Update From Washington

The 115th Congress is in full swing. The Democrat Caucus and Republican Conference conducted their retreats in January, new and returning members jostled for committee, and subcommittee, assignments and congress.gov is becoming populated with new legislative proposals. On the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue, President Trump is considering cabinet appointments, and is putting together a team to construct a Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) budget request to be delivered to Congress. The Congressional Defense Committees expect the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to deliver a detailed budget by June. On Monday, February 27, Mr. Mulvaney, OMB Director released a “skinny budget” and stated that, “the administration’s fiscal 2018 budget would include $462 billion in domestic funding and $603 billion in defense spending” (POLITICO).

Before Congress can consider the FY18 budget, it must pass the FY17 budget or extend the Continuing Resolution (CR) which is set to expire on April 28th. If Congress considers the FY17 budget, defense hawks want a budget amendment to increase the Department of Defense’s budget. However, fiscal conservatives and many Democrats are weary of increased spending. Conservatives are disinterested in adding to the national debt and many Democrats want increases to non-defense priorities too. Time will tell if DOD gets a budget increase, but one thing we do know is that the budget amendment would address readiness and modernization accounts, two areas neglected in the previous Congress.

Furthermore, the services would like to see end strength increases to meet the challenges in Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Pacific. Adding to the end strengths sounds like a great plan, but there must be increased spending in acquisition, research and development, and training accounts to ensure Washington does not inadvertently “hollow out” the forces. There must be enough money to build the infrastructure and train on the equipment to keep a larger force ready for the fight. The EANGUS National Office is watching the spending debate closely and is well prepared to engage DOD and Congress to ensure that the National Guard receives modernized equipment and training support.

Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) Update

During the legislative workshop and Executive Council meeting, the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) surfaced. One member attending the workshop has first-hand experience with the heavy-handed G-RAP interrogation techniques used by Army CID agents and related his personal experience to not only the Executive Council in their meeting, but also to the House National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus co-chairs, Representatives Tim Walz (D-MN) and Steve Palazzo (R-MS) at the awards reception. The elected officials immediately engaged the NCO and will be following up with him as they investigate the issue more fully. EANGUS is committed to bringing light to this issue and stop the investigations of innocent Guard members.

Cyber Symposium

On March 15, 2017, EANGUS, the Reserve Officers Association, and NGAUS will host a cyber symposium in Washington, D.C. During the event, Members of Congress, their staffs, representatives of each of the Services, and corporate partners will engage on how best to utilize Reserve Component cyber capabilities moving forward. The Senate Armed Services Committee created a new Cybersecurity Subcommittee charged with overseeing the all DOD policies and programs related to cyber forces and capabilities. As the 115th Congress studies the nation’s cyber capabilities, EANGUS is positioned to educate members about what the Guard brings to the fight, and advocate for additional Cyber Protection Teams and continued funding.

EANGUS HQ

On Wednesday, March 1, the EANGUS National Office staff moved into its new home at the National Guard Memorial Building at One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 880, Washington, D.C. The office space is conveniently located directly across from the Senate Office Buildings on Capitol Hill. For those EANGUS members who travel to Washington each year to meet with members of your delegation, please make sure to pay us a visit.

The conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act for 2017 is published and on its way to becoming law. The House of Representatives approved it on Friday, December 2^nd, passing the annual defense policy measure overwhelmingly by a vote of 375 to 34, a veto-proof margin. The Senate will take up the bill this week. Here’s some of the more interesting topics addressed in the bill, besides the 2.1 percent pay increase:

SURVIVORS BENEFITS

Section 642 addresses the past inequity of survivor’s benefits for line of duty deaths occurring during inactive duty training, and resolves that inequity by making survivors benefits equal to that of active duty deaths. EANGUS testified in the Senate and House earlier this year for resolving this inequity.

CALIFORNIA BONUSES

Section 671 provides relief to the California National Guard (and other) members who are subject to collection actions based on erroneously paid bonuses.

TRICARE REFORM

Sections 701-706 documents the reform of the TRICARE military health care system, specifically TRICARE Standard and Extra. TRICARE Prime and TRICARE for Life are generally unaffected by the reform, with the exception of a slight increase in enrollment fees and co-pays for working age retirees. TRICARE Standard, Extra, Young Adult and Reserve Select programs will be no more. TRICARE Select will replace them. There are no enrollment fees for those who choose TRICARE Select over TRICARE Prime unless the enrollee is retired. There are co-pays and deductibles. Annual increases of enrollment fees for retirees will not be greater than the percentage of the cost of living increase for that year. Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) must provide urgent care until 11:00 pm or contract with a civilian provider for urgent care until 11:00 pm without a requirement for a referral. It also requires expansion of office hours for primary care at night and on weekends. Additionally, it requires the revamping of the online and telephone appointment systems to allow for follow up appointments to be made at the same time as the original appointment.

The reform includes allowing National Guard AGR/FTNGD members who are called to state disaster response duty to maintain their TRICARE coverage, with the state government reimbursing DOD for the cost of the healthcare. It requires a study on allowing Federal employees who are reservists (read mil techs here) to also purchase TRICARE as an option to Federal employee’s health care plans. And it allows DOD to charge separately for a member plus one enrollment as opposed to member plus family enrollment.

MILITARY TECHNICIANS

Section 932 gives the Chief, National Guard Bureau, the authority to employ, administer, detail, and assign Title 5 civilians in addition to Title 32 civilians, an authority formerly held only by the service secretaries. The Chief may delegate that authority to the state Adjutants General.

Section 1084 delays the implementation of the conversion of dual status military technicians in administrative office occupations from January 1, 2017 until October 1, 2017. However, it alters the conversion of non-dual status military technicians from attrition-based conversion to complete conversion on October 1, 2017. Section 512 allows appeals of adverse actions for military technicians to the Merit Systems Protection Board or Equal Opportunity Commission. Section 513 stops the payment of military leave for those military technicians who accept an AGR tour of duty.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Section 516 allows the NORTHCOM Deputy Commanding General to be a reserve officer in addition to being a National Guard officer. Section 502 removes the requirements for the positions of Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard and Reserve Matters.

Section 501 reduces the overall number of general officers by 110 officers and Section 502 removes the statutory requirement for the Vice Chief and Directors of the Army and Air Guard to be a lieutenant general.

Section 527 establishes a three-year pilot program to consolidate Army marketing and recruiting efforts.

Section 332 calls for a report on the average travel costs of reservists and Section 352 calls for a study on the space available travel system. Section 594 calls for a report on the electronic tracking of reserve component active service.

Section 5102 clarifies the applicability of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to inactive duty training.

Overview and Analysis of S. 2943 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

• Conference Report Summary

• S. 2943 Conference Report (full report)

• Conference Committee’s Joint Explanatory Statement

EANGUS Wins

Maximum reimbursement amount for travel expenses of members of the Reserves attending inactive duty training outside of normal commuting distances (sec. 621)

The House amendment contained a provision that would amend section 478a(c) of title 37, United States Code, to allow for a higher reimbursement amount on a case-by-case basis for certain members of the Reserve component traveling to attend inactive duty training outside of normal committing distances.

Equal benefits under Survivor Benefit Plan for survivors of reserve component members who die in the line of duty during inactive-duty training (sec. 642)

The House amendment contained a provision that would amend section 1451(c)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the different treatment under the Survivor Benefit Plan accorded members of the reserve component who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during inactive-duty training, as compared to the treatment of members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on Active Duty.

Strengthening Military Health Care

• Make no changes to out-of-pocket costs for current force or retirees

• Provide two comprehensive TRICARE options for servicemembers, their families & retirees: managed care option and no-referral network option

• Eliminate referrals for urgent care and ensure urgent care access for military families (*see EANGUS testimony before Senate Armed Services Committee on March 8, 2016)

• Extend care at Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) primary care clinics beyond normal business hours

• Expand public-private partnerships to increase and complement MTF services provided to beneficiaries

• Enable retirees to purchase durable medical equipment at the DOD cost

• Standardize appointment scheduling and first-call resolution when contacting MTF clinics

• Increase the number of available appointments at MTFs.

Other

California National Guard

The NDAA provides relief for these Guardsmen by directing a process for the fair adjudication of cases. Unlike current policy, the Department will be responsible for reaching out to each impacted Soldier and notifying credit reporting agencies when a Soldier’s debts have been forgiven.

Modification of requirements relating to management of military technicians (sec. 1084)

The House amendment contained a provision that would delay the implementation date of section 1053 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92) until October 1, 2017 and align the date of conversion for military technicians (non-dual status) with military technicians (dual status).

Note: Not later than March 1, 2017, the Secretary of Defense, shall in consultation with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the feasibility and advisability of converting any remaining military technicians (dual status) to personnel performing active Guard and Reserve duty under section 328 of title 32, United States Code, or other applicable provisions of law.

Additional News

TRICARE Pharmacy Changes

Effective December 1, Walgreens pharmacies will join the TRICARE retail pharmacy network and CVS pharmacies will leave the network. Additional information about the change is available on the Express Scripts website, click here.

Congressional Update

The 114^th Congress has precious few days following the November 8 elections to pass any meaningful legislation. The Senate and House must agree on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government past December 9. The results of the election will impact the details of the next CR. If Democrats win the Senate, Republicans will try to pass a longer-term CR, perhaps even through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2017. If Republicans retain the Senate, a short-term CR is more likely which would allow for the new President to negotiate with Congressional leaders on Federal spending in 2017.

Congress will also pass the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Of particular note, the NDAA includes legislative language asking the Department of Defense to conduct a study of Reserve Component Servicemembers traveling greater than 100 miles to report for duty. EANGUS staff are working with the Senate and House Armed Services Committees and the House Ways and Means Committee staffs to provide tax relief for Reservists traveling great distances. This will likely be a two-year effort, so more to come on actual legislative language in 2017. Secondly, it is highly likely that Congress will pass language addressing a ten-year Statute of Limitation on DOD Recovery of Amounts Owed to the Members of the Uniformed Services, Including Retired and Former Members (H.R. 4909, Section 642). This could directly impact members from California.

California Bonuses Update

Due to pressure from Congress and the President, the Department recently stopped attempts to recuperate funds from the estimated 9,700 members of the California Guard that were misappropriated funds. In fact, it is estimated that DOD cannot locate 4,000 of those individuals anyway. Combined with the legislative language almost certain to pass (Section 642 highlighted above) it is highly unlikely this story will play out too much longer since the overpayments took place over ten years ago.

This week, Stars and Stripes published an article highlighting that the National Guard Bureau announced that the bonus issue is more wide-spread, impacting as many as 23,000-32,000 Servicemembers. It is likely that all 50 states were impacted and potentially hundreds of millions of dollars were misappropriated. The EANGUS National Office staff intend to keep pressure on Congress and the Department to fix the personnel policy issues that create these snafus in the first place. Combined with the Guard’s Recruiting Assistance Program (GRAP) issues, there needs to be better metrics in place to prevent these mistakes and better oversite from Congress. EANGUS efforts to fix these types of systemic issues will undoubtedly trickle into 2017 and beyond.

2017 Advocacy Agenda

Please be on the lookout for our updated advocacy agenda. The National Office is anxiously awaiting the passage of the FY16 NDAA, so it can look toward next year’s goals. Military Healthcare reform will likely be a cornerstone issue in 2017, as Congress looks to tackle challenges facing the Reserve Component. Staff will be attending a Military Service Organization (MSO) Coalition meeting in late November to network with the Services, DOD, VA, and Congressional leaders trying to tackle rising Healthcare premiums, quality shortfalls, and access barriers. The timing meeting will set the tone leading into 2017 reform efforts.

Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!

FiveThirtyEight Polls are an excellent resource if you are interested in any particular election

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, EANGUS, believes the unwarranted and baseless investigations by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command (CID) of thousands of innocent Army National Guard Soldiers who legitimately participated in the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP) must stop and stop immediately.

The Recruiting Assistance Program was created in 2005 when the Army National Guard was struggling to meet its recruitment numbers due to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The National Guard’s Recruiting Assistance Program would provide incentives to National Guard soldiers and civilians to act as informal recruiters, or recruiting assistants (RA). These recruiting assistants would receive a payment of $2,000 for every new recruit they referred to a recruiter and that recruit finished their initial entry training. The Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Division contracted for these Recruiting Assistants with Docupak, who administered the contract. The recruiting assistants were hired by Docupak as subcontractors. After the program was put in place, the National Guard began to meet its recruiting goals and the Active Army and Army Reserve began their own similar programs.  All components of the Army implemented a form of RAP for various periods of time: The Army National Guard from 2005 to 2012; the Army Reserve from 2007 to 2012; and the active duty from 2008 to 2009. The total program was approximately $459 million.

In a Senate hearing, the Army alleged approximately $100 million in fraud. The Army CID, using over 200 agents, has spent about $40 million on the investigations to date, but only $2.377 million has been recovered—nowhere close to the alleged amount of fraud and a horrible return on the investment of resources.  Yes, there was some fraud, and the guilty have been prosecuted in court. But some of that money reflects mere capitulation; it was easier for some soldiers to simply return what they had earned through G-RAP than fight CID.

The Army Audit Agency conducted five separate audits of G-RAP. CID itself criminalized G-RAP program violations (not following ever-changing rules). Guardsmen who ran amiss of these rules were accused of fraud, a felony defined by the Army, audited by the Army, investigated by the Army and prosecuted by the Army in both civilian courts and through military administration. In some cases, the G-RAP “crime” amounted to just one payment of $2,000 when recruits could not remember the names of the individuals who recruited them from several years earlier…failed memory as felony!

In many cases, where there was only an investigation, Guard members have been flagged, their promotions and other favorable actions stopped, and their careers ruined over nothing more than unproven allegations. Many have capitulated and repaid their payments just to try and put an end to the unfounded allegations, and then found out the allegations didn’t end. Some have gone to court and been exonerated, yet still received punishment or career ending actions. Some have lost their conceal-carry licenses or job credentials. Some have lost their civilian jobs—all due to heavy handed investigations by CID agents who had no authority to question or investigation those with whom they had no jurisdiction.

This domestic attack on the Army National Guard must stop. The Army must own up to their embellished Congressional testimony and set the record straight. The Army, and especially the CID Command, owe it to each and every Guard member whose life has been terrorized and ruined to make them whole again, whatever it takes—do the right thing. And it needs to happen now.

Overview

There are provisions in the bill that effect EANGUS members. The EANGUS National Office staff brought numerous issues to the attention of the committee members and staff leading up to the markup, this spring: Health care plan improvements for National Guard members, to include access to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) slew of health care plans, better access to urgent care, and improving the survivor benefit plan for deaths during inactive duty training, to name a few.

One of the 2016 EANGUS Legislative Workshop point papers relating to mileage reimbursement was adopted. While the mileage tax credit was not reduced from 100 miles to 50 miles per the EANGUS point paper, the HASC provided the service secretary to review servicemembers travel expenses for inactive-duty training “outside normal commuting distances” on a case by case basis. The Guardsman or woman must live in the same state as the training location.

The Committee approved a 2.1 percent military pay raise and increased ARNG end strength to 350,000 and ANG end strength to 105,700.

Pertinent Sections of the Committee-passed Legislation

Section 527—Pilot Program on Consolidated Army Recruiting

This section follows the recommendation made by the National Commission on the Future of the Army Final Report: January 2016. This section would direct the Secretary of the Army to establish a 3-year pilot program in which recruiters from all three components (Regular, Reserve, and National Guard) are authorized to recruit individuals into any of the components, and receive credit toward periodic enlistment goals for each enlistment regardless of component.

Section 641—Maximum Reimbursement Amount for Travel Expenses of Members of the Reserves Attending Inactive Duty Training Outside of Normal Commuting Distances

Authorize the Secretary concerned, on a case-by-case basis, to reimburse travel expenses at a higher amount for Reserve Component members traveling to training from rural areas. The Guardsman or woman must live in the same state as the training location.

Section 1088—Modification of Requirements Relating to Management of Military Technicians

Delays the implementation date, from January 2017 to October 2017, on the conversion of not less than 20% of nondual status technicians with dual status technicians. This section also directs a report from DOD on the feasibility and advisability of converting any remaining dual status technicians to personnel performing Active Guard and Reserve Duty. To date, the EANGUS National Office has stayed silent on this issue, as DOD completes its internal reviews and analysis.

SECTION 624—EQUAL BENEFITS UNDER SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN FOR SURVIVORS OF RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS WHO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY DURING INACTIVE-DUTY TRAINING

Treatment of Inactive-Duty Training (IDT) in same manner as Active Duty. Eliminate the different treatment under the Survivor Benefit Plan accorded members of the Reserve Component who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during Inactive-Duty training, as compared to the treatment of members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on Active Duty.

SECTION 642—STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RECOVERY OF AMOUNTS OWED TO THE UNITED STATES BY MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES, INCLUDING RETIRED AND FORMER MEMBERS

If, through no fault of the member, an indebtedness occurs as a result of the overpayment of pay or allowances to the member or upon the settlement of the member’s accounts, DOD may not recover the indebtedness from the member (including a retired and former members) using deductions from the pay of the member, deductions from retired or separation pay, or any other collection method unless recovery of the indebtedness commences before the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the indebtedness was incurred.

SECTION 701—TRICARE Preferred and Other TRICARE Reform

Narrow Tricare options to a health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider organization (PPO). The HMO would still be called Tricare Prime. Tricare Standard, the fee-for-service insurance option, would be renamed Preferred and its network of providers called a PPO.

Authorize SECDEF to establish an annual enrollment fee for TRICARE Preferred for beneficiaries who were in the Active Duty or retired categories prior to January 1, 2018.

In 2020, if DOD shows Congress they have improved overall quality and access, retirees on start paying annual enrollment fee of $100 individual, $200 family. Currently there is no annual enrollment fee.

For those enlisting on or after 1 January 2018, must pay annual fee, to include active duty

• ACTIVE DUTY PRIME: $180 individual, $360 family
• ACTIVE DUTY PREFERRED: $300 individual, $600 family
• WHEN RETIRED PRIME: $325 individual, $650 family
• WHEN RETIRED PREFERRED: $425 individual, $850 family

House panel votes to end military pay-benefit slide, tweak ex-spouse law [Stars and Stripes]

Section 704—Access to Urgent Care Under TRICARE Program

MTFs must stay open past normal business hours and maintain urgent care facilities open to 11pm—or – contract  with community based urgent care clinics open to 11pm without needing a referral.

MTFs will be rightsized for their surrounding community to provide care the community cannot

Eliminates preauthorization for urgent care

SECTION 712—STUDY ON IMPROVING CONTINUITY OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR RESERVE COMPONENTS

The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study of options for providing health care coverage that improves the continuity of health care provided to current and former members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve who are not serving on Active Duty, eligible for transition assistance, eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP).

Study to include:

• Whether to allow current and former members of the Selected Reserve to participate in FEHBP
• Whether to pay a stipend to current and former members to continue coverage in a health plan obtained by the member
• Whether to allow members of the National Guard assigned to Homeland Response Force Units mobilized for a State emergency to remain eligible for the TRICARE program
• Any other options for providing health care coverage to current and former members of the Selected Reserve the Secretary considers appropriate

Pertinent Amendments ADOPTED During Committee Markup

Exemption of Dual Status Military Technicians from Civilian Employee Furloughs [Rep. Nugent (R-FL)]

Extended TRICARE Program Coverage for Certain Members of the National Guard and Dependents During Certain Disaster Response Duties (Rep. Larsen D-WA)]

• Authorizes DOD to recoup, from the state, costs associated with providing Guardsman or woman TRICARE coverage during disaster response.

Repost from NPR:  http://www.npr.org/2014/04/22/305887787/army-vs-national-guard-who-gets-those-apache-helicopters

“The debate is about how to make these cuts in the Army, and in particular how to allocate cuts between the active component and the reserve component,” says Todd Harrison with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.  “I would think a Black Hawk helicopter is going to be far more useful in a natural disaster situation than Apache attack helicopters,” he says.

Repost from Watertown Daily Times:  http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/army-officials-tell-stefanik-fort-drum-will-receive-apache-helicopters-on-schedule-video-20160227&

Fort Drum will receive a set of 24 Apache helicopters from the National Guard this summer, Army officials confirmed Friday.  “We will execute those transfers on time and on schedule,” said Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, Army Vice Chief of Staff. “The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade will receive its Apaches on schedule,”

Repost from DefenseNews:  http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/land/army-aviation/2015/01/29/army-aviation-restructure-initiative-ausa/22525965/

Key US Army aviation modernization plans all hinge on the service’s cost-cutting Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI), senior service officials said on Thursday.  The plan, which has stirred controversy with National Guard advocates, is unpalatable but necessary in light of sequestration budget cuts, said Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Daniel Allyn, speaking at an Association of of the US Army aviation event.

Repost from Federal News Radio:  http://federalnewsradio.com/army/2016/02/army-wants-guard-reserve-deployments-2017/

Citing ongoing readiness strains within its active duty force, the Army is asking Congress for permission for a significant uptick in its use of National Guard and Army Reserve forces to handle missions in combatant commands throughout the world.  “We need more flexible access to the reserve component, specifically for emerging missions,” Gen. Daniel Allyn, the Army’s vice chief of staff, told the House Armed Services Committee Friday. “Where the stress is really starting to press down on our active formations is in meeting emerging requirements where we have time constraints that don’t let us prepare and deploy a reserve component unit to meet the requirement.

November 04, 2015

 This Veterans Day, patriotic businesses across the country are honoring our veterans with discounts.

The list below only includes businesses that contacted the VFW directly regarding their Veterans Day discounts.

Bellhops.com

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2015, military veterans will be able to order free Bellhops help for moving and lifting jobs taking place between November 13 and December 15, 2015. Whether it’s loading or unloading a moving truck, moving belongings into or out of storage, rearranging furniture at home, decluttering or downsizing, we’ll help with just about any labor chore.

Each free job will include the services of two bellhops for an hour of work, no strings attached.

Although the jobs can take place any time between November 13 and December 15, 2015, they must be booked on Veterans Day. On November 11, just call (855) 625-8623 or visit https://getbellhops.com/blog/2015/10/13/free-moves-militaryveterans/.

Make sure to use the coupon code “VeteransDay2015” to take advantage of this initiative. No jobs on Thanksgiving weekend (November 26-29), please.

Cheeseburger in Paradise 

Cheeseburger in Paradise will mark Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 by extending a complimentary Veteran’s Burger with fries to active and retired military personnel in appreciation of their courage and commitment to the well-being of the country. To take advantage of this offer; guests must dine in, purchase a beverage and present any of the following when ordering:

• U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card
• U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card
• Current Leave and Earnings Statement
• Veterans Organization Card

To find the Cheeseburger in Paradise Location nearest you please visit: http://www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com/locations/.

Sport Clips Haircuts

Sport Clips locations across the nation are currently raising funds for its Help A Hero campaign, which supports the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” program.

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2015, $1 from every haircut service will go to Help A Hero. In addition, many Sport Clips locations will offer free haircuts to active duty U.S. service members and veterans this Veterans Day, with valid proof of service.

For participating locations, visit www.SportClips.com/VetsDayHaircuts.

Meineke

Meineke knows the freedom and pride that comes with being able to commute to work, drive to school or simply take your family on an afternoon drive. This Veteran’s Day, Meineke Car Care Centers will be offering a small token of gratitude to the military community with free oil changes to all veterans. Visit www.meineke.com to find a participating location near you.

Bob Evans Farms® Restaurants

Restaurants Salute Veterans and Active Duty Military with Choice of Free Menu Items on November 11

On Veterans Day, and every day, Bob Evans restaurants are honored to serve veterans and active duty military personnel with fresh, never frozen sausage, real hand-cracked eggs from local farmers, and freshly prepared food. This year, the restaurant will honor veterans with a choice of select free breakfast items on November 11, 2015 at all Bob Evans restaurants.

“We’re honored to serve the men and women who have given tirelessly to serve in the U.S. armed forces by offering a choice of free farm-fresh menu items all day long on November 11,” said John Fisher, executive vice president of Bob Evans Restaurants. “These heroes have sacrificed so much for our country and providing them a delicious and fresh meal is a small token of our gratitude and a way of saying thank you on such an important day.”

Veterans and active duty military personnel have the choice of the following menu items to eat for free on Veterans Day:

• Stack of Hotcakes (Buttermilk or Multigrain) – A stack of four fluffy hotcakes served with warm syrup.
• Fresh Baked Brioche French Toast – Two griddled slices of rich, house-baked Brioche bread, dipped in real egg batter made with natural vanilla and cinnamon, then griddled to golden-brown.
• Sunrise Breakfast – Two eggs cooked-to-order, served with choice of hash browns, home fries or grits, and freshly baked bread.
• Country Biscuit Breakfast – A fresh baked buttermilk biscuit topped with one egg cooked-to-order, fresh never frozen sausage, creamy country gravy and shredded cheddar cheese. The dish is served with a choice of hash browns, home fries or grits.
• Mini Sampler Breakfast – One egg cooked-to-order with a choice of hash browns, home fries or grits. It’s served with two fresh never frozen sausage links or thick bacon strips and freshly baked bread.

Company founder Bob Evans was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II in several posts. He was inducted into the Army in January 1945. In 2010, the late Bob Evans was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

Guests wishing to enjoy a free meal on Veterans Day must provide proof of service. Eligible identification includes a U.S. Uniformed Services (current or retired) Identification Card, a current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), or a Veterans’ organization card (American Legion or VFW, for example). Guests wearing a military uniform on Veterans Day also are eligible.

For more information and for local restaurant hours, visit www.BobEvans.com.

Sleep Number

Sleep Number is proud to announce our ninth annual Military Appreciation Event, in honor of the U.S. servicemen and women who have sacrificed to improve the lives of all Americans.

At Sleep Number, our mission is to improve lives by individualizing sleep experiences. Our innovative products are designed to help people sleep their very best and wake up refreshed.

We’d like to thank you for courageously serving our country by offering you exclusive savings. Because no one deserves better sleep than you.

Exclusive military offers include:

• $700 savings on Sleep Number® i8 mattress sets
• $700 savings on Sleep Number® m7 mattress sets
• $500 savings on Sleep Number® p6 mattress sets
• Additional savings on other Sleep Number® mattress sets – see Sleep Professional for details
• 30 percent off selected Sleep Number® bedding*
• PLUS Special Financing Available† through 11/15/15

Visit one of our 475 Sleep Number® stores nationwide Oct. 19 through Nov. 15, 2015, and show a valid military or veteran’s ID to receive these exclusive offers.

Offer valid to current and past military personnel in store or by phone 10/19/15 – 11/15/15. Not available online.

Must present valid military or veteran’s I.D. Restrictions may apply. Not combinable with other discounts, offers or on clearance items or previous purchases. Not valid online. *Excludes DualTemp™ layer and Total Protection Mattress Pad. †Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See store for details.

SLEEP NUMBER, SELECT COMFORT, SLEEPIQ and the Double Arrow Design are registered trademarks of Select Comfort Corporation. ©2015 Select Comfort Corporation

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons to Salute the Troops on Veterans Day

The Rock Icons’ Rock & Brews Restaurants will offer free pulled pork sandwiches to veterans, active military and first responders on November 11.

Rock & Brews, the family-friendly restaurant brand co-founded by KISS front men Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, will celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 by offering veterans, active military personnel and first responders a complimentary pulled pork sandwich with a side choice of natural fries, house potato salad, pasta salad or coleslaw throughout the day at all of its restaurants in the United States.

“As proud Americans, it is important to salute the men and women who protect and serve our country,” said Michael Zislis, CEO and co-founder of Rock & Brews. “November 11 is devoted to our veterans, active military and first responders at Rock & Brews, and we hope that they will come in with friends and family to give us a chance to say thank you.”

Rock & Brews locations nationwide partner with local veteran organizations to support veterans and military personnel in their communities throughout the year. To date, the brand has donated more than $100,000 to local veterans in Rock & Brews markets.

For more information about Rock & Brews’ Veterans Day offer visit www.rockandbrews.com.

About Rock & Brews

Rock & Brews is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and entertainment concept designed to engage people of all ages with quality comfort food and local favorites, a broad selection of craft beers in an energized environment that is reminiscent of being at a family-friendly music event.  Founded by rock icons Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, along with partners, restaurateur Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, the first Rock & Brews opened near LAX in the beach community of El Segundo, California in April of 2012. For more information, please visit www.rockandbrews.com.

Ruby Tuesday

Veterans Day Special Free Appetizer

Join Us Wednesday, November 11

We are grateful each and every day for the service of our brave men and women in the United States. Here’s a thank you on us. We look forward to serving you!

Visit http://pages.rubytuesdayrestaurants.com/vets to find a location near you!

 *Available for all veterans, active duty and reserve service members with proof of service. Limit one free appetizer per proof of service.

 Valid only November 11, 2015. Void where prohibited by law. No cash value. Participation may vary per location.

Meanwhile, some military-related groups have publicly declared their opinions on a presidential veto.  The Reserve Officers Association is urging Obama not to veto the bill because it does include some items favorable to the National Guard and Reserves.  “While we may not agree with every provision, the effect of the bill is more positive than negative,” the group said in a letter to the president.

Other groups want the president to veto the measure, including anti-war groups and anti-nuclear advocates.  In a letter to the president, they said they are “deeply troubled” by the $38 billion added to the overseas contingency operations fund as a way to sidestep military budget caps.  EANGUS and NGAUS have not taken a public stand on the bill because they consider the debate now to be a partisan one and we remain bipartisan as organizations.

We are disappointed that Veteran status appears to have been stripped from both versions, that Army Guard end strength was not increased, and that dual-status technicians were not exempted from civilian employee furloughs.  On the positive side, we were able to stop the retirement of the A-10, fund the purchase of additional UH-60 Blackhawks, and prohibit the transfer of ARNG Apaches until the enactment of the FY16 NDAA.