a. AUSA Moderator - “Is there value for the Army to plan out to 2050?”
“Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley said he is a big believer in long-range strategic forecasting as a way of planning for the future, but he knows not everyone shares his view.
Speaking at the Mad Scientist 2016 forum on planning for 2050’s strategic security environment, Milley said he knows the far future is difficult to predict, but he sees value in the attempt.”
Click here to read more: https://www.ausa.org/news/milley-sees-value-trying-predict-future.
b. AUSA Five Things - “Will employers be more inclined to hire veterans if they receive an award for doing so?”
AUSA Five Things: A Weekly Tip Sheet for AUSA Members, dated August 8, 2016: “Platinum Medal for Hiring.”
A House committee thinks private sector employers might feel more inclined to hire veterans if they received an award for doing do. Under a proposed Hire Vets Medallion program, bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards would be given each Veterans Day to companies based on their size, the percentage of new hires who are veterans and other factors, such as charitable contributions to veterans’ groups and training programs targeting veterans.
What to watch: One question is whether companies would find value in the awards. The program, as designed, would pay for itself by charging a fee for applying for the awards. The fees would cover costs and the medallions.
c. AUSA News - “Do you have a favorite military themed science fiction film?”
“Most science fiction movies have spaceships and quite a few have armed combat and outer space dogfights. Only a few have a real military heart at their core.”
Click here to read more: http://undertheradar.military.com/2016/08/top-10-military-sci-fi-movies/
d. Veterans & Retirees – “You can use your VA healthcare benefits while traveling.”
“VA Offers Seamless Care for Traveling Veterans or Veterans Seeking Care at an Alternate VA”
Per Veteran Health Administration message dated July 21, 2016:
“If you are enrolled and receive your health care with VA, you will receive the same, consistent care, whether at your local VA health care facility or an alternate VA health care facility.
“In order to help VA ensure you receive consistent care while you are traveling or if you relocate, we ask that you notify your local VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), preferably 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure, or as soon as you are aware. Early planning will allow time for your local PACT and the Traveling Veteran Coordinator to coordinate your care at the alternate VA health care facility. If you are unable to make an appointment to see your PACT or provider in person, you may reach them by telephone or through secure messaging in MyHealtheVet (www.myhealthevet.va.gov).
“To coordinate your health care with another VA health care facility, you should inform your PACT of the following:
- travel destination(s), and temporary address
- a valid telephone number
- arrival and departure dates
- specific care concerns
“Your PACT will contact the Traveling Veteran Coordinator, who will assist in coordinating your care at the alternate VA health care facility.”
THIS WEEK'S POLL QUESTION:
(1) Should the Army aggressively recruit more women into combat arms?
o Yes
o No
o Not sure