Pentagon Shutting Down Highly-Regarded Support Program for Troubled Troops: Vets4Warriors...your thoughts?

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 17 May 2015 09:10:19 -0400

The DoD has spent years hailing the success of Vets4Warriors, a Pentagon-funded call center that connects troubled troops with veterans who shared their backgrounds and had in many cases faced similar types of problems.
Now, with no public notice, the program is being closed down and "absorbed" into Military OneSource.
This is yet another example of cost-cutting measures that will adversely affect our nation's military and veteran population. RallyPoint, were you aware of this? What are your thoughts?

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 17 at 2015 9:17 AM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 17 May 2015 09:17:09 -0400

Streamlining a program is a common occurrence in the military. At least it is not being terminated completely. The fact that it is being absorbed by MilitaryOneSource is a good thing.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 17 at 2015 9:26 AM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 17 May 2015 09:26:20 -0400

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/15/exclusive-pentagon-shutting-down-highly-regarded-suicide-prevention-program/

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 11:03 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 May 2015 11:03:25 -0400

As we all know we are not a friend of the administration and the DOD has it's chief and they are civilians. I am going to be very happy the day that there is a change in Regime. One that respects and values our service. Right now is a very bad time since we are coming out of the Gulf Wars. It is a service that we could support through donations.

Sincerely.
Larry

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made May 24 at 2015 8:17 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 24 May 2015 08:17:26 -0400

Here's another example of a disappointing cost-cutting measure with a local military installation: http://www.stripes.com/it-saved-my-life-and-my-marriage-soldiers-object-to-army-cutting-ny-hospital-ptsd-program-1.348123

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 12:01 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:01:25 -0400

It is a great program and I hate to see it and others like it not get funding. This is just one of many problems that will start to arise due to the funding issues. RallyPoint is an insiders group, no one in the military wants to see budget cuts but from a common sense financial point of view, the redundancy the DoD provides in programs is absurd.

The Leadership within the DoD need to readjust and focus our country's military might on issues that matter. The times of running the military on a "blank" check are coming to a drastic end. The writing is on the wall! This has nothing to do with political party in office, or who is POTUS. It comes down to "cost-cutting measures" as LTC Strickland mentioned.

The DoD needs to pull back on their spending OCONUS, especially in the middle east. Even our Allies (i.e Saudis) are getting tired of us "stirring the pot". Watch the news, and not just one channel...watch all of them to get a better general idea of what is and "isnt" going on.

In this months TIME magazine, there is an article which talks about differences of opinion on the Military and Age groups. The article states a majority of people over the age of 42 have high regards and aspirations for the military while those under the age of 42 see the military as wasteful and a burden to the US economy.

Think about it this way... in your family, lets say you have a brother who is a great person. He helps clean up around the yard, wash the car, take out the trash but always asks for money. You feel obliged to help out your brother. As time goes on and everyone gets comfortable to the cars being washed, the yard looking nice and the trash always taken out but your brother lives frivolously with his money and is always asking for more and more money. Wouldn't you get tired of hearing from your brother in this example? Now put this in perspective of society as a whole. It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

Just my .02!

Response by PO1 Gregg Mundy made May 27 at 2015 10:34 PM

PO1 Gregg Mundy — Wed, 27 May 2015 22:34:04 -0400

In the long run both the Military and Society will pay for this mistake!! Unfortunately it will take casualties.

Response by SFC James Lawson made May 28 at 2015 9:21 AM

SFC James Lawson — Thu, 28 May 2015 09:21:33 -0400

This is terrible at a time when we need the help most here is yet another program being closed. We need to stand up for our troops. What can I do?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 28 at 2015 3:05 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:05:05 -0400

While it may make sense to merge this program with another program and pool the funding, I agree with SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, there are too many things being ripped away from veterans and given to people who have dubious claim to contributing to the nation. Take for instance the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) act that was announced recently.
http://donnaedwards.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=784:edwards-introduces-pell-grants-for-prisoners-bill&catid=10&Itemid=18

This would expand Pell Grant eligibility to inmates, at the same time that we see cuts, slashes, and merges on Veteran's programs. Sometimes these actions seem designed to insult Veterans.

Edwards Introduces Pell Grants for Prisoners Bill

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4), along with Reps. Danny K. Davis (IL-7), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-3), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), and Cedric L. Richmond (LA-2), introduced the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act today, legislation that would reinstate Pell Grant eligibility for federal and state prisoners.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 4 at 2015 10:58 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 10:58:21 -0400

As an update, I received a personal note from the Executive Director of Vets4Warriors that they intend to remain open as a nonprofit with funding from individual and corporate donors.

Response by SPC Rob Robinson made Jul 9 at 2015 2:06 PM

SPC Rob Robinson — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:06:55 -0400

Changes to the military and to the veteran under the current regime I regard with mistrust. Past administrations have allowed benign neglect of the uniformed services and veterans. The current group is adept at sensing what they can get away with and then doing it.

A former SEAL and former FBI agent was being interviewed on a news show about veterans affairs and he said, "No one kills vets like the VA." I don't remember his name, but he speaks the truth. I speak from having to deal with the 'gatekeepers' to VA care for more than 40 years. The caregivers are professional, caring people in my experience, but that is more than made up for by the callous, rude and indifferent manner that is the norm for VA people on the phone and over the counter.

Given that experience, I am confident that the quality of care to the veteran will drop even further.

Response by SGT Ronald Audas made Jul 16 at 2015 2:51 PM

SGT Ronald Audas — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:51:07 -0400

Two Recruiting offices shot up in Tennesse today. Fairly obvious that individual has animosity towards the Military.Wouldn`t be surprised that, it is a veteran with mental issues.