Defense
Poll: Veterans Say US Left Afghanistan Without Honor, and They Want to Talk About It
70 percent of Americans surveyed said they have “never” or “rarely” talked to a veteran about the war.
Workforce
Percentage of Veterans in the Federal Workforce Stagnates at 31%
The Interagency Veterans Advisory Council is looking to boost that, as well as increase representation of veterans in the Senior Executive Service.
Management
91% of VA Health Care Workers Submitted COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Data
“The goal of the disciplinary process is not to fire people,” but rather “get people vaccinated,” said the VA secretary.
Defense
Veterans Day: How Crosses and Mementos Help These Marines Remember Fallen Comrades
For some military members, a hillside in California embodies the sacrifices of serving.
Management
Lawmakers Look to Boost VA Research by Poaching From Other Agencies, Governments
VA would be better positioned to lead on issues like traumatic brain injury and PTSD, committee leaders say.
Management
VA Begins Disciplining Employees as Thousands Have Yet to Prove They’re Vaccinated
Only 70% of VA's health care workforce has uploaded proof of their COVID-19 inoculation.
Management
GovExec Daily: Managing Performance at the Veterans Benefit Administration
Dr. Paul R. Lawrence joins the podcast to discuss his new book on his time at VA.
Workforce
COVID-19 Vaccination Deadline Arrives for 380K VA Employees. 45K Still Haven’t Said They’ve Gotten Shots.
The department is giving those employees 10 more days to prove they have been vaccinated or seek an exception before discipline begins.
Oversight
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records
A congressional investigation prompted by ProPublica’s reporting found Trump’s “Mar-a-Lago crowd,” wealthy civilians with no U.S. government or military experience, pursued a plan to monetize veterans’ medical data.
Defense
30,177 Military Members Have Died by Suicide since 9/11. Why?
In the past 20 years, 30,177 active military and veterans of post-9/11 wars have committed suicide. That's four times as many deaths as those killed in action.
Workforce
As VA Vaccination Rate Ticks Up, the Department Is 'Making Preparations' to Fire the Non-Compliant
VA now has a few weeks to determine the vaccination status for more than 100,000 employees.
Management
House Panel Approves Spending Surge to Fix and Upgrade VA Buildings
Funding would preempt a commission that will determine what VA's footprint should look like going forward.
Defense
'Dear America': Gold Star Families Want 'Archaic' Support Systems Fixed
The Pentagon team that manages them "have not protected us, and they have refused to listen."
Defense
This May Be First Step In Curing PTSD With A Pill
A start-up, funded in part by the U.S. Army, could be on track to revolutionizing what we know about PTSD.
Workforce
VA Sees Spike in COVID-19 Deaths Among Employees in August
"Oh no, here we go again," employees say of current conditions at VA facilities.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The 2017 VA Accountability Law and the Courts
Attorney Conor Dirks joins the podcast to discuss two cases that knock down the agency's interpretation of the rule.
Defense
Afghanistan Veterans Struggling With News of Taliban Takeover
Advocates encourage veterans to use VA, veteran service organization resources for help.
Defense
Some Veterans Say Republicans are Blocking Their Ability to Vote
Democrats and veterans groups say the bill would expand access to early and mail-in voting, which can make voting easier for disabled veterans
Defense
Veterans Push for Medical Marijuana in Conservative South
North Carolina claims to be the “Nation’s Most Military Friendly State.” Now veterans are trying to capitalize on this dedication to the troops to persuade lawmakers to pass medical marijuana legislation. It’s an advocacy model that has led to success for pro-cannabis efforts elsewhere.
Workforce