Readers of Tom Philpott's Military Update column sound off.

Proper Vet Transition Briefings Required by Law

While it is a problem that many veterans don't know or heed their benefits, it is untrue that only the Marines provide veterans benefit information to people separating from service.

Regardless of component (Active, Reserve, or Guard), all branches of the service are required by law to provide transition counseling that includes a discussion of benefits and entitlements and how to obtain them.

I am surprised Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.) would complain of there not being complete services when it is Congress who funds and watchdogs the program.

Family agencies -- Army Community Services, Airmen and Family Readiness Centers, and Navy Family Services -- administer these briefings either through Transition Assistance Program classes of three to five days, group briefings, or one-on-one briefings. A mandatory form that an agency representative and member both must sign is kept on record. In addition, members are encouraged to come back or call back after separation if they encounter issues they aren't sure how to handle.

Yes, as testimony at the hearing indicated, TAP briefing/classes are optional. But transition counseling is mandatory for all military members of all branches of service. It is law and has been in effect for more than 10 years. There is a Department of Defense Transition website for military members, family and veterans to gather information. It is found at www.turbotap.org, funded by the departments of Labor and VA and includes state specific benefits as well.

There is so much change that goes on with an individual and family when exiting the military. Concerns over where to live, how to move there, new budgets, schools, jobs, and status changes can be overwhelming. Many people freeze and do next to nothing. It's like they are in denial. There is also such a glut of information and, frankly, it doesn't all seem relevant to the military member. Apparently extraneous information goes in one ear and out the other. I no longer work as a transition counselor but people still call me to say "What did you tell me about this? It's an issue now."

Those getting separated or medically retired because of injury from deployment face even more emotions, challenges and questions. For them, each branch of service has an additional program to oversee care of the wounded through and even beyond separation or retirement.

Care of military personnel and families is a concern of each service branch and the VA. It would be beneficial to have increased communication between the military and VA, but sometimes individual locations don't do well and some functions just seem to not dovetail. But that is no excuse; our military and their families deserve wholeness and a good path to a good life.

The process is in place. But like you say in your article, we may need to consider other means of getting information to people. Papers and death by Power Point aren't doing the job.

Thank you for raising an important issue, but please know all branches of service discuss VA benefits with military members prior to retirement or separation regardless of the reason for that change in service status.

Janice Barnes
Montgomery, Ala.

I just read your article pertaining to the lack of information given to veterans. A similar situation happened to me.

I retired in 1993 from the reserves and did not get a separation physical. Since then I have had some back problems, hearing, and arthritis. I have put in for disability and was informed I should have said something upon retirement.

This whole process has been a guessing game. I guessed what I was supposed to do upon retirement and the VA decides if I guessed correctly. This whole process has been depressing.

Keep up the good work on bringing to light military items that need to be highlighted.

LeRoy Gray
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF-Ret.
Larkspur, Colo.

I was a Marine and am a Vietnam veteran. At time of separation, during my pre-discharge physical, the person who did the hearing test told me that in time I would need hearing aids. He was right.

After 20 years, my hearing was going bad from my years in the aviation field and the shelling and bombing in Vietnam. I tried to file a claim and when it came to get a copy of my medical the Marine Corps said it could not be found. I tried to fight the system, but with little results. So now I have had to purchase hearing aids to a tune of $6,000. They only last about six-to-eight years.

I just wanted to thank you for making veterans aware of their benefits. If they have a service-related disability, they shouldn't think to bring it to light somewhere down the road. File a claim immediately and get it on the record. I wish I would have done so.

Doug McMullen
Via e-mail

An important point seems to be missing from your article about too many vets leaving service today unaware of benefits.

My husband served in the USMC from January 1983 through December 2004. He was in the Middle East several times including both Gulf Wars. Vets like him who went to the VA just before or after discharge, and were given minimum benefits, don't know to get re-evaluated periodically or re-apply for more disability benefits for physical or emotional problems that show up later. He only found this out only recently from a fellow vet. He plans to make a follow-up appointment soon.

Thank you for reporting on this extremely important matter.

Julie Schilens
Via e-mail

No Comparison

Defense Secretary Robert Gates compares veterans to federal employees when he wants to raise military retirees' health care costs. The comparison would be valid if the same number of federal employees died, became disabled and served repeated deployments to hostile countries.

This demonstrates his true feelings for military members he "takes care of." If he can't or won't find funds to support our troops, then stop the wars or resign.

Charles A. Parkhurst
USN-Ret.

To comment, e-mail milupdate@aol.com, write to Military Update, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120-1111 or visit: www.militaryupdate.com.

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