Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Conference

August 14, 2012

 Keynote by Governor Bob McDonnell

 When: August 14, 2012

Sponsored by: VA Department of

Veterans Services

Hosted by: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Presented by: TMG Inc.

Location:

9500 Godwin Drive

Manassas, VA 20110

 To Register visit: http://virginiavaluesvets.com/2012/v3-conference-registration/

Attend this conference to learn how your organization can develop a system that not only recruits our Nation’s finest young men and women but also creates lifelong highly productive employees who will lead your business performance for years to come. This conference will introduce

you to how to actively recruit, onboard, train, and retain Veterans as well as how to navigate through the military transition programs and take advantage of Government Funding to reimburse your organization for training and on-boarding expenses.

 Win, Win, Big Win

Win for Virginia businesses seeking productive employees; win for Virginia to decrease unemployment, and BIG WIN for these Americans and their familiesundefined1 vet, 1 company, 1 job at a time!

 Who Should Attend: Companies of all sizes who want to recapitalize their workforce through the V3Certification Program

 Agenda:

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Welcome by Virginia Department of Veterans

Services Commissioner Paul Galanti

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Keynote by Governor Bob McDonnell

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Break

9:15 AM – 12:00 PM: How to Hire Vets Part 1

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch and Networking

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: How to Hire Vets Part 2

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Break

2:45 PM – 4:30 PM: Government Agency Roles and Responsibilities

 · Department of Veteran Services

· Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve

· Virginia Employment Commission/

· Department of Labor

· Active Duty:Transitioning Vets from Active

· Duty

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Path Forward by DVS Deputy Commissioner Bill Janis

 To Register visit:

http://virginiavaluesvets.com/2012/v3-conference-registration/ or contact Bill Janis at bill.janis@dvs.virginia.gov (804) 786-0286.

 Benefits of Hiring Vets:

- Decreased Cost to Hire

- Decreased Hiring Cycle Time

- Decreased Time to Competency

- Increased New Hire Engagement

- Improved Workforce Productivity

- Decreased 1st Year New Hire Attrition

- Improved Earnings and Productivity

 Veteran Profile:

- Strong Work Ethic

- Team Oriented

- Goal Oriented

- Reliable

- Motivated

- Strong Leadership

--------------------------------

From: Mitchell, Amy [Amy.Mitchell@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 5:33 PM

 Subj: Subcommittee Urges VA to Update Military Sexual Trauma Adjudication

Subcommittee Urges VA to Update

Military Sexual Trauma Adjudication Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. undefinedToday, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled, “Invisible Wounds: Examining the Disability Compensation Benefits Process for Victims of Military Sexual Trauma.” The hearing focused on urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide consistent review of military sexual assault claims and appropriate care for those who have endured military sexual assault.

 “Women are the fastest growing population among veterans, making up 8 percent of the Armed Forces. However, the Department of Defense estimates that one in four women who join the armed services will be raped or assaulted, but that only about 10 percent of such incidents are ever reported,” stated Rep. Jon Runyan, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. “Even more alarming is that of those few who did report incidents of military sexual trauma, over 75 percent stated that they would not make the same decision about reporting the incident again, due to the consequences it had on their military career.”

 

VA estimates that more than half a million men and women have been assaulted during their service in the military. Most veterans seeking treatment and compensation for military sexual assault lack evidence, mainly due to victims’ low reporting of incidents for fear of retaliation, to support their disability compensation claims resulting in 20 percent fewer claims for Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) being approved by VA when compared to combat-related PTS claims.

 “This process took me 23 years to resolve, and I am one of the fortunate ones. It should not be this way,” stated Ruth Moore, a Navy veteran, who testified before the Subcommittee regarding the impact of repeated sexual assaults upon her in 1987 while stationed overseas. “If I had been treated promptly and received benefits in a timely manner, back at the time of my discharge, my life would have been much different.”

 At the moment, standards for those filing claims for PTS as a result of military sexual assault are different than standards applied to PTS claims for combat-related claims. Furthermore, VA demands collaboration of evidence for military sexual assault, putting the burden of proof on the victim, which in a majority of cases, does not exist.

 “There must be zero-tolerance for this behavior in the military, and VA must recognize the immediate trauma inflicted on these men and women,” said Runyan. “This is a system that needs major reform and I am calling on VA to treat these victims with the compassion they deserve and ensure they receive the benefits they are due from their government.

 For more news from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, please visit:

Veterans.House.Gov 

Find us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/HouseVetsAffairs or follow us on Twitter at:

@HouseVetAffairs

From: Mitchell, Amy [Amy.Mitchell@mail.house.gov]

Sent:  Wednesday, July 18, 2012 7:13 PM

 

Subj: The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of

      The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.undefinedToday, Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, issued the following statement on the Senate passage of H.R. 1627, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012:

“This legislation brings together nearly two years’ worth of work on behalf of America’s veterans. From streamlining and adding increased accountability to the disability claims process, to protecting our veterans from sexual assault, and providing for the future of Arlington National Cemetery, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 is a tribute ensuring our veterans, their families, and survivors are guaranteed the benefits earned through their service to our Nation.

 “With Senate passage today of H.R. 1627, our veterans are one step closer to receiving healthcare and improved services from VA. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Murray and Ranking Member Burr for their leadership in the Senate, as well as Ranking Member Filner’s support here in the House, to make this legislation a reality. Finally, I want to thank Senator DeMint for working with us to ensure that resources are focused on veterans and family members in need of VA healthcare.

 “I look forward to the House passing this legislation as soon as possible.”

 To learn more about the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, click here.

 Retweetables

RT @HouseVetAffairs: #HR1627: #HonorVets&Care4CampLejeuneFamiliesAct passes #Senate: http://veterans.house.gov/hr1627

RT @HouseVetAffairs: #HonorVets&Care4CampLejeuneFamiliesAct brings accountability to #claimsbacklog: http://veterans.house.gov/hr1627

RT @HouseVetAffairs: #HonorVets&Care4CampLejeuneFamiliesAct provides healthcare for #CampLejeune #vets. Learn more: http://veterans.house.gov/hr1627

 For more news from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, please visit:

Veterans.House.Gov 

Find us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/HouseVetsAffairs or follow us on Twitter at:

@HouseVetAffairs

      

News from Al Bunting, Col, USAF, Ret in NJ.  Always appreciate what you send in Al!  Thanks