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Three decades is a “shamefully long” time for veterans to wait, the groups said in the report, especially considering the prevalence of toxins at military bases and deployment sites. “There isn’t a major conflict in the past 100 years that has been immune to this epidemic,” the report said. About 2.7 million service members who fought in the Vietnam War may have been exposed to the cancer-causing herbicide Agent Orange from 1962 to 1975, officials said. But the first veterans to be exposed had to wait nearly 30 years before Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991, which established a link between the herbicide and certain cancers and diseases. Under the law, affected veterans no longer needed to show they were exposed to Agent Orange to get disability compensation.

Persons: Mark Jackson, ”, Jackson, marathoner, “, ” Jackson, Orange Organizations: Khanabad, Base, NBC News, DAV Communications, Military, Association of America, DAV, American Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs Locations: Uzbekistan, Melbourne , Florida, Vietnam

The Department of Veterans Affairs has clawed back billions of dollars that countless veterans were given as incentives to leave the military, including when it needed to downsize, according to new data obtained by NBC News. Disabled veterans have been told in the last 12 fiscal years to return nearly $3 billion in special separation pay — lump-sum incentives that were offered when the U.S. had to reduce its active-duty force or release slightly injured service members, the data shows. The justification of the recoupment rule carried over in the 1990s when other forms of special separation payments — unrelated to disabilities — were authorized. Those payments, including the Special Separation Benefit (SSB), were designed instead to help the Defense Department manage its force size. He was told to pay back the money in 2017 after he filed for VA disability for PTSD and other conditions.

Persons: ”, Damon Bird, “, ” Salahudin Majeed, Bird, Salahudin Majeed, ” Majeed, ‘, ’ ” Majeed, —, ” Marquis Barefield, Marquis Barefield, ” Barefield, John Colage, Terrence Hayes, Hayes, Colage, ” Colage, Domenick Fini, Denis McDonough’s, Majeed, recoupment, Ruben Gallego, Gallego Organizations: of Veterans Affairs, NBC News, Disabled, NBC, Army, ” Army, Congressional Research Service, Defense Department, DAV, American Veterans, ” Navy, U.S ., Appeals, Veterans, Veterans ’ Appeals, RAND Corporation Locations: U.S, —, Haslet , Texas, USS Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Iraq

☆ A little-known law has forced over 120,000 veterans to return the money they got to leave the military, new data shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | Melissa Chan | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

He said the VA is legally bound to recover special separation benefits from veterans before those eligible can begin receiving disability payments. The VA had to recoup separation pay from 8,130 veterans in fiscal year 2020 and 8,550 in 2021. In 2021, the Veterans Benefits Administration began scanning all veterans’ service and medical records into electronic files, which “reduces the likelihood of this situation reoccurring,” Hayes said. Unique exceptions to the lawVeterans have a chance to pursue a waiver of their recoupment responsibilities for only certain special separation benefits under the law. In 2023, the Navy authorized reducing the amount of disability pay that is withheld while voluntary separation pay is recouped, Navy spokesperson Charlie Spirtos said.

Persons: “, ”, Vernon Reffitt, recoupments, Terrence Hayes, Shawn Teller, Teller, ” Teller, “ It’s, Reffitt, ‘, Hayes, ” Hayes, Erika Yepsen, Yepsen, recoupment, ” Yepsen, Charlie Spirtos, Marquis Barefield, ” Barefield, Ruben Gallego Organizations: NBC News, Army, U.S . Department of Veterans Affairs, NBC, “, VA, Veterans, Administration, The Air Force, Air Force, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, DAV, American Veterans, ” Veterans, recoupment, RAND Corporation Locations: U.S, Storm, Walnut Creek , California, Twin City , Georgia, United States

☆ Biden and Trump are vying for the veteran vote in the 2024 race. Here's how their policies on veteran affairs stack up.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Thomas Novelly | Rebecca Kheel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Biden shepherded through the PACT Act , which has been described as the biggest expansion of veterans benefits in a generation. "Someone who may have had a rare cancer that was benefited by the PACT Act, that's the most important thing to them. President Joe Biden delivers a speech about the PACT Act at the Westwood Park YMCA in Nashua, New Hampshire. After Jackson's bid ended, Robert Wilkie, who had been working at the Pentagon, was nominated and confirmed as VA secretary. Denis McDonough, who was Obama's chief of staff, has served as VA secretary since the beginning of the Biden administration.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Patrick Murray, Military.com, John Tully, Joe Parsetich, Barack Obama, Cheriss, VFW's Murray, Donald J, Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, Michael Reynolds, Trump's, David Shulkin, Obama, Shulkin, Ronny Jackson, Jackson, Jackson's, Robert Wilkie, Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Chip Somodevilla, Denis McDonough, Donald Remy, Tanya Bradsher, McDonough Organizations: Service, Business, Department of Veterans Affairs, Biden shepherded, Veterans, Foreign, PACT, American, Westwood, Getty, Disabled American Veterans, White, Biden, US, Veterans Affairs, Wimbledon, Shulkin, White House, Pentagon, Trump, Cross Locations: France, Nashua , New Hampshire, Rose, Trump's, Europe, Texas

It was a one-time, lump-sum special separation benefit offered to service members when the U.S. had to reduce its active-duty force. Courtesy Vernon ReffittThousands have found themselves in Reffitt’s position due to a little-known law that prohibits veterans from receiving both disability and special separation pay. Under the law, the VA has to recoup special separation benefits from veterans before those eligible can begin receiving disability payments. Army veteran Daphne Young said she would not have taken the separation pay had she known. Under the law, veterans have a chance to pursue a waiver of their recoupment responsibilities for voluntary separation pay, but the standards are high.

Persons: Vernon Reffitt, Reffitt, Stephanie Rennane, Rennane, it’s, Daphne Young, Daphne Young Young, Young, Marquis Barefield, Barefield, Shane Collins, Collins, Ruben Gallego, Gallego, I’ve Organizations: Department of Veterans Affairs, RAND Corporation, NBC News, Army, Young, DAV, American Veterans, Veterans, recoupment, RAND, Marine, Marines, Pentagon, Defense Locations: U.S, Twin City , Georgia, Panama, Honduras, Germany, Columbus , Georgia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Twin Falls , Idaho, United States

☆ These gay military veterans wonder what Biden’s new pardon means for them
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Ramon Sanchez | Ray Sanchez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The pardon won’t automatically change the record of convicted veterans, but it will allow them to apply for a certificate that will help them receive withheld benefits. “Our nation’s service members stand on the frontlines of freedom, and risk their lives in order to defend our country. Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Biden said. A service member’s discharge status can determine what Veterans Affairs benefits they are eligible for. To get their records changed under the pardon, veterans will need to complete an online application, which will go to their military service department.

Persons: Mona McGuire, Karla Lehmann, “, ” McGuire, McGuire, ”, Lehmann, Joe Biden, Biden, ‘ What’s, ’ ” Lehmann, Biden’s, ” Biden, Christie Bhageloe, Bhageloe, Don’t, Ruth Castro, ’ McGuire, “ I’m, I’m, …, ’, I’ve, ” “, America’s Organizations: CNN, US Army, Army, Milwaukee Police Department, Michigan State Police, Armed Forces, Military, Department of Justice, Veterans, Department of Defense, Defense Department, Affairs, Pentagon, Department, 164th Military Police Company, Army Board for, Military Records, Department of Locations: West Germany, Milwaukee, Mineola , Texas, Wisconsin

☆ Biden Expected to Pardon Veterans Convicted of Having Gay Sex
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Katie Rogers | More About Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden is expected on Wednesday to pardon American veterans who were convicted of engaging in gay sex under a military code that outlawed the behavior for more than 60 years. Mr. Biden’s proclamation would grant clemency to some 2,000 people who were charged between 1951 and 2013, addressing a “historic wrong,” as the president said in a statement the White House released ahead of the announcement. “Today, I am righting an historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves,” Mr. Biden said in the statement. “Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of L.G.B.T.Q.I.+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2013, Congress voted to repeal the portion of the code that outlawed consensual sodomy.

Persons: Biden, Biden’s, ” Mr, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Military

Eighty years ago, the Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, during World War II on what would be known as D-Day. Heads of state from around the world have traveled to France over the past few days to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the landing. Around 150 American veterans who took part in the landings were also expected to attend the ceremony. One American veteran, Robert "Al" Persichitti from New York, died while on his way to the memorial service. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prince William also attended a separate Canadian commemorative ceremony near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer, in northwestern France.

Persons: Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Britain's King Charles III, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ryan, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Robert, Al, Persichitti, Justin Trudeau, Prince William Organizations: Allied, American Cemetery and, Canadian Locations: Omaha, Saint, Mer, France, Normandy, Europe, U.S, Colleville, New York, Courseulles

☆ 80th anniversary of D-Day: This year will likely be the last major D-Day anniversary with living veterans, so organizers are all-out
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Fifteen Canadian veterans, including three or four that fought on D-Day, are traveling with the Canadian delegation, according to John Desrosiers, the director of international operations for Veterans Affairs Canada. US D-Day veterans attend an event at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial as part of the 79th anniversary D-Day celebrations on June 6, 2023. American and Canadian organizers told CNN that they will seat veterans last at their respective national ceremonies to keep them comfortable. The general public at the American event, for example, may need to be seated about an hour in advance due to security precautions. American troops march up from Omaha Beach on June 18, 1944.

Persons: Jake Tapper, “, Jack Foy, Foy –, Foy, ” Foy, ”, Michel Delion, Mark, Katherine Sibilla, –, Charles Djou, John Desrosiers, Desrosiers, Christopher Furlong, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Justin Trudeau, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Buckingham, Djou, Tom Schaffer, John Pinkerton, Schaffer, Gareth Fuller, Hitler, Ben, ” Brands, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Chief Washington, Democracy, France CNN —, Mission, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Monuments Commission, Canadian, Veterans Affairs Canada, Cemetery, Memorial, British, French Interior Ministry, Defense, Underwood Archives, Ben Brands, ”, US Department of Veterans Affairs Locations: Caen, France, Ukraine, Europe, Normandy, US, United States, Belgium, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, British, Ver, Mer, Omaha, Sword, Utah, Omaha and Utah, Nazi Germany, Omaha Beach, Germany, Colleville, Canada, American

A group of transgender veterans filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to force the Department of Veteran Affairs to begin providing and paying for gender-affirming surgeries. A spokesperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. But he pointed to 2021 statements from Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, who said the VA was beginning a years long rulemaking process that would result in providing gender-affirming surgeries. McDonough said the VA would use the time to “develop capacity to meet the surgical needs” of transgender veterans. Natalie Kastner, a 39-year-old disabled veteran from Texas, said she went to the VA in 2022 seeking surgery.

Persons: Rebekka Eshler, Denis McDonough, McDonough, “, ” Eshler, Natalie Kastner, ” Organizations: Department of Veteran Affairs, Transgender American Veterans Association, United States, Appeals, Federal Circuit, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Locations: Washington, Texas

☆ Biden campaign says Trump echoed Hitler with use of word 'vermin'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Claremont, New Hampshire, U.S., November 11, 2023. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's 2024 re-election team on Monday said former President Donald Trump had embraced the language of Nazi German dictator Adolf Hitler by using the word "vermin" to refer to his political enemies. "Donald Trump thinks he can win by dividing our country. Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, rejected the comparisons to Hitler and Italy's Mussolini. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates also said Trump's use of the word "vermin" echoed Hitler and Mussolini.

Persons: Donald Trump, Brian Snyder, Joe Biden's, Adolf Hitler, Trump, autocrats, Donald Trump parroted, Benito Mussolini –, Biden, Ammar Moussa, he’ll, Steven Cheung, Hitler, Italy's Mussolini, Cheung, Andrew Bates, Mussolini, Bates, Tim Naftali, Naftali, Nathan Layne, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Veterans, Trump, White, Republican, Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, Thomson Locations: Claremont , New Hampshire, U.S, Nazi German, New Hampshire, Wilton , Connecticut

In 2017, with Mr. Connors’ help, Mr. Maichle started his own company, Precision Compliance Consulting. ‘Boss Man’Mr. Connors, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Maichle were all active in college conservative politics in Wisconsin about 15 years ago, when Mr. Connors was the leader of campus Republicans at Marquette University. Of that, about $102,000 went to Campaign Now, the firm started by Mr. Connors, and another $112,000 to companies where Mr. Connors, Mr. Maichle or Mr. Lewis was either the owner or a partner, tax records show. Most of the money — more than $4.4 million — went to fund-raising companies via tens of thousands of small payments. Most of the money — more than $4.4 million — went to fund-raising companies via tens of thousands of small payments.

☆ Saudi Arabia wants to be a bigger player in the Middle East — this time with diplomacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“And that can only reflect well on the Kingdom.”This new diplomacy comes as Saudi Arabia prioritizes economic growth at home, which requires regional stability to succeed. Saudi efforts at revamping its image as a peace-broker may face credibility challenges, however, given its near decade-long combative foreign policy and the bad press it attracted. That group is party to the Sudan conflict that Saudi Arabia is trying to help end. Despite its controversial past, Saudi Arabia may still carry enough influence to bring quarreling parties to the negotiating table, analysts say. “Saudi (Arabia) does not pretend to be an impartial mediator but its voice carries weight with many parties in the region,” Shihabi said, adding that where it can, Saudi Arabia wants to use that influence to reduce tensions.

☆ Moscow's promise of big payments to its troops is creating a new headache for the Russian military
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But there are already reports of Russian troops not getting paid on time or at all. Anger over pay issues could worsen the already poor morale among Russian troops in Ukraine. Lev Vlasov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesOn the other hand, life in the Russian military is no picnic. Nonetheless, military pay looks generous compared to the civilian sector, where the average monthly wage is 63,000 rubles, or $770. However, cutting military pay – or failing to pay salaries and bonuses – would be a risky move.

☆ Wagner Group's turn from prison recruitment could be effort to tap soldiers who might balk at 'serving with rapists and murderers,' historian says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Wagner Group, the Russian paramilitary organization, has stopped recruiting prisoners for the war. An expert in Russian history told Insider the move could be an attempt to recruit more competent fighters. "It was people deciding they would take their chances dying in Ukraine as opposed to dying in a Russian prison." While Prigozhin's quest for influence is well-documented, it's also entirely possible that Wagner ceased its prison recruitment efforts simply because the well had run dry, Miles said. The group could look to other war-torn countries where experienced soldiers might fight for pay, Miles said.

☆ Here's how a wildly outgunned US Navy pilot outfoxed one of the Soviet Union's best jets, scoring a string of kills in a legendary dogfight
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

An outgunned US Navy pilot downed four Soviet MiG-15 jets in a legendary dogfight over 70 years ago. This swept-wing Soviet aircraft was considered to be superior to the straight-wing American Panther in terms of overall performance. A Grumman F9F Panther fighter jet fires its guns during an attack on the North Korean port of Hungnam. "In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job," Williams said in an account of the fight, according to Pacific Fleet. Williams' dogfight isn't the only example of US planes battling enemy aircraft that are superior on paper.

☆ A Ukrainian soldier died on the battlefield in Bakhmut. His death has sparked a fierce dispute between some American veterans and a volunteer trainer.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

While entering a house in Bakhmut, two Ukrainian soldiers were ambushed by Russian troops. While he was doing laundry, Wang said a dark-green SUV suddenly pulled up and he heard a Ukrainian soldier shout, "De medyky?" More muscle than the pork ribsWang, by his own admission, decided to take charge of rescuing the wounded Ukrainian soldier. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesIn the phone conversation with Insider, Wang defended his involvement in the death of the Ukrainian soldier. A wider tapestry of issuesThe SOLI instructors said the Bakhmut deaths were just one part of a wider tapestry of issues caused by Wang's inexperience and overzealousness.

☆ Zelenskyy's TIME Person of the Year Award is proof that resilience is the most important trait any leader can have
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Marguerite Ward | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

He embodies valor and resilience, traits business leaders should exhibit in tough times. The Ukrainian leader's speaking style is characterized by short sentences, vivid imagery, and empathy, all of which make him effective. A 2021 research paper published in the Academy of Management Journal found business leaders who led by example boosted productivity in their businesses. Some of the most convincing business leaders of our time have leaned into emotion when making key arguments. "President Zelenskyy remains focused on his core assignment.

David Cruz, a spokesman for LULAC — the oldest Latino civil rights group in the United States — said a woman who joined the meeting claiming to represent the organization was "terminated" Oct. 22 and met with Musk "unlawfully." Johnson wrote and signed the letter along with the leaders of the National Urban League and the National Action Network, two of the most prominent civil rights groups in the country. "Her meeting with Mr. Musk was wholly unauthorized and breached our agreements and repeated notifications. Ms. Benavides is, in fact, a rogue, former respected leader who has decided to place herself above the organization that trusted her," Cruz added. The Dallas Morning News has reported that two factions inside LULAC have been vying for power in recent months.

The family of a retired U.S. Marine believe he is on life support in a separatist-controlled hospital in Ukraine after he went to fight back the Russian invasion alongside the Ukrainian military. Grady Kurpasi, 50, traveled to Ukraine shortly after the war began in February to help with evacuations and train Ukrainian soldiers. Courtesy Don TurnerA State Department spokesperson said the agency was “aware of unconfirmed reports regarding a missing U.S. citizen in Ukraine. The center has brought up the retired Marine in recent discussions with the Russian government, a spokesperson confirmed. A retired Marine Corps officer, Kurpasi was adopted by an American couple from South Korea as a young child.

A pair of American veterans, taken prisoner while fighting for Ukraine, said Russian captors relentlessly tortured them to the point where they "prayed for death," according to a broadcast interview aired Thursday. The pair didn't totally understand their ordeal was done until they met with American officials. "I didn't fully believe that I was getting released until a U.S. embassy representative said, 'This is real brother. Both men said they had no regrets fighting alongside Ukrainians as they fend off Russian invaders. "I think I'd go back (to Ukraine) in a slightly different capacity," Drueke said.

For the first time in history, Black veterans are getting a monument to acknowledge their service and contributions in the U.S. military. The African American Veterans Monument (AAVM) was unveiled Saturday in Buffalo, New York, to honor Black veterans and active-duty military service members both past and present. The monument serves as a permanent marker recognizing the contributions of African Americans who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. “The African American Veterans Monument will enhance visitors’ understanding of the diversity in the armed forces throughout American history,” Hodges said. She said she hopes the monument will shed light on their service and contributions.

Videos show the moment two American veterans touched down on U.S. soil and were reunited with their families after being held hostage for three months by Russian forces. The two men were among ten foreign fighters captured by Russian forces in June after they traveled to Ukraine to aid in the war. They were held by Russian proxies in the contested Donbas region that remains at the center of the war. Dianna Shaw and Bunny Drueke, the aunt and mom of Drueke, said they were "thrilled" that he was finally free. The 10 foreign fighters included Drueke and Huynh, five British fighters, and one Moroccan, Swede and Croatian, according to the Saudi Ministry of Media.

Ten foreign fighters, including two Americans who joined the war effort in Ukraine before they were captured and held by Russian forces, were released Wednesday as part of an exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi government had successfully negotiated the release of the foreign fighters and transferred them to Saudi Arabia, where they were "facilitating procedures for their safe return home." The 10 foreign fighters are five British fighters, two Americans, and one Moroccan, Swede and Croatian, according to the Saudi Ministry of Media. U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss said in a tweet that she was elated to hear that the British nationals had been released. They are believed to be the first Americans to be captured during the war between Ukraine and Russia.

☆ Volodymyr Zelenskyy embodies resilience. It's one of multiple traits business leaders can mimic in tough times.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-14 | by ( Marguerite Ward | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Ukrainian leader's speaking style is characterized by short sentences, vivid imagery, and empathy, all of which make him effective. A 2021 research paper published in the Academy of Management Journal found business leaders who led by example boosted productivity in their businesses. Some of the most convincing business leaders of our time have leaned into emotion when making key arguments. Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesThough the pandemic has bent the rules of formality, starched suits are still the go-to for world leaders. "President Zelenskyy remains focused on his core assignment.

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