washingtonscene The Times would cut benefits for those
who serve and sacrifice the longest to pay more to those who leave early, and ignore the retention-killing history of past less- severe cuts. There’s a reason you’re not in charge of military force planning.
MOAA Hosts N Chiarelli, USA Gen. Peter Dr. John Nagl
Symposium Reintegration and employment challenges are highlighted.
early 500 people attended the fifth annual Defense Forum Washington sponsored by MOAA
and the U.S. Naval Institute Sept. 26. The program focused on reintegration and em- ployment challenges returning warriors and their families face. Dr. John Nagl, president of the Center
for a New American Security, said the un- precedented wartime sacrifices of today’s volunteer force impose a national obligation to protect those who have “paid a heavy price so the rest of us can live in freedom.” Virginia Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Terrie Suit
and Homeland Security Terrie Suit, a re- tired military spouse, applauded MOAA’s state council leaders for being “by my side as a partner in so many initiatives that we were able to muscle through together” to institute state and public-private partner- ship services for military/veteran families and wounded warriors that are on the way to “becoming a national model.” Notable comments from the morning panel on reintegration challenges include: • Former Marine Corps Reserve Staff Sgt. Todd Bowers said most returnees are fo- cused on helping others and neglect get- ting help themselves. He criticized models focusing on “death by pamphlet” and ap- plauded outreach efforts using social media.
36 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2011
• Little Rock, Ark., Vet Center Team Leader Nicole Keesee said, “There’s feelings of being left behind when you transition out of the military, and also we forget that in the civilian sector, people have a limited capacity to listen.” She said Guard/Reserve members have less information on benefits and have to prove their medical problems are service-related, while people on active duty don’t. • Retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tom Marcum and his wife, April, had difficulty getting care before he was diagnosed with significant traumatic brain injury (TBI) more than a year after his 2008 return. Despite obvious cognitive problems, his primary care doctor told him to “suck it up, and go back to work.” Lunch speaker Gen. Peter Chiarelli,
Army vice chief of staff, said his No. 1 pri- ority is the health and well-being of the force. A big problem is the potential for extended time between a traumatic injury and diagnosis of PTSD or TBI. His focus is on improving the disability evaluation sys- tem and improving assistance for Guard and Reserve personnel at risk due to re- duced access to military services, a bad economy, and a tough labor market. Comments from the afternoon panel focused on employment challenges: • Capt. Chris Ayers, USMC-Ret., said wounded veterans aren’t looking for make- work jobs and don’t want to be a “trophy piece” to be shown off. He urged larger em- ployers to have a dedicated, informed pro- gram manager for hiring the wounded, who might need some accommodations. • Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Ismael Ortiz said both veterans and employers need to know the first few months of readjustment can be difficult. Hiring managers need to understand mil- itary issues, such as translating military occupational specialties.
PHOTOS: SEAN SHANAHAN
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