Federal Daily - October 8, 2008

DoD Issues Wounded Soldier Benefits Handbook

DoD announced Oct. 6 the release of a new comprehensive handbook describing compensation and other benefits for seriously wounded servicemembers and their families if they are forced to leave the military because of severe injury or illness. The Compensation and Benefits Handbook walks a servicemember through the Disability Evaluation System (DES) Process, which assesses post-injury fitness for duty. The guide also covers various program qualifications, application procedures and numerous resources where servicemembers can get help. The handbook notes that each service uses a slightly different method to enter a servicemember into the DES—and that retention standards can vary. The Army, for instance, uses a physical profile system that measures soldiers’ physical limitations in six areas, with scoring levels between 1 (fully healthy) to 4 (severely limited) in each. In the Navy and Marine Corps, however, the process begins with the doctor writing the narrative summary with no prior profiling requirement. The handbook “is the one source of information that covers everything a seriously ill and injured servicemember will need during his or her recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration,” said Ronald A. Winter, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs. The handbook was compiled in cooperation with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services, as well as the Social Security Administration. To see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12270.

:: Back to Top ::

Spellings Announces Changes at Education Dept.

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings on Oct. 6 announced a reshuffling among top deputies in the department, as well as the departure of Lawrence A. Warder, department chief financial officer (CFO) and acting chief operating officer of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Warder, who has served at the department since his confirmation in July 2006, will be leaving Oct. 10 to return to Texas, Spellings said in a statement. James Manning, FSA deputy chief operating officer, will move into the position of acting FSA chief operating officer; and Thomas Skelly, director of budget service, will be designated as CFO. Manning, a veteran of government and public service, has served in four presidential administrations. Skelly, a federal employee for more than three decades, previously held the position of acting CFO from 1999 to 2001. Danny Harris, a Department of Education employee for more than 20 years, will move from his current position as deputy CFO—a position he has held since 2004—to chief information officer. “All of these individuals bring expertise, experience and management to their new roles,” said Spellings. To see more, go to: www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/10/10062008.html.

:: Back to Top ::

DoD Activates U.S. Forces-Afghanistan

DoD on Oct. 6 announced the activation of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), a functioning command and control headquarters for the military operating in Afghanistan. USFOR-A will be commanded by Gen. David D. McKiernan, who also will continue to serve as the NATO/International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander, DoD said in a statement. The department said activation of the new headquarters is intended to ensure effective integration and coordination between U.S. and coalition forces operating under NATO/ISAF. Under the new structure, about 20,000 U.S. forces serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom will come under the operational control of USFOR-A. The majority of American servicemembers not dedicated to ISAF are committed to training the Afghan National Security Forces through Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. The new headquarters now will become responsible for the overall training mission, tailoring it to ensure Afghan forces are prepared to operate with ISAF forces, DoD said. To see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12267.

:: Back to Top ::