February changes [as of 2/14] C FUND + 1.32 percent I FUND + 2.67 percent S FUND + 1.86 percent ® VOL. 64, NO. 7 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY FEBRUARY 16, 2007 Army draws up $11B wish list By Megan Scully to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as equipment lost or damaged during CongressDaily more money to buy night-vision operations, he disclosed. devices and fix the service’s truck Meanwhile, both Army The Army will send a roughly fleet, he said. It also includes $2 Secretary Francis Harvey and $11 billion funding wish list for billion to make up shortfalls in Schoomaker told lawmakers about fiscal 2008 to Capitol Hill. It includes fiscal 2007 base closure accounts. continued readiness shortfalls in a desire for additional money for During the hearing, the four- nondeployed forces, stating the new vehicles and other gear, Army star general called the Army’s service will not be fully equipped Chief of Staff Peter Schoomaker told past statements that it will need until 2013. the House Defense Appropriations supplemental funding two years For “next-to-deploy [units], Subcommittee Feb. 9. after the end of the Iraq conflict a we’re scrambling,” Harvey said. Testifying at a budget hearing “conservative” estimate. “But we’re catching up a bit.” that turned bitterly partisan, The service actually will The Army leaders stressed Schoomaker outlined a list of continue to need billions of dollars that deployed units have adequate so-called unfunded requirements for at least three years after the training and equipment to handle -- items that did not make the cut conflict to repair and replace their missions. for inclusion in the Army’s fiscal 2008 wartime and base budgets -- that is substantially higher than Measure seeks to permanently similar requests in fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, which together totaled correct military pay inequity $12.2 billion. By Brittany R. Ballenstedt The list includes additional Govexec.com funds for the Mine Resistant Anti- Ambush Protected Vehicle, an A bill introduced last week in the Senate would allow Soldiers to Army-Marine Corps program treat combat pay, which is not taxed, as income eligible for valuable whose V-shaped hull will offer tax credits. better protection from roadside “When it comes to tax relief, our Soldiers do not deserve to be bombs, Schoomaker said. It also penalized,” said Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. Viva! Las Vegas Night Feb. 23 includes more funding for aircraft The bill (S. 516) is a response to a Government Accountability survivability equipment for Army Office report [GAO-04-721R] on military compensation and its tax Karen Govern [left] and Gwenn Wallace help assemble the planes and helicopters not deployed treatment. Pryor, along with Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. and Senate baskets for the silent auction for Viva! Las Vegas Night Feb. Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, requested 23 at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Thayer. [See story on page 6.] the report in 2003. SUZANNE SULLIVAN/WPWC GAO’s analysis found that some military personnel at the lower end of the pay scale, many of whom had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffered significant income losses because combat tax Contract guard change exclusions decreased their taxable incomes enough to exclude them Submitted by the Directorate from receiving other tax advantages, such as the Earned Income Tax of Emergency Services Credit for low-income workers and the Child Tax Credit. The analysis found that service members suffering from the net While many of the faces remain loss in tax benefits tend to be lower-grade enlisted or junior officers the same, you may have noticed a who spent seven months or more in combat zones during the tax year, different patch on the uniforms of are married with children and have little or no other income. Pryor the security officers performing said the tax glitch affects as many as 10,000 combat-zone soldiers, duties at West Point’s installation Retaining the majority of the with penalties as high as $4,500 for officers and $3,200 for enlisted access control points. personnel who were employed members. On Feb.1, Chenega Integrated as security officers maintains a GAO characterized the result as an “unintended consequence,” Systems, LLC of Jacksonville, Fla., highly stable guard force. Chris penalizing Soldiers serving in combat zones and consequently partnering with TW & Company, Shaw, Security Officer for the benefiting higher-earning military members who become eligible for Inc. of Silver Spring, Md., assumed Directorate of Emergency Services, a tax credit that is normally targeted to low-income workers. responsibility for providing security is the contracting officer/technical In 2004, Congress passed the Tax Relief for Americans in Combat officers to West Point. There may representative and is responsible Act, which enabled combat-serving military personnel to continue be a few new faces but the majority for the oversight and performance receiving their combat pay exclusions while having the ability to take of personnel performing duties of the contract guards. full advantage of other tax credits. That legislation, however, only have been here from the start. The Physical Security Section applied permanently to the child tax credit. The change of service providers of the DES also provides assistance The earned income tax credit provision was set to expire in was a result of the Department to the COTR with oversight and December 2006 but was extended for one more year. Pryor’s new of the Army’s re-solicitation of quality control of the guards. WOMEN’S TENNIS READY See PAY INEQUITY on page 3 contract guard contracts across the Individuals with guard related FOR AIR FORCE, page 10 continental United States. See GUARD on page 3 2 February 16, 2007 Recognizing depression and suicide prevention Commentary Feeling hopeless, helpless, Visiting or calling people one suicide threats. Statements like last forever. submitted by ADCO worthless, pessimistic and/or cares about “you’ll be sorry when I’m dead,” “I “People who commit suicide guilty Making arrangements; setting can’t see any way out,” -- no matter are people who were unwilling to Each of us can help prevent Substance abuse one’s affairs in order. how casually or jokingly said may seek help.” Not True suicide by educating ourselves Fatigue or loss of interest in Giving things away indicate serious suicidal feelings. Studies of suicide victims have and others about the symptoms of ordinary activities, including sex Fast Facts “Anyone who tries to kill him/ shown that more then half had depression and the warning signs Disturbances in eating and More people die from suicide herself must be crazy.” Not True sought medical help within six of suicide. People suffering from sleeping patterns than from homicide. Most suicidal people are not months before their deaths. depression often do not show all Irritability, increased crying, Suicide rates among the psychotic or insane. They may be “Talking about suicide may give symptoms or have them to the anxiety or panic attacks elderly are highest for those who upset, grief-stricken, depressed or someone the idea.” Not True same degree. If one has four or Difficulty concentrating, are divorced or widowed. despairing, but extreme distress and You don’t give a suicidal person more symptoms for more than two remembering or making decisions For young people 15-24 years emotional pain are not necessarily morbid ideas by talking about weeks, consulting a medical doctor Thoughts of suicide, suicide old, suicide is the third leading signs of mental illness. suicide. The opposite is true -- or psychiatrist is recommended. plans or attempts cause of death. “If a person is determined to bringing up the subject of suicide Remember that only a medical Persistent physical symptoms 80 percent of people that seek kill him/herself, nothing is going and discussing it openly is one of the doctor can diagnose depression. or pains that do not respond to treatment for depression are treated to stop him/her.” Not True most helpful things you can do. Any talk of suicide should be treatment successfully. Even the most severely For more info., contact taken seriously and help should be Warning Signs of Suicide Common Misconceptions depressed person has mixed Community Mental Heath sought immediately. College student Talking about suicide The following are common feelings about death, wavering Services, 938-3441; Center for suicide is a national problem. It is Statements about misconceptions about suicide. until the very last moment between Personal Development -- [Corps the third leading cause of death hopelessness, helplessness or “People who talk about suicide wanting to live and wanting to of Cadets POC], 938-3022 or among college-age students and worthlessness won’t really do it.” Not True die. Most suicidal people do not KACH ER, 938-4004/4005/4006. is the 11th leading cause of death Preoccupation with death Almost everyone who commits want death; they want the pain [Adapted from www.save.org] among Americans. Suddenly happier, calmer or attempts suicide has given some to stop. The impulse to end it all, Symptoms of Depression Loss of interest in things one clue or warning. Do not ignore however overpowering, does not Persistent sadness cares about The members of the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Team are Col. Jeanette McMahon, Shelley Ariosto (Garrison), Maj. Samantha Breton (USCC), Maj. Kim Kawamoto (ODIA) and Lt. Col. Robbie Williams (Dean). Community members can e-mail McMahon at Jeanette.McMahon@usma. edu for advice or to offer any recommendations on the program here. Cadets can also call the sexual assault support helpline at (845) 591- 7215. West Point Soldiers and civilians needing assistance can call (845) 938-3369.