A Memo to President-Elect Obama from America's New Veterans

Congratulations to President-elect Obama. Both he and Senator McCain are outstanding patriots, and hey, each ran a tough campaign. Now that the race is finally over, it's time to bring America together, and get to work. And there is no shortage of challenges ahead. As one vet at IAVA put it, "The new guy is going to be busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest."

The new guy is definitely going to need the right people around him. One of the most important decisions the President will make regarding veterans is his choice of VA Secretary. President-elect Obama has the option of keeping Secretary Peake, who is new to the job and has already shown himself to be considerably more adept than his predecessor. Another shake-up could possibly slow things down, however.

But President-elect Obama could also pick someone new for the post. Someone transformative. At this point in a blog, you usually see a lot of names get tossed about who'd be likely to get the job. Every pundit likes to imagine their own ideal Cabinet, and they rarely guess right.

So instead of playing guessing games, I'm calling on the new President to convene a Presidential Summit of Veteran Leaders. The key here is having input from the experts: veterans. As the President considers nominations for the appointed positions within the VA, including the VA Secretary, he should bring together leading veterans' organizations, and especially veterans of the current wars, to make sure he's getting the "ground truth" on what we need. Veterans have been consistently ahead of the curve when it comes to everything from armor shortages to TBI, and the new President needs to hear from us. Whoever is chosen should have a proven track record of innovation and reform, and should be ready to address the urgent needs of new veterans.

But a smiling picture of the Secretary on the wall of the VA building isn't going to make a difference alone. Here are the three critical policies veterans need to see from the new President in his first 100 days:

1. Advance-Fund VA Health Care

For the past two years, Congress has been a friend of veterans when it comes to funding their health care. In fact, we've seen the largest budget increases for veterans' health care in 77 years. But year after year, Congress dawdles and the VA budget is passed late, forcing hundreds of veterans' hospitals and clinics to ration care. The President can fix this in one simple step. President Obama should present to Congress an advance-funded VA budget. It won't cost any extra money, it'll just let veterans' hospitals budget knowing how much money they are going to have next year.

2. Implement GI Bill Transferability

This year, IAVA spearheaded the effort to pass a new GI Bill that will make college affordable to veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. It was landmark legislation, and it's no exaggeration to say that it will dramatically change the lives of new veterans, just as it did for veterans of World War II.

The new GI Bill had overwhelming bipartisan support, but as the bill got close to passage, you may remember a big kerfuffle about retention and "transferability." Transferability is a provision that would allow career-military troops to pass their GI Bill benefits to their spouse or children. Not a bad idea at all, but the DOD already had the power to make benefits transferable if they wanted to, so it wasn't necessary to legislate. Nonetheless, it was added to the GI Bill towards the very end of the process of passing the GI Bill.

But in the four months since the GI Bill passed, they haven't bother to issue the regulations necessary to implement transferability. Military families across the country were promised a new benefit. Now they've been left waiting. President Obama must direct the Secretary of Defense to issue the appropriate guidelines, so that GI Bill transferability can be successfully implemented by Fall 2009.

3. Issue a National Call for Mental Health Experts--and back it up with incentives

No one comes home from war unchanged, and hundreds of thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are struggling with invisible injuries, like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression. This crisis is made worse by the dramatic shortages of mental health professionals in the military and at the VA. Even the Pentagon's own Task Force on Mental Health has called the military's supply of mental health professionals "woefully inadequate."

America's military healthcare system needs innovative strategies to recruit and retain more mental health professionals to combat the high rates of PTSD and major depression among returning troops. President Obama must issue a national call, urging mental health professionals nationwide to make their services more available to military members and their families. It's a time of war, and it's time more Americans were asked to contribute and support out troops.

But psychologists and psychiatrists in the military system make far less money than would with a civilian salary. The President should also direct the Secretary of Defense to increase the incentive pay and retention bonuses for mental health professionals immediately. This will save lives, and save the tax-payers mountains of money in the long run.

President Obama is going to be held to a very high standard by the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. We'll be watching, and holding everyone in Washington accountable.

The pundits will spend the next few days and weeks rehashing the election results. But the American people know we don't have any time to waste. With more troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan every day, the President better hit the ground running. So let's get cracking.

Read more reaction from HuffPost bloggers to Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election

Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff

Comments

[USA1776]

Paul, what can civilians do to help? -- Kim

[SueMVetforObama]

Paul,

These were PLATFORM Issues for President Obama. I am sure your suggestions as to implementation (they are sound in this Vet's opinion)

[only1Demvoter]

Paul : Most astute approach, to the VA Sec'y. appointment !

We also need to continue to push for the ten Mandates ( Petition ) I signed on in support of, to be first and foremost in the new President's agenda upon taking office.

Let's get our returning Troops the care and benefits they have so rightly earned !

Thank You for your continued vigilance.


More to follow. -ralph

[freshwood]

Paul,

I always enjoy watching you on the TV and reading what you have to say. I agree with you.

However, I find your post today to be disrespectful and likely ineffective to be successful in influencing our new president elect.

I suppose Barrack Obama agrees with much of what you propose as well, but by making your demands so public, you create a situation where the end result is likely to be a win-loose.

I believe your approach in presenting these points is a very good example of what will not work with our new president. Bluster and traditional political tactics won't work. Proper and respectful negotiation will result in an end-result where compromise is possible and everybody can win. (especially our Vets)

Finally, lets give our new man a break. He's worked his ass off for a very long period of time. Let him catch up on his sleep, let him make some progress on his priority list. (I'm sure its long)

Timing and Tact are important in order to have success.

[Shrinath]

Well said. This is one President who will not forget the vets. But we owe him the time to grieve for his grand mother. At least a day.

[CruzanKenny]

I never, as I read this blog, interpreted this as disrespectful, untimely nor tactless. Our new president has until middle January to begin implementing his plans.
It is never too early to ask for attention to those that were dying or injured as you were reading this blog. Give our servicemen a break. They have been in a longer campaign than President-elect Obama and I am 100% confident he feels their need. They are in the best hands they have been in since they were first deployed.
We have all been blessed by what our nation has decided!

[RightWingMarine]

With the coming American deployment to Darfur there will be plenty more veterans, let's hope he gets this right.

[marinemomof3]

Paul:
As usual you are right on target. I want to personally thank you for all that you and your fellow Veterans have done to make my kids lives easier with this journey that they are on.
The advance funding is something that is critical as your article states. I would like to strongly encourage those who are prone to do so, to start a letter campaign, email, to PUSH not only President elect Obama, but their home town Congressmen, and their State Senators. (WE ARE WATCHING and AWAKE)
On #2 GI Bill Transferability, I would also like to suggest that the 'bugs' be worked out, there are several for those presently serving active duty.
#3 With the amount of health care professionals, and the quality of mental health care in this country, this should be a SLAM DUNK!
If I could be so bold as to suggest that we also START to get rid of AT LEAST SOME OF the PROFIT in war. I want to target the obvious, such as Haliburton, KBR and my pet, BLACKWATER.
This would also allow us to give our current and future military A REAL RAISE in their paychecks. Blackwater $1.000 a day, compared to a Sgt. of MAYBE a $100 a day.
If electing Obama was not one of my delusions, maybe taking care of OUR military & OUR veterans are not either
Semper Fidelis
Peace
Marinemomof3

[DVSDVS]

I assume you've sent this directly to Obama's staff. I almost said "campaign." :)

[WAWTU31]

make sure that you and all veterans hold everyone in Washington accountable for the treatment or lack thereof of our veterans who deserve nothing but the best America can offer

[demfriend]

Paul: You have made very sound advice for President Barack and the one thing I have no doubt about is his willingness to surround himself with the "experts". Those who really know the answers and can give it to him straight. I have no doubt also that he will listen to you as you have become a very well respected vioce for the troops and vets. Thank you for that.

[veteran1964]

Hello again Paul,

I think that if you just request a meeting with him or give him a call he will be glad to discuss everything that you want and suggest....So, with this fantastic change in our country last night, I feel that all you have to do is ask and it will happen....Remember this wonderful man's name is not Bush or Cheney....It is 'Yes we can!'
So from one Veteran to another.......Make yourself known to him again and talk to him...It is that easy. I know, because I worked in N.C. for him and at 63 years old I believe he will sit down with you and absorb your knowledge...

God Bless you again fellow veteran,

Sincerely,

Jim McCoy
Franklin, N.C.

[northsongs]

Thanks again Paul,
I'll be one to back you veterans on this issue. I'm going to work to find an avenue to help communicate these concerns from us, the people, to President Obama. This will be one of the first forwards in that regard.
Keep up the great work!