A mystery study
Space-A for DAVs & Gray Retirees:
Mystery Study Group in Hiding
Some people believe in conspiracies, groups meeting in the middle of the night, plotting control of the universe! I think I am fast becoming one of them. Particularly in regards to the study mandated by Public Law 109-163 - a feasibility study for expansion of space available travel on military aircraft to 50% disabled American Veterans, and to Reservists retired with over 20 good years, under 60, but eligible for pay at 60 years of age.
Where are they!?! What are they doing? Who are they? Coming up with blanks is very unsatisfying - especially when in the back of the mind I have pictures of the agencies doing the study. The Department of Defense has always hated the idea of ANY expansion - and they are on the study. In conjunction with them on this study is to be the Veterans Administration. That agency probably could care less about these issues as they struggle to meet increasing needs of vets with decreasing resources.
So do you
understand my concern? This has all the ear marks for a rote "who's
got the boiler plate text, we'll use it" study.
And that would be a tragedy. That would be the exact opposite of Congressional intent who actually - I suspect - want a credible and authoritative answer and a product that is the result of serious study.
All I can
say is: Write your Congressional delgation (Senators and House
Rep) and ask them to check on this study's progress. Where can we input
to it? Good questions for you, the reader, to ask!
Last added June 6th!
Congressman Filner Bill Gains
Regarding a study to gain the effect of HR 1188 for DAVs, and same as full retired for them and Gray Area Reserve Retirees, a staffer writes UTMC: "Yes, Congressman Filner was the one to get a study for space-a travel for disabled veterans in the 2006 Defense Authorization Bill," writes Sharon Schultze, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Bob Filner [see his bill below] "Please be assured that we will not let the study be the 'end of this concept'." [HR 1188, click left column) Cosponsors now Total: 55 (last sponsor added June 8, 2006)]
55 Sponsors of HR 1188 by Party:
| 48 Democrats | 1 Independent |
6 Republicans
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Space-A and Returning Reservists
One Lady's Opinion
- by Ann Caddell Crawford, Publisher, Military Living Publications
Having been a
part of the military family for over 51 years, and the Publisher of Military
Living for 38 years, I am keenly aware of bennies for the military and their
families. Granted, there have been thousands of morale-boosting changes over
the years. Many of them have been very expensive.
Here's my idea on boosting Guard and Reserve and their military family
members (dependents) MORALE - because it is something that would not cost very
many $$$s to implement.
I am concerned that these members are called on to serve our country over
and over again; many have died in battle. I'm told that some have lost their
small businesses, farms, medical and dental practices and more.
"Army Knowledge Online" Collaboration Group Opens Shop on Space-A for Returning Reservists
An "Army Knowledge Online" (AKO) collaboration group has been formed, based on and pointed at resolving this issue. Personnel administration groups already existing within AKO have been invited to participate and to seek establishment of procedures that will facilitate returning Reservists in using this wonderful privilege. Creator of that group is the UTMC editor.
"I wanted to see if AKO can do as it intended to do, strengthen and facilitate full utilization of Army resources with such a collaboration, and in this case by bettering the experiences of returning Reservists from Iraq and Afghanistan and other deployments," writes Mike Mitchell.
Wikipedia
says of it and its functions: "Army Knowledge Online
(AKO)" is the worlds largest corporate intranet, and the
US
Army's single approved enterprise-class web portal. AKO provides
secure access to Army web assets, tools and services to soldiers, Army
employees, retirees and family members worldwide. AKO is a driving
factor in the ongoing transformation of the US Army into the agile,
network based force that is required for today's conflicts. As of this
writing, AKO has almost 1.8 million registered users, and supports over
275K unique logins and 8 million emails daily."
Space-A Study Mandated by 2006 NDAA
Not Enacted for Grays & Disabled Veterans
BY MIKE MITCHELL, UTMC Editor
While we have not been able to 'eyeball' Public Law 109-163 which IS the final form of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2006, it has been clear it cannot deviate from the original bill passed as speculated earlier and cited below.
That called for a study to be completed within the next year to advise Congress on feasibility of including space-a privileges for gray area reservist retirees and 50%-plus DAVs and Dependants.
The normal Department of Defense conclusion is expected by at least this writer:
Something like:
"Expansion of the privilege will open the door to diminishing the privilege for active duty members and their families, who are intended as the primary beneficiaries of space-a travel on military aircraft."
Frankly, they always reach this conclusion.
Our task is to let Congress know this is a bogus concern as shown below. This population for which the expansion is being studied will not unreasonably disrupt that target group's privilege. The present system of prioritizing users prevents it.
Prepare your Congressional delegation. Facts show increased eligibles does not reflect exact increase of riders. We must not forget too, advocacy for surviving spouses of all members and hopefully soon eligible disabled veterans.
The following facts are taken from a Freedom of Information Act request made regarding a test expansion of Space-A to dependants of active duty and active duty retirees. It opened domestic flights to them:
"The total number of passengers moved during the year-long test was 60,724. A total of 23,515 active duty members and 14,922 dependents of active duty members traveled. A total of 15,268 retired members and 7,019 dependents of retired members traveled. The test data was extracted from the Global Air transportation Execution System (GATES) and manual reports from the Services providing movement data from non-GATES passenger movement locations."
Empirical evidence points to this conclusion:
Millions were made eligible, new flyers number in the thousands. A deluge ruining space-a will not result despite flowery theories to contrary offered by the DoD.
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NDAA 2006 Section of Interest: |
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Our Letter Campaign Continues!
[Click HERE for Military Living article] A letter campaign push is on for virtually free space-available travel on military aircraft in the U.S. and overseas for Reservist families, to Reserve-friendly Congressional members.
Supporters can go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/militaryvillage - or write Mike Mitchell at P.O. Box 521, Boring, OR 97009
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LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
H.R.1188 -To amend title 10, United States Code, to support disabled veterans by extending military commissary and exchange store privileges to such veterans and their dependents and by authorizing space-available travel on military aircraft for such veterans and their dependents. -Rep. Filner
HR 2484 - Bill gives Reservist retirees under 60 AND spouse, the same privilege as those over 60.
S. 58 - Bill to allow 100% DAVs to fly Space-A! This bill is being championed by Military.com!
H.R.407 - This one needs a big fix. Encourage Congressman to amend it. Bill to allows narrowly defined group of spouses or defendants: Deceased's immediate family, to act in place of the deceased as onboard sponsor for deceased's dependents.
Same great deals For Both Military and ALL Veterans
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Military click "Armed Forces Vacation Club" --- Vets click "Veterans Holidays"
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FEATURE ARTICLES from UTMC Contributors |
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WRITE WHY SPACE-A expansion is JUSTIFIED! Click "here" to submit an article. We cannot pay for articles, but do give exposure and gratitude! Extension of Space-A privileges to all adult Military ID holders is supported by us. We are interested in research and articles on feasibility. We are looking particularly for those experienced in administration of Space-A. Are you an ex-NCOIC of a terminal? A close-up insider and observer of Space-A traffic and demands? Tell us! Subjects other than Space-A, seeking to end exclusions or limits that cannot be justified, are always welcome! Wounded Warriors Left Behind? Not Enough 'Space Available' For downed Warriors? By Ed Prifogle Contributor, Unite The Military Community "In retrospect, the military has gone to great lengths to exclude us [100% DAVs... ed.] from the space-a privilege. It is intentional and is for reasons never stated, and has nothing to do with over-taxing the space-a program." Wife tells of inequity for spouses of Disabled Retirees By Gloria F. Cole, Contributor, Unite The Military Community "Space A travel is something my husband and I dream about..." But precluded from doing! Wife of Disabled Gulf War I Vet asks: Mr. President, Why Can't My Daughter Fly Space-A? By Sherri Ann Dauer Contributor, Unite The Military Community While her husband was at war, and while her husband and the family battled disabilities decades afterwards - one more ironic question: Why is Space-A only for retirees and those facing the rigors of active duty - but not for those who struggle with the changed lives from service connected disabilities? [This introduction by editor]
Widow speaks out on Space-A Patience, Not Exclusions - 'The Only Way to Fly!' By Margo Thomas, Contributor, Unite The Military Community Extending eligibility for Space-A greatly reduce the chances for those now eligible? I think not. From my experience, as a widow (since 1996) of a 30-year USAF veteran, a native of the U.K., most retired and other eligible are not patient enough. PTSD and HR 1188 & S. 32 DAV Spouse's View on Space-A for 100% Disabled Vets By Kathy Dunn, Contributor, Unite The Military Community As the wife of a 100% T&P Vietnam veteran, I think it's their RIGHT to have a seat on a military flight. Every past, present, and future combat enlisted soldier deserves that right more so than any other person I know. And us, as the spouses who have to deal with our spouses' torment every day from the ravages that tore up our innocent young vets, also deserve a seat along with our spouse so we can be there to comfort them when "flashbacks" rear their ugly heads or nightmares disturb their slumber. Please don't think I'm complaining about "having to deal" with my husband's combat PTSD - just the opposite. I'm thankful to God I'm here for him. That's why our service connected vets NEED a seat on those planes. At least to "get away" and maybe start healing. I feel Space-A would be more of a health benefit to our vets if nothing else. This bill NEEDS to be passed for our 100% T&P service vets also. Don't do to our present conflict vets what was done to our Vietnam Vets! PLEASE -- this bill NEEDS TO BE PASSED!! Thank you! New, Important Role Demands Reserve Benefits be equalized with Active duty By Master Sergeant David McHenry, Contributor, Unite The Military Community {Editor comment] Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld continues the transformation of the Army and military forces that new technology and roles for the U.S. dictate in the 21st Century. The Reserves are an unappreciated key stone. |
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