FederalDaily - March 14, 2006
Iraqi Freedom Troops to get Veterans’ Preference
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the extension of veterans’ preference to servicemembers involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom this past Thursday. Linda Springer, OPM director, pointed to provisions in the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, broadening the definition of a “veteran” for federal hiring preference eligibility. The act provides veterans preference to servicemembers on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom, provided that they meet other qualifications. “As a result, more eligible veterans who served on active duty during the designated period will be entitled to veterans' preference,” Springer said. Another provision in the act clarified eligibility for those discharged or released from service. OPM’s updated guidance will be available at http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/
html/vetguide.asp#2Types.
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Senators Push VA for Better Stress Treatment
Two years has passed since a special committee provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with two dozen recommendations for improving post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment, prompting a letter from a bipartisan group of Senators asking for answers. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., noted that in February 2005, the Government Accountability Office found little progress on PTSD treatment recommendations. “If we continue to drag our feet on this, far too many soldiers with PTSD will go undiagnosed and untreated,” Durbin said. “Without treatment, veterans with PTSD are at high risk for drug abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, unemployment and even suicide.” The letter calls for the VA to report progress on implementing the recommendations by May 3, 2006.
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National Guard Funding Cuts Questioned
With an increased reliance on the National Guard during the war on terror, this past Wednesday Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., requested a review of force and equipment needs. In a letter to Arnold Punaro, chairman of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, Cantwell asked for information on troop and equipment levels and restructuring efforts in light of potential funding cuts. “Given the increased federal utilization of the National Guard, many Governors and Adjutants General have expressed concern about the impacts of proposed troop reductions and shortfalls in the availability of needed equipment,” Cantwell wrote. The Commission, established by Congress in 2005, provides advice and counseling on guard and reserve requirements.
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DoD Hails Improved Military Recruiting and Retention
Recruiting and retention statistics for February 2006 continued the across-the-board success for each branch of the military over the past nine months, according to Department of Defense (DoD) officials. During an interview with the Pentagon channel, Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, stated “February, in recruiting, was another really solid month.” The Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps all exceeded active duty recruiting targets for February, ranging from 101 to 104 percent. Only the Air National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve fell short, measuring between 81 and 88 percent of recruiting goals.
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