March windstorms ushered in some favorable change across the Texas landscape recently. During the 82nd Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature designated March as “Women Veterans Month” to honor women Veterans from all branches of service. The resolution dedicated the month of March to thank women Veterans for their service, salute their families who support them, and remember the women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Particularly significant as the population of female Veterans in Texas is expected to grow by over 26 percent by the end of 2013.
Despite this favorable change to the Texas landscape, the west Texas winds failed to usher in any major changes to the legislative landscape affecting the Military active duty and retiree community. The military is poised to endure significant reductions to the active Army and USMC end strengths. The Army will draw down from 570K in 2010 to 490K in the FYDP. USMC will draw down from 202K to 182K. Numerous other changes affecting beneficiaries to include changes in TRICARE policies will parallel these reductions in forces. The Secretary of Defense intends to ease the transition stating, “we will achieve some cost savings by providing more limited pay raises beginning in 2015. This will give troops and their families fair notice and lead time before these proposed changes take effect." The reduction in forces has inspired heated debate among political circles. Rep. Allen West (R-FL) recently questioned whether planned force levels adequately considered expected threats over the next 10-15 years commenting, "we continue to try to make the military the bill payer for our fiscal irresponsibility in Washington,”. View Details
Fort Bliss, TX — Army Chief of Staff Makes a Visit
U.S. Army’s top military officer, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff, visited Fort Bliss, Thursday Nov. 17.
“It’s been about two months since I became the chief of staff but a long time since I’ve been to Bliss,” said Odierno. “I wanted to look at the things happening here.”
Odierno assumed the duty of the 38th CSA in September. His visit to Fort Bliss included going to White Sands Missile Range to review the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE), sessions with brigade and battalion commanders and he received updates on the family and Soldier supports programs here. View More EP MOAA News
Major Issues
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SUBJECT: Fort Bliss Officers Partners with Afghan Counterparts in Planning
LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – Following several key infrastructure improvements from security forces assistance trainers, the brigade staffs from Task Force Bulldog and the Afghan 4th Brigade, 203rd Corps, came together at the Partnered Tactical Operations Center to establish a military plan that called for various Afghan units to realign in preparation for the spring fighting season.
The first 100 days of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, deployment over, a renewed and energized focus is on partnered planning, collaboration and mission accomplishment.
“The Afghan National Army staff officers are trained in the military decision-making process,” said Army Maj. Ralph Overland, a native of Phoenix. “It’s always a good discussion and everyone is certainly involved when we get together and plan together.”
“When we got here, it was apparent the U.S. Army brigades before us did a great job with teaching and guiding the 4th Brigade, 203rd Corps, with working through problems and developing plans using the military decision-making process,” said Overland, the operations officer for the 3rd BCT, 1st AD, deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas. “That being said, it was a very easy transition into mission planning since they knew how we would operate.” Continued
Seventeen members serve on the El Paso Chapter of MOAA board of directors. They represent the seven uniformed services. Each is a volunteer and serves one, one-year term.
Seventeen members serve on the El Paso Chapter of MOAA board of directors. They represent the seven uniformed services. Each is a volunteer and serves one, one-year term.
