Veterans For America

Defense Secretary Robert Gates called for more tightly integrating Guard and Reserve forces with the active-duty military, a sweeping proposal that would require Congressional action and have far-reaching effects across the armed services. All observers “recognize that the National Guard and the Reserves are integral to the Total Force and have assumed a greater operational role in today’s force,” Gates wrote. Gates’ decision prompted a glowing statement by the Independent Commission on the National Guard and Reserves. More than 70,000 Citizen-Airmen alone have deployed in contingencies since 9/11 while some half a million Guard Soldiers have been deployed, many multiple times. A real solution to the strain and pain of multiple deployments isn’t made of cardboard.

Meanwhile, a little noticed regulation change at the Pentagon has narrowed the definition of combat-related disabilities — costing some wounded vets thousands of dollars in lost benefits. It’s another battle they shouldn’t have to fight.

Combat stress and trauma recognize no rank or gender. It can even affect a legendary Army soldier who is now one of only 12 four-star generals in the service. Gen. Carter Ham helped himself “get realigned” by seeking out screening for post-traumatic stress and counseling. For some, the torment can rage on for years.

While Pentagon and Veterans Affairs officials are claiming “great strides” in sharing electronic medical records, they can’t say what progress has been made. The 2008 Defense Authorization Act requires both departments to reach “full interoperability” of electronic health records by September 2009. Is there a “culture of dishonesty” at the VA?

Our Army is at a “crossroads” and so too, it seems, are our nation’s psychiatric care hospitals. Apparently, not even the list of “allies” the Bush Administration touted before the invasion of Iraq is solid.