FederalDaily - December 28, 2006
Army Speeds Pace of Modular Conversion
The Army is accelerating the modular conversion of two active-component brigade combat teams (BCTs)
to increase the number of combat-ready units available for either overseas deployment or U.S.-based
homeland-defense missions. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kan., will convert
to a heavy brigade combat team in April, 11 months earlier than planned. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry
Division, at Fort Hood, Texas, will convert to an infantry brigade combat team in April, 17 months
earlier than planned. Making more combat units available will give all soldiers a few more months at
home—known as dwell time, the Army said Dec. 21. Currently, the ratio is one year deployed time
to sometimes less than one year at home station. The Army's goal for the active component is one year
deployed followed by two years at home. The accelerated creation of the two BCTs will not require changes
to the normal assignment process and most of the soldiers will receive permanent change of station
orders next summer, the Army said. To see more, go to: www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2006/12/19/1048-army-accelerates-pace-of-modular-conversion
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Biologist Faces Dismissal for E-Mails
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) officials are attempting to fire a biologist after finding e-mails he
had sent to environmentalists and other agencies, according to a public employees group. The Public
Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) said the worker allegedly had e-mailed what it called “inconvenient
truths,” including an allegation that BOR had falsified material for an Army Corps application.
PEER said on Dec. 19 that BOR was illegally attempting to dismiss Charles (Rex) Wahl, a GS-12 agency
Environmental Specialist who has been on paid administrative leave for the past three months. In its
letter of proposed termination, the agency alleged that Wahl’s “subversive” activity
of communicating with “environmental organizations which are opposed to Reclamation generally
and adversarial in nature” justifies his immediate removal, PEER said. BOR discovered the Wahl
e-mails in August when workers cleaned the hard drive of one of his old BOR computers, according to
PEER. Wahl’s disclosures concern an array of proposed BOR projects on the Lower Colorado River.
He also alleged BOR had falsified material in a permit it submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers,
PEER said. “Public servants cannot be fired simply for telling inconvenient truths,” stated
PEER Senior Counsel Paula Dinerstein. PEER has opened a whistleblower complaint on Wahl’s behalf.
To see more, go to: www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=796
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VA Emphasizes Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a new effort to publicize a little-used veteran’s
benefit, a special monthly pension called Aid and Attendance. Although this is not a new program, not
everyone is aware of it, VA said Dec. 19. Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care
or who live in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities may be eligible for the program. Many elderly
veterans and surviving spouses—whose incomes are above the federal limit for a VA pension—may
still be eligible, especially if they have large medical expenses including nursing home expenses.
To qualify, claimants must be incapable of self support and in need of regular personal assistance. “Veterans
have earned this benefit by their service to our nation,” said VA Secretary Jim Nicholson. “We
want to ensure that every veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies has the chance to apply.” To
see more, go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1265
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