Guardsmen, Reservists Would Get Expanded Parental Leave Under Senate Bill
On the heels of Congress securing a win for active-duty military parents by expanding their parental leave, a bipartisan pair of senators wants National Guardsmen and reservists to have comparable benefits.
Service Members Are Struggling To Afford Housing. This Lawmaker Says She's Working To Fix The Problem
Updating the formula for housing allowances, making sure troops get a full stipend, and building more housing on bases: Those are a few of the ways a member of the House Armed Services Committee wants to make housing more affordable for service members.
State, Tribal Veterans Cemeteries Help VA Close In On Burial Site Goals
To meet its goal to ensure that nearly all former service members can be buried in a veterans cemetery close to home, the Department of Veterans Affairs is relying on states, U.S. territories and tribal nations to contribute space, funding and oversight, with a little help from the VA.
Next week, the AFSA HQ staff will not be in the office - as we are observing our wellness week closure. As such, the next Military and Government Brief (M&G-B) you will receive will be on Tuesday, April 18th.
AFSA's Summit Registration
Dear Greetings AFSA Members,
We are incredibly excited to let you know that Registration is now OPEN for The SUMMIT23: AFSA International Convention and Professional Education & Development Conferences. We are anticipating a full house with AFSA members, families, and guests, along with other Active Duty, Retired and Veteran military personnel.
DATES:You have TWO CHOICES when registering for the AFSA-International Conference (AFSA-IC):
AFSA-IC Only: Friday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6. (Arrive Fri., Aug 4, Depart Mon., Aug 7) Cost $275. Includes all AFSA special event meal functions.
AFSA-IC PLUS the PEDS and the Air & Space Force Honors Banquet: Friday, August 4 to Wednesday, August 9. (Arrive Fri., Aug 4, Depart Thurs., Aug 10) Cost: $325 Includes all AFSA special event meal functions, plus the Air & Space Honors Banquet.
REGISTER ONLINE
Important: Your confirmation/receipt will be sent to the email that you use here to register today.
If you own a business or know of a business that supports military families, we have a wide range of sponsorship opportunities during the AFSA-IC & SUMMIT23. Our goal is to help businesses share, recruit and network with their targeted market. To view and share our Sponsorship levels visit:
Do you own a business that supports military families, or know of an organization that does? The SUMMIT Info/EXPO is the perfect place to be! Learn about our exhibit booth opportunities by visiting:https://www.thesummitafsa.org/InfoExpoExhibitors
MAIN WEBSITES
The Master SUMMIT Page has information for ALL planned events including the AFSA International Convention (AFSA-IC), the AFSA-IC Plus PEDS registration, the Enlisted Leaders Conferences (ELCs – by invitation only), the PEDS, and the USF Golf Scramble. The Master SUMMIT page is located at:https://www.hqafsa.org/summit23.html
Enlisted Leadership Conferences (ELCs): As of today, we are planning to host 11 ELCs. ELCs are by invitation only, and they require an ACCESS CODE (provided by your ELC/POC) to register and attend. You may learn more about them here https://www.thesummitafsa.org/EnlistedLeadersConferences
IMPORTANT TO REITERATE: GI Bill Housing Payments Delayed, VA Says
By: Patricia Kime | Military.Com
Veterans or their beneficiaries who receive a housing allowance as part of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will not receive their payments on Friday as a result of a processing failure, Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced late Thursday.
The VA said that the department is working to rebuild the file that enables the payments to be sent so they can be delivered "as soon as possible," aiming for Monday, April 3, to initiate electronic transfers and mail paper checks.
VA officials said they have notified the department's inspector general and are conducting a review to determine the cause of the disruption but are concentrating on fixing the problem for now.
"We are mindful of the stress this may create for our student Veterans and their families," VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said in an email Thursday to Military.com. "VA is preparing electronic communications to inform Veterans and provide them with a letter, which they can share with their creditors in the event this delay impacts their ability to meet personal financial obligations."
Hayes added that the VA is also contacting schools that veterans attend using their benefits to keep them apprised of the situation.
More than a half-million veterans or their families receive education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, although not all use the housing benefits. VA officials did not say how many beneficiaries would be affected by the delay.
Officials said they would keep veterans and the public informed on the process, providing updates when payments are distributed and when the department finds the cause of the breakdown.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of tuition, a monthly living stipend and other benefits to former service members or their beneficiaries who enrolled in the program while they served.
Several historic events occurred on Jan 3rd 2023, the first day the 118th Congress met. Despite being a long list, these legislation addresses a larger variety of public policy objectives that fall under the purview of the seven main emphasis groups of our legislative platform. The bills are currently being introduced, and AFSA is striving to provide more details on the following:
H.R.303 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or combat-related special compensation.
Sponsor: Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis [R-FL-12]
Committees - House Armed Services, House Veterans' Affairs
H.R.1282 - Major Richard Star Act, To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand eligibility to certain military retirees for concurrent receipt of veterans’ disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis [R-FL-12]
Committees - House Armed Services, House Veterans' Affairs
S.344 -The Major Richard Star Act, to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans’ disability compensation and retired pay for disabled retirees with fewer than 20 years of service and a combat-related disability, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Jon Tester [Sen-D-MT]
Committees - Senate Armed Services
H.R.254 – To amend title 10 United States Code, to improve the administration of the TRICARE program in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
H.R.236 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a week as “Battle Buddy Check Week” for the purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sheila Lee Jackson [D-TX-18]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.234 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a burial allowance for certain veterans who die at home while in receipt of hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Jack Bergman [R-MI-1]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.228 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to include a single comprehensive disability examination as part of the required Department of Defense physical examination for separating members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – House Armed Services, House Veterans Affairs
H.R.226 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning that provide administrative assistance to veterans.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.221 – To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand eligibility for participation in the Federal Pell Grant program to certain trade schools.
Sponsor: Robert J. Wittman [R-VA-1]
Committees – Education and Labor
H.R.214 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide eligibility for TRICARE selected for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Gregory W. Steube [R-FL-17]
Committees – House Armed Services, House Veterans Affairs
H.R.196 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modify the information technology systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for the automatic processing of claims for certain temporary disability ratings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Matthew M. Rosendale Sr. [R-MT-2]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.129 – To require the Secretary of Defense to ensure drop boxes are maintained on military installations for the deposit of unused prescription drugs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Vern Buchanan [R-FL-16]
Committees – House Armed Services
H.R.105 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sponsor: Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.104 – To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally recognize caregivers of veterans, notify veterans and caregivers of clinical determinations relating to eligibility for caregiver programs, temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined ineligible for the family caregiver program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Andy Biggs [R-AZ-5]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
H.R.41 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure the timely scheduling of appointments for health care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: James R. Baird [R-IN-4]
Committees – House Veterans Affairs
If you have any additional questions on this specific issue, please e-mail our Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
AFSA International Convention and PEDS is LIVE! Register to attend now and save $25 with the AFSAEarly promo code. Book your Hilton Anatole Resort rooms, play in the USF Golf Scramble, and reserve your Info/EXPO Booth now! Visit: https://www.hqafsa.org/summit23.html
Have You Read The Latest AFSA Magazine?
This edition features Port Mortuary and America’s Missing Heroes, Living with Bipolar Disorder in the Military, Fly-By Wire Defense and AFSA’s American Award Recipient – Don Ward. Read, download, print and share: https://www.hqafsa.org/fallmagazine.html
Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,
We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.
The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.
Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.
For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.
Please Update Your Contact Information Today!
Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,
In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.
We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways:
Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right
We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.
In sum, Guardsmen and reservists on drill status who are non-birthing parents, adoptive parents, or foster parents would be eligible for parental leave under the Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act, as opposed to only birth mothers as it is currently the case. Military.com obtained the text of the bill before it was released.
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, said in a statement that "parental leave should be available to all new parents, and service members in the reserves and the National Guard should have the same access to parental leave as those serving on active duty." "I implore my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and contribute to making sure that every service person has the chance to form relationships with their children."
In addition, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Washington, is hopeful that housing and other concerns, such as child care and food insecurity, that affect military members' quality of life might inspire uncommon bipartisan support in a time when Congress is sharply divided along partisan lines.
Legislators from both parties have recently shown support for ideas like raising the Basic Allowance for Housing or broadening the eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance, which has been around for two years, but they have also had difficulty moving forward.
Strickland's area which she serves, has a particular interest in housing affordability. One of the most competitive housing markets in the nation is Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which is located in the Tacoma area.
And lastly, 95% of the country's veterans must be buried within a 75-mile radius, according to the department's goal. The department needs assistance from local, non-federal cemeteries, a VA official said last week. The department is currently slightly short of that objective at 94%.
In a news conference with reporters on March 28, Matthew Quinn, the VA's Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, stated that "the only way we're going to get there, really, is... going to be in partnership with the states."
In addition to running 122 veteran graves managed by states, U.S. territories, and Native American tribes, the VA also manages 155 national cemeteries. After giving about $1.9 million to North Dakota to enhance its military cemetery in Mandan, the government declared last month that it had issued its billionth grant to these cemeteries.
The VA has assisted in providing more than 800,000 grave plots for US veterans since the program's inception in 1978. The VA requires almost 200,000 additional locations, mostly in rural regions, to meet its 95% goal. Quinn thinks it makes no sense to construct a national cemetery in an area with fewer veterans.
And that's the way it is for Thursday, April 6, 2023.
Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!
