VA Studying Whether 3 Types Of Cancer Are Linked To Overseas Military Services
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a study to determine whether three types of cancer are linked to environmental exposures for U.S. troops who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Lawmakers Want To Limit Chinese Business In Military Quality Of Life
Lawmakers’ concerns about doing business with China could affect some quality of life programs in the military community, if proposed amendments in next year’s defense bill become law.
A Message From AFSA's Legislative and Communications Assistant, Vanessa Lee
Greeting AFSA Members,
Happy Thursday.
Next week begins The Summit - AFSA’s 2023 International Convention & Professional Education And Development Symposium .
At the current moment, our team is laser-focused on prepping for the International Convention to ensure our attendees have the best experience possible. As such, we will be taking a temporary pause from sending out our Military and Government Brief (M&G-B).
However, we will resume back on Tuesday, August 15th, 2023.
If you have any legislative questions in the interim, please reach out to our Team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
The Summit - AFSA’s 2023 International Convention & Professional Education And Development Symposium will convene in The Hilton Anatole, Dallas, Texas.
If you have not done so yet, registration to attend The Summit is still open!
For more information, please visit our HQAFSA site or continue reading to the Membership Information Section of this edition of our M&G-B. See you in Dallas!
IMPORTANT TO REITERATE: Congress Set To Rush Through Defense Work Ahead Of August Recess
By: Leo Shane III, MilitaryTimes.com
Congress is poised to advance two major pieces of defense legislation ahead of the start of its end-of-summer break, but completion of either measure is still months away.
The Senate is expected to finalize its version of the annual defense authorization bill before the end of the week. The measure sets budget priorities and Defense Department policies for the upcoming fiscal year, including the annual pay raise for troops.
The House passed its draft earlier this month. If the Senate finishes its work, it will allow staffers to work behind the scenes over Congress’ upcoming six-week break to start negotiating a compromise bill, a hefty task given the partisan fights in the House over the proposal.
Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee is set to vote on Thursday on its budget plan for the Defense Department for next fiscal year. The House Appropriations Committee has already finished its work on the same measure, but advancing the Senate’s plan will also allow for compromise work over the congressional recess.
When lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in early September, they’ll have only a few weeks before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. If they can’t pass a full funding bill for fiscal 2024 before then or pass a continuation of the current budget plan, it will trigger a partial government shutdown.
Congressional staffers said a continuing resolution in September is more likely than a full budget plan, given the current disagreements among Democratic and Republican leaders on funding levels and priorities.
Wednesday, July 26
Senate Homeland Security — 9 a.m. — 562 Dirksen Pending Legislation The committee will consider several pending bills.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — 360 Cannon Pending Legislation The committee will consider several pending bills.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210 Pending Legislation The committee will consider several pending bills.
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen U.S. Economic Security State Department officials will testify on national security and its connection to the U.S. economy.
House Oversight — 10 a.m. — 2154 Rayburn UFOs Federal officials will testify on sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena and the public release of that information.
House Oversight — 1 p.m. — 2154 Rayburn Defense Travel System Defense officials will testify on work to upgrade and improve the Defense Travel System.
Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — 419 Dirksen Nominations The committee will consider several pending nominations.
Senate Veterans' Affairs — 3 p.m. — 418 Russell PACT Act Implementation Veterans Affairs officials will testify on implementation of new benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances while in the service.
Senate Armed Services — 4 p.m. — 106 Dirksen DOD Personnel Programs Pentagon officials will testify on personnel programs goals and challenges for next year.
House Select China — 7 p.m. — 390 Cannon Emerging Technologies Outside experts will testify on American and Chinese efforts to develop emerging technologies for national security.
Thursday, July 27
Senate Foreign Relations — 10 a.m. — 419 Dirksen Haiti Outside experts will testify on the security situation in Haiti.
House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — 360 Cannon VA Disability Exams Veterans Affairs officials will testify on problems with department disability exam rules and scheduling.
House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Visitors Center H210 Afghanistan Withdrawal Outside experts will testify on missteps in the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
Senate Appropriations — 10:30 a.m. — 106 Dirksen Defense Budget Committee members will mark up their draft of the fiscal 2024 defense budget.
House Transportation — 2 p.m. — 2253 Rayburn Coast Guard Coast Guard officials will testify on their budget request for fiscal 2024.
House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Visitors Center H210 Colombia Outside experts will testify on the current security situation in Colombia.
Below are the campaigns that are currently located on our Action Center. Please take no more than 5-10 minutes to scan through each of the campaigns and click on the custom links provided below.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them.
Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities.
Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!
Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation.
Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Allowsthe receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!
The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity.
By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity.
Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families.
The Not Just a Number Act would oblige the VA to look into how veterans use their benefits in their yearly report on suicide prevention in order to assess the connection between VA benefits and suicide outcomes.
In its fight against veteran suicides, the VA evaluates which VA benefits have the best impact on preventing suicide and requires the Department to submit recommendations for an increase in such benefits.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
AFSA Professional Education, Personal Development Symposium Registration isLIVE!!!
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Registration is LIVE!!! This year’s Summit/AFSA International Convention will convene Friday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 9,2023,(Departures: Thursday, August 10, 2023) in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole Resort, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. For more details, please click on the link below:
THEME:The Theme for THE SUMMIT 23/AFSA International Convention is“Back to Basics and Beyond.”
NOTE:Main arrival and registration is on Friday, August 4, 2023.
WELCOME CEREMONY BREAKFAST: The Welcome Ceremony Breakfast is on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The Dress Code for the Welcoming Ceremony Breakfast is:
Business Casual, Military Personnel on Funded TDY orders: OCPs.
THEME PARTY/ICE BREAKER:THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Theme Party/Ice Breaker is on Saturday, August 5, 2023.The Theme for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is “Super Heroes & Sheroes.” The Dress Code for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is:
Dust off your Cape!
AFSA PRESIDENT’S DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY. The AFSA President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The Dress Code for the President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is:
AFSA Members: Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit, Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform;
Top Performer Club members (Formerly TwinFLIER, SKYHIGHER and/or HighFLIER Club members): Wear the AFSA blue blazer. If they are active-duty military members, they may wear the AFSA blue blazer, but are highly encouraged to wear their service dress uniform.
AIR & SPACE HONORS BANQUET AND CMSAF AWARDS CEREMONY. The Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The Dress Code for the Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is:
Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit,
Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention
REGISTRATION FEE: The registration fees are as follows:
AFSA International Convention
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$300.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $325.00
AFSA International Convention Plus PEDs and Air & Space Honor’s Banquet
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$350.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $375.00
On Monday, August 7-9, there will be a full day of Professional Development. All Professional Development Forums are open to all military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personal at no cost.
BEAUTIFUL EVENT LOCATION- Book your rooms now!The Summit 23/AFSA International Conventionis held at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Dallas, Texas where you'll find an entertainment complex designed to relax and delight you and your family. We've partnered with the Hilton Anatole to offer special AFSA/SUMMIT ROOM RATES at $154+ tax a night.
Here's the reservation link for the Courtyard and Fairfield Inn by Marriott:
You will find the information for your online reservation link below. If you have questions or need help with the link, please do not hesitate to ask. We appreciate your business and look forward to a successful event.
Event Summary:
2023 AFSA Military Conference
Start Date: Thursday, August 3, 2023
End Date: Thursday, August 10, 2023
Last Day to Book: Friday, July 21, 2023
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
Courtyard Dallas Medical/Market Center for 154 USD per night Fairfield Inn & Suites Dallas Medical/Market Center for 154 USD per night
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, a possible connection between acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, and the entire Southwest Asia operational theater will be investigated, the VA revealed on Tuesday.
The PACT Act, which became operative in August of last year, listed 23 ailments as presumptively connected to veterans' exposure to harmful chemicals and burn pits while serving in the Middle East and abroad. These included head and neck malignancies. Only leukemias and multiple myelomas that originated elsewhere in the body will be the primary subject of the new investigation.
In addition, Allvin, who has been the vice chief of staff of the Air Force since November 2020, is now in a position to manage the organization as it undergoes a significant paradigm shift to get its personnel and equipment ready for a new era of warfare.
The Air Force released a statement on Wednesday evening that quoted Allvin as saying, "I am honored and privileged to be nominated as the next chief of staff of the Air Force." "If elected, I will carry on this position's tradition and legacy of integrity, service, and excellence."
And lastly, one proposal would prohibit the selling of products created, assembled, or imported into the United States from China in commissaries and exchanges. Another might have an impact on Tutor.com, a well-known online education company that not only instructs the military community but also employs a lot of military spouses.
According to exchange authorities, military exchanges would be severely harmed by the prohibition on Chinese items. According to them, if this clause is passed into law, it might be necessary to shut down almost all exchanges on Army, Air Force, and Navy sites. The impact on commissaries is anticipated to be negligible.
And that's the way it is for Thursday, July 27, 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!
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