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has] to do a lot better for our veterans.


“ [The U.S.


— Secretary of the VA Dr. David Shulkin





treaties and other international obligations.  Positions providing operational sup- port to the president of the United States, defense secretary, or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Positions providing child care to the chil- dren of military personnel.  Positions at the installation level provid- ing direct support to the prevention of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and suicide and providing direct support to those affected.  Positions required for nuclear reactor and nuclear weapon safety and security and nuclear command, control, and com- munications. Additionally, positions re- quired for biological select agent safety and security.  Positions performing mortuary affairs activities and other directly related services necessary to properly care for the fallen and their families.  Positions required to be filled by a foreign national employee.  Positions in shipyards and depots in which incumbents perform direct manage- ment of inventory and direct maintenance of equipment.  Positions funded by foreign military sales.  Civilian mariners in the Military Sealift Command.


VA Will Not Be T


Privatized New SecVA clarifies priorities.


he secretary of the VA has plans to majorly reform the department, but that won’t include a move to-


ward privatized care. Dr. David Shulkin said during his nomi- nation hearing in early February he and President Donald Trump agree the U.S. has “to do a lot better for our veterans.” “There will be far greater accountability,


dramatically improved access, responsive- ness, and expanded care options,” Shulkin told members of the Senate Veterans’ Af- fairs Committee. “I intend to build a system that puts veterans first and allows them to get the best possible health care wherever it may be — in VA or with community care.” While Trump has hinted at plans to


privatize the massive department that serves millions of veterans each year, Shulkin said that won’t happen “under my watch.” He also said he made no promises to Trump about how he’d lead the VA. “What I told him is that I’m a strong


advocate for the VA, that the services available in [the] VA are not available in the private sector,” he said. “My view of where [the] VA needs to go is an integrat- ed system of care — taking the best of [the] VA and the best of the community, and that’s what I would work toward.” Shulkin, previously the VA’s undersec-


Dr. David Shulkin, far left, applauds as veterans stand during his confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., Feb. 13.


32 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2017


retary for health, is the first nonveteran to lead the department. The former physician served as a top administrator in some of the country’s largest hospitals. He’s the only member of Trump’s cabinet to have served under President Barack Obama, and his nomination had wide bipartisan support. Still, Shulkin faced tough questions from lawmakers about his plans to improve the


PHOTO: MIKE MORONES/MOAA


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