Army Hopes Resilience Training Helps Spouses With Deployments
Army wives in Germany are receiving the same training their husbands get to cope with traumatic combat experiences.
http://www.stripes.com/news/army-hopes-resilience-training-helps-soldiers-spouses-cope-with-deployment-1.125700

Veterans With PTSD May Be at Higher Risk for Heart Disease
Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, appear to be at higher risk for heart disease.

For the first time, researchers have linked PTSD with severe atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), as measured by levels of calcium deposits in the arteries.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/11/17/veterans-with-ptsd-may-be-at-higher-risk-for-heart-disease.html

Children of Deployed More Likely to Seek Mental Health Care
Young children from military families are more likely to seek mental and behavioral health care when a parent is deployed than when a parent is at home, a military study has concluded. Findings also show that children of married couples -- with the father as the servicemember -- are more likely to seek care than children with a married military mother or with a single servicemember parent, said lead researcher Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Gregory H. Gorman, a staff pediatrician with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=61710

Web Site Launched to Help Service Members with Severe Headaches
The National Headache Foundation has launched a Web site designed for veterans who return from deployment with migraines and chronic headaches. The site provides veterans with information on diagnosis and treatment of migraines and chronic headaches that could be related to post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2010/11/16/1047304?sac=Home

Resources Abound for Service Members and Families Dealing with PTSD
A new cable television documentary, which premiered on Veterans Day, chronicles the present day and historical struggles warfighters have had with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As the general public reacts to the documentary, military officials continue to work to prevent and treat psychological health issues among service members.
http://www.health.mil/News_And_Multimedia/News/detail/10-11-15/Resources_Abound_for_Service_Members_and_Families_Dealing_with_PTSD.aspx?printable=true

Canadian Machine Virtually Diagnoses Brain Injuries
When someone suffers a brain injury, not all the effects are necessarily obvious, even to trained doctors. Yet the subtle impairments caused by an accident, stroke or other assault on the brain can determine what sort of rehabilitation a patient needs, and when they can get back to work.

Now a Queen's University scientist has developed an intriguing virtual device that he says allows for quick and simple diagnosis of neurological problems.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/11/15/canadian-machine-virtually-diagnoses-brain-injuries/#ixzz15fzYZgUy

A General Speaks About His PTSD
While everyone else danced at a New Year's celebration to start 2008, Maj. Gen. David Blackledge couldn't stop picturing a suicide bomber blowing up the ballroom.

After nearly losing his life twice during consecutive deployments, Blackledge rarely felt safe.

He couldn't shake the nightmares. He couldn't control his temper. He couldn't focus.
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2010/11/14/1047537?sac=Home

Mood Tracker App for Service Members
The National Center for Telehealth and Technology, a DCoE component center, developed a FREE smart phone mobile application that makes it easier for service members and veterans to track their emotional health after deployments.
http://www.dcoe.health.mil/blog/article.aspx?id=1&postid=163

Regulatory Fairness Hearing for Small Business
Small business owners have an opportunity to discuss concerns about federal regulatory compliance and enforcement issues during this event sponsored by the U. S. Small Business Administration.
WHO: SBA National Ombudsman Esther Vassar will meet with community leaders, members of trade and business associations, small business owners and invited members of the congressional delegation to discuss concerns about federal regulatory compliance and enforcement in the region.
WHERE: Health Services Complex-Rosecrans
Harbor Conference Room 3851 Rosecrans St San Diego CA 92110-3115 (Free parking on-site.)
WHEN: April 26, 2010 Registration: 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Hearing: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
All of the SBA's programs and services are provided to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact: Rosa Rodarte at (619) 727-4877.

The Department of Labor Announces New Grant Opportunities
* Women in Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Occupations (WANTO) will support preparatory apprenticeship opportunities for women entering the construction industry and other non-traditional sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and green jobs. Grant funding also will support the training of registered apprenticeship sponsors, employers and labor unions to improve recruitment, selection and retention strategies for women in non-traditional occupations. DOL will fund approximately six grants in the amount of up to $300,000 each for a total of $1,800.000. These competitive grants will be awarded in June 2010 and will be funded incrementally for two years.

For additional information, please go to announcement:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=79vTL1RQLZXhy3cLp5nvGhY

* Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) grants are intended to provide services to assist in reintegrating eligible veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex employability problems facing eligible veterans. The total amount for this grant competition is $2 million.

For additional information please go to announcement:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=79vTL1RQLZXhy3cLp5nvGhY

* Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants are intended to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. The total amount for this grant competition is $8 million.

For additional information please go to announcement:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=79vTL1RQLZXhy3cLp5nvGhY

Making the Future: Meet the San Diego Veteran Coalition
They're not ready for prime time, but make no mistake the San Diego Veteran Coalition is shaping the veteran community here and now in San Diego County while establishing a template that the rest of the county might soon follow.

Since late 2009, the San Diego Veteran Coalition has been quietly working on five strategic priorities to improve the delivery of services to veterans and their families throughout the county. The effort began more then a year ago when Michigan-based non-profit healthcare consultant Altarum Institute funded a study that analyzed how well veteran services were dispensed in San Diego County.

From that report sprang five working groups that are working on veterans' issues ranging from health care to legal services, is purely homegrown.

Leadership Development: Establish a framework to find OIF/OEF veterans and place them in leadership positions in the veterans' community

Seamless Transition: Seek to improve coordination by improving "seamless transition" between Defense Department and Veterans Affairs for active duty members moving to veteran status/civilian life

Access/Outreach: Develop a 211-like information and referral service for veterans through a variety of electronic mechanisms

Basic Needs and Services: Assess needs related to housing, healthcare, employment and transportation

Veterans Legal Initiatives: Continue the work already begun to improve knowledge of veterans' issues and needs when involved with the legal system

DefenseTracker will bring you more on the organization in the coming weeks.

Information on this summer's Purple Camps
A Number of Camps Are In California
The National Military Family Association has released the list of dates and locations for their spectacular (and free!) Operation Purple camps. All the fun of a traditional summer camp, surrounded by other military kids that understand their lives.

Applications may be submitted through April 16th. First priority is given to children who have had a parent deployed between December 2009 and December 2010. There are camps across the United States, Germany and Guam.

In the 2004 Operation Purple pilot season, the National Military Family Association sent nearly 1,000 children to 12 different Operation Purple camps. Since then the Operation Purple program has grown and expanded and by summer's end close to 30,000 military children and teens will have been served. The Operation Purple program also includes leadership camps for teens, family retreats at the national parks, and camps geared to address the needs of children and Families of our nations wounded service members.

Search for camps in your area: http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-purple/

Support Needed for USO Airport Center and Downtown Building
Most people think of the USO as the major organization that sponsors Bob Hope travelling around the world and that's true. However in San Diego, we are on our own to build up our funds to support the USO Airport Center and the Downtown Building. If you know of anyone who would be able to help, please connect them with Jim Lasswell jlasswell@industechnology.com or with me.

Once a year we reach out to the community to solicit donations, cash and attendees for our Stars and Stripes USO Gala on May 22, 2010. It is a really great party and "Silent Auction" but certainly an event that raises money for a great cause - the support of our troops and their families. The purpose of this email is to ask you all to consider getting involved in one way or another. There are multiple, painless, ways to make a donation, receive a sponsorship or advertise - I have attached several documents that will help you with the selection. The USO Letter attached gives a summary. I have added a couple of others that will give anyone interested some options.

For more information, contact Jennifer Albers, INDUS Technology, at 619-994-9206.

Hyperbaric Chamber May Treat TBI…
The Defense Department hopes to find a better treatment for the 100,000 troops who have been diagnosed with mild Traumatic Brain Injury since 2003, and it's looking at hyperbaric chambers - often used in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning - for the answer.
Although there have been studies looking at the impact these pressurized oxygen chambers have on TBI patients, none have been able to definitively answer whether hyperbaric oxygen can reduce or eliminate chronic symptoms of TBI such as headaches, memory loss and mood swings. A new clinical trial, which is expected to begin in January 2011, is designed to do just that.

The study, conducted by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, in Virginia, and the Army Research and Materiel Command, in Maryland, is expected to run for at least 18 months. It will include about 300 participants, mostly soldiers and Marines, and will build upon other ongoing studies on TBI treatment, said Col. Richard Ricciardi, director of the research evaluation and quality assurance and surveillance directorate at DCoE.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/03/army_TBI_033010w/


Helping Bereaved Military Children…
Surviving family members, adults, and a caring community can help grieving military children. Below are a few of the doctors' suggestions. View their whole article for more details and to read all of their tips.
* Be honest and open: Use clear language that includes the term "death" rather than euphemisms (e.g. "loss", "gone to sleep") that may confuse children. Rather than having just one conversation, stay open to ongoing questions and discussions.
* Provide a sense of safety and security: Re-establishing routines and structure provide children with a comforting sense of stability in the midst of changes. For example, keep up with on-going after-school activities and regular bedtimes.
* Be a good detective: Pay attention to how and what your child is communicating. Children often show their feelings and thoughts by their behaviors. Ask the right questions, listen and validate their feelings.
* Support expression of feelings: ?Let them know all feelings are acceptable, and help children find healthy ways to channel them, such as drawing and writing.
* Be a good role model: ?Children look to caregivers for examples of how to react and cope. It's okay for grownups to show their emotions, as long as they are not out of control or frightening to children. Adult expressions of sadness can model healthy ways of dealing with difficult feelings.
http://www.dcoe.health.mil/blog/article.aspx?ID=1&postID=87

Having Trouble Adjusting to Home Life?
You've been 'there and back' a couple of times. Or someone you know has. You've learned first-hand that getting back into a routine isn't easy. Work doesn't challenge you the way the mission did. At home, everybody seems a little more grown up and doing chores that used to be your responsibility. You haven't gotten a good night's sleep in days. You feel 'on edge' a lot, and your best friend tells you that you need to 'lighten up.' You're drinking more, and spending endless hours in front of the television. You avoid the mall because the crowds bother you. The last time you were there you almost got into a fight. Your kids have given up asking you to go to their ballgames.
http://www.dcoe.health.mil/blog/article.aspx?ID=1&postID=86

Since then, participating independent Burger King Franchisees have doubled contributions each year to the VFW Foundation. In 2008, the second year of the program, they raised $250,000 during its "buy a burger; donate a buck" effort. When you add in the almost $500,000 raised this year, the total for three years is over $850,000!??

"Their gifts to the Unmet Needs program, has assisted hundreds of military families who are confronted with emergent financial needs. Their continued generosity enables the VFW to continue to assist our nation's military families when they need it most. This is an incredible demonstration of love and support for members of our armed forces. We are so appreciative of everyone who helped in this great endeavor," stated Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., VFW Commander.?

Participating states included: ?Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The VFW Unmet Needs program provides emergency financial assistance to U.S. military service members experiencing financial hardships, often brought on by deployment. Funds from donations are available to the five branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard), as well as members of the Reserves and National Guard. Funds awarded by the program are offered in the form of grants -- not loans -- so recipients don't need to repay them.

TRICARE and VA Work Together
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Service members who became ill or injured while serving on active duty and are then medically retired have health benefits available to them through both the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Like all retirees, medically-retired veterans can choose TRICARE Prime where it's available, or TRICARE Standard and Extra if they are not eligible for Medicare. Their family members have the same TRICARE choices. Veterans who are eligible for Medicare because of disability must maintain Medicare Parts A and B to keep their TRICARE coverage.? ?

Retirees with a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or higher; are unemployable due to the service-connected disability; or are seeking care for the service-connected disability are automatically eligible but must request care from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).??

Almost all VA health care facilities are part of the TRICARE network, however treatment of TRICARE beneficiaries is provided on a space and resource available basis only. When choosing to use their TRICARE benefit, retirees may be authorized to receive non-service related care at participating VA medical centers, a military treatment facility (MTF) or a TRICARE network provider. Representatives are available at VA facilities to assist veterans who are eligible for TRICARE and VA health care, and VA liaisons and benefit counselors are available at many MTFs to assist veterans transferring from Defense Department to VA care. ?

Veterans can learn about the different financial responsibilities for TRICARE-covered services and VA benefits by contacting their TRICARE regional contractor, or VA Health Benefits Service Center at 877-222-VETS. Regional contractor contact information can be found at www.tricare.mil/contactus.??

There are many programs available through TRICARE, VA, the armed services and TRICARE's regional contractors supporting veterans who became ill or were injured serving on active duty. Visit www.warriorcare.mil for more information about these resources.

Sign up for TRICARE e-mail updates at http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/

USAA's Best Year Ever
SAN ANTONIO - Financial services provider USAA announced today it achieved its best fiscal year ever in 2009, including record revenue of $17.6 billion and record net income of $3 billion, as the financial services industry continued to recover from the nation's worst economic environment since the Great Depression.

USAA, which provides insurance, investments and banking services to the military community, achieved record growth and expanded its membership eligibility to anyone who has honorably served in the U.S. military. Membership reached 7.4 million and breakthrough innovations such as USAA Deposit@Mobile®, the first mobile check deposit capability, set USAA apart.

USAA achieved significant increases in bank deposits and mutual fund assets. In addition, USAA is the only property and casualty insurance group to retain the highest ratings for financial strength from A.M. Best, Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

Details are available in USAA's 2009 Report to Members, available online at usaareporttomembers.com. And, for the first time, the report also is available in an interactive mobile format suitable for smart phones and similar devices.

Highlights of USAA's 2009 year-over-year results include:
· Returning $1.2 billion to members in distributions, dividends, and bank rebates and rewards - a nearly 39 percent increase
· Increasing net worth 17 percent, to $17 billion; USAA currently is 70th in terms of net worth among FORTUNE 500 companies
· Achieving net income of $3 billion
· Growing owned assets 17 percent, to $79.9 billion
· Increasing revenue 36 percent, to $17.6 billion
· Growing deposits at USAA Federal Savings Bank by 16 percent
· Increasing membership by 423,000, to 7.4 million members

"Every day, we strive to live out our core value of doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do for our deserving members in the military community," said retired Army Maj. Gen. Joe Robles, USAA president and CEO. "Our 2009 results show that we have a winning formula, despite continued economic uncertainty worldwide."

"While many consumers lost confidence in their financial services companies, our members knew they could trust us and moved nearly $7 billion of their hard-earned money from other institutions to USAA," Robles said.

Extending reach, expanding membership to all who have honorably served
Further evidence of USAA's successful approach to service is its member retention rate of 98 percent. Building on that foundation of trust, USAA moved boldly in 2009 to expand its membership to encompass all who served honorably in the U.S. military.

USAA launched a breakthrough innovation in customer convenience in 2009 with the banking industry's first mobile check deposit capability, USAA Deposit@Mobile®. Available to qualified members on USAA's popular mobile application for the iPhone®, it first debuted in August with more than 75,000 members depositing $234 million in 2009. It's also available for Android® users, and similar apps are in development for BlackBerry® and other smart phones.

In 2010, USAA plans to deliver comprehensive solutions to its members who are making two of the most important financial decisions - purchasing cars and homes. "Our new car and home buying services will guide members through these complex purchasing processes, enabling them to make the best decisions with the greatest ease and convenience possible, including via their mobile phones," said Robles.

Nearly 3,000 Have Responded to the CalVet Survey To Help Prioritize Services to California's Veterans
Sacramento - Nearly 3,000 individuals have responded to the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) online California Veterans Needs Assessment Survey to date. Though we are at the halfway mark for this survey, CalVet would still like to obtain input from many more veterans, military personnel, families and friends to help it prioritize its efforts in addressing the state's veterans' needs.

To participate in the survey, residents are asked to go to CalVet's website at www.calvet.ca.gov or the California Veterans website at www.veterans.ca.gov and click on the button that says, "Veterans Needs Assessment." See attached PDF file of survey.

"We look forward to receiving input from many more California residents so we can better focus our efforts in assisting and serving the veterans of our Golden State," said Roger Brautigan, Secretary of CalVet. "Over the next month and a half we hope to receive numerous responses to our survey from veterans, their families, and friends."

"This survey will help CalVet to prioritize where the State of California focuses its efforts in addressing veteran needs," said Jack Kirwan, Deputy Secretary for Administration. "By participating in this survey, respondents will be telling CalVet and elected officials what policy areas they see as needing to be addressed. This will help CalVet to better serve veterans by bringing to our attention their first-hand knowledge of veteran needs and how to best address them."

The California Veterans Needs Assessment Survey will also give an opportunity to respondents to inform CalVet if they would like to receive additional information regarding veterans' benefits and other services for themselves or for veterans they know.

VFW FIRES BACK AT DEFENSE OFFICIAL
Don't pin budget blame on service members or retirees

WASHINGTON, March 2010 -- "Any attempt to link rising military personnel costs with shrinking military readiness is total nonsense," said Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., who leads the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., the largest and oldest major combat veterans' organization.

"If the Defense Department needs a larger budget for personnel programs, then let the VFW carry that message to Congress. Just don't pin the budget blame on servicemembers and military retirees."

Tradewell's ire is targeted at the new DOD undersecretary of personnel and readiness, Clifford L. Stanley, who in testimony yesterday before the personnel subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said "Rising personnel costs could dramatically affect the readiness of the department."

His predecessor, Dr. David Chu, took the same position in a January 2005 Wall Street Journal article, by saying "The amounts have gotten to the point where they are hurtful. They are taking away from the nation's ability to defend itself."

"What's hurtful," said Tradewell, a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran from Sussex, Wis., "is a continuing perception that DOD is more concerned about the budget than they are about recruiting and retaining a professional volunteer force that's been at war now for more than eight years."

According to Wednesday's testimony, last year was the military's most successful recruiting year since the establishment of the all-volunteer force in 1973. Stanley, a retired Marine Corps major general, said in order to continue that recruiting trend, "The department must provide a compensation package comparable and competitive to the private sector. At the same time," he said, "we must balance the demands of the all-volunteer force in the context of growing equipment and operations costs."

The VFW national commander said any attempt to compare the wages and benefits of those who are fighting a two-front war and those who are not is pointless. "The military contract requires extended time away from family under extremely hazardous conditions, with being hurt or killed on the job a very real possibility. No civilian contract requires the same conditions for employment," he said.

"War is expensive and so is the cost of fielding an all-volunteer military, as well as retaining the best so that they can lead the force while training their successors. Our troops only ask for our respect and for better pay, better benefits, and better support programs for themselves and their families," said Tradewell.

"It is a sacred responsibility that this nation provides her defenders something more tangible than just the privilege of fighting and dying for their country."

SBA Proposes Subtraction Rule to Contracting Goals
Small Business Administration officials today proposed a rule that would force agencies to delete certain small-business contract awards from their annual totals.

If an agency awards a contract to a small business, it can take credit for making the award and add it to the agency's overall small-business contracting goals, which agencies submit to SBA annually. But according to SBA's new proposal, the agency must subtract the contract from its small-business contract totals if, even after the award, SBA concludes the firm isn't eligible to be considered small in the government's eyes.

"SBA believes that an appellate decision should always apply for goaling purposes," SBA officials wrote in their notice in today's Federal Register.

An initial determination by SBA about a company's size can be appealed, and then officials have to reconsider the decision.

http://fcw.com/articles/2010/03/01/small-business-rule-proposals.aspx

Web Site Aims to Uncover Fakers in Fatigues
Military impostors, beware: A Web site has been launched to root out fraudulent veterans and fakers in fatigues.
ReportStolenValor.org aims to expose people who fabricate or embellish military accomplishments by making it easier to report suspected Stolen Valor Act offenders to federal authorities and local media outlets.
AMVETS, an organization representing more than 250,000 veterans, unveiled the site late last year.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2009/12/04/web-site-aims-uncover-fakers-fatigues/