Uniform Registration Process to Promote Seamless Military-to-Veteran Transition

[babylonsister]

Uniform Registration Process to Promote Seamless Military-to-Veteran Transition
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, April 8, 2009 – The best way to ensure servicemembers transition seamlessly from the Defense Department to the Department of Veterans Affairs when they leave the military is to start the process at the swearing-in ceremony, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki told American Forces Press Service.

“Seamless transition really has to begin when that servicemember is still serving, puts on the uniform, raises a right hand and takes the oath of allegiance,” said Shinseki, who spent 38 years in uniform before retiring in 2003 as Army chief of staff. “We need to begin the transition then.”

Shinseki said he’s had several conversations with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about ways to continue improving the transition process between the two departments.

One concept, called “uniform registration,” would enroll servicemembers automatically in a single Defense-VA management system when they join the military. As envisioned, the system would have two components: one for personnel files and another for medical files.

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The initiative, he said, would result in better, faster, more consistent management decisions, with less chance of lost files or destroyed claims and fewer backlogs in processing claims. Servicemembers leaving the military would come to VA as known entities, and their entitlements would be clear, Shinseki said. Meanwhile, VA could better project veterans’ needs.

more...

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53851

[MoJoWorkin]

1. Just watched our President give his shout out to Tammy Duckworth

among others who had given so much. He made a point of touting her qualifications for the Under-Secretary of VA (which is being held up by Repuke Senator Burr of N. C.).

It was a very heartfelt declaration that Obama gave regarding what we owe to our veterans, and that it is way past time to do it.

Don't you just love how he has taken over the "support our troops" issue from the Repugs?

But more than that, he MEANS it.

[babylonsister]

2. Burr has backed off:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=5413818

And yes, a president who actually does support the troops-what a concept!

[MoJoWorkin]

3. Good! I hadn't heard that. Thanks.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Excellent idea

The current methodology is quite laborious and potentially confusing for the Vet or Retiree.