U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CWV - News Update

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Jacqueline Renee Holley Heitz.  Jacqueline served from 1983 to 1990 as a petroleum supply specialist. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Jacqueline!

VA recently released a Welcome Kit that can guide Veterans to which benefits they may qualify for.  What makes this product unique and refreshing is the guidance is based on the Veteran’s stage of life. [From VAntage Point]

Elaine Luria commanded an assault ship with a crew of 400 that patrolled the Persian Gulf for hostile Iranian vessels.  Amy McGrath was the first female Marine to fly in an F-18 fighter jet in combat, dropping bombs over Afghanistan and Iraq.  Mikie Sherrill was certified as a Navy helicopter pilot only after passing an underwater crash simulation in which she was blindfolded, turned upside down, and forced to find the sole exit door. [From The New York Times]

Unprecedented numbers of women have been deployed to combat zones in Iraq/Afghanistan following 9/11 and servicewomen now comprise approximately 16% of United States active duty and 19% of Reserve/National Guard troops.  Since 1990, approximately one in four servicewomen report combat experiences. [From Science Trends]

Abraham Lincoln sexist and outdated?  The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has received complaints about its official motto, which is a quote from Lincoln’s second inaugural address in 1865.  The quote, which has been the VA’s motto for 59 years, reads:  “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” [From Fox News]

The scent of rubber tires, car engines and used motor oil fills the air; no matter what direction you turn, the smells are inescapable.  Not a great way to start your day for some folks, but, for a group of Los Angeles Veterans visiting the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, California, the aromas remind them of days when automobiles were a symbol of freedom and helped define their generation. [From VAntage Point]

In the two years since the Army lifted its ban on women serving in infantry and armor jobs, more than 150 have joined formations on two of the service’s largest installations.  Now, the Army is opening up three more posts for potential assignment. [From Army Times]

Misha Chalkley doesn’t think about the fact that when she graduates from Jacksonville University in April she will be the first woman from the school’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps to earn a post as a submarine warfare officer.  She thinks about her future and the people she will lead within the close submarine community, but she doesn’t think about her gender at all. [From Navy Times]

Today›s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Angelina “Angie” Wiger.  Angie served from 2001 to 2005 during the Iraq War. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Angie!

From restoring lost education benefits to expanding where they can be used, the Colmery Act, commonly known as the Forever GI Bill, brings significant changes to VA education benefits.  Will this new legislation impact you? [From VAntage Point]

The strength, courage, beauty and conviction of women Veterans as they overcome obstacles and face challenges will be illustrated when the The Film Society of Summit hosts the New Jersey premiere of the award-winning documentary “Served Like A Girl” February 2 at 8 p.m. [From Tap Into]

Meredith Sieller wants to be one of the Coast Guard’s elite, the ones called on to perform acts of bravery when someone’s life is at stake.  Like jumping out of a helicopter into rough, frigid waters some 30 feet below to save someone’s life. [From The Virginian-Pilot]

The first female commander of an Ohio National Guard air base in the state is scheduled to assume command of the base in northern Ohio in a change-of-command ceremony.  The National Guard says Col. Allison Miller will take command of the 179th Airlift Wing at Lahm Air National Guard Base in Mansfield on February 3, 2018. [From Stars and Stripes]

After 16 years of war, an embattled VA is fighting staff burnout and red tape to help ex-soldiers get the help they need. [From Bloomberg]

It took the threat of dealing with a medical emergency overseas for Beverly Buchanan to push doctors for an explanation to what was causing the symptoms she’d been experiencing for more than two months.  It turned out to be a major blockage in her main coronary artery, and would require open-heart bypass surgery. [From VAntage Point]

VA’s onboarding process can be overwhelming at times.  Veterans who have visited a VA outreach booth, VA eligibility office, or have gone through a Transition Assistance Program know that VA has no shortage of technical handouts, benefits books and materials. [From VAntage Point]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration, is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials.  Nominations of qualified candidates are being sought to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee.  Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on February 9, 2018 [From The Federal Register]

At age 60, Rebecca Golden was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a prognosis of less than 12 months to live.  Her dream of going to Hawaii appeared as if it would only be that:  a dream.  With the help of one of Phoenix VA’s many unsung heroes, this seven-year U.S. Air Force Veteran, would realize her dream. [From VAntage Point]

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses.  Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on March 1, 2018. [From The Federal Register]

Another female candidate has quietly made it through most of the first phase of the assessment and selection process of Marine Corps Special Operations Command in a quest to become the first female MARSOC Raider.  If she makes it to the end of the course, which wraps up the week of Feb. 5, with a high enough aggregate academic and physical training score, she will be the first woman to enter the challenging and secretive second phase of MARSOC assessment and selection. [From Military.com]

Housing instability seems to remain an issue for survivors, despite access to VA healthcare and compensation. [From Medium]

February is American Heart Month.  VA Women’s Health Services in collaboration with the American Heart Association is joining this national movement to raise awareness and education about heart disease and stroke among women Veterans. [From VAntage Point]

At President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address tonight in Washington, D.C., service members, Veterans and a young Veteran advocate have been invited to sit in the gallery as guests during the State address.  Petty Officer 2nd Class Ashlee Leppert is one of the selected guests. [From VAntage Point]

Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence traveled to Killeen Monday to address the Fort Hood community. [From KCEN]

In the U.S. military, the #MeToo movement is opening up a conversation about those who were sexually assaulted while in the service.  The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that more than a quarter of all female service members experience military sexual trauma or MST. [From KRGV5 News]