Legislation EANGUS Roll Call Wrap Up: News and information relevant to Army and Air National Guardsmen ---- Text ‘RollCallWrapUp’ to 528-86 Veteran Status for Title 32 Guardsmen: The EANGUS National Office staff are actively lobbying Congress to grant veteran status to recognize National Guard soldiers and airmen who retire after fold twenty years, yet fail to meet the lawful requirement of serving 180 continuous days on active duty, News Items for other than training. Prior to Desert Storm and 9/11, many Guardsmen served a full career without mobilizing for active duty for the minimum 180 days. Therefore, they are not considered veterans Defense Secretary Carter Assumes Office: Ashton Carter assumed the office and duties as the U.S. Secretary of Defense on 17 February 2015. Secretary Carter be the fourth to hold that office during the current under Title 38 of Federal law. Providing veteran status those Guardsmen who fall in this category will Administration. The Military Times presents a brief profile on Secretary Carter and about some of the have no budgetary impact. However, it would mean a great deal to those who came before us. They immediate challenges he will face. Read more here. certainly earned the right to be called a veteran. Text ‘Veteran’ to 528-86 to support this cause and get involved today MCRMC Commissioner says Tri-Care faces “Death-Spiral: 'Tricare is a broken program,' Commissioner Stephen Buyer told a subpanel of the House Armed Services Committee. Retired Adm. Edmund Giambastiani 2015 Legislative Workshop: In February, EANGUS held its annual Legislative Workshop in said Tricare is in a 'death spiral' because the program has been 'squeezed' in the name of efficiency, which Washington, D.C. During the 3-day event, EANGUS members met with their elected officials to discuss has resulted in decreased access and fewer services. "The commission's proposal would allow nearly 5 billion the importance of passing the Veteran Status legislation mentioned above. During their Capitol Hill active-duty family members, soldiers in the reserve components and retirees who are not yet old enough to appointments, members also discussed the necessity of maintaining a strong National Guard, by receive Medicare to leave the Tricare system and sign up for a private insurance plan." More on this here. keeping our end strength at current levels, and the importance of maintaining the AH-64 Apache's in the Guard. During the month of February, EANGUS members and staff conducted over 300 meetings Why this is important: Any change in Tricare will likely focus on active service members and may not fit the with elected officials, on Capitol Hill and partners in the Military Coalition. unique nature of service within the reserve components. EANGUS is dedicated to watching this issue and would welcome the input of its membership as we work to protect your benefits. Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act Signed into law: EANGUS, along with --------------------------------------------- its Military Coalition partners, scored a win this month when President Obama signed the Clay Hunt White House asks for authorization to use military force against ISIS/ISIL: The proposal states, “The so- SAV Act into law. The new law will help reduce military and veteran suicides and improve access to called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses a threat to the people and stability of Iraq, Syria, and fold the broader Middle East, and to U.S. national security. It threatens American personnel and facilities located quality mental health care by: Increasing access to mental health care by creating a peer support and in the region and is responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning service members as well as a one-stop, Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller. If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to interactive website of available resources; better meeting the demand for mental health care by the United States homeland.” It also states the proposal “would not authorize long-term, large-scale ground starting a pilot program to repay the loan debt of students in psychiatry so it is easier to recruit them combat operations like those our Nation conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Rather, the administration to work at the Veterans Administration (VA); Boosting the accountability of mental health care by seeks to “authorize the use of U.S. forces in situations where ground combat operations are not expected or requiring an annual evaluation of VA mental health and suicide-prevention programs. Interested in intended, such as intelligence collection and sharing, missions to enable kinetic strikes, or the provision of learning more about EANGUS? Text ‘EANGUS’ to 528-86. operational planning and other forms of advice and assistance to partner forces.” EANGUS is taking applications for full ride & cash scholarships!!! Military Spouses Threatened by ISIS: (Military.com) A group claiming to be affiliated with the ISIS militant group hacked the Military Spouses of Strength Twitter account Tuesday morning and sent threats to a group University of Phoenix * Grantham University * Grand Canyon University of military spouses on Twitter and Facebook. The women that were threatened said they were told that the CSM Virgil R. Williams Scholarship * USAA Scholarship FBI has opened an investigation into the social media threats. More on this here. DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING. Text “Scholar” to 52-886 EANGUS Area conferences taking place NOW! EANGUS Area conferences are taking place throughout the month of February and will set the stage for the state association meetings/conferences taking place in April. This is your opportunity to be involved. Ensure you membership is up to date and ask your local organization Offers for information regarding the upcoming conference! EANGUS has partnered directly with LiveWell Water to offer exclusive discounts to members. Your membership savings includes: National Survey of National Guard Service Members: NGAUS and the Company Grade Committee are • FREE LiveWell Water Filtration Bottle (A $9.95 Value) conducting a national survey of National Guard service members. This survey captures the thoughts/attitudes • Free RUSH Shipping (A $6.95 Value) of Army & Air • 25% OFF Your Entire Purchase (A $15.00 Value) National Guard members related to their service in the National Guard. Results will be briefed to General -------------------------------------------------------- • Over $30 In Total Savings Grass, National Guard leadership, and the NGAUS BoD in March. To access the survey click here. Text “LiveWell” to 52-886 for more information fold ----- EANGUS | 3133 Mount Vernon Avenue | Alexandria, VA | 22305 | Text “EANGUS” to 528-86.