Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 06/16/2003

Dear Sgt Shaft
I'm a Marine reservist who wants to attend Columbia University in NY. What kind of financial aid will the GI Bill give me? 

Matthew S.
New York, NY

Dear Matthew
GI Bill entitlement to attend Columbia University. A simple question that can not be readily answered without knowing whether or not you signed up for the Montgomery GI Bill or The Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) while on active duty before transferring to the Reserve; or, whether you are signed up for the Reserve MGIB. Different programs. Different entitlements. Here is an excellent Internet site that will answer most every question you > have depending on your current entitlement to educational benefit. 

http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Dear Sgt. Shaft
In a historic vote, The Marine Corps Reserve Officers’ Association (MCROA) overwhelmingly decided to become the Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) at the most recent national convention.

Since its inception, in 1926, MCROA has championed Marine Corps Reserve issues and now we have the opportunity to fully engage the whole Marine Corps Reserve. Interested Marines can get information about and join MCRA by going to the website: www.MCRAssn.org or by contacting me @ GyGreen@aol.com or (703)630-3772. Stay engaged – MCRA.

Semper Fi
Gysgt Tom Green
Marine Corps Reserve Association

SHAFT KUDOS
On June 19, the Sarge is looking forward to joining Press Club Members, guests and the public at the 12:30 p.m. National Press Club luncheon featuring good friend, U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, Senior Republican Senator from Nebraska. Senator Hagel sits on three committees: Foreign Relations; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and the Select Committee on Intelligence. Hagel is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion Subcommittee and the Senate Banking International Trade and Finance Subcommittee. Hagel also serves as the Co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, have two children.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Hagel was president of McCarthy & Company, an investment banking firm in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a Vietnam combat veteran and former Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration.

He served in Vietnam with his brother Tom in 1968. They served side by side as infantry squad leaders with the U.S. Army's 9th Infantry Division. Hagel earned many military decorations and honors, including two Purple Hearts. Hagel has received many honors for his contributions to civic life including The Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Creighton University, an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Bellevue University, the Secretary of Defense's Medal for Outstanding Civic Achievement, the first World USO Leadership Award and the Small Business Administration's Nebraska Veterans Advocate of the Year Award. Hagel has received many honors for his contributions to civic life including The Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Creighton University, an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Bellevue University, the Secretary of Defense's Medal for Outstanding Civic Achievement, the first World USO Leadership Award and the Small Business Administration's Nebraska Veterans Advocate of the Year Award.

(For information and reservations for the June 19 luncheon, contact Pat Nelson at 202-662-7539 or e-mail: pnelson@press.org.)

The Sarge was honored to join other members of the Military Order of the Purple heart at a recent emotional Official National Commemoration of the Purple Heart Stamp at George Washington's Historic Estate in Mt. Vernon, VA.

Taking part in this unique ceremony was The Postmaster General of The U.S. along with other dignitaries and members of Congress, including Rep Tom Davis (R (VA) Jim Moran (D) VA and former Georgia Senator Max Cleland.

World War Two veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Carl J. Morano, was also on hand.

Morano sustained injuries on November 20, 1944 while serving in France and later returned to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Morano served with the 328th infantry regiment of the 26th Yankee Division and received a Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and received three Battle Stars.

Morano did not receive his Purple Heart until December of 2000, 56 years after sustaining injuries. At a ceremony with Sen. Rick Santorum of PA and former Senator Bob Dole on Capitol Hill, Morano finally received the Purple Heart.

The Sarge joins Congressman Chris Smith (NJ), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in praising the work of a presidential task force reporting on how to improve health care services for veterans.

The President's Task Force (PTF), established in May 2001 to identify ways to improve coordination between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs health care systems, concluded that a mismatch between demand for VA health care services and available funding resources "could threaten the quality of VA health care", calling the situation "unacceptable." To reduce this mismatch, the PTF recommends "modifications to the current budget and appropriations process, by using a mandatory funding mechanism, or by some other changes in the process that achieve the desired goal."

The Task Force recommends that full funding be provided for all veterans in Priority Groups 1 through 7, and that VA "hold itself accountable to enrolled veterans by making sure that they are provided appointments within access standards... [or] ... VA should be required to arrange for care with a non-VA provider..." The PTF further recommends that the President and Congress resolve the "present uncertain status and funding of Priority Group 8 veterans," those with higher incomes and without service-connected conditions.

Smith emphasized the importance of the PTF's recommendations to improve collaboration between the VA and DOD health care systems through "committed leadership", "removal of barriers" and a "seamless transition" from active duty military to veteran status.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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