Fwd: Army Times Early Bird Brief

---

view email as webpage
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
December 10, 2013 EARLY BIRD BRIEF Get the most comprehensive aggregation of defense news delivered by the world's largest independent newsroom covering military and defense. ADVERTISEMENT	ADVERTISEMENT TODAY’S TOP 5 1. Compromise reached on 2014 defense bill (Military Times) Congressional negotiators unveiled a compromise $632.8 billion defense policy bill on Monday that they hope can pass the House and Senate by Christmas to avoid disruption in military programs. 2. Navy Secretary Expands Review of Supply Contracts (New York Times) Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has expanded an internal review of the Navy’s ship-supply contracts, in a new sign that overbilling practices discovered in the Pacific could be occurring worldwide. 3. ANALYSIS: Jang Song Thaek’s very public purge (NKNews.org) The very recent downfall of Jang Song Thaek – Kim Jong Un’s uncle – is an important event. It can be described as both unexpected but also anticipated. On the one hand, Jang’s displacement has been expected within certain circles for sometime now. On the other hand, the dramatic form this purge took is completely unexpected. 4. Hagel Softens on Troop Deal, Gives Karzai Until February - But Not April (Defense One) After weeks of insisting that a post-2014 troop deal be signed by the end of the year, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel now says that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has until February’s NATO meeting. 5. U.S. C-17s to support peacekeepers in Central African Republic (Air Force Times) The Defense Department has directed Air Force C-17s assigned to U.S. Africa Command to assist African and French peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, where international troops are attempting to aid a transition to a democratic government, the Defense Department announced. EUROPE Russia Deploys First Fighter Jets to Belarus (Defense News) Russia has deployed the first four Su-27SM3 fighter jets to Belarus. The aircraft will be stationed at the 61st air base in Baranavichi, reported local daily Belorusskiy Partizan. Will Russia play the Kurdish card? (Al-Monitor) On Sept. 27, the People's Protection Units (YPG) claimed responsibility for killing Abu Omar al-Chechen, a leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and 15 other members of the group. It could have been just another report on the never-ending skirmishes of the Syrian conflict if it hadn’t echoed miles away from the Middle East in another hotbed — the North Caucasus. Ukraine president backs call for talks with opposition; riot police deploy in Kiev (Washington Post) Ukrainian riot police moved methodically around the periphery of the sprawling protest camps here Monday, away from the focus of attention, the occupied Independence Square. INDUSTRY Finmeccanica Reworks to Strengthen US Presence (Defense News) William Lynn became CEO of DRS Technologies in January after serving as US deputy defense secretary under Robert Gates and Leon Panetta. Previous Pentagon tours include serviing as director of program analysis and evaluation for the defense secretary, and comptroller for the department. He was also senior vice president of government operations and strategy at Raytheon from 2002 to 2009. Boeing must decide on F/A-18 production in March 2014: executive (Reuters)  Boeing Co (BA.N) must decide in March 2014 whether to invest tens of millions of dollars to continue production of the F/A-18 fighter jet, a senior Boeing executive said on Monday, underscoring his confidence that sufficient orders would emerge to keep the plane in production until beyond 2020. EADS to Cut 5,800 Jobs with Restructuring (Defense News) EADS plans to cut 5,800 jobs by the end of 2016 in a consolidation of defense, space and military transport aircraft units into a planned Airbus Defense and Space division, the European company said Dec. 9. U.S. defense bill boosts funding for missile defense to $9.5 billion (Reuters)  A compromise defense bill proposed on Monday by U.S. lawmakers would boost spending on missile defense by $358 million to $9.5 billion, mandating an additional homeland defense radar and increasing funding for U.S.-Israeli cooperative efforts. Astrium, Raytheon team for NATO missile defense program (UPI) Astrium and Raytheon have signed a teaming agreement in pursuit of a contract for work on NATO's Ballistic Missile Defense Program. In Air Force Trainer Competition, Hopefuls Persist Despite Downbeat Forecast (National Defense Magazine) Industry players continue to cast their lot in the U.S. Air Force training aircraft competition, even though the program is unlikely to be funded for several years. CONGRESS Lawmakers hope to make quick strike on $607B defense bill (The Hill) The House and Senate are suspending regular order on a $607 billion Defense authorization bill in a last-ditch effort to get it to President Obama's desk before the end of the year. 1% pay raise for 2014 appears likely (Military Times) Congressional negotiators have decided on a 1 percent military pay raise for 2014 but are taking steps to ensure the White House is ultimately responsible for what would be the smallest annual pay bump since the birth of the all-volunteer force 40 years ago. Gillibrand proposal not in Defense bill's final cut (The Hill) Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) proposal to take military sexual assault cases outside the chain of command is not included in the final Defense authorization bill, a congressional aide with knowledge of the bill’s contents told The Hill. Congress Moves to Spike China's Missile Deal with Turkey (Foreign Policy) Turkey stunned U.S. officials in September when it reached a provisional deal worth up to $3.4 billion with a Chinese company blacklisted in the United States to build Turkey's first long-range air and missile defense system. Monday, Congress drew a line in the sand over it: If the 2014 U.S. defense spending bill goes through as proposed, it will ban the use of U.S. funding to integrate Chinese missile defense systems with U.S. or NATO systems, effectively making it impossible for Turkey to operate Chinese equipment with many partner nations. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT Pentagon Revisits Policy Barring Those with Spouses, Children in U.S. Illegally (Wall Street Journal) A few years ago, Beatriz Madriz enlisted in the Marine Corps. Then, just before heading to boot camp, a recruiter told her that she had to divorce her husband if she still wanted to join the Marines—because he was an illegal immigrant. Military retracts Guantánamo PTSD claim (Miami Herald) The U.S. military is retracting a claim made to “60 Minutes” that Guantánamo guards suffer nearly twice as much Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as combat troops. Pentagon think tank part of reshuffling plan (C4ISR & Networks) The Office of Net Assessment, the Pentagon's futurist think tank, will no longer report directly to the secretary of Defense, according to a new organization plan introduced Wednesday by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Is the administration moving to include transgender care in federal health insurance coverage? (FedLine) While some company and local government health plans cover care for transgender policy-holders, the Federal government does not and specifically excludes transition-related care from coverage. Federal workers could pay more for retirement benefits (Washington Post) Much to the consternation of federal employees, the question has quickly moved from “if” to “how much.” White House Sets New Goals for Open Government (Federation of American Scientists) With respect to national security secrecy, the Plan includes a new commitment to “transform the security classification system” based on the principle that “classification must… be kept to the minimum required to meet national security needs….” ARMY Video shows brown shower water, mold in Fort Polk barracks (Army Times) A Fort Polk soldier upset about conditions in the barracks, provided a video to a social media site showing coffee-brown shower water and a moldy bathroom ceiling in a barracks room. Techies, Uncle Sam wants you for the U.S. Army (Washington Post) Can you provide a computerized system that automatically performs name comparisons and also can detect relationships with other names? Fort Leonard Wood shifts training focus (News-Leader; Springfield, MO) As U.S. military forces dug in for protracted conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Army instructors at Fort Leonard Wood modified their training programs to mimic the sorts of established encampments soldiers would encounter overseas. Terminally ill Army wife headed to London thanks to readers’ generosity (The Gazette, Colorado Springs) Melissa Klein is going to London. At 9:30 a.m. an anonymous donor gave $3,000 to the terminally ill Army wife’s campaign via Indiegogo, pushing the  fundraiser over Melissa Klein’s $10,000 goal. NAVY The shirt-grabbing 'assault' that got a CMC fired (Navy Times) A 35-year career came down to one crushing confrontation last summer for Command Master Chief (SW) Rick Helwick. Navy set for more Atlantic training (The Brunswick News, GA) The Department of the Navy announced the signing of an environmental impact statement that will enable more training along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Sailor's bid farewell to 'Connie' (San Diego Union-Tribune) The Navy said it will soon turn over the Constellation to a company that will dismantle the aircraft carrier, which was in service for almost 42 years. For virtually all of that time, she was home-ported in San Diego. The ship's island tower was often part of the city's skyline. Naval Academy superintendent discusses court-martial decision in sex assault case (Navy Times) he U.S. Naval Academy superintendent says he decided to court-martial two midshipmen in a sexual assault case because he wanted to make sure the charges were examined in great detail. AIR FORCE Academy controversy exposes OSI's army of snitches (Air Force Times) A former Air Force Academy cadet who claims he was ordered to break cadet policy while working as a confidential informant and then was abandoned when he got into trouble has exposed the service’s long-standing practice of using airmen to root out crime in the ranks. Life as an informant: 'Folks end up getting burned' (Air Force Times) Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents “have no authority to protect any of their sources, who are usually already in trouble or labeled as misfits or as a troublemaker,” retired Capt. Christopher Nelson, a former OSI agent, told Air Force Times in a Dec. 4 interview. Analysis: Secret UAV Revelation Raises More Questions than Answers (US Naval Institute) Industry trade journal Aviation Week suggests that a new extremely stealthy long-range strategic unmanned intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft — the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 — not only exists but that it could be operational by 2015. MARINE CORPS Tuition assistance funds gone; outlook unclear (Marine Corps Times) There is a reason that Marines seeking tuition assistance at their base education center are being deferred. The money for the first quarter is gone. Silver Star awarded for Bastion heroism (San Diego Union-Tribune) When Maj. Robb McDonald arrived at the Camp Bastion attack, some of the Marines under fire allowed themselves to exhale. Marine Corps Testing New 'Blackjack' Surveillance Drone (livescience) The U.S. Marine Corps is testing a new surveillance drone that can fly for up to 16 hours, and reach targets 100 miles (160 kilometers) away. Colonel takes over Marine Corps air operations in Afghanistan (Battle Rattle) Col. Scott Jensen took command of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD) from Brig. Gen Gary Thomas, Dec. 9 during a ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The story behind the photos of the commandant wearing the Raider patch (Marine Corps Times) Why was the Marine Corps commandant photographed wearing a Marine Raider Patch on his dress blue uniform? Short answer: He was punked. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN Planes Parked in Weeds in Kabul After $486 Million Spent (Bloomberg) Sixteen broken-down transport planes that cost U.S. taxpayers at least $486 million are languishing among the weeds, wooden cargo boxes and old tires at Kabul International Airport, waiting to be destroyed without ever being delivered to the Afghan Air Force. Analysis: Afghan Taliban say drone strikes are proof US is a 'paper tiger' (Long War Journal) The Afghan Taliban recently claimed that the US' reliance on drone strikes to target Taliban leaders masks the decline of American power in the world and the failure of its counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban also called the US a "paper tiger," the same phrase used by Osama Bin Laden to describe the American military when it withdrew from Somalia after the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Trouble in Afghanistan's most peaceful province may hint at the post-NATO reality (Stars and Stripes) Less than an hour’s drive from the sleepy city of Bamiyan, with its giant Buddhas, nascent tourism industry, and zero foreign troops, this rugged mountain district in what many consider the safest province in the country has quietly become a tense battleground between government forces and insurgents. It may provide a peek at what Afghanistan faces in a post-NATO world. McCain: No Afghan security agreement would be 'huge setback' (The Hill) Afghanistan’s failure to sign a status of forces agreement would be a “huge setback” for the United States, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Monday. Hagel Warns Pakistan to Help Open NATO Supply Route (Bloomberg) Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pakistan that it risks losing some U.S. financial aid if a key supply route to Afghanistan remains blocked by protesters. MIDDLE EAST Iran, UAE Close to Deal on Hormuz Islands (Defense News) Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are close to reaching a deal on returning three Iranian-occupied islands in the Arabian Gulf to the UAE. Rethinking a WMD-free Middle East: Start with chemical weapons (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) The conditions for establishing a chemical-weapons-free zone in the Middle East have never been better. Recent developments in the region have created a favorable political climate for considering such a zone. Agency ridding Syria of chemical weapons warns deadline to be missed (Los Angeles Times) The international effort to remove and destroy Syria's chemical weapons is likely to miss its Dec. 31 deadline for getting the most toxic of the poison gases out of the war-torn country, the mission chief said Monday. Syrian army captures highway, clearing path for chemical weapons removal (Christian Science Monitor) Syrian government forces claimed victory over rebels along a highway linking Damascus with northern ports. Chemical inspectors hope to load weapons for decommissioning there. ASIA-PACIFIC Is This Submerged Rock East Asia's Next Flashpoint? (Defense One) In response to China’s creation of a controversial air defense identification zone two weeks ago, the South Korean government has expanded its air defense identification zone as well. As of Dec. 15, Korea’s ADIZ will be about 66,480 sq. km larger—about two thirds the size of the country—and encompass Socotra, which China also included in its air defense zone. South Korean officials had asked China to remove Socotra from its ADIZ, but Chinese officials refused. Public Ouster in North Korea Unsettles China (New York Times) North Koreans had long known Jang Song-thaek as the No. 2 figure in their country, the revered uncle and mentor of Kim Jong-un, the paramount leader. Then on Monday, state-run television showed two green-uniformed guards clutching a glum-looking Mr. Jang by the armpits and pulling him from a meeting of the ruling party after he was denounced for faction-building, womanizing, gambling and other acts as dozens of former comrades watched. North Korea Purge Raises Stability Questions (Wall Street Journal) North Korea's highest-profile leadership purge since Kim Jong Un took power is viewed by outside observers as a move to consolidate power that could trigger instability if it upsets the balance between the military and the ruling party. AFRICA President Obama’s Message to the People of the Central African Republic (The White House Blog) In an audio message taped in Dakar, Senegal, today, President Obama sent a clear and important message to the people of the Central African Republic: that they should reject the violence currently threatening their country, and move together toward a future of security, dignity, and peace. 2 French soldiers die in Central African Republic (Stars and Stripes) Two French soldiers were killed in combat in Central African Republic's capital, President Francois Hollande's office announced Tuesday, the first French casualties since he ordered a stepped-up military presence in the restive former colony to help quell inter-religious violence. Fierce fighting in central Somalia (Long War Journal) The past week has seen fierce fighting all over Somalia, but particularly near the city of Beledweyne, as AMISOM and Somali troops face stiff Shabaab resistance in multiple theaters. IAEA will inspect Libya's yellowcake stockpiles (Stars and Stripes) An inspection team from the U.N.'s nuclear agency will visit Libya to assess the thousands of barrels of yellowcake uranium that reportedly are being stored in a former military facility amid a "precarious" security situation in the country. OPINION Opportunities Abound in NATO Defense Market (Katerina Wright and Aleksandar D. Jovovic in National Defense Magazine) European defense, a traditional high-value market for transatlantic players, continues to be challenging. Facing similar sequestration initiated cuts in the United States, defense firms have become accustomed to news of stagnant investment, equipment and personnel reductions, and uncertainty about future requirements across the European continent. Sy Hersh's Chemical Misfire (Foreign Policy) Seymour Hersh, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, published an article over the weekend that calls into question who really launched the chemical weapons attack that brought the United States to the brink of war in Syria.   Opinion: U.S. Navy Vital to Global Security (Retired Navy Capt. J. Phillip London in the US Naval Institute) At the turn of the 20th century, President Teddy Roosevelt realized two things: first, America’s fleet had to grow to protect U.S. interests abroad; and second, it had to be very big.

You are receiving this correspondence because you provided us with your email address as a part of your subscription. If you are receiving this in error, please go here to let us know. Thank you.

Fwd: 3 Important Pictures

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

To: tklarich@msn.com
Subject: Fwd: 3 Important Pictures
From: klarichins@aol.com
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 18:10:37 -0500

-----Original Message-----
From:
To: undisclosed-recipients
Sent: Thu, Dec 5, 2013 9:12 am
Subject: Fw: 3 Important Pictures

------- Another reminder that freedom is not free for all, a price has been paid. -----  International Picture of the Year. Here are three very touching photos honored this year.  First Place :  First Place  Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News  When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said. 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'  Second Place  Second Place Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News  The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'.  And the one that really tightens MY throat:  3rd Place - "Son, a grateful Nation...."  PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING! Blue Fridays.  Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is: 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.  IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.  IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.  Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ 2. The American G. I.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.  YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.                  -- MOM OR ROSE "Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong."  Ann M. Allen

Fw: Phoenix Memorial ...

This is memorial is set to open on Dec. 7, 2013.  Watch the video for what a big deal this really is for Arizona.          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dFIZX_RXuU&feature=youtu.be

Click Here! ►

Fw: Captain Kelly USMC, American Legion Post 40 Chino Valley, Invites you to this Veteran only- "HISTORIC EVENT" - A 3 day 3 night Music Fes tival

Please note: forwarded message attached

From: "Captain Kelly" <info@bandofbrothersfestival.org>
To: <richardandshirley@netzero.net>
Subject: Captain Kelly USMC, American Legion Post 40 Chino Valley, Invites you to this Veteran only- "HISTORIC EVENT" - A 3 day 3 night Music Festival
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 12:26:22 -0700

Fw: Region IV Weekly Report for 11/14-20/13

Weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 11/14-27/2013:

San Diego VARO:

Reports below are for two weeks, due to the fact that I was out of the office Thanksgiving week.

Spoke with Celeste at VA Fresno Hospital.  Trying to get a Special Exemption, to permit a spouse to travel on the DAV Shuttle from the Hospital to Palo Alto to visit with her husband, who is currently at the VA Fresno Hospital and will be transferred to Palo Alto.  Awaiting response from DAV Transportation and also have Art Harris out of VARO Oakland trying as well.  Tried contacting the spouse, but she has not returned my call yet.

No news of space for MOPH office in Fresno/Bakersfield area yet.

Region VI has 3 pending POAs in SEP and I have requested that the specific office of jurisdiction, (VARO Oakland, VARO LA and VARO Hawaii) review same and either accept or reject accordingly.

I continue to do sign offs daily and continue training of new NSOs and AA in VARO SD location.   I have followed-up on the NODs and appeals, as well as responding to phone calls, emails, claim review, etc.  Have had numerous calls regarding various issues from both other NSOs as well as veterans' wanting information.

Reviewed and submitted response regarding Region VI budget figures.

Our VA SCM Meeting was re-scheduled for next Friday (11/22/13).

Attended SCM meeting and it was very short (10-15min).  The only items discussed were FDC claims backlog still playing catch up.

Was out of the office the week of 11/25-27/13 for PTO; however, kept in contact with my Region, returned emails and phone calls, approved timecards for end of month and reviewed VCMS.

Eddie Kimes, NSO - Las Vegas:

Completed and arranged previous day�s claim input in VCMS.  Searched for any claims that have changed status in SHARE.  Assist veteran with paperwork trying to receive a Purple Heart.  Veteran in hospital and wife asking to expedite claim.  Submitted documents to Reno and e-mailed corresponding management in Reno.

Check VCMS and SHARE for claim statuses and completions for Monthly report.  Filed new claims-service connected and  increased evaluation.

General office duties and returned phone calls from phone messages. Searched claim statuses.

Went to Vet Center to meet veteran for assistance with VA paperwork, answered general questions and consultation purposes.  

Veteran received $152,413 retroactive pay for claim that went through BVA hearing. Checked VCMS and SHARE for claim statuses and awards. Found award letter in Virtual VA to input Monthly Report.  Filed new claims-service connected and  increased evaluation.

Participated in taking e-benefits class via computer/phone.  Traveled to Vet Center to meet veteran for assistance with VA paperwork, answered general questions and consultation purposes.

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:

No report received for 11/14-20/13 or 11/21-27/13, although I did send email requesting same.

Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:

Met with several vets this week and had a lot of phone calls.  Filed several claims and an NOD.  Received a Retro Payment in the amount of $44,000.00, on a veteran.   Have been working on projects for VCMS with the committee.  Also in between veteran walk-ins, appts and phone calls, we are wrapping up the purging of the files that were pulled during the Gov shutdown and also updating their files both in office and in VCMS.

This week was very busy with phone calls and walk-in appointments.   Filed several claims and an NOD.  Entered several Awards and Ratings that were received in the office.   Scheduled several upcoming appointments and preparing for hearings that are scheduled for December.

Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:

Amount of phone call are high for this week with questions about claims and checking on status of claims. Had two appointments this week both to start new claims for increase. Helping one veteran�s spouse who�s is currently in a coma, to include a special exemption request for travel. Also the veteran Dale Madewell received a retro in the amount of 126,602.

For the week the phone call were low maybe due to holidays, had one appointment with veteran. Spent the week trying to get veterans claims expedited for my two veterans with serious medical issues and over 80 years old.  Also doing research for veterans on appeal to include weekly VCMS entries.

Tennell Brady, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

During the week, this office conducted several interviews with veterans regarding their claims, responded to many calls and submitted claims to the VA.  Continue instructing new employees regarding rules and policies of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, including login procedures for VCMS, ADP, Concur, and other tools used in this office.  Conferred with ISO of Regional Office to ascertain when new employees will receive computer access.  Took new employees to get ID security badges, parking permits and other related matters.  Had new employees sit in on several interviews to observe how an interview is conducted.  Went to the West LA hospital office to continue packing, because of the renovation project being conducted at that office.

During the week, this office meet with many veterans, responded to calls and submitted claims to the VA.  Continuing instructing new employees regarding rules and policies of the Military Order of the Purple Heart including login procedures for VCMS, ADP, Concur, and other tools used in this office.

Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:

Attended the Retirement Appreciation Day with at least little over a hundred in attendance.  I had a table set up and did talk to several retirees, answered questions and introduced myself.  VBA was also, represented and talked a little bit about benefits. It was held from 8-12 noon Saturday, 15 November. Continued with administrative work on recurring claims, advised veterans on appeals and following up with phone calls on letters received most especially when a 5103 is attached.

Submitted Annual Recertification of ROH and System Access Agreement to VBA Honolulu IT Office as requested. Continued assisting veterans with recurring claims as well as new clients. Assisted in telephone calls and
other administrative functions i.e. updates. Assisted total of 11 new and recurring claims and numerous phone calls.

Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:

The week begins with my regular visit to the hospital.  While there I set up a once a month meeting with Foundation members to try and provide better service to veterans.  There is an 0nline class scheduled for Thursday.  This is a refresher course on navigating e-benefits for filing claims, information from DOD,map-d and other sources.  Many veterans are trying to come to MOPH but I can�t take them because they are in appeal.  I am reviewing decisions, doing data entry and working VBMS and SEP.

I visited the hospital once.  I am going to miss the monthly mini stand down with the PH foundation members this month due to PTO but will resume in January.  I completed a mandatory class on e-benefits that didn�t work online so the slides to allow us to complete the class.  I also completed the VHA security required for Capri access.

I attended a meeting with the RO Director, service center manager, some coaches and IG.  The subject was the need for service officers to also receive 5103�s.  Data entry and general office duties.

Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:

I attended a VSO meeting at the Hospital and spoke about the problems with our internet and that the VA internet was right next door.  Deborah Brookshire and Dale Wilson are going to check to see if we can get that transferred to this building. 

Submitted claims to VARO Phoenix and I have spoken to Jay about several Veterans to find best ways to help them.
I have returned messages and I have been getting referrals from Veterans and medical staff at SAVAHCS.  Reviewed decision Letters and entered all information into VCMS.   I received a Retro of $42,168 for one of my veterans.
I gave paperwork/homework to Veterans in order to file FDC claims for them.   I have reviewed decision letters, worked on filing and general office duties, including reviewing and responding to emails, telephone calls, etc.

Submitted claims and have spoken to Jay about several Veterans to find best ways to help them.  I checked status on existing claims for Veterans and submitted paperwork the VA was requesting.  Returned messages.  I was working with Jay on getting a Veteran that is alive but the VA stated he died in 2004.  Reviewed decision letters and entered all information into VCMS.

I gave paperwork/homework to Veterans so I can submit FDC claims for them.

Continue to review decision letters, worked on filing and general office duties.  Continued other normal daily activities, filing, reviewing and responding to emails, telephone calls, etc.

 

Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu:

Sat in on weekly SEP demos lync meeting, attended monthly VSCM meeting, meeting agenda, discussed VA 334 project, computer access.

Conducted several interviews with veterans getting ready to exit out of the service and/or already out of service.

Submitted new POA and FDC claims to VA,  submitted change of address request for veterans.  Received correspondence letters for both Honolulu and Guam, mailed out letters to Guam.  Returned/receive calls from veterans asking for status of claim, also spoke to veterans in reference to VA examinations.  Continue input into VCMS of awards, claims, etc.  General office duties, including making of new files,purging. Follow-up on pending claims.

Conducted interviews with veterans already out of service about service connection conditions and VA health registry procedures.  Met with veterans to discuss VA award letter for increase compensation.  Submitted FDC claim to VA , and 8940 for veteran who recently relocated from California to Honolulu.

Received correspondence and award letters for both Honolulu and Guam, mailed out letters to Guam. Returned/received calls from veterans asking for status of claim, also spoke to veterans in reference to VA examinations. R equested and accepted transfer of veteran from VCMS as veteran resides in Hawaii.

Continue input into VCMS of awards, claims, etc.  General office duties, including making of new files,purging. Follow-up on pending claims.

Breana King, NSO - VAMC Loma Linda:

This week I had a really busy week.  I filed several new claims for Increases and new disabilities.  I also signed a few new POA�s and submitted additional evidence for pending claims.  Like every Friday, I used part of the day seeing Vets then I get caught up on filing, data entry, and sending out mail for the week and returning phone calls.   On Monday my office was closed due to a Medical appointment.  I had several new vets file Original claims.  I had one big retro for $45,368.90.

This week was a little busy.  I saw several Vets who wanted to file Original Claims as well as claims for Increase, I signed several new POA�s.  Since this week was the last week of the month due to the Holiday, I had to get all mail out and all claims entered into VCMS.  I returned all phone calls and started my end of the year purging files.

Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:

It has been a very busy week, I was answering calls, returning messages, I saw more clients than normal, submitted evidence, and entered many ratings.   I assisted several veterans in sending off for STR�s so we can decide if they have possible claim.  It�s almost been 3 weeks since I put in a work order with the ITT department, because my printer and fax stopped working due to a Windows 7 update the VA made over 3 weeks ago.  I have called several times and all they tell me is that I�m listed as a priority work order.   On Thursday, I was finally able to link my computer to a network printer on the other side of the hospital.  I spent several days printing out all kinds of claims and evidence.  I am still waiting on some of those veterans to come in and sign forms in order for their claims to be submitted.

It has been a very busy week, I was answering calls, returning messages, I saw a lot more clients than normal, submitted evidence, and I entered a lot of ratings as well.  It�s now been over 4 weeks since I put in a work order with the ITT department, because my printer and fax stopped working due to a Windows 7 update the VA made over 4 weeks ago.  I�m still printing on a network printer on the other side of the hospital, but the most inconvenient part is not having a fax.  Last week was probably the busiest week I�ve had  this year!

Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:

Made and returned numerous phone calls.  I reviewed 2 Utah Rating Decisions.  I continue my efforts to go through my office files and get them in order.  12 BDD/PLCP Rating Decisions and 1 PLCP SOCs.  I forwarded 1 PLCP Development Letters.

No report received for 11/21-27/13, although I did send email requesting same.