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The Department of Defense Plays an Important Role in Operation Warp Speed to Accelerate Tools to Fight the Spread of COVID-19

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By Marguerite Cleveland

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have key roles in Operation Warp Speed (OWS) which is a partnership among the two to engage private firms with other federal agencies to accelerate the production of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. This will enhance HHS’s current efforts. There are many promising actions taking place.

The DoD recently awarded a $42 million contract to Curative Inc to manufacture 250,000 of their oral fluid swab test kits which are for 100 military treatment facilities. This will increase the testing capability across the DoD and provide a less invasive method of testing for COVID-19. The test is an oral swab of the mouth versus the painful nose swab. “This is an important capability that will strengthen our medical professionals’ ability to detect, isolate and defeat the spread of COVID-19 across the military,” said Maj. Gen. Lee Payne, the DOD’s COVID-19 Lab Testing Task Force lead. “The ability to reliably test service members and their families is critical towards securing our forces’ health and readiness.”

“It’s no coincidence we had the right innovation network in place to source and scale this test at battlefield speeds,” said Dr. Will Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. “Evolving national security challenges require new and enduring partnerships with commercial innovators. We had the right people and mechanisms in place to move out on this exceptional testing capability for the Department of Defense.”

Also, in the works are ramping up the purchase of necessary supplies needed to administer a future vaccine for COVID-19. On August 4, 2020, the DoD and HHS awarded a $104 million contract to procure syringes and safety needles for the HHS Strategic National Stockpile. This will provide a total of 500 million safety syringes in a 12 month period with 134 million scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year.

“This effort demonstrates skillful collaboration between the interagency and our industry partners, and moves the nation farther forward in its fight against COVID-19,” said Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, Douglas Bryce. “Immediate procurement and prepositioning of syringes will enable rapid vaccination of the U.S. population once an FDA-approved vaccine becomes available. We are pleased to be part of this unprecedented and critical undertaking.”

HHS and the DoD recently announced an agreement with the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson for the manufacturing and delivery of the company’s COVID-19 candidate. Under the agreement the U.S. government will own the 100 million doses of the vaccine which will be used in clinical trials or distributed as part of a COVID-19 vaccination campaign if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“With the portfolio of vaccines being assembled for OWS, the Trump Administration is increasing the likelihood that the United States will have at least one safe, effective vaccine by 2021,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Today’s investment represents the next step in supporting Janssen’s vaccine candidate all the way through manufacturing, with the potential to bring hundreds of millions of safe and effective doses to the American people.”

While the clinical trials are underway, the company will be working on a manufacturing demonstration project which by working parallel will help speed up the traditional vaccine development timeline. This will help the federal government’s goal with OWS to be able to deliver millions of doses of a safe vaccine to the American People by the end of the year.

There are many promising vaccines and therapeutics on the horizon which hopefully will bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Commissaries continue roll out of new curbside pickup program at Fort Lee; five more scheduled later in 2020

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Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:        65-20                                                                                                                        

Date:                              August 6, 2020

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                               (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

CLICK2GO

Commissaries continue roll out of new curbside pickup program at Fort Lee; five more scheduled later in 2020

By Rick Brink,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: To read this release online, go to the DeCA website.To see photos related to this release, go to the agency’s Flickr site.

FORT LEE, Va. – CLICK2GO, the Defense Commissary Agency’s online ordering/curbside pickup grocery service, returned Aug. 4 to the Fort Lee Commissary in Virginia following a yearlong absence.

“We’re pleased to be back to provide this service that’s become especially popular as we all cope with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Willie Watkins, DeCA’s eBusiness chief. “More and more people like being able to shop online and pick up their groceries without having to go inside a store.”

In September 2013, the Fort Lee Commissary became the first store to offer curbside pickup under a pilot program that included two other commissaries. DeCA discontinued that program in June 2019 to make way for a new CLICK2GO, as the agency rolled out its new Enterprise Business System to stores. Fort Lee is now the sixth store to offer the new service, and five more commissaries are slated to get it later this year.

Using curbside pickup is a straight-forward process. Authorized commissary shoppers access the system via the agency’s customer portal, MyCommissary. An initial sign-up is required the first time patrons access MyCommissary. Patrons can also learn more about CLICK2GO on Commissaries.com.

Once in CLICK2GO, patrons select from commissary products offered online based on the store’s stock assortment. After products are selected, the patron selects a pickup time and completes the checkout process. The only thing left to do is arrive at curbside at the appointed time, and pay. Commissary workers will load the groceries in the shopper’s car and they will be on their way.

Fort Lee’s CLICK2GO customers won’t be charged a service fee through August and into the first week of September as part of an introductory offer. Beginning Sept. 8, a $4.95 service fee will be applied for each order, as it is at all curbside pickup locations.  

“Our customers are keenly interested in CLICK2GO since it all started here,” said store director Margaret Camacho. “Now we’re ready to once again let them enjoy shopping online and picking up their orders without having to go inside the store, which is something that really appeals to families with young children.”

The curbside program is also offered in Virginia at Fort Eustis, Naval Air Station Oceana, Marine Corps Base Quantico and Fort Belvoir. It’s also available at the McGuire Air Force Base Commissary New Jersey, part of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community.

In the other five stores where it’s offered, CLICK2GO has seen a huge increase in customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the startup at the Fort Lee Commissary is just the latest part of an ongoing expansion of the service, Watkins said.

Barring any unforeseen issues, the agency plans to roll out the service to five more commissaries this year, and there are plans to expand it to considerably to more stores over the next two years, said Watkins.

The five stores scheduled to receive the service later this year are: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. The number of stores and locations to get the service in 2021 haven’t been announced.

DeCA operates 236 commissaries worldwide. Not all stores will receive the service. A variety of factors, including sales and transactions, existing infrastructure and demographics are considered to determine if a commissary is suitable for CLICK2GO.

“Our agency is responding to customer shopping trends, and we’re pleased to be able to expand this service,” Watkins said.

-DeCA-

Can I travel there? How to Find Out If Your Destination is Safe, Plus COVID-19 U.S. Passport Backlog Finally Breaking Free

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By Marguerite Cleveland

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drag on and it is summer vacation time thoughts are turning towards travel. Questions abound. Is it safe to visit? What do I need to do differently when traveling? When will my passport be processed? Can I travel internationally? The travel situation due to COVID-19 is ever changing but here is what we do know:

On August 6, 2020, the Department of State lifted the worldwide Global Level 4 Health Advisory which advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. It was put in place with the CDC who initiated their own global health warning.

 According to Carl C. Risch, Assistant Secretary Bureau of Consular Affairs, the State Department has returned to their previous system of travel advice for each country on a level of 1 to 4 based on the specific conditions in each country. The CDC has also lifted their Level 3 Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice. The change reflects that conditions in some countries are improving and some are deteriorating.

U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories are based on assessment of conditions on the ground and includes risk indicators other than just COVID-19 such as civil unrest and natural disasters. The advisories are updated every day. Currently the only two countries in the world at a Level 1: (Exercise Normal Precautions) are Macau and Taiwan. Risch advised that global conditions remain highly dynamic, and the State Department continues to recommend that U.S. citizens exercise caution when traveling abroad due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic.

The backlog on passports is finally beginning to break free. Unlike some government positions those processing passports cannot work at home due to security issues with personal documents such as birth certificates and this contributed to the backlog. In June the State Department began a phased reopening as employees began returning to work. Since that time pending applications have dropped from 1.8 million to around 1 million. Typically, there are normally around 1 million applications pending so the processing time has improved.

At this time, you cannot get an expedited passport unless you have a life or death emergency and must travel outside the country within 3 business days. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 during business hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time or after hours call 202-647-4000. You must provide supporting documents with your application such as a death certificate or signed letter from a hospital or medical professional and proof of travel such as a reservation or ticket.

Tip – Allow 7 – 10 days after you submitted a passport application or renewal to check the status. Go to the  Online Passport Status System to sign up for email notifications. You will receive 3 emails, first when it is in process, second once it is approved, and third once it is mailed. This is an easy way to help you keep track. I submitted a renewal in February and received it back in July.

Traveling outside of the country during the COVID-19 crises or other times of unrest can be nerve wracking. One way to make sure you receive information is to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service offered by the State Department which allows you to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can also do this if you are living abroad. The benefits are you can receive up to date information on safety conditions at your destination and the U.S. Embassy can contact you if there is an emergency such as a natural disaster etc. It can also help your family reach you in case of an emergency.

In addition to the State Department you should also check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This link provides information on travel during the pandemic. The CDC currently has a No Sail Order for all cruise ships through September, 2020. There is also information on how to access State Health Departments for information on restrictions for travel to other states. It is a confusing mess and constantly changing so it is important to check when planning a trip and then again before you leave. Some states such as Hawaii have a 14-day quarantine in effect or provide the results of a recently taken negative COVID-19 test. Most people don’t take a 14-day vacation so you could fly to Hawaii and not be able to leave your quarters for your entire stay.

Should you travel? Each family needs to make that decision for themselves and weigh the risk factors. Be responsible and don’t travel if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Travel with hand sanitizer, masks and sanitizing wipes. Monitor the situation as conditions with this pandemic are constantly changing.

Commissary customers find healthy fresh fruits, vegetables thanks to resilient supply chain

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NEWS RELEASE

Defense Commissary Agency

Corporate Communications

1300 E Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800

Tel:  (804) 734-8000, Ext. 8-6105  DSN: 687-8000, Ext. 8-6105 

FAX: (804) 734-8248  DSN: 687-8248

www.commissaries.com

Release Number:        58-20                                                                                                                        

Date:                              July 16, 2020

Media Contact:           Kevin L. Robinson, public affairs specialist

Tel.:                               (804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773

E-mail:                         kevin.robinson@deca.mil

Commissary customers find healthy fresh fruits, vegetables thanks to resilient supply chain

By Kevin L. Robinson,

DeCA public affairs specialist

Note: To read this release online, go to the DeCA website.

FORT LEE, Va. – Commissary produce personnel and industry partners are working through challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the military stores are well-stocked with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For service members and their families, this means continued access to the nutritious fruits and vegetables needed for their daily meals, said Deborah Harris, registered dietitian and health and wellness program manager for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).

“One thing that many may not know about our commissary produce is that we work really hard with our produce distributors to procure local fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible,” Harris said. “We support local investments to strengthen local communities while reducing our carbon footprint with less food miles.”

Now that summer is here, commissary customers can find nutrient-dense fresh produce by shopping for varieties – fresh, canned or frozen – that have no added sugar, sodium, and are low in fat.

“Fresh produce, because it hasn’t undergone any processing, is a sure bet, as nothing has been added,” Harris said. “A great way to get kids to increase their fruit and vegetable intake is to let them choose an item in our produce section on their own and then help you prepare the item for a snack or meal. We have a great selection of dietitian-approved recipes on our website, www.commissaries.com.”

The nutritional value of produce is reinforced by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a reference produced by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These guidelines recommend fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy eating pattern. According to the MyPlate food guidance system, Americans should make half their plate fruits and vegetables for most meals, Harris said.

“A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides key vitamins and minerals to ward off chronic disease and keep your immune system strong,” she added. “Also, because they tend to be lower in calories than other food groups, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is a waistline-friendly strategy.”

Working through COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 on commissaries is visible to customers, such as plexiglass shields, disinfecting carts, handwashing stations, social distancing tape on floors, and staff wearing masks. The adjustments for produce departments were less visible. Unprecedented shopping trends pressed store teams, prompting managers to forecast orders well in advance to obtain sufficient quantities of high-demand items, said Mike Pfister, chief of the perishable division for DeCA’s Store Operations Group.

 “Produce is highly perishable and not mass produced in a factory; it is grown, harvested, processed, and then shipped to locations for display,” Pfister said. “A lot of time goes into maintaining a produce department as well as the logistical planning to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for our customers, along with dealing with so many other variables such as weather, insects, contaminates/diseases and workforce availability.”

Teamwork and communication between the commissaries and their headquarters support is crucial, Pfister said, to address concerns with produce suppliers, trucking companies, contracting issues, installation access restrictions and adjustments to delivery times. 

“Our store produce departments have done a fantastic job in this unprecedented time, providing great customer service,” he said. “Our teams are continuously putting the mission of supporting military communities first.”

Partnering with industry

In the best of times, commissaries work closely with their industry partners to supply the products customers want. COVID-19 put that relationship to a test no one had anticipated, said Bridget Bennett, produce category manager for the agency’s sales directorate.

“Daily communications with all of our produce suppliers became critical,” Bennett said. “With the initial panic buying, the suppliers were caught off guard as we all were. Order quantities increased 50 percent on many items, and they couldn’t get enough product into the warehouse as quickly as it was being depleted.

“Items we would normally sell gave way to larger packs of hardier items such as citrus, apples, potatoes and carrots,” she said. “In some instances the stores would have to receive whatever they could to supply the customers with product. When personnel in the packing houses grew thin and the current supply was depleted, the stores had extra bulk on hand until the packers could catch up.”

Because of the virus, growers and packers faced a shrinking market, Bennett said. Food service suppliers catering to restaurants, theme parks, cruise lines and schools suddenly found themselves without buyers. The fields that supported those sectors couldn’t be harvested and were subsequently plowed under. Some farms went bankrupt, and processing plants reduced their products down to a core list of items, discontinuing some ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables and packaged salads.

However, going into the summer, most produce availability is returning to normal, Bennett said. One notable exception would be corn, which at the moment, is in very limited supply. “Produce is in peak season for summer fruits and vegetables, and commissary shoppers are hungry for fresh cherries, watermelon, cantaloupes, peaches, squash, tomatoes, corn and all the other goodies – too many to mention.”

From the farm to the commissary shelf: It’s a supply line that cannot be taken for granted, Harris said.

“I have personally been in the fields of our American farmers and have seen the product that is being grown for our military families,” she said. “One thing that is never lost on me is the pride the farmers feel in knowing that they are supporting our nation’s greatest assets, members of our military community.”

-DeCA-

No Photos for Promotion Boards

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Secretary of Defense issues guidance for diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the military

In a dramatic change to the promotion board process, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper directed the removal of photographs from consideration on promotion boards and selection processes effective September 1, 2020.  In the Memorandum dated July 14, 2020, he asked for a review of policies and processes to ensure diverse selection panels as well as the removal of all references to race, ethnicity, and gender in the packets reviewed by promotion boards. The goal is to ensure that these processes are free from bias based on race, ethnicity, gender, or national origin.

This follows the Army’s initiative, Project Inclusion announced on June 25, 2020 which also call for the removal of photos from officer promotion boards beginning August 2020. “The Army is taking substantive actions to ensure that promotion and selection boards are as fair and impartial as possible,” said Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy. “We’ll be initiating listening sessions to encourage the open dialogue that is critical to helping understand and support each other.”

“The Army must continue to put People First by fostering a culture of trust that accepts the experiences and backgrounds of every Soldier and civilian,” said Gen. James C. McConville, Army Chief of Staff. “Our diverse workforce is a competitive advantage and the Army must continue to offer fair treatment, access and opportunity across the force. The Project Inclusion reforms will complement ongoing efforts to modernize our talent-management processes and ensure equitable treatment for every member of our formation.”

Esper has addressed some additional actions which will take place to improve equal opportunity and diversity policies within the military:

  • Update DoD’s military harassment policy to increase protections for Service Members facing harassing behaviors especially racial bias and prejudice
  • Update the military equal opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy.
  • Roles and responsibilities of leaders regarding equal opportunity will be defined and updated
  • Prejudice and Bias that exist in the force is not always transparent so DoD will collect and analyze data to identify patterns and trends. The data will be used to improve DoD policies and programs.
  • Increase the frequency of Equal Opportunity surveys in the workplace to determine what areas need improvement.
  • Conduct a study to identify factors affecting the racial and ethnic minority officer retention and promotion.
  • Develop a training program to educate the force on unconscious bias and how that can impact their decisions.
  • Additional training for commanders on how have effective discussions on discrimination, bias, and prejudice with their units
  • Update hairstyle and grooming policies to remove racial bias
  • Determine how effective Military Service equal opportunity offices are and make recommendations for changes.

Esper wrote in the memorandum, the success of our military mission depends on a disciplined and lethal force prepared to defend our country and our Constitution. There is no greater mission and no greater calling. When our Nation’s young men and women volunteer to join the U.S. Armed Forces, they do so to be a part of this critical mission, but also to be a part of a military “family” that spans over 10 generations. It is a bond that is revered. enduring, and essential to our integrity and all we do. As a military, we succeed by working together, hand in hand, side by side. Diversity and inclusivity in the ranks are not merely aspirations. they are fundamental necessities to our readiness and our mission success. The actions I am directing are a necessary first step, but hard work remains, and we will continue to learn as we move forward. Shifting culture requires steadfast attention; these actions will maximize our efforts to ensure a diverse workforce at all levels, an inclusive environment. and equal opportunity for all who serve.

These are big changes which will hopefully lead to a fairer unbiased promotion process for all service members as well as improvements to current equal opportunity programs across the military branches.

“The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”

Photo from: https://www.defense.gov/

Photo By: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lopez

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Save Time and Money By Using the Commissary Website to Help Plan Your Meals

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If it  has been a while since you visited the Defense Commissary Agencie’s (DeCA) Website make the time to check it out. There is a wealth of information that can save you time and money during your next shopping visit to your local commissary. Having a game plan on your next visit and understanding how to maneuver through the aisles will make your visit run smoothly.

“Often taking some time to explore your commissary can be beneficial – to see what new products are on the shelves or taking time to talk to department managers,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, DeCA’s senior enlisted advisor to the agency director. “But other times you really need to get in and get out quickly. Using these tips will help you efficiently whiz around the store and get all your weekly shopping done in no time at all.”

Here are some tips from DeCA on utilizing the commissary website that will help you plan and shop for a week’s worth of meals:

  • See What is On Sale – Before planning your meals for the week visit the Rewards and Savings tab on the website and look up the Sales Flyer (temporarily suspended due to COVID-19), coupons and promotions to see what are good deals. Under current promotions on that tab, the meat department offers Meat Power Boxes. There are four types and save an additional 25-30%. They can also help you plan your meal around this key ingredient.
  • Find the Perfect Recipe – Visit the Recipe Tab on the commissary website for some great ideas. There are healthy recipes, kid-friendly and even a few chef’s recipes. You can also search by ingredient which is great if you plan to purchase a Meat Power Box. Just select beef and there are 22 recipes available. Choose the ones you like and write on your plan in the next step.
  • Create a Written Plan – The DeCA website offers a two page Weekly Meal Plan Worksheet that offers a master plan for a weeks’ worth of meals. I find this worksheet extremely helpful planning meals by following the steps. First the worksheet offers a place to write down three meals per day for a whole week and the necessary ingredients. Next check what ingredients you have already and cross off from the ingredient list. Then review ingredients and write the brand name down for what is on sale or you have a coupon for. On page two of the worksheet you can write down your ingredients based on what aisle they are located at in the commissary.
  • Coupons – Coupons offer additional savings but can be time consuming to cut out and organize. The Commissary Reward Card can be picked up on a visit to your local commissary. Register it online and then you can download coupons right to your rewards card. When you check out the clerk will scan your card and it will subtract all the coupons from your card decreasing your costs. You can find more coupons at in your local paper, online and in the commissary at the front entrance and hanging by items throughout the store. Tip: You can only use one coupon per item whether on your card or a paper coupon. Review your coupons on your card because sometimes the paper ones have a higher value. Give your paper coupons to the clerk first so the higher value coupons will ring up. Remove any paper coupons from your stack that have a lower value than on your card.

You can also save money by not shopping when you are hungry as one can purchase items not on your list due to being hungry. You can save time by not shopping during peak hours especially not on pay day or the day before which tends to be super busy. Plan to visit on a day you aren’t in a hurry and get to know the department managers. You can find out which day your favorite items are delivered to the store. They can also give you heads up on upcoming sales.

DeCA is currently testing a new program called CLICK2GO. It is similar as to the curb side pickup that  is offered at civilian grocery and retail stores. Order online and the commissary staff will prepare your order and load it up when you arrive for pick up. You can use coupons and your rewards card and pay when you arrive. Currently CLICK2GO is available at Fort Belvoir, Fort Eustis, Naval Air Station Oceana and Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, and McGuire Air Force Base at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. More locations are coming. Keep checking back online for new locations.

So next time you are heading to the commissary take a little extra time to plan. It will save you time and money.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Dogs Offer Support and Companionship During COVID-19 Pandemic

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If you or your loved one suffers from PTSD, the COVID-19 pandemic can have an effect on their symptoms. The ways we keep safe during this pandemic by sheltering in place, staying away from loved ones and wearing masks can increase anxiety. According to the National Center for PTSD, here are some ways the pandemic can affect those suffering from PTSD:

  • Health and Safety – Many people have concerns about their health and safety during a pandemic but for those with PTSD it can be more intense or more frequent. They may find themselves more anxious even in places they felt safe in the past. There may be more worry about catching the illness. Open public places can be a trigger and those suffering may be more “keyed up” than normal about things other than COVID-19.
  • Trauma Triggers – All the talk of COVID – 19 and the constant discussion of it on the news night after night like it is a battle or war can be triggering. If the trauma involved difficulty breathing, wearing a mask can induce panic or other symptoms.
  •  Avoiding Things That Are Safe – There are plenty of things we can’t do now because of the pandemic but you or your loved one may find themselves avoiding shopping or exercising outside which are considered safe or isolating more than necessary by not communicating over video or telephone.
  •  Negative Thoughts and Feelings May Increase – Some examples are feeling you have no control over anything due to COVID-19. Activities you normally do to control your symptoms may not be available to you causing irritability. Spending more time with loved ones than usual can cause a short fuse. Feelings of guilt and shame can arise over not being able to do something for yourself.
  • Sleep and Concentration – You may find falling asleep or concentrating more difficult due to the pandemic. An increase in PTSD symptoms can effect the quality of your sleep.

Visit the Veterans Administration’s The National Center for PTSD for more information and resources available during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There has not been enough research on whether dogs help treat PTSD but owning a dog helps you feel less stress, lifts your mood, and helps you feel better by providing companionship. All owners including those with PTSD can receive these benefits. Some treatments for PTSD include the use of service dogs or emotional support dogs but these are not substitutes for effective PTSD treatment. According to The National Center for PTSD, here are some other benefits:

  • Help bring out feelings of love.
  • Are good companions.
  • Take orders well when trained. This can be very comfortable for a Servicemember or Veteran who was used to giving orders in the military.
  • Are fun and can help reduce stress.
  • Are a good reason to get out of the house, spend time outdoors, and meet new people.

The VA does not provide service dogs but it does provide veterinary care for service dogs (not emotional support animals or pets) that are medically necessary for Veterans with permanent physical conditions. The VA has an ongoing research study on dogs and PTSD which will take several years. If the research determines that use of service dogs is beneficial for PTSD then the VA will provide veterinary care for these dogs.

For those interested in adopting a dog to help combat feelings of isolation during this pandemic here are some resources:

Pets for Patriots –  This organizational helps Veterans adopt a dog or cat from local shelters as a pet and they are not service animals. You must have a DD-214 to determine eligibility. If you are accepted into their program there are lots of benefits that can help reduce the costs of pet care. They will help you find, adopt and afford a pet. From their website, benefits include:

  • ADOPTION SPECIAL – Our shelter partners provide at least one additional benefit to you upon adoption, such as pet training, ‘day one’ essentials or adoption fee discounts.
  • DISCOUNTED PET CARE – Every one of our veterinary partners offers a minimum ongoing 10% fee discount for the care of pets adopted through our program.
  • MEMBERS-ONLY DISCOUNTS – We curate exclusive discounts from high-quality pet e-tailers to help veterans in our program save money on pet health insurance, treats, pet food, medication and supplies from trusted brands.
  • ‘WELCOME HOME’ GIFT CARD – We give a one-time $150 pet retailer e-gift to help with the purchase of pet food, supplies, and essentials, and which can be used online or in-store. Arrangements available for veterans without internet access.
  • PRE-ADOPTION COUNSELING – Have questions about pet adoption, our program, or just need a ‘helping paw’ at the shelter? Our team is available to make your pet adoption process as smooth as possible.
  • POST-ADOPTION FOLLOW UP – We’ve got your six! While our official follow up occurs over a one-year period, we’re always here if you have questions, need information or other pet-related assistance.
  • VIP PETCARE PARTNERSHIP – Veterans who adopt an eligible dog or cat through Pets for Patriots now have access to additional savings on affordable, routine, preventative veterinary care through our partnership with VIP Petcare.

Pets for Vets – Veterans must go to their website to apply. This program provides a four step process called ‘Super Bond’. It helps a Veteran find the perfect pet for their situation in four steps:

  • Step 1 Getting to Know the Veteran – They spend time with the Veteran to learn about what will be the best pet fit for them based on lifestyle, personality, and needs. This helps them pick the perfect Pet for the Veteran.
  • Step 2 Getting to Know the Veteran – The next step involves getting to know the animal so they can find the best fit for the Veteran.
  • Step 3 Training – Founder Clarissa Black designed a training program using positive reinforcement training philosophy. This helps the Veteran and the dog build trust and respect while not using force.
  • Step 4 The Match – This is the day that brings the Veteran and their new pet together.

American Humane – First to Serve – This is an organization devoted to the safety and welfare of animals and it has a variety of military initiatives. One is theirPups4Patriots which rescues unwanted dogs and trains them to be service dogs for veterans with PTSD and TBI. They also do grants to help Veterans pay for and care for a service dog and help navigate the applications process for a PTS service dog. Currently there are no national standards for PTS service dogs which leads to many obstacles for Veterans. American Humane is leading an effort to create national training standards and advocate for the rights of Veterans and their dogs.

A pet can be a great way to help those suffering from isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’d like to help any of these organizations accept volunteers or donations to help with their missions.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Bill to Improve Specially Adaptive Housing Grants Program for Disabled Veterans Stalled in Congress

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On March 26, 2020, the Senate passed the Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019. This was a different version of the bill which the House passed on July 23, 2019. With the Senate changes the bill is now at the House where it is waiting a final vote. The bill changes the current program by allowing blind veterans to use the program, increases funding from about $85,000 to about $98,000, and it extends access to the funding from three times to six times.

According to the news release from Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) office who sponsored a Senate version of the bill with Senator Kyrsten Sineme (D-Ariz.), the bill was introduced to expand Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) eligibility for seriously injured or ill veterans. It was named after Army Colonel (Ret.) Paul Benne, MD, MPH. The companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), David Roe (TN-01) and Mike Levin (CA-49),to the House and named the Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019.

“This legislation will serve veterans who may need similar assistance to that received by Colonel Benne by expanding SAH eligibility qualifications for seriously ill or injured veterans,” said Sen. Moran. “This modernized and expanded grant program will allow veterans to utilize vital SAH grants in a way that best fit their needs – providing greater support and improving the quality of life for many of our nation’s veterans. Thank you to Colonel Benne and his wife, Christine, for their decades of selfless service to our nation and for their advocacy, resiliency and willingness to share their story, which will undoubtedly help many veterans in the future.”

“Many veterans carry wounds from their service that make everyday life more challenging,” said Sen. Sinema.“That is why our bill is so important; it breaks down barriers and helps veterans access the specially adaptive housing benefits they’ve earned.”

Col. (Ret.) Benne received a rating of 100 percent disabled when he retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years due to a medical condition. He applied for a SAH grant to help pay for the costs of making his home wheelchair adaptable. After trying for more than a year to receive a grant through this program he reached out to Sen. Moran’s office for assistance. After three months Sen. Moran’s office was able to help Benne achieve a favorable decision on his claim. The legislation was developed to help other veterans facing the same issues Benne had while navigating the process. At the time Benne said, “Sen. Moran is good about putting veterans first. “This SAH grant has given me the ability to stay at home and my family the ability to better care for me. As my disease continues to change, the ability to change my surroundings will be met with this legislation.”

Currently Blind Veterans do not have access to an SAH grant. This bill will allow them to participate in the grant program. Some technology used to adapt a blind person’s home includes safer cooktops, voice-activated thermostats and for those with poor vision special lighting and window treatments.

The bill will also provide access to SAH grants more times for disabled Veterans. This is needed so that when a Veteran moves to a bigger home to accommodate a growing family or moving due to a new job they will have a grant to help with the cost of adapting the new home such as widening hallways and doorways, adding wheelchair ramps or lowing countertops to accommodate a wheelchair. Also, some modifications need upkeep over time such as replacing a wheelchair ramp.

The urgency of getting bills like this passed for our veterans really hit home when Col. (Ret.) Paul Benne for whom this bill was named died in December 2019 at the age of 54.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Should Bases Named After Confederate Soldiers be Renamed?

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Yes, in my opinion the 10 Army bases named after Confederate Soldiers should be renamed. Our country is going through a lot of turmoil lately and this is a great way to start healing. Nine of the ten bases were established during World War I and World War II and were named after Confederate Soldiers. The 10th was in Virginia, Fort Lee and was named after General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. One way to look at this change would be to follow Army Regulation 1-33, The Administration of the Army Memorial Program which postdates the naming of these bases and review them based on that criteria.

Why?

Why were these bases named after Confederates? It was twofold, an effort for reconciliation between the north and the south and to gain Southern support for the bases which required lots of land. The “Lost Cause” a narrative of the southern gentleman fighting for states rights not slavery was becoming more widespread around the late 19th early 20th century and really peaked with the popularity of “Gone with the Wind” both the book and the movie in the 1930s and 40s. This also contributed.

Who?

The Federal Government with input from local leaders chose Confederate soldiers who were in most cases from the states the base would be established. These are the 10 bases and who they were named after (Wikipedia List of U.S. Army Installations Named After Confederate Soldiers):

What is so egregious about this list is so many were just mediocre soldiers and Maj. Gen John Brown Gordon was the head of the Ku Klux Clan in Georgia. On the other hand, many Confederate officers were graduates of West Point and served honorably for the U.S. before joining the Confederate cause during the Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee had an outstanding career prior to the Civil War and had even served as the Commandant of West Point. Many of these officers are revered and studied during military history. Today we live in a more zero-defect world. When a general falls from grace such as in the Gen. David Petraeus scandal they resign and no one gives a thought to their military heroics. We need to relook the names of these Army bases and follow the criteria set in AR 1-33.

AR 1-33

According to AR 1-33, these is certain criteria that must be met before there can be a permanent memorialization of Army real property in honor of a distinguished deceased individual. This is the criteria:

  • Only deceased individuals will be memorialized
  • Memorializations will honor deceased heroes and other deceased distinguished individuals of all races in our society, and will present them as inspirations to their fellow Soldiers, employees, and other citizens.
  • An installation set up for the use of a specific branch of Service or activity normally will be memorialized for a distinguished member of that branch or Service while serving there.
  • Facilities should be memorialized for individuals with ranks or grades comparable to those of the main users.
  • When possible, facilities will be memorialized for individuals whose careers or actions were important to, and well known in, the locality where memorialized.
  •  Approval authorities who exercise authority under this regulation must establish and consider the advice and recommendations of the memorialization boards.
  • The proponent of the committee will follow all the requirements of AR 15–1 for establishing and continuing the group as a committee. All decisions to memorialize personnel will be made with the understanding that the Army Memorial Program is designed to honor those who served with valor or distinction.

The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) ASA (M&RA) is the approval authority. So, I say convene a memorialization board and reevaluate the 10 bases named after Confederate soldiers. So, my question is should a soldier who deserted the Army or rose up in arms against the United States be considered a hero or distinguished individual? I think not. The Army Memorial Program is supposed to honor those who served with valor or distinction. I can’t imagine how a black Soldier must feel stationed at Fort Gordon and is named after someone who was the head of the Ku Klux Klan. It is time for a change. What do you think?

So Just What is Space Force?

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The U.S. Armed Forces Branch not the Netflix TV Show

The United States Space Force (USSF) is the newest branch of the Armed Forces and was established on December 20, 2019 in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. It is due to be stood-up by June, 2022 (18 months from inception). Space affects almost every area of our daily lives now. Satellites in space are crucial to internet, phone service, and GPS technology. First responders use the technology to communicate and it is important for financial services such as paying with a credit card at a gas pump. This is the first new military branch since the Air Force was established in 1947.

USSF has not decided what service members will be called yet but “Spacers” for lack of a better term are going to be at the forefront of technology. Missions will include launching rockets, protecting satellites and keeping them operational and developing technology to make this happen. Because Space has become so critical to our nation’s infrastructure, it was determined that it needed its own branch of military for its defense.

The USSF’s first task was to establish a fully functioning headquarters at the Pentagon and work with the U.S. Air Force to transfer forces into USSF. Staff from the Air Force Space Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base have become a command element for USSF.

Space Force Facts

  • General Jay Raymond is the first Chief of Space Operations appointed by the president. Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman is the first Senior Enlisted Advisor.
  • Just like the Joint Chiefs, the USSF Headquarters and the Office of the Chief of Space Operations are at the Pentagon.
  • Military and civilian personnel involved in space operations for the Air Force Space Command will comprise the initial personnel for USSF. Other units and personnel for the Air Force will transfer to USSF in the coming months.
  • The Air Force Space Command is now the U.S. Space Force. Currently those who transferred will remain Airmen with the U.S. Air Force. Over the coming months those in space jobs will be transferred to USSF while those in other jobs will just be assigned to USSF.
  • Peterson AFB in Colorado is a critical hub for USSF.
  • The initial force is about 16,000 civilians and military assigned on Dec 20, 2019 from the former Air Force Space Command. Those with desired job skills will have the opportunity to transfer to USSF.

The recent recruiting video makes this statement, “Maybe your purpose on this planet isn’t on this planet.” Pretty thought provoking. Over the next year we will start seeing more specifics on what this branch will be. Of course, everyone wants to know what the uniforms are going to look like. There is currently a design process taking place.

On an interesting note, Netflix premiered “Space Force”, a new comedy series staring  Steve Carell on May, 29. As early as January 2019, Netflix was seeking to trademark the name “Space Force” not only in the U.S. but Europe, Australia, Mexico and more. The U.S. has a pending application to register the trademark. Definitely a potential conflict. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. Having watched a few episodes of the show, it is like a military version of “The Office” the show that made Steve Carell famous. It is pretty funny, but not too complimentary to the branch.

What are your thoughts? Do you think we need a new military branch?

*Information on the Space Force was compiled from the USSF official website.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com