the students milling around the hallway at the Davis Conference Center at MacDill Air Force Base, Caleb Allen knows the cost of war. His father, retired Marine Cpl. Mike Jernigan, was blinded when his Humvee hit an improvised explosive device while he was on patrol in Iraq in 2004.

8. Four arrested in shooting at Florida VFW post. Police today arrested four suspects in Sunday's fatal shooting of two members of the Warlocks motorcycle club and the wounding of a third men outside a VFW post in Winter Springs, Fla.

9. New survey strives to get input from state veterans. West Virginia Public Broadcasting He is also one of nearly 800 students at the school who is a veteran. After serving as a specialist and earning the honorary rank of sergeant in the United States Army, this Sophia, W.Va. native decided to go to college, but Combs says the first year ...

10.VA fails to track cause of veterans deaths. Dayton Daily News Last month, Veterans Affairs officials in Dayton said multiple deployments, a tough economy and a rise in post-traumatic stress added to an alarming increase in suicides among local service members and veterans. ... The 345 veterans identified by ...

11.Suicides: More Common Than Murder. Pleasanton (CA) Weekly "One in 10 Americans suffer from depression, one of the leading causes of suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." The Weekly adds, "Suicide has become such a big issue nationwide that the Obama administration this month, National Suicide Prevention Month, announced a initiative to help prevent suicides, especially among veterans, who commit suicide at a higher rate than civilians." The "Obama plan will boost staff at the national crisis hotline (800-273-855) for both civilians and members of the military and provide $55.6 million for state and local programs." Washington Times Rebecca Hagelin points out that a "new executive order provides for immediate hiring of 1,600 new mental health workers in Veterans Affairs and increases the number of hotline counselors for veterans." Hagelin says she hopes such efforts and others like it from the Federal government "will cast practical lifelines to those in need, but the deeper solution lies with each one of us." Haglin then urges readers to reach out to those at risk of suicide.

12.Consolidating Field Offices: Big Promise, Little Progress. Federal Times "Many agencies share office space in federal buildings - mostly located in large cities across the country - but they typically do little co-locating at the field office level." The Times adds, "That, says experts, is a huge missed opportunity to cut costs." The Times does point out that VA spokeswoman Josephine Schuda says her agency and the Defense Department share both space and resources at 32 healthcare facilities.

13.Facility In California Would Pool Resources From VA, DOD, Civilian Hospitals. U-T San Diego "A group of military, veteran and community health care heavyweights began meeting last year in San Diego to think big about improving treatment for amputation and traumatic brain injury." The "facility would pool resources from the Defense Department, Veterans Affairs and civilian hospitals, consolidating health care and research in an area with the largest population of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans in the country. The idea has gained traction with startup funding and community backing."

14.IG To Release Report On VA Conferences. Federal Times "The Veterans Affairs Department's Office of Inspector General has finished its investigation into alleged illegal gifts and lavish spending at two pricey conferences last summer. The OIG said a report into the $5.2 million human resources training conferences in Orlando, Fla., will be released" today. The Times adds, "The IG...told lawmakers that it identified roughly $200,000 in questionable spending."

15.VA Touts New Digitized System As Antidote To Claims Backlog. Stars And Stripes "The Department of Veterans Affairs' new digitized records system is bringing 'fundamental improvements' to the agency's efforts to slash its massive backlog of pending disability compensation claims." The report had background on the issue of delays and criticism of the VA and pointed out that "the new digitized system is being tested in four regional offices and will be in place in 40 offices by the end of 2013, the Times said." Moreover, "workers told the Times the new system makes researching and processing claims much more efficient" and "consolidates several existing databases and provides prompts during the input process that help reduce mistakes."

16.VA Is Transitioning To An Electronic Claims System. CNN Health VA "said it is on track to process 1 million disability claims this year." And in 2011, the agency paid out almost five billion dollars in compensation to veterans. But with the "war in Iraq over and the one in Afghanistan winding down, the VA is sorting through a backlog of more than 860,000 disability claims from American veterans," 228,000 of whom "have been waiting for a year or more" to have their claims processed. CNN, does point out, however, that VA's claims "backlog...increased when hundreds of thousands of vets were finally allowed to file claims for Agent Orange and syndrome." CNN Health, which posts a video version of its story on the website, spoke to Tommy Sowers, VA's assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, who said that while the backlog is "unacceptable," it is a "problem that has been decades in the making." He also noted that VA is "transitioning from a paper-based" claims system to an electronic one.

17.Rescuing Veterans From The Abyss. Tampa Bay (FL) Times "A national count recorded 67,495 homeless veterans on a single night in January 2011. Touting its beefed-up efforts to stem the problem, the US Department of Veterans Affairs says the figure represents a nearly 12 percent drop from the previous year." The Times adds, "In 2009, the VA announced a plan to end veteran homelessness by 2015 and began increasing funding for rescue and prevention programs across the nation," including in Florida, where VA has awarded grant money to Catholic Charities and the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County.

18.Housing Proposed To Help Homeless. KCRG-TV D.E. Pat Kane, who is executive director of CrossRoads Mission in Cedar Rapids, is "pushing ahead with a plan for a building with 22 to 27 efficiency apartments, which will house homeless families and homeless veterans. Kane has asked the city to donate five vacant lots next to the mission at 1006 Second St. SW for the $2.1 million construction project." Kane "said he and the project's board of directors will seek grant money from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the US Department of Veterans Affairs to help fund the construction of the apartment building."

19.Volunteers Beautify Northport Veterans Association Medical Center. VA Official Requested Grant For Project. Newsday "The Northport VA Medical Center received a face-lift this past week as volunteers worked to serve" veterans. The "Home Depot Foundation, a volunteer organization focused on helping veterans, teamed up with Motorola to beautify the landscaping of the federal medical center." Veteran Joseph Sledge, the "public affairs officer for the Northport VA, requested a grant from The Home Depot Foundation for the project several months ago."

20.VA To Hold Open House For Complementary And Alternative Medicine Program. Walla Walla (WA) Union-Bulletin (10/1, 13K) reports, "The complementary and alternative medicine program at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center will hold an open house Thursday from 11 .a.m.-1 p.m. Veterans and their families are invited to come see the new CAM office in Building T-1 and learn about the current programs." There "will also be light refreshments, courtesy of the Walla Walla VA Canteen Services."

21.Annual Event Aids Homeless Veterans. Saratogian "Homeless and at-risk veterans filled Colonie Elks Lodge 2192 Saturday for the Homeless Veterans Stand-Down. The event, sponsored by the Eastern New York Homeless Veterans Coalition, provided veterans with a one-day, one-stop shop of sorts where they could receive medical care and obtain information about housing and other services." During the event, representatives "from the Albany Stratton VA Hospital along with second- and third-year students from Albany Medical College provided...veterans with a variety of services, including mental health and infectious disease screenings and routine eye exams and flu shots."

22.For Disabled Vets, Skiing On Lake Seminole Brings "Freedom." Tampa Bay (FL) Times "Towed on specially rigged skis by a speedboat Sunday on the water at Lake Seminole Park, disabled veterans not used to living with physical limitations didn't need to stay within the confines" of their wheelchairs. The veterans were "invited to an exhibit hosted by the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa and the UCanSki2 non-profit group from Florida that promotes the virtues of adaptive water skiing." The "sport will be part of the 33rd Veterans Wheelchair Games, to be hosted in the Tampa Bay area in 2013."

23.Give Thanks For Men And Women In The Military. A letter to the editor of the Washington Post from Virginia resident Celia Ford, who is president of the Blue Star Mothers of Northern Virginia.

24.Veterans Pay Respects To Japanese Americans Killed During World. KHNL-TV

25.VA / VSO-MSO Hearings as October 2, 2012: October 3, 2012. Joint House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees hearing on Legislative Presentation of the American Legion. 10:00 A.M.; 345 Cannon 26.Today in History: 1780 – John André, British Army officer of the American Revolutionary War, is hanged as a spy by American forces. 1789 – George Washington sends the proposed Constitutional amendments (The United States Bill of Rights) to the States for ratification. 1814 – Battle of Rancagua: Spanish Royalists troops under Mariano Osorio defeated rebel Chilean forces of Bernardo O'Higgins and Jose Miguel Carrera. 1835 – The Texas Revolution begins with the Battle of Gonzales: Mexican soldiers attempt to disarm the people of Gonzales, Texas, but encounter stiff resistance from a hastily assembled militia. 1864 – American Civil War: Battle of Saltville – Union forces attack Saltville, Virginia, but are defeated by Confederate troops. 1889 – In Colorado, Nicholas Creede strikes it rich in silver during the last great silver boom of the American Old West. 1919 – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson suffers a massive stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. 1924 – The Geneva Protocol is adopted as a means to strengthen the League of Nations. 1925 – John Logie Baird performs the first test of a working television system. 1928 – The "Prelature of the Holy Cross and the Work of God", commonly known as Opus Dei, is founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. 1937 – Dominican Republic strongman Rafael Trujillo orders the execution of the Haitian population living within the borderlands; approximately 20,000 are killed over the next five days. 1941 – World War II: In Operation Typhoon, Germany begins an all-out offensive against Moscow. 1944 – World War II: German troops end the Warsaw Uprising. 1950 – Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz is first published 1958 – Guinea declares its independence from France. 1959 – The anthology series The Twilight Zone premieres on CBS television. 1967 – Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African-American justice of United States Supreme Court. 1968 – A peaceful student demonstration in Mexico City culminates in the Tlatelolco massacre. 1970 – A plane carrying the Wichita State University football team, administrators, and supporters crashes in Colorado killing 31 people. 1990 – Xiamen Airlines Flight 8301 is hijacked; after landing at Guangzhou, it crashes into two airliners on the ground, killing 132 people. 1992 – The Carandiru Massacre takes place after a riot in the Carandiru Penitentiary in São Paulo, Brazil. 1996 – The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments are signed by U.S. President Bill Clinton. 2001 – NATO backs U.S. military strikes following 9/11. 2002 – The Beltway sniper attacks begin, extending over three weeks. 2006 – Five school girls are murdered by Charles Carl Roberts in a shooting at an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania before Roberts commits suicide. 2007 – President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea walks across the Military Demarcation Line into North Korea on his way to the second Inter-Korean Summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

------Following sent in by Bob Kiah, LtCol, USMC (Ret). Thanks Bob!

Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 10:58 PM Subj: Tricare Increases Effective 1 Oct 2012 http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/10/military-tricare-prime-fees-jump-17-percent-today-for-some-100112w/

Tricare Prime fees jump 17% today for some Military Retirees By Patricia Kime - Staff writer Posted : Monday Oct 1, 2012 11:23:12 EDT

Military Retirees enrolled in Tricare Prime will see a dip in their net retirement pay starting today: Annual fees for the health benefit increased as of Oct. 1 2012.

The fees rise by 3.6 percent for some retired military members and their families and by 17 percent for most.

Military Retirees who enrolled in the system on or after Oct. 1, 2011, and all new beneficiaries will pay $269.28 a year for an individual, up from $260, and $538.56 for a family, up from $520. Those who were in Prime before Oct. 1, 2011, will see their annual fees increase from to $269.28 from $230 for individuals and to $538.56 from $460 for families.

Affected retirees and family members received notification of the increase by mail in August. The fee increases are within limits set by Congress last year. Legislation passed in 2011 restricted the amount the Pentagon can increase annual fees to the annual military cost-of-living adjustment. The 3.6 percent increase is equal to the most recent cost-of-living adjustment in military retired pay for 2012.

The one-time 17 percent increase for the majority of retirees resulted from a previous legislative decision to place a one-year freeze on enrollment fees for those already enrolled in Prime before Oct. 1, 2011.

The 2012 Defense Authorization Act created the two-tiered fee structure only for fiscal 2012, which just ended on September 30 2012. The Obama Administration had pressed for heftier increases in its proposed fiscal 2013 defense budget along with new enrollment fees for Tricare Standard, Extra and Tricare For Life, the health benefit for Medicare-eligible retirees and their families. However, the proposal was struck down by the House and Senate Armed Services committees on a bipartisan basis.

Survivors of personnel who die on active duty or medically retired uniformed service members and their families are exempt from the fee increases. Their enrollment fees remain frozen at the rate they paid when first enrolled, as long as they do not have a break in Prime coverage. The fee increase marks the second since the program was created in 1995. ------From: Mitchell, Amy [[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 10:34 AM

Subj: House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees Welcome The American Legion

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2012 CONTACT: Amy Mitchell (202) 225-3527 ***** MEDIA ADVISORY *****

House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees Welcome The American Legion WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Wednesday, October 3, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 345 (Cannon Caucus Room), Cannon House Office Building, the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs will meet for a joint hearing to hear the legislative priorities of The American Legion. WHO: Joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs Hearing WHAT: House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs to receive the Legislative Presentation of The American Legion

WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2012, Room 345, Cannon House Office Building

WITNESS LIST Panel 1 James E. Koutz, National Commander The American Legion

Accompanied by: Verna Jones, Director National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission The American Legion

Michael Helm, Chairman National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission The American Legion

Peter Gaytan, Executive Director The American Legion

Kenneth Governor, Chairman National Legislative Commission The American Legion

For more news from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, please visit:

Veterans.House.Gov Find us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/HouseVetsAffairs or follow us on Twitter at: @HouseVetAffairs ------From: Denise Nooe, (Mikulski) [[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 2:24 PM

Subj: MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE $250,000 GRANT FOR VETERANS UPWARD BOUND AT PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE $250,000 GRANT FOR VETERANS UPWARD BOUND AT PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) today announced that the Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) has been awarded a grant for $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Education for the Veterans Upward Bound program, which assists veterans in acquiring the skills needed for admission into postsecondary education programs.

“It’s one thing to fight a war. It’s another thing for our veterans to come home and fight for quality education,” said Senator Mikulski, a member of the Senate Military Family Caucus. “These federal dollars and the Veterans Upward Bound program will help our veterans get the skills they need to pursue higher education when they come home from war.”

“I applaud Prince George’s Community College for all it is doing to help our veterans acquire the skills they need to succeed in the 21st Century economy,” said Senator Cardin. “Prince George’s County is home to more than 65,000 veterans, many of whom want to pursue their education and acquire new skills for the workforce. This grant for the Veterans Upward Bound will make that possible.”

The Veterans Upward Bound project provides instruction in core academic areas such as mathematics, laboratory science, foreign language, composition and literature. Projects may also provide short-term refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates, but who have delayed pursuing their postsecondary education. Other services offered include counseling, mentoring, and tutoring with the goal of increasing the rate at which veterans enroll in and successfully complete postsecondary education programs. ------Story of a World War II Hero, Len Kovar – Sent in by Rick Reed, California DVB Alliance. Thanks Rick

Hi Wayne, I get your news brief regularly thru my work with the CA DVB Alliance, the non-profit disabled veteran business group. Although this is not related that work, I have a great friend whose father is a WWII Hero. This story is one I think you can appreciate and hope you will share with your readers. Mr. Len Kovar is 90 this October 14, and is only now telling the story of his being shot down, captured and imprisoned. His struggle to survive and aid his fellow prisoners suggests that wining wars may be more about strong beliefs, American values and ingenuity than military/industrial complexes. I have sent you a photo of Mr. Kovar (attached) in his 'pinks and greens' that he wore in 1943 taken during a book signing event at the CA State Military Museum. He also has a website and more details in the attached press release. ------BOOK BY RETIRED MARINE MICHAEL MOFFETT WINS NATIONAL AWARD; “FAHIM SPEAKS” TAKES MWSA GOLD MEDAL FOR TOP BIOGRAPHY

DAYTON, OHIO – The annual Military Writers Society of America Awards Banquet was held here on Saturday, September 29, and the book FAHIM SPEAKS, co-authored by Michael Moffett (USMC, ret), received the Gold Medal for top book in the Biography Genre.

FAHIM SPEAKS: A WARRIOR-ACTOR’S ODYSSEY FROM AFGHANISTAN TO HOLLYWOOD AND BACK was nominated by MWSA reviewer Hodge Wood, who in a June book review stated that the book combines Fazli’s “unique American experience with his native Afghan roots, resulting in a tasteful reader’s concoction. He made me feel good about American society, our devotion to Afghanistan, and for the Good Warrior that never gives up or goes bad ... FAHIM SPEAKS gets my highest recommendation – it’s a must read. What a TRULY AMERICAN story of perseverance and service!”

A native Afghan who escaped the chaos of his homeland in 1983, Fazli eventually made his way to California, assimilated into American society, and became a citizen. Eventually he also became a Hollywood actor and a member of the Screen Actors Guild, with numerous movie and television credits on his resume.

In 2009, at age 43, Fazli opted to leave the comfort of southern California to serve as a translator for a Marine Corps infantry battalion in Afghanistan’s volatile Helmand Province. Fazli enjoyed spectacular success serving as a bridge between American and Afghan cultures, and won plaudits from USMC leaders from every level – as well as the enmity of the Taliban, who put a price on his head.

FAHIM SPEAKS was one of six books nominated in the biography category.

A professor at New Hampshire Technical Institute, Moffett was doing a special USMC assignment in Afghanistan as a reserve Lieutenant when he met Fazli in the crossroads town of Delaram in 2010. The two stayed in touch and collaborated on FAHIM SPEAKS throughout 2011. The book was published by Warriors Publishing Group in March of 2012.

The book features a cover endorsement from veteran Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, who starred in the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War,” a story of America’s involvement in Afghanistan, for which Fazli served as cultural advisor.

“It was truly a thrill to have the MWSA honor our book with its Gold Medal Award,” said Moffett. “I always thought Fahim’s journey was extraordinarily inspirational and consequential, and it’s gratifying that so many who have read the book agree.”

FAHIM SPEAKS is available via Amazon.com and detailed information about the project is also available at www.fahimspeaks.com. Fazli has a small role in Ben Affleck’s film “Argo,” which is due out on Oct. 12. ------Bunch of News from Al Bunting, Col, USAF (Ret) in NJ. Thanks Al!

Small Efforts Together Can Have Big Impact: Airmen can make a "big impact" on the service's overall budget just by making small changes to conserve energy, said the service leadership in a letter to airmen marking October as energy action month. The Air Force has adopted the theme "I am Air Force Energy" to emphasize the role of each airman in being a good energy steward, state Secretary Michael Donley, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, and CMSAF James Roy in the Sept. 28 missive. Airmen's contributions can be in the form of "flying our aircraft at energy-efficient altitudes, not letting vehicles or equipment idle, or simply turning off the lights," they write. This year, almost 10 percent—or roughly $10 billion—of the Air Force's budget will be dedicated to energy, according to the letter. While the service "has made great progress" in operating more efficiently, "every airman must participate in order to achieve our vision of an assured energy advantage in air, space, and cyberspace," states the letter. (See also Oct. 1 Washington, D.C., release.)

Leaders At Work On Plan To Avert Mandatory Cuts (New York Times)...Jonathan Weisman Senate leaders are closing in on a path for dealing with the "fiscal cliff" facing the country in January, opting to try to use a postelection session of Congress to reach agreement on a comprehensive deficit reduction deal rather than a short-term solution.

Out Of The Darkness (Newport News Daily Press)...Editorial ... To the uninitiated, it's hard to imagine a highly trained soldier, accustomed to handling crisis situations, could come to the conclusion that suicide is the only answer to the stresses of daily life. Yet across the nation, there has been such a spike in the suicide rate among active-duty military that the Pentagon has established a Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

White House Thwarts Cyberattack (Culpeper Star Exponent)...Associated Press The White House has acknowledged an attempt to infiltrate its computer system, but says it thwarted the effort and no classified networks were threatened.

Army to Join AirSea Battle: The Army is preparing to formally join the Pentagon's AirSea Battle operational concept, reported the Washington Times. The land service will soon issue a memo outlining how it will implement its role in the concept, according to the newspaper's Sept. 30 report. In 2009, then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates directed the Air Force and Navy to create AirSea Battle, which emphasizes operations in anti-access and area-denial environments. Due to the concept's emphasis on integrating air and naval assets more closely, the Army did not play a large role in its formulation, according to the newspaper. But already last November, Defense Department officials told reporters that efforts were under way to bring the Army into the construct. (See also No One Left Out and Breaking Down AirSea Battle.)

Mil Leaders: We're Still Too Fat to Fight

Report Slams Military's Recent Camouflage Uniforms

Ten Lessons The U.S. Should Learn From Afghanistan's History (ForeignPolicy.com)...William Byrd Afghanistan provides all too many examples of the wisdom of Winston Churchill's saying "those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

Tricare Prime fees jump 17% today for some Military retirees enrolled in Tricare Prime will see a dip in their net retirement pay starting today: Annual fees for the health benefit increased as of Oct. 1. [ Read More ]

A Dangerous New World Of Drones (CNN.com)...Peter Bergen and Jennifer Rowland ... The explosion in drone technology promises to change the way nations conduct war and threatens to begin a new arms race as governments scramble to counterbalance their adversaries.

The General's Gambit (ForeignPolicy.com)...Michael R. Gordon and Wesley S. Morgan Petraeustried to warn Assad about the foreign fighters in Iraq. Now they're coming for him.

Why It Matters: Defense Spending (Yahoo.com)...Robert Burns, Associated Press Is the U.S. spending enough money on defense, and is it spending it in the right ways? In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks the money spigot was turned wide open, pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and expanding the armed forces. Now that's changing, and an important issue in the election is whether budget cuts have gone too far

Lured By Promises Of Wealth, F.B.I. Agent Was Drawn Into Fraud Scheme, Prosecutors Say (New York Times)...Russ Buettner ... But his exit strategy, according to federal prosecutors, included his participation in a multimillion-dollar international scheme that involved the lieutenant colonel in charge of the United States Army's Special Forces operations in Afghanistan and a Boston-based defense contractor.

Joint Chiefs Chair Seeks Dialogue About Veterans (ABC News)...John Milburn, Associated Press The chairman of the said Monday he wants to increase the national conversation about war veterans and how they're treated and regarded in society.

Military Involvement In Civilian Cybersecurity Weighed (Stars and Stripes)...Chris Carroll ... Gen. Keith Alexander, head of the NSA as well as U.S. Cyber Command, said civilian network protection belongs under the auspices of the civilian DHS. But where the Pentagon’s technical expertise is needed, it will be in conjunction with civilian agencies. “This is a team, we all have to work together,” he said. “By you knowing that we’re working together and not one of us individually, you know that we’re going to do this right.”

A First Step To European Military Ties (New York Times)...Judy Dempsey ... The view that the Europeans do not want to even consider a new, common security strategy means that European governments might squander the benefits of a BAE-EADS merger. In Britain, fears are growing that the BAE-EADS deal would orient the British military industry away from the United States and toward Europe, endangering the special relationship.

Fall Elections Won't End Risk Of Military Cuts (Columbia (SC) State)...Andrew Shain ... South Carolina – home to more than 62,000 military personnel and seven major bases with an annual economic impact of $15 billion – has much at stake. Cuts could start in January with $1.2 trillion slated to be cut from the federal budget over a decade – half coming from defense. Also, another round of base closings is expected, though closings have been taken off the table for next year.

U.S. Sends Aircraft To Okinawa, Despite Fierce Opposition (New York Times)...Martin Fackler The United States military sent the first batch of a sophisticated but accident-plagued new aircraft to an air base on Okinawa on Monday, going forward with its planned deployment despite unexpectedly fierce opposition by islanders and warnings that any crash could threaten the huge American military presence on the island.

Budget Resolution Omits Iraq Training Authority (Miami Herald)...Associated Press The Pentagon says the temporary budget resolution that took effect Monday fails to authorize the U.S. military to continue training Iraqi security forces.

Sailors Await Resolution In Prostitution Scandal (Yahoo.com)...Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Six months after members of the U.S. military and the Secret Service were embroiled in a prostitution scandal in Colombia, two Navy sailors have been stripped of their security clearances and pulled off their regular jobs, but they have yet to be charged. U.S. Southern Command says the investigation surrounding the two sailors is still going on, but a lawyer for one of the sailors says it shouldn't take this long to reach a decision. Charges were read against all the other military members allegedly involved two months ago

Militant Link To Libya Attack (Wall Street Journal)...Siobhan Gorman and Matt Bradley The revolutions that swept the Middle East and North Africa also emptied prisons of militants, a problem now emerging as a potential new terrorist threat.

US Would Back 'Well Planned' African-Led Force For Mali (Agence France-Presse)...Agence France-Presse ... Pentagon spokesman George Little said there had been no request for the United States to provide military support to Mali, "but obviously we would consider it."

'Mike Is Here With Us' (Newsday)...Martin C. Evans ... Yesterday, on the twinkling waters of the Hudson River and under a brilliant blue sky, his relatives escorted the ship to a berth on Manhattan's West Side, where it is to be commissioned into the U.S. fleet at a Saturday ceremony.

Lockheed, BAE Say They Won't Issue Layoff Warnings (Washington Post)...Marjorie Censer ... In its new guidance, the White House said that if sequestration occurs and an agency terminates or changes a contract that results in a plant closing or mass layoff, the contractors' liability and litigation costs under the Warn Act would be "allowable costs" covered by the contracting agency.

US Helicopter Carrier En Route To West Phl Sea (Philippine Star)...Jaime Laude A US helicopter carrier with 2,200 US Marines on board is headed for the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) from Guam for scheduled joint exercises with the Philippine Marines this month.

Shifting Story On Libya Attack Leaves Questions Unanswered (USA Today)...Editorial Administration owes a full airing.

'Our Understanding Continues To Evolve' (USA Today)...Shawn Turner The State Department declined to provide an opposing view. Excerpts from a statement issued Friday by Shawn Turner, director of public affairs for the Director of National Intelligence.

Out Of Guantanamo And Into A Canadian Prison (Wall Street Journal)...Ezra Levant Two years ago this month, a Guantanamo Bay military jury sentenced a Canadian-born al Qaeda terrorist to 40 years in prison. Omar Khadr was convicted of war crimes in Afghanistan, including the killing, during an ambush, of a 28-year-old U.S. Special Forces medic named Christopher Speer, the father of two young children.

How Karzai Could Make Himself A Hero (NYTimes.com)...Jim Marshall ... The options facing Afghanistan and its allies are stark. Unless a credible election legitimizes a successor to Mr. Karzai, Afghanistan's fragile political order will most likely implode, followed by the disintegration of its security forces, a renewal of harsh civil war and the resurgence of Taliban forces.

What If We're Wrong On Iran? (Los Angeles Times)...Roger Z. George In weighing an attack on Tehran's nuclear sites, it pays to remember the WMDs that weren't.

Foreign Aid Under Fire On Many Fronts (Washington Post)...Walter Pincus ... Faced with the current fiscal crisis, U.S. politicians are looking for places to make deep cuts, and one obvious target for the general public appears to be taxpayer dollars sent to foreign countries to build their schools, roads and more recently private businesses — projects that have trouble being funded here.

A Decoy Through and Through: The Air Force's Miniature Air Launched Decoy is a veteran of combat. Or, then again, maybe not. In a press release last week from decoy-maker Raytheon, a company executive referred to the decoy as "combat-proven." That was news to us since we were aware of no previous Air Force or company declaration of this seemingly important milestone. Air Combat Command did not refute the claim, but declined to provide the Daily Report with any details, citing operational security. "We cannot discuss operational details of MALD employment since such information would decrease our ability to effectively employ the system," said an ACC spokesman on Sept. 28. Click here to continue to the full report.

AFMC's Five-Center Construct Reaches Initial Operations Milestone: Air Force Materiel Command declared initial operational capability on Oct. 1 for its new five-center organizational construct. "We have spent many months working through very deliberate phases of planning, implementation, and transition with an ever-present goal of providing more efficient and effective support to the warfighter," said Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, AFMC commander, in a release on the milestone. AFMC last November announced its reorganization into the five centers in response to the Defense Department's call to find efficiencies and shed waste across the US military. In July, the command began activating the new centers and consolidating others as it transitioned from 12 centers to the five: the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Research Lab, Air Force Sustainment Center, and Air Force Test Center. The new set-up is expected to reach full operational capability in late 2013. She noted that AFMC is developing a strategic plan to measure the success of the construct.

NORAD, NORTHCOM Honor Transformational Leaders: NORAD and US Northern Command officials on Oct. 1 rechristened the two organizations' headquarters building at Peterson AFB, Colo., in honor of two former commanders. Renamed the Eberhart-Findley Building, the facility bears the names of retired Gen. , former NORAD-NORTHCOM commander, and retired Royal Canadian Air Force Lt. Gen. Eric Findley, former NORAD deputy commander. The joint headquarters building is the first US combatant command head office to bear the name of a Canadian officer, according to a NORAD-NORTHCOM release. Eberhart led NORAD's transformation after taking charge a little more than one year after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He worked with Findley to retool the Cold War air defenses to counter non-state terrorist threats. Eberhart served as NORAD-NORTHCOM commander from Oct. 2002 to Nov. 2004. Findley joined him in July 2003 and served through 2007. The rechristening ceremony took place on NORTHCOM's 10th anniversary.

Pentagon Task Force Visits F.E. Warren: The Defense Science Board's permanent task force on nuclear weapons surety visited F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., last month as part of its ongoing review of the Air Force nuclear enterprise. The task force is making stops at Air Force nuclear installations at the request of the Defense Secretary to complete an independent assessment of the service's nuclear operations, according to a Sept. 28 F.E. Warren release. During the task force's Sept. 19-21 visit to the base, the members met with senior leadership of the 90th Missile Wing, which operates one-third of the Air Force's Minuteman ICBMs. They also observed a 90th Operations Group briefing and mission planning session, toured the base's weapons storage area, and met with the leadership of 20th Air Force, which oversees the entire Minuteman III force. Retired Gen. Larry Welch, former Chief of Staff, who heads the task force, credited the base's airmen for their contributions in deterring foreign nuclear threats. He also said he's pleased with the longevity of the missiles. "They've lasted longer than anybody thought they would," he said. (F.E. Warren report by A1C Jason Wiese)

Army Uniform Designed for Women Now for All

Military Misbehaving: U.S. Army Struggles with Sexual Assault

Names Floated for Top Defense Jobs Under Romney With the U.S. presidential election just over a month away, the campaign of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is quietly accumulating the names of potential candidates who could fill out Defense Department leadership roles — including current and former defense executives. ... more

Iran Condemns US for Taking Group Off Terror List

VA’s HR chief resigns amid conference scandal Two multimillion-dollar conferences for Veterans Affairs Department human resources officials have resulted in the resignation of the agency’s top personnel official, as an internal investigation found excessive spending and evidence that some of those planning the events had improperly accepted gifts from potential vendors. The report, released Monday by the VA’s Office of Inspector General, found $6.1 million spent on two weeklong conferences at the Orlando Marriott World Center Golf and Spa Resort, held in July and August 2011, with about $762,00 being on “unauthorized,” “unnecessary” or “wasteful” expenses, according to the report. [ Read More ]

Law gives wounded airmen a degree opportunity

New disability system fails to speed claims

DoD rules for buying, discussing ‘No Easy Day’

Antony: Don't Cut Corners on Purchases ... more

Graham Raps Obama on WARN Act Stance Days after the Obama White House said U.S. defense contractors are not required to notify employees of layoffs due to possible budget cuts, a top Republican senator says that amounts to “dubious” legal advice. ... more

Brazil To Delay Jet Decision Until 2013, No Favorite RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil will postpone until next year a decision on a multi-billion-dollar contract to buy 36 next-generation fighter and there is currently no favorite, a government source said Friday. ... more

Alarming breast cancer rates among troops If you think breast cancer is just something for your grandmother, mom and aunts to worry about, think again. Not only is breast cancer striking relatively young military women at alarming rates, but male service members, veterans and their dependents are at risk, as well. [ Read More ]

White House says it thwarted cyberattack WASHINGTON — The White House is acknowledging an attempt to infiltrate its computer system but says it thwarted the effort [ Read More ]

Official says MRAPs made the difference in wars WASHINGTON — Data collected from roadside explosions in Afghanistan and Iraq show troops in Mine Resistant Ambush Protected trucks are as much as 14 times more likely to survive the blast than those riding in Humvees, the Pentagon’s No. 2 official told USA Today. [ Read More ]

US Military Deaths in Afghanistan Hit 2,000 The killing of an American serviceman in an exchange of fire with allied Afghan soldiers pushed U.S. military deaths in the war to 2,000, a cold reminder of the perils that remain after an 11-year conflict that now garners little public interest at home. Read More

Many Iraq, Afghan Vets Choosing 'Second Service'

Def Tech: Skidmarks on China's Carrier

DoD Buzz: Future of Marine Personnel Carriers

Kit Up!: Army Orders More Recoilless Rifles

Top Snipers Prepare for Competition

Navy Relieves Another Officer of Command

Carrier Tackles Clog-Prone Toilets

SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH CONCLUDING WITH PREVENTION, EDUCATION EFFORTS ARLINGTON, Va. (9/26/2012) – National Guard and Defense Department leaders are using September, which is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, to reinforce to service members ways they can prevent suicide and actions to take if someone reaches out for help. http://bit.ly/PlIyOG

AIR NATIONAL GUARD DIRECTOR DISCUSSES THE WAY FORWARD NATIONAL HARBOR (9/22/12) - Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the Air National Guard, spoke about mission readiness and other challenges facing the ANG in future years to attendees of the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technical Exposition here Tuesday. ------Godspeed all...... Wayne

Wayne M. Gatewood, Jr. USMC (Ret) President/CEO Quality Support, Inc. A Service Disabled Veteran and Minority Owned-Small Business 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 220 Landover, MD 20785 301-459-3777 EXT 101 - Fax 301-459-6961 www.qualitysupport.com

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation." - George Washington