VA 2020 Budget Released, $19 Billion Higher Than 2019 The White House has released its fiscal 2020 budget proposal, and it includes $216 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs — a $19 billion (9.5 percent) increase over fiscal 2019. However, there are concerns: the budget calls for more privatization of VA responsibilities, and a…
AUSN has signed on to a joint letter to reintroduce S. 545, the Pay Our Coast Guard Act. The legislation would make continuous appropriations for Coast Guard pay during a government shutdown. While appropriations for the Defense Department have already been signed into law, the Coast Guard — which falls under the Department of Homeland…
Several veteran organizations urged President Trump to persuade two Senators to allow a vote on HR 299, a bill that would provide benefits to “blue water” Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The bill enjoys wide support in both the House and Senate, but Sens. Lee and Enzi have blocked the…
Patrick M. Shanahan has been named the acting Secretary of Defense, replacing outgoing SecDef James Mattis. Shanahan was named the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense on July 19, 2017. Before that, he served as a senior vice president at Boeing. “As acting secretary of defense, I now look forward to working with President Trump to…
The sponsor of legislation that would help certain naval veterans who served in the Vietnam War obtain compensation for health complications caused by Agent Orange exposure is hopeful the legislation will move forward, despite expressed opposition from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Since their 2015 book “Extreme Ownership” became a bestseller, former US Navy SEAL commanders Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s management insights have been in high demand. The leadership consulting firm they started in 2010, Echelon Front, has grown significantly since then and has worked with more than 400 businesses.
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017 (H.R. 299) is currently languishing in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and as a result, vital funding of benefits that impacts the lives and livelihoods of veterans now hangs in the balance.
When and what the military will pay if it tells your base or command to evacuate? With hurricane season in full swing, it’s a perfect time to talk about when and how the military may pay travel expenses if you are instructed to evacuate.
WASHINGTON — As they left for summer recess, congressional lawmakers approved new legislation making it easier for WWII veterans exposed to mustard gas to receive medical and disability benefits. Now, as those elected officials return from break next week, advocates are hoping they’ll take up similar legislation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange during…
Military spouses will find it easier to apply for Department of Defense civilian jobs using military spouse preference, under new procedures being finalized now, according to DoD officials. Under new procedures, spouses will no longer have to report to a DoD human resources office/civilian personnel office within the commuting area of their sponsor’s new duty station…