On News Talk 1370 WCOA today, I will open the show with PNJ editorial cartoonist Andy Marlette and discuss his takeaways from the RNC and DNC. In the second half, I will…
Category: Veterans
Veterans FL Entrepreneurship competition winners: Happy Hour Ice Cream, StarChip, eMarket Places
The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida recently hosted a business plan competition to conclude its inaugural Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, an entrepreneurial training initiative for veterans…
Miller says VA no more accountable one year after scandal
Chairman Miller released the following statement today regarding the first anniversary of the VA scandal, which was made public at an April 9, 2014, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing. “I think…
Miller not giving VA budget a free pass
U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald testified Wednesday before the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, which is chaired by our Congressman Jeff Miller. Miller made hit clear the committee plans to examine…
Latest report shows increase in reports of sexual assault in the military
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel released yesterday the latest survey of sexual assaults among our armed forces. He believes that the Defense Department’s efforts to prevent such attacks in the military are having…
VA Secretary announces major reorganization #itsabouttime
On November 10, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald sent a message to all VA employees that he plans to reorganize the VA. The message followed his In an interview…
Go in Peace, helping veterans deal with PTSD
According to a 2013 Veterans Administration report, 1 in 4 Americans who dies is a veteran. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide daily. Many of those deaths are linked to PTSD. Though there are…
‘Invisible War’ wins two Emmys
Tuesday night, the film “The Invisible War” won two Emmys — one for Investigative Journalism and another for Best Documentary — at the 35th Annual News & Documentary Emmy® Awards in New…
State Capital Buzz: School Vouchers, Veterans dealing with PTSD
LAWSUIT SEEKS TO END SCHOOL VOUCHERS PROGRAM A coalition of groups and individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the constitutionality of a de facto school-vouchers program that serves tens of thousands…
NYT: New study Vietnam War veterans with PTSD show little improvement
The New York Times reports that a new study, financed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, show that most Vietnam War veterans who had persistent post-traumatic stress a decade or more after…
Miller speaks out for VA reform
Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: “The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis caused by corruption, mismanagement and a lack of accountability across…
Scott Signs Law To Place Pow-Mia Chair In Capitol
An empty chair, set up to honor people who have been prisoners of war or remain missing in action, will be the latest feature of the Capitol complex, under a bill (HB…
Studer Group leader Dan Collard address House committee
Studer Group Senior Leader Dan Collard testified yesterday before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs about the importance of reducing variance and creating a culture of consistency, alignment, and standardization. Collard testified…
Former Blue Angels commanding officer reprimanded
U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs has issued an press release on the outcome of the Navy’s investigation of a former commanding officer of the Blue Angels. At an Admiral’s Mast proceeding on…
Inspector General confirms delays in medical care at VA facility
The Office of Inspector General has issued an interim report of the ongoing review at the Phoenix Health Care System (HCS). While the review is still underway, OIG has substantiated that significant…
INYR: Tailhook whistleblower on Military Justice Improvement Act
On Thursday, Feb 6, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a press conference to discuss her bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA). The legislation would remove the decision to prosecute rape and…
Ingram files Veterans Employment Bill
State Senator Alan Hays (R-Umatilla) and State Representative Clay Ingram (R-Pensacola) have filed legislation which allows private, non-public employers in Florida to give hiring preference to an honorably discharged veteran, or the…
Protect Our Defenders responds to AP story that ran in PNJ today
Today the Pensacola News Journal reported on an Associated Press report released yesterday that revealed in shocking detail the military’s flawed and insufficient handling of over 1,000 sex crimes that were reported…
Bipartisan bill announced to deal with military sexual assaults
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-CA) held a press conference this morning to discuss her bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA). The legislation would remove the decision to prosecute rape and sexual assault…
IN cover #3: Not Invisible Anymore, The Reality of Rape in the Military
Sexual assaults in the military and how poorly the military command has handled them were big national stories. We found that the rapes were also happening closer to home on bases in…
