Category: Uncategorized

Many communities and families are impacted by addictions from prescribed medications, illicit drugs and alcohol. For our military community, a new TRICARE rule effective Oct. 3, expanded coverage for mental health and substance use disorder coverage. The new rule removes barriers to access, expands coverage and eases regulations governing health care providers. This is part […]

H.R. 5099, as amended, the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016, also referred to as the CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016, would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to allow non-federal entities – including state or city governments, nonprofit organizations […]

Wednesday will mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

If you know a veteran then you have probably heard about their adventures. The commitment you make to your country is meaningful and lasting. The saying “Once a Marine always a Marine” applies to most veterans regardless of the branch of military service.

The Annual Benefits Report is a summary of benefits being provided by VA to Veterans and their dependents.  Each major benefits program has its own section viewable and printable as a separate PDF document. Download PDF: VBA Annual Benefits Report Fiscal Year 2015

Read Article: Congressional Record

Veterans Treatment Court hears criminal cases involving honorably discharged veterans who suffer from the effects of substance abuse or combat-related psychological injuries.Twenty-three veterans are scheduled to graduate during the ceremony. This special court session will be led by Judge Colleen Toy White and Presiding Judge Donald Coleman. The event is open to the public and […]

Most Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty to be eligible. Call: to apply 877-222-8387, Monday-Friday between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. In Person: to apply visit the VA […]

Read Article: Ventura County Star 08.05.2016

The most recent nationwide assessment on veteran suicides reports that in 2014 twenty veterans a day committed suicide.It will take all of us to be on the watch and proactive in our response when we encounter a struggling veteran if we are going to make a difference in saving lives.One way to be proactive is […]

Read Article: Ventura County Star 07.04.2016

Below is the quote that appeared at the top of this year’s Independence Day 2016 letter signed by the sergeant major of the Army, the Army chief of staff and the secretary of the Army to the men and women serving our nation. “Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has […]

Read Article: Ventura County Star 06.06.2016

A change of command ceremony is a formal event conducted by military units for their assigned personnel to signal a shift to new leadership. I attended the change of command on the USS Carl Vinson last week in San Diego. The outgoing commanding officer and former E-2C Hawkeye squadron commanding officer, Capt. Karl Thomas, was […]

Read Article: Ventura County Star 05.18.2016