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

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Amy E. McDougal, who served as a lawyer during the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan. In 1994, Amy McDougal graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Amy!

Just weeks after stories swirled about a complaint letter penned by an unsatisfied 6-year-old girl from Arkansas in response to a glaring lack of green Army women figurines, one toy maker is officially doing something about it. BMC Toys, one of three companies to receive letters from young Vivian Lord – and the only to respond – has begun producing women figurines to be included in the iconic toy set that dates back to the 1930s. [From Army Times]

Their brother Rus Lodi calls them “leadership junkies.” If you’re a soldier, you’d better just call them ma’am and salute. Maj. Gen. Maria Barrett and younger sister Brig. Gen. Paula Lodi are each accomplished in their own fields. But together they have become the first two sisters, the Army believes, to attain the general’s rank in the service’s 244-year history. [From USA Today]

More than 64 years after the Rangers first started accepting airmen, 1st Lt. Chelsey Hibsch became the first female Air Force member to earn the tab last month. She pinned it on at the Army Ranger School graduation at Fort Benning, Ga., on Aug. 30. [From Military Times]

How do dual-military couples succeed in their careers? According to Army aviators James and Laura Richardson – who are both lieutenant generals – teamwork is the key. “I would not be where I am today without being married to her,” Lt. Gen. James Richardson said during the Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium on Aug. 22, quoted in an Army news release. [From Army Times]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Deloris “Dee” Moton Quaranta, who served 20 years and continues to support women Veterans. Deloris “Dee” Moton Quaranta’s military career started as an administrative personnel in the Office of the Comptroller at Hurlburt Field, Florida. [From VAntage Point]

Nearly 300 airmen have earned the Ranger tab since the Army started accepting airmen into its school 64 years ago. But none have been women – that is, until Air Force 1st Lt. Chelsey Hibsch became the first female airman to earn the tab last week. Hibsch, a former enlisted airman who previously served with the 374th Security Forces Squadron at Yokota Air Base in Japan, pinned on the tab at the Army Ranger School graduation at Fort Benning, Georgia, Aug. 30. [From Air Force Times]

A new VA and DoD collaboration offers a virtual option for the Women’s Health Transition Training Program. The program provides service women with a deeper understanding of the women’s health services available to them within the VA health care system and how to navigate the VA enrollment process. [From VAntage Point]

As I write this, it’s one week before the Defense News Conference. And I can say sincerely it’s setting up to be a massive success: two acting secretaries; a chief of staff; three four-star generals, five three-star generals and one three-star admiral; the Pentagon’s top weapons development official; the Air Force’s acquisition head. The list goes on. [From Defense News]

Wesley Broadus, 18, was caught off-guard when his mother showed up in uniform to his enlistment ceremony because he didn't realize that she would be administering his oath to enter the Army. [From Stars and Stripes]

The first female airman to complete Ranger School and a former New York Knicks player were among those who graduated from the two-month course this week. [From Stars and Stripes]