washingtonscene
protect military families from facility short- the reality that combat risk is no longer a
falls at either closing or expanding bases. “front line versus rear echelon” issue;
■ differences in communication, language,
MOAA
and culture within and between the active
and reserve components; and
Supports
■ gender-unique issues on PTSD and risk
of mental health problems.
Women Vets
MOAA, the VA, and other groups sup-
porting the summit encouraged women
Eleven percent of military
veterans to seek membership in advocacy
organizations to strengthen their voice in
females are at war.
Unemployables’
Congress and support for issues of con-
Pay “On Track”
cern to them and their families.
hree MOAA deputy directors,
■ The FY 2008 Defense
Capt. Linda Speed, USN-Ret.,
Authorization Act au-
thorized full concurrent
T Cmdr. Katherine O’Neil Tracy, New Guard and
receipt for those service-
USNR, and Cmdr. René Campos, USN-
members rated 100-per- Ret., attended the VA’s National Summit Reserve Bills
cent disabled because of
on Women Veterans’ Issues in Washing-
unemployability retroac-
Bills address earlier retire-
ton, D.C., June 20-22. Campos is a member
tive to Jan. 1, 2005. DFAS
officials reported that,
of VA Secretary James Peake’s Advisory
ment age and expanding
barring any unforeseen
Committee on Women Veterans.
health coverage.
problems, qualified retir-
Today, over 200,000 women are serv-
ees should see their new
ing in the armed forces, with 11 percent of ven though the legislative year is
monthly payments in the
them deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. nearing the end, a couple of very im-
November paycheck.
Fourteen percent of women veterans are Eportant Guard- and Reserve-related
expected to use VA facilities in the next bills still are pending before Congress. At
two years, which requires additional re- press time, MOAA expected amendments
sources to focus on their unique needs. based on these bills’ language to be offered
VA offi cials acknowledged they must to the Senate version of the FY 2009 De-
earn the trust and confi dence of women fense Authorization Bill.
vets in the areas of access and quality of Reserve retirement age: S. 2836, Sen.
health care. The VA has expanded the num- Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and H.R. 4930,
ber of women’s clinics and women veteran Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), would reduce the
coordinators in the fi eld as ways to address reserve retirement age three months below
these and other key concerns. Employee age 60 for each 90 days on active duty since
training and outreach efforts are underway Sept. 11, 2001, in support of a contingency
to improve customer service, information, operation. Last year, Congress passed leg-
and access. Discussion topics included: islation that only allowed credit for active
■ rising homelessness rates among women duty service after Jan. 28, 2008.
veterans; Reserve health care premiums: H.R.
■ lack of access, privacy, and safety for mili- 6185, Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), would let
tary sexual trauma victims at VA facilities; “gray-area” reservists (i.e., those who are
■ statutory limits on family members’ retired but have not yet attained age 60)
access to VA support services, counseling, purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)
and health care; coverage. This would sustain eligibility for
■ the changing role of women in combat coverage, but gray-area eligibles would not
and the need for updated policies to refl ect receive the government subsidy enjoyed
38 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2008
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