Volume XIII, Issue 2 |
Page 4 |
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Air Force NewsCOL Mike Lee, USAF |
We started the
semester digging out from under a major snowfall and we're digging out
again today! Normally you'd blame it on the AF Weatherman, but they just
whine and pass you on to the Chaplain....but who can complain about any
kind of moisture in Kansas this year!!
Jayhawk AFROTC activities continue to roll by. We started flying refueling missions with the 190th Air Refueling Wing (Kansas Air Guard). Meeting and flying with these professional airmen serves as a good introduction to Operations for our younger cadets and offers them a unique opportunity to see a mix of modern aircraft being refueled. We also joined our sister services in providing the color guard for many of the KU home basketball games. Some of our sharpest cadets volunteer to work this duty, and they'd be glad to shake your hand as you see them at Allen Field House before the game. In mid-February Det 280 Arnold Air Society took Valentine cookies and warm wishes to Vets at the VA Hospital during Valentines for Vets week. Cadets were well received, and they always come back just a little more appreciative of those preceding them in the Profession of |
Arms. We're also flying additional CAP sorties
and getting great support from the people and aircraft in the Civil Air
Patrol. Speaking of flying, our '04 graduates desiring to get rated
(flying) positions upon commissioning will meet national selection boards
next week where they hope to win slots to go on to pilot or navigator
training.
Finally, we sent four cadets to a National Leadership Conference at the Air Force Academy attended by many major Universities across the country. The conference focused on ethics and leadership. We're working hard to establish a leadership award in the name of 2Lt Nathan Buckley, a 2000 Distinguished Graduate from KU AFROTC killed in the crash of an AF Special Operations aircraft last summer. An endowment fund has been established at the University in Nathan's name. We appreciate the support of the Jayhawk Chapter of MOAA. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Joint Commissioning Ceremonies at KU on 19 May Col. Mike Lee
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MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES |
1. President Signs Defense Authorization Act
The FY2003 Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 107-314) was signed
into law on December 2, 2002. Among other things, the Act substantially
eliminates the disability offset to retired pay for certain retirees with
at least 20 years of active duty and (a) any disability rating that is
associated with a Purple Heart or (b) a disability rating of 60% or higher
that is due to a combat-related or operations-related disability. Eligible
retirees will have to apply for this new compensation. The effective date
of the new special compensation will be June 1, 2003. Special DFAS notes 2. VA Reports Progress In Claims Backlog Battle After years of battling a rising backlog of applications from veterans
and survivors seeking financial benefits, the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) is reversing the trend. Since the beginning of this year, the
steady decrease of claims in the pipeline has reduced the backlog of
ratings actions by 21 percent. |
3. VHA Directive Reissues Eligibility Requirements For
Nursing Home Care
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reissued the eligibility requirements for nursing home care, and clarified Nursing Home Care eligibility and the definition of 70 percent service-connected (SC) disability rating. Public Law 106-117, The Veterans' Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act, amended the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) statutory authority for providing nursing home care to eligible veterans. That law requires that: a. VHA provide nursing home care to any veteran in need of such care for a SC disability. b. VHA provides nursing home care to any veteran who is in need of such
care and who has a combined SC disability rating of 70 percent or more, is
seeking nursing home care for a SC condition, or is rated 60 percent SC
and unemployable or is rated 60 percent SC and Permanent and Total
Disabled (P&T). |
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