Sept. 12, 2014 - National Security report

1. Defense Budget: American Legion Disappointed with Pay Cap
For the second year in a row, the White House is telling Congress that the president intends to cap the military basic pay raise at 1%.
Last year, leading into the “Government Shutdown,” a hot ticket item was the capping of service members’ pay at 1%. This year, President Obama notified Congress that he again is recommending a lower than private-sector wage growth for the men and women who serve in the military. The increase was the lowest basic pay raises since the dawn of the all-volunteer-military era in 1973.
Ongoing budget constraints are being blamed for the cap. But Congress could override the 1% cap and mandate a 1.8 % pay raise for 2015. The 1.8% increase would be more in line with the anticipated rise in private-sector wages.
So far, members in the House have favored a 1.8 % increase, while votes in the Senate have been found to favor the 1% increase. Reaching a compromise on the competing budget bills will likely take the rest of the year.
To put the issue in terms of dollars and cents for individual service members, the difference in the two pay plans would be about $195 a year for an E-3 with three years of service. For an E-7 with 10 years, it comes out to $356. For an O-5 with 12 years of service, the lower pay plan would drain about $667 in annual salary.
While the individual sums could be considered small, in the grand scheme of things, for those who have served and the families that they support, it makes a world difference… especially as a matter of principle.
Military families already go without so much. The typical service member’s wages are far lower than a civilian with similar training and experience. Military pay is supplemented by benefits in healthcare and on-base shopping. But the lower earning potential affects a military family’s ability to rent, buy *or* lease homes and property, and is also a blow to morale.
The majority of active duty, Guard and Reservist service members have endured multiple deployments over the past decade. The men and women still in uniform can expect more deployments, especially as our leaders consider their options regarding ISIL, and as they track the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
National Commander Michael Helm responded by saying, “The American Legion wants the White House and Congress to agree on a pay raise for our troops that keeps up with the inflation rate – that means 2 percent. It is the least we can do, even in these trying fiscal times, to maintain a decent quality of life for our servicemembers.”
To read the full article from Legion.org click here:
http://www.legion.org/commander/224508/legion-disappointed-1-percent-mil...

3. Preventing Suicide: The ‘Power of 1’ Could Save a Life
As Suicide Prevention Month and year-long Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs efforts continue to combat suicide, Pentagon officials emphasize the importance of the power of one, peer support and resources.
The DoD, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, has launched “The Power of 1" campaign in observance of Suicide Prevention Month during September 2014. The theme underscores the belief that one person has the power to teach resilience, recognize warning signs, intervene, chat, or make a call; it only takes one person or one act to save another person's life.
Secretary emphasizes collective responsibility
“Watching out for each other every day is a collective responsibility for the Defense Department’s military and civilian workforce,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.
“Preventing military suicide is one of DoD’s highest priorities and something I’m personally committed to as Secretary of Defense,” Hagel said. “As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, we must rededicate ourselves to actively working not only every month, but every day to fulfill our collective responsibility to watch out for each other and take care of each other.”
One way servicemembers and DoD civilians can take care of each other is by using the “The Power of One” theme, said Jacqueline Garrick, director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office.
“One conversation, one text, one chat, could save a life. Know the resources out there,” Garrick said. “Reach out, find the person who can help you; don’t be afraid to have these kinds of conversations, whether you’re the one who needs help or you see someone who needs help. One conversation can save a life.”
Helping those at risk
Suicide is currently the 10th-leading cause of death in America, and the second- and third-leading causes of death among young adults, Garrick said. Some of the indicators of persons considering suicide, she said, could include talking about suicide, making plans, stockpiling medications, and withdrawing from people and activities that were previously enjoyable. Persons at risk could also be going through a significant loss, relationship issue, financial problems, drug and/or alcohol problems or legal or punishment issues.
The key is that whatever issue someone is facing, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, officials said.
And Pentagon leaders encourage leadership at all levels to reduce the stigma for those needing help.
“When someone is going through challenges and comes to you for help, it doesn’t make them weak,” Hagel said. “It means they’re strong, because asking for help when you need it takes courage and strength. What we need to remember -- what our entire country needs to remember -- is that these brave individuals shouldn’t be avoided or stigmatized. They need to be embraced.
“Whether you’re a servicemember, a veteran, a DoD civilian, or a friend or family member of someone who is, you have the power to make a difference,” the secretary continued. “It only takes one person to ask one question or make one call -- and that single act can save a life.”
Garrick echoed Hagel’s sentiment, noting that leaders at all levels should be “open to having these kinds of conversations” with potentially troubled troops and civilians.
“You have to be able to ask the question,” she said. “One small act can save a life and that’s what you want to do. You just want to be able to reach out, let people know what you’re concerned about them. If you see something that doesn’t look right, say something and get involved. Provide those resources that are out there.”
Resources are available to help
Garrick encourages those needing help to use the many resources available, such as chaplains, military family life consultants, mental health clinics, peers, community support organizations, Vets4Warriors and the Military Crisis Line.
“We want to encourage people to seek help when and where they need it and know that those resources are there for them,” Garrick said of the Military Crisis Line and Vets4Warriors programs. “You don’t have to have a diagnosis. A peer is there because they understand what someone is going through because they have gone through it themselves and can talk you through the situation.
“The peers on the line are veterans themselves,” she continued. “We have some spouses on the line who can work with family members about family issues. Our peers are just good to be able to talk to, whatever your problem is, whether you’re having a financial problem or a relationship issue.
“You can talk through the issue with a peer who understands what it’s like to access healthcare, find a good provider, talk to your command and talk to other unit members,” Garrick added. “They’ve had to do those things themselves, so they can really guide you and help you make those decisions.”
When people call the Military Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255, and press 1, they can speak to a confidential peer responder specifically trained to deal with any crisis or stresses the service member, veteran or family member may be facing, Garrick said. People can also reach it via an online chat or text message or online at http://www.militarycrisisline.net. It is free, confidential, and trained professionals are there 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.
A breakdown of 2013 suicide counts by quarter and resources for service members and their families, who may be facing challenges, can be found at: http://www.suicideoutreach.org/SuicideData/QuarterlyReports.aspx

4. POW/MIA Update
Army Cpl. Alva C. Groves, 18, of Four States, W.Va., was buried on Aug. 7, in Prunytown, W. Va. In November 1950, Groves was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment (IR), 2nd Infantry Division (ID), when his unit was attacked by a vast number of Chinese forces while occupying a defensive position northeast of the village of Kujang, North Korea. On Nov. 25, 1950, Groves’ unit consolidated its defensive lines and continued its withdrawal east. Groves was reported missing in action on Nov. 28, 1950.
On Aug. 8, 1953, Chinese forces reported that Groves was captured during the battle and died on April 14, 1951, from tubercular peritonitis in a prisoner of war camp in Pyokdong, North Korea.
Between 1991 and 1994, North Korea turned over to the U.S. 208 boxes of human remains believed to contain 350 - 400 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents, turned over with some of the boxes, indicated that some of the remains were recovered from a North Korean prisoner of war camp in Pyokdong, where Groves was believed to have died.
To identify Groves’ remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including mitochondrial DNA.
Today, 7,882 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously turned over by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American teams.