Tag Archives: Pentagon

As introduced on March 4

Information on appropriations for fiscal year 2013 and the effect on those appropriations of the automatic spending reductions

Letter to the Honorable Paul Ryan

The Budget Outlook

CBO Director Doug Elmendorf’s Presentation to the National Association for Business Economics

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Drone medal outranks Purple Heart?

02/22/2013 Nativegrl77

Have you heard about the Pentagon‘s new Distinguished Warfare Medal?It ranks above the Purple Heart and is awarded to drone operators and cyberwar practitioners for “extraordinary achievement” in a post 9/11military operation.

A number of VoteVets members have expressed their opinions about the distinction, but we want to hear from you, as well.

Do you think the medal should rank above the Purple Heart? Let us know here:

http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal

Here’s a few of the comments we received on our Facebook page:

Christopher C. No problem with the medal itself. Serious problem with its hierarchy ranking: It should not be above medals awarded for combat actions. I am seriously surprised that anyone would think it is reasonable to giving it that level of precedence.

Ethan C. I think their service should be recognized with some kind of award but combat valor medals recognize real life and death situations on the actual battlefield. Combat awards should be given the highest placement.

Let us know what you think and we’ll be sure to share your thoughts with Senator Hagel after he’s confirmed as our next Secretary of Defense.

http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal

There’s been a lot of conversation about the new medal in the traditional media and online. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, as well.

Best,

Jon Soltz Iraq War Veteran Chairman, VoteVets.org

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Army: 11,000 Washington state jobs at risk if Congress won’t stop military cuts

02/20/2013 Nativegrl77

Posted by Beth Kaiman

Documents obtained by USA Today give a state-by-state breakdown of the furloughs and financial impact related to the military, if Congress does not alter the current sequestration plan scheduled to take effect next month.

In terms of Army cuts, Washington state would be hit 11th-hardest hit in the nation. At Joint Base Lewis-McChord, if Congress changes nothing, a $341 million annual cut would be ordered, according to the Army. More than 11,000 jobs statewide would be affected by furloughs (of more than 200,000 nationally), a figure that the Army says includes, not only immediate civilian furloughs, but jobs related to military spending. President Barack Obama has exempted military personnel from furloughs.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Congress on Wednesday that if the cuts take effect in March 1, he may be compelled to furlough the “vast majority” of the Defense Department’s 800,000 civilian workers.
More from The Associated Press: Panetta also said the across-the-board spending reductions would “put us on a path toward a hollow force,” meaning a military incapable of fulfilling all of its missions.

In a written message to employees, Panetta said he notified members of Congress on Wednesday that if the White House and Congress cannot strike a deficit reduction deal before March 1 to avoid the furloughs, all affected workers will get at least 30 days’ advance notice.

The furloughs would be part of broad spending cuts the Pentagon would implement in order to achieve $46 billion in reductions through the end of this budget year, which ends Sept. 30. More cuts would come in future years as long as the automatic government spending cuts, known as sequestration, remained in effect.

In the event of sequestration we will do everything we can to be able to continue to perform our core mission of providing for the security of the United States, but there is no mistaking that the rigid nature of the cuts forced upon this department, and their scale, will result in a serious erosion of readiness across the force,” Panetta wrote.

Pentagon officials have said their furloughs would be structured so that nearly all 800,000 workers lose one day of work per week for 22 weeks, probably starting in late April. That means they would lose 20 percent of their pay over that period.

The Pentagon has begun discussing details of the furloughs with defense worker union officials.

House Speaker John Boehner put the blame on Obama and said he agrees with Panetta that automatic spending cuts would devastate the military.

Boehner released a copy of Panetta’s letter formally notifying Congress that the Pentagon will have to consider furloughing a large portion of its civilian workforce if sequestration kicks in.

The furloughs contemplated by this notice will do real harm to our national security,” Panetta wrote in his congressional notification letter, adding that it would make troops less ready for combat and slow the acquisition of important weapons.

~ Culture & History

History Takes Flight! Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC

02/14/2012 Nativegrl77

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lonnie Bunch, museum director, historian, lecturer, and author, is proud to present A Page from Our American Story, a regular on-line series for Museum supporters. It will showcase individuals and events in the African American experience, placing these stories in the context of a larger story — our American story.

A Page From Our American Story

Members of the Tuskegee Airmen Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Location unknown, likely Southern Italy or North Africa

Not many people know the entire story of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is going to change that. The Tuskegee Airmen epitomize courage and heroism. Their story, however, is more than just their legendary success escorting American bombers over Nazi Germany.

Their story begins more than 23 years earlier. In fact, from the early days of World War I, African Americans wanted to serve as pilots in the Army Air Force. They were repeatedly rejected — because of their race. In 1941, when Congress finally forced the Army Air Force to train African Americans, the powers in the Pentagon created a training program with one purpose — wash out the men who want to be aviators.

However, the Pentagon was in for a surprise — the Tuskegee Airmen did not fail. They would succeed and go on to serve in spectacular fashion. Their success would force military leaders to take a hard look at the policies of segregation that treated black servicemen and women as second class citizens.

Click here to take flight with the Spirit of Tuskegee!

I offer this brief, brief summary of the Tuskegee Airmen story as a way of introducing a short, but fascinating video that features a treasured object in the Museum’s collection — a restored World War II-era PT-13 Stearman used to train many of the Tuskegee Airmen. The video documents this biplane’s historic journey across the nation on its way to being presented to the Museum in the summer of 2011.

The addition of the PT-13 Stearman helps bring the powerful story of the Tuskegee Airmen to life. Together they help fulfill the Museum’s mission to engage, educate, and bring pride to all Americans.

Enjoy!

	All the best,

	Lonnie Bunch Director

P.S. We can only reach our $250 million goal with your help. I hope you will consider making a donation or becoming a Charter Member today.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution’s family of extraordinary museums.The museum will be far more than a collection of objects. The Museum will be a powerful, positive force in the national discussion about race and the important role African Americans have played in the American story — a museum that will make all Americans proud.

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Honoring Fallen Servicemembers … a message from Senator Patty Murray

06/03/2011 Nativegrl77

June 2, 2011

Honoring Fallen Servicemembers

In honor of Memorial Day last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the men and women who died serving our country in the armed forces. I also took time to discuss the need to take care of our nation’s veterans and urge my colleagues to pass my legislation to help veterans find employment.

Watch the speech |Readthe speech

Improving Care for Veterans through Agency Coordination

Last week, I heard from veterans and top VA and Pentagon officials about challenges that remain in the care for amputees, rising suicide rates, poor coordination between the departments, and delays in disability evaluations. During the hearing, I heard first-hand accounts from veterans about what went well but also about how they were negatively impacted by the lack of collaboration between DoD and VA and what they believe can be done to improve the transition for the thousands upon thousands of servicemembers still to come home.

Watch the hearing

“Concern grows over ‘epidemic’ veteran suicide rate” – The News Tribune

Benefits Program for Caregivers of Veterans Now Accepting Applications

Earlier this month, I applauded the announcement made by the Department of Veterans Affairs that they have started accepting and processing applications for the critical caregiver benefits program. After only a week and a half, the VA helped over 625 veterans, servicemembers, and caregivers apply to receive the new benefits. This program will provide much-needed and long-awaited financial and health care support to family members caring for severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Eligible veterans, servicemembers, and family caregivers can apply for benefits online at: www.caregiver.va.gov

Lowering our Military’s Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell and I introduced legislation to extend the length of contracts between the DoD and biofuel producers. The act, which is companion legislation to a bipartisan bill sponsored in the U.S. House by Rep. Jay Inslee, would allow the military to increase long-term contracts with biofuel producers from 5 years to 15 years for the purchase of advanced biofuel fuels. Not only will this unlock opportunities to make investments in the construction and development of private biofuel refineries in the Northwest, it will also lower our military’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase the security of troops.

“Industry study says Northwest ideal for production of biofuels”
– The Everett Herald

Providing Greater Access to Affordable Health Care

Last week, I applauded the announcement that Washington State will be one of the first states to receive funding to help implement a Health Insurance Exchange, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. The award of $22 million will help Washington state implement an Exchange that will provide individuals and small business with a one-stop shop to find and compare health insurance options.