veterans
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Thirty percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health condition requiring treatment. That percent amounts to about 730,000 men and women, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health. The council has just launched a class called Mental Health First Aid for those who work with military personnel, families and veterans. Bryan Gibb, public education director for the National Council for Behavioral Health, told Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp how the class works.
May 02, 2014 -
The Defense Department's efforts to prevent suicide have borne some fruit. The overall rate dropped by 15 percent last year. But that good news masks some trouble in the Army National Guard and Reserve. There, the rate increased, leaving some to question whether the Defense Department is reaching those who don't live on base. It's even harder to say whether recent veterans are benefiting from the efforts. Jackie Maffucci, research director at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, explained the numbers to Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp.
April 28, 2014 -
Sometimes the hardest thing about the military is leaving it. Both the federal government and companies are trying hard to find jobs for new veterans. The Military Times has released its annual list of the best employers for vets. Insurer United Service Automobile Association has topped that list for the past three years. Eric Engquist, executive director for military transitions for USAA, gave Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp some statistics about veteran employees.
April 18, 2014 -
Service members sometimes face a tough challenge when they leave the military: finding a job. Both federal agencies and contractors have programs for hiring veterans, but they're not all effective. Military Times has complied a list of the best potential employers for veterans. George Altman, education and employment writer for Military Times, told Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp how employers were evaluated. Companies who would like to participate in next year's survey can email BestForVets@militarytimes.com.
April 15, 2014 -
An influential veterans organization is demanding action from Congress on a number of legislative fronts, including the growing number of veteran suicides. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America introduced its 2014 policy agenda to Congress this week. It's all a part of the 10th annual IAVA Storms the Hill. Lauren Augustine, legislative associate for IAVA, talked to Tom Temin on the Federal Drive about what's being asked of Congress.
March 28, 2014 -
Just over half of veterans are using the post-9/11 GI Bill to earn a college degree -- 51.7 percent.to be exact. The data comes from a newly-released study by the Student Veterans of America. Vice President of Research Chris Cate spoke about the findings on the Federal Drive.
March 27, 2014 -
In emergencies, you rush to the closest hospital to get medical care. Veterans are the same way. And when they go outside the VA system for emergency care, the department is supposed to pay for it even if they don't have other insurance. But, that's not always what happens, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office. Randy Williamson, director of Healthcare Issues at GAO, spoke to Federal Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp about what GAO found.
March 24, 2014 -
Documents obtained by Federal News Radio show VA's financial audit found material weaknesses, including the failure to remove terminated employees from accessing the network, and the lack of a formal process for monitoring, preventing installation and removing unauthorized application software on agency systems. House Veterans Affairs lawmakers continue to press VA to make changes to their cybersecurity posture more quickly. VA officials say they have a multi-layered defense to include outside network monitoring by external partners, active scanning of Web applications and source code, and protection of servers, workstations, network and gateways, among other security efforts.
December 19, 2013 -
The stresses and trauma of war are not limited to military personnel on the battlefield. Defense contractors exposed to combat zones exhibit similar rates of mental health problems as members of the military, according to a report by RAND Corporation.
December 10, 2013 -
American Corporate Partners Founder Sidney Goodfriend and Phillip Selleh, program manager for the VA Business Accelerator will discuss how their organizations are helping returning veterans find jobs and start businesses. June 14, 2013
June 14, 2013 -
The Veterans Affairs Department denies claims that systems or data are in danger. But Jerry Davis, the former deputy assistant secretary for information security in VA's Office of Information and Technology, asserts in documents that he was bullied into signing security certifications that were deficient as a condition of his departure from VA for a new job at NASA.
June 03, 2013 -
American Corporate Partners Founder Sidney Goodfriend and Phillip Selleh, program manager for the VA Business Accelerator will discuss how their organizations are helping returning veterans find jobs and start businesses. May 24, 2013
May 24, 2013 -
Veterans service organizations say despite attempts at improvement, the Department of Veterans Affairs' verification process for veteran-owned small businesses is still barring legitimate firms from contracts with the department, while doing little to deter actual fraud.
March 20, 2013 -
Host Derrick Dortch hosts a roundtable discussion of veteran's issues, with representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. January 11, 2013(Encore presentation January 25, 2013)
January 11, 2013 -
Col. Jeremy Martin, commandant of the Defense Information School, talks about the most recent graduating class. Merry Korn, CEO of Pearl Interactive Network, discusses how her company is helping veterans find work. AFGE National President J. David Cox talks about the ratification of the TSA's first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon discusses efforts to transition veterans back into civilian life.
November 12, 2012