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A Keport Jor II;rERANS AFFAI RS ' R E P UB l ~ C OF VIETNAM A Keport jor AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMEi;lT OF 'STATE APRIL'i967 VETERANS AFFAIRS REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM I A Report for AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF STATE by RALPH T. CASTEEL and A.H. CORLEY, JR. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION ADVISORS TO USAID MISSION TO VIETNAM APRIL 1967 VETERANS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20420 April 28, 1967 Honorable William S. Gaud Administrator, Agency for International Development Department of State Washington, D. C. 20523 Dear Mr. Administrator: In response to your agency's request of September 19 and October 11, 1966 to the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, the undersigned were detailed to the A.I.D. Mission to Vietnam on October 21, 1966, to assist. in developing an overall plan in veterans' affairs suitable to Vietnam. We are pleased to transmit to you this report, thus completing our mission with your agency. The recommendations in this report have been reviewed with A.I.D. officials in both Saigon and Washington, and with key VA officials. Also, copies of an interim report containing the same recommendations were furnished the Public Administration Branch, Far East Bureau, A.I.D. on March 31, 1967. The recommendations presented in this report, however, are solely ours and are based on our "an-site" ap­ praisal and analysis of veterans' affairs in the Republic of Vietnam. The proposals presented are considered practical for implemen­ tation. The effect of these programs would, in our opinion, further U. S. policy in the Republic of Vietnam as well as provide for the individual member of the Armed Forces of that Nation a sense of security he does not currently possess. Further, it would express to ex-servicemen in a tang­ ible manner the gratitude of the Republic of Vietnam for their service in the Armed Forces. Ultimately, the new programs should assist in the im­ provement of the economy and strengthen the support and national feeling of this significant segment of the population toward the Nation and its Government. We appreciate the honor accorded us by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs in making our services available to your agency. The fine cooperation and assistance of your representatives in Vietnam and the working relationships developed with the Commissioner for War Veterans, Republic of Vietnam, contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of our mission. Sincerely yours, CASTEEL A. H. CO Y, Jr. Member, Administrator's Director, Managemen Advisory Council Services Staff, Of of Management Engineer­ ing and Evaluation (VA Advisors to USAID Mission to Vietnam) cc: Chief, Public Adm. Branch iii TABLE 'OF CONTENTS Section - Page Forword ----- ----- vii I Scope of Present Benefits Provided Vietnamese Veterans by the Republic of Vietnam ------------------ 1 II Summary of Recommendations --------------------------- 7 III Priorities for Implementation of Recom- mendations ------------------------------------------- 11 IV Organization ----------------------------------------- 13 V Recommended Benefits for Vietnamese Veterans, their Dependents and Beneficiaries ------------------------- 17 A. Medical --------------------------------------- 7 B. Vocational Training ---------------------------- 19 C. Small Business Loans --------------------------- - 21 D. Term Insurance --------------- ----------------- 23 E. Education Allowances --------------------------- 25 F. Burial Allowance ------------------------------- 27 G. Veterans Preference - Land Reform -------------- 28 H. Job Placement ------- -------------------------- 30 I. GVN Policy ------------------------------------- 31 VI Recommended Changes in Existing Vietnamese Veterans' Benefits and Programs -------------------------------- 33 A. Scholarships - Leadership Training ------------- 33 B. Revision of Present Pensions and Benefits Programs------------------------------------ 34 C. Abolishment of Homes for Invalids ------------ 36 V TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D.) Section Page VII Budget ------------------------------------------ 39 VIII Administration -------------------------------------- 43 A. Benefits Law ---------------------------------- 43 B. Propaganda Program ---------- 43 C. Rating of Disabilities ----------------------- 44 D. Simplification of RVNAF Pay and Allowances System -.- - -------------------- 45 E. Transfer of Responsibility for Wards of the Nation Schools -------------------------------- 47 F. Transfer of Responsibility for Job Placement - 48 IX Vietnamese Veterans Legion -------------------------- 51 X Participating Agency Service Agreement -------------- 55 XI Appendices --------------------------------------- XII Charts and Tables --------------------------------- 59 XIII Exhibits ------------------------------------------- 61 XIV Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ----------------- 63 vi FOREWORD The Agency for International Development, Depattment'lof State, Wash­ ington, D. C. requested the detail of two (2) Veterans Administration employees to AID's mission to the Republic of Vietnam. The Administrator of Veterans-Affairs made available the services of Ralph T. Casteel, member of the Administrator's Advisory Council, and Augustus H. Corley, Jr., Director, Management Services Staff, Office of Management Engineering and Evaluation. Their services were on a reimburs­ able detail as personal representatives of the Administrator, and as advi­ sors to the AID.Mission, Vietnam. The mission of these advisors was to furnish assistance to AID in the formulation and development of both short and long-range programs for the rehabilitation of Vietnamese veterans. The purpose of the mission was two­ fold: a. To develop veterans' benefit programs that would instill in members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam a sense of security and thus give them more incentive to become efficient and effective members of the Armed Forces. b. To provide benefits to the extent economically feasible for veterans and their beneficiaries which would express in a tangible manner the gratitude of the Republic of Vietnam to those who fought for freedom and to the families of the vii men who gave their lives in the defense of their country. The advisors departed Washington, D. C. on October 21, 1966, arriv­ ing in Saigon on October 24, 1966. Upon arrival Messrs. James J. Mott and Pablo Mat. Guinto of the Public Administration Division, USAID, Viet­ nam, were assigned to work with the advisors while on duty in Southeast Asia. In the course of accomplishing the mission in the Republic of Viet­ nam, visits were made to Thailand, Taiwan and the Republic of the Philip­ pines to obtain first-hand knowledge of veterans' problems, programs and organizations. Within the Republic of Vietnam each of the four corps and regional headquarters were visited (Exhibit I). During these visits dis­ cussions were held with Vietnamese and American officials and military personnel as well as local officials of the Vietnamese Veterans Legion (Appendix A). These discussions were fruitful in learning how effective the present programs of the Commissariat for War Veterans were as well as to gain "grass root" ideas of the need for additional programs. Throughout the detail the advisors made every effort to become acquainted with the day-to-day operational problems within the Commis­ sariat for War Veterans and to give immediate remedial assistance in any specific area desired by the Commissioner. The approach used in the accomplishment of the mission included (a) an up-to-date appraisal of the present programs for veterans, (b) development and review with the Commissioner for War Veterans of new programs and their feasibility and (c) suggested priorities for implementation of new programs. In consider­ ing the feasibility of new programs, the advisors attempted to approach it in relation to U. S. policies and goals in the Republic of Vietnam viii including their estimated economic impact and effect upon U. S. advisor participation. The probable economic impact of the recommended programs has been most difficult to assess in specific instances for.lack of valid data on which to base a cost estimate. Pursuant to the request of the Assistant Director for Public Admin­ istration and the Associate Director for Development, USAID, Vietnam, a tentative report of findings and recommendations was submitted on Febru­ ary 6, 1967. Many of the recommendations were discussed with the Asso­ ciate Director for Development and the entire report was discussed with the Assistant Director for Public Administration. In addition most, if not all, of the recommendations were discussed with Nguyen Tan Hong, M. D., Commissioner for War Veterans, Republic of Vietnam. Due to the limited time Dr. Hong was able to personally discuss these matters with the advisors, some of the proposed programs were discussed in much more detail than others. The advisors' impressions, however, were that, in general, he approved of the programs and recommendations. In addition to the advisors' mission with USAID, Vietnam, much time was spent with officials of the Vietnamese Veterans Legion at the national, corps and province level to learn as much as possible about their endeavors in behalf of veterans, widows and orphans and to give them any assistance and encouragement possible. With good leadership, motivated to strengthen democratic principles within the Republic of Vietnam, the Vietnamese Veterans Legion could play an important role in furthering the national interests
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