Message Board

Introductions

mtalleda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:34:48 GMT

Hello and welcome again to the 9-11 HelpAmerica Message Board.

I would like to invite all members to share a little bit about themselves and their involvement with the 9-11 HelpAmerica Foundation by answering the questions below.

Who you are?

Why you're involved?

Forum: Moderators Forum

3rd Annual Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament

mtalleda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:24:50 GMT

We need sponsors and donations to our silent auction. Spread the word!

Forum: Moderators Forum

3rd Annual Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament

Chris — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:18:11 GMT

We need sponsors and donations to our silent auction. Spread the word!

Forum: Upcoming Events

2009 Events Schedule

FidelGonzales — Thur, 30 Oct 2008 21:00:25 GMT

Is there a listing for 2009 events in the works?

Thank you.

Forum: Upcoming Events

Article: Brain Damage Plagues Thousands of GIs

GoldStarWife — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:35:33 GMT

Brain Damage Plagues Thousands of GIs

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE,

Posted: 2007-09-10 06:58:55

Filed Under: Health News, Iraq News, World News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 9) - The war in Iraq is not over, but one legacy is already here in this city and others across America: a "silent epidemic" of brain-damaged soldiers.

Photo Gallery: Silent Epidemic

Mark Humphrey, AP

Bryan Malone, a 22-year-old Army specialist, and thousands of other soldiers have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, or TBI, which doctors say is different than injuries they have seen before.

1 of 8

Thousands of troops have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, or TBI. These blast-caused head injuries are so different from the ones doctors are used to seeing from falls and car crashes that treating them is as much faith as it is science.

"I've been in the field for 20-plus years dealing with TBI. I have a very experienced staff. And they're saying to me, 'We're seeing things we've never seen before,"' said Sandy Schneider, director of Vanderbilt University's brain injury rehabilitation program.

Doctors also are realizing that symptoms overlap with post-traumatic stress disorder, and that both must be treated. Odd as it may seem, brain injury can protect against PTSD by blurring awareness of what happened.

But as memory improves, emotional problems can emerge: One of the first "graduates" of Vanderbilt's program committed suicide three weeks later.

"Of all the ones here, he would not have been the one we would have thought," Schneider said. "They called him the Michelangelo of Fort Campbell" - a guy who planned to go to art school.

As more troops return from the war, brain injuries are a growing burden - for them, for the few programs to treat them, and for taxpayers who pay for their care and disability if they cannot hold jobs.

Most TBIs are mild, and most of these patients recover within a year. But one-fifth of the troops with these mild injuries will have prolonged or lifelong symptoms and need continuing care, the military estimates. Nearly all of the moderate and severe ones will, too.

Though the full number of those suffering from TBI is still unknown, the problem is straining the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Until now, "they were dealing with a cohort of aging veterans with diabetes, heart disease, lung disease," said Dr. Jeffrey Drazen, editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine and a VA adviser.

Now, these young, brain-injured troops need highly specialized care, and how much it will help long-term is unknown, he said.

People with TBI have frequent headaches, dizziness, and trouble concentrating and sleeping. They may be depressed, irritable and confused, and easily provoked or distracted. Speech or vision also can be impaired.

Some sufferers have been misdiagnosed with personality disorders. Others have lost jobs because of unrecognized and untreated symptoms.

"It's the so-called invisible injury. It's where a troop takes 10 times the normal time to pack his rucksack ... a complicated injury to the most complicated part of the body," said Dr. Alisa Gean, a neurosurgeon at the University of California, San Francisco.

Diagnosing it is imprecise - damage rarely shows up on CAT scans or other tests.

Treating it is even more difficult. Lacking a cure, doctors focus on symptoms - headaches, anxiety, vision problems, etc. But they lack good treatments for some of these, too, and are considering some experimental approaches being pushed by private companies with little proof they work.

Many troops get no care at all. Some are sent back to fight with their brain injuries undetected, especially if they had no obvious wounds.

What happened to Eric O'Brien and Bryan Malone shows the scope of this problem.

O'Brien, a 32-year-old Army staff sergeant from Iowa's Quad Cities, was teasing Malone, 22, a specialist from Haughton, La., in a Baghdad gym last summer.

"I told him and his workout partner: 'Put some more weight on it,"' prompting the men to get up. Seconds later, a rocket hit where they had sat. They survived, but a pressure wave from the blast coursed through their brains.

"I patted myself down head to toe, making sure I wasn't missing a limb," and felt odd, like "I must be missing a chunk of my head,"' O'Brien said. He remembers little else except walking through debris to pick up his iPod and sunglasses.

As for Malone, an air conditioning vent had fallen on his head and he had shrapnel wounds. He had multiple surgeries, spent several months in Walter Reed Army Medical Center and now has titanium mesh reinforcing his skull.

O'Brien, however, had shrapnel removed from his scalp and then was sent back to his unit - "no antibiotics, no pain medication or anything. They just sent me on my way."

When he later complained of pain, doctors gave him Motrin. When he discovered a trickle of blood from his hip, they said he would be fine. Six weeks later, when he could barely walk, tests revealed shrapnel in his hip. By then, he was having headaches and trouble sleeping.

O'Brien had been through multiple previous explosions - troops average one a month, a study found - and each raises the risk that the next one will do harm. Soldiers and Marines are proud and reluctant to go "off mission" just because "they get their bell rung," said Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, a top Defense Department physician.

"Most of the treatment is explaining the situation and giving the tincture of time - giving it time to heal," he said. If no big symptoms appear in eight to 12 hours, "they're probably ready to go back."

Officers also face pressure to return troops to duty, said Jordan Grafman, a neuroscientist who studies TBI at the National Institutes of Health.

"People don't want to lose these guys from their command - they can't replace them fast enough," he said.

During a surprise visit to Iraq with President Bush on Labor Day, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the military was "much smarter about this now," and urged troops to watch for signs of TBI and post-traumatic stress.

"They are every bit as much battle injuries as is a bullet or shrapnel. It is OK, it is OK to seek help for those kinds of war wounds, and I ask you all to help your buddies understand what you see in them," he said.

But that was long after O'Brien was hurt. His TBI was not diagnosed for months, until his hip injury landed him back at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. By then, the Army needed help treating TBI and was contracting with private rehab centers like Schneider's at Vanderbilt.

Malone and O'Brien had become friends, helping each other cope with wounds.

"They were sent to us together," Schneider said.

"I'll need to get milk and bread and eggs. Milk and bread and eggs. Next thing you know, I drive right by Wal-Mart," O'Brien said.

"I can vaguely tell you what we talked about at the beginning of this conversation," Malone said.

Memory trouble is a common sign of TBI. It isn't like Alzheimer's disease, where people are so disconnected from reality that they forget things like how a key works or where they live. It isn't like amnesia, where a chunk of the past is missing.

"I don't have any problem remembering the past. I have trouble with now," O'Brien said.

Multiple or complex tasks confound and irritate people with TBI. Therapists challenge them through exercises, like a computer game where they run a hot dog stand and must manage inventory, set prices, do banking and anticipate demand according to the weather.

Other therapy focuses on life skills like following directions while paying attention to something else.

"I counted three trash cans," O'Brien announced after a scouting mission to find landmarks using a map and tally cans along the way.

"I counted five," said therapist Jenny Owens.

Improving these skills is key to living a normal life, especially driving.

"Most of them don't drive. A van brings them down. They were hitting mailboxes, they'd get lost. We draw them maps and they forget when they're supposed to be here," Schneider said.

The Army gives some injured soldiers Palm Pilots - handheld computers to help manage their lives.

"It costs them more for us to miss two appointments than to give us one of these," O'Brien explained.

But devices and mental exercises do only so much. Troops must be able to use information and reason, but TBI keeps many from being aware of their gaps.

"They don't realize their judgment is impaired," said Vanderbilt neuropsychologist Elizabeth Fenimore.

The training that helped them in combat situations is hurting them now.

"These guys are taught to be alert all the time," so they sleep poorly, Schneider said.

"Their nervous system becomes acclimated to being constantly on alert - fight or flight," Fenimore said.

Malone knows it well.

"I worry about every little thing - people breaking into my house, loud booms ... I'm jumpy," he said.

"I'm going to Afghanistan next year," said O'Brien, determined to stay in the Army and support his two daughters, who live with his ex-wife in Texas.

"I'm trying," added Malone. "They're telling me they don't think my brain can take it. I think, 'Why don't you let me decide?"'

Doctors don't know whether either will return. But after all they've been through, if one does and the other does not, "it's going to be tough," Malone said. "It's going to be tough for whichever one stays back."

Associated Press writer Christine Simmons in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-09-09 17:20:57

Forum: Resources for our Wounded

Sentinels of Freedom Organization

GoldStarWife — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:12:21 GMT

I just learned of this organization and I met Joey and his wife earlier today. Joey is the Sentinels of Freedom Ambassador.

http://www.sentinelsoffreedom.org

Forum: Resources for our Wounded

Legislation

GoldStarWife — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:18:13 GMT

Administration Proposed Legislation = A Promise Made IS NOT A Promise Kept

Apparently "A Promise Made IS NOT A Promise Kept!"	Take Action!
Oppose the President's Plan to Replace VA Disability with Social Security

Please send the following message to the President Bush, V Pres Cheney, your two Senators and one Representative -- What happened to President Bushs promise to the military and our veterans of A promise made is a promise kept? As a 100% combat disabled veteran, I am very much concerned about the Bush Administrations preparation of new legislation to be incorporated into the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act that would establish a separate and, under most circumstances, a more generous disability package for service members disabled in war or while training for war. Under the plan, as recommended by the Presidents Commission on Care of Americas Returning Wounded Warriors, a.k.a.Dole-Shalala commission, those service members found unfit for duty due to combat related disabilities would be medically retired by the DoD based on 2.5% per year served multiplied by base pay. The VA would provide disability compensation without offset for receipt of retired pay. Such members would qualify for lifetime access TRICARE. On the other hand, those determined unfit for military service due to non-combat related injuries would be inequitably treated under the current patchwork system of title 10 US Code Chapter 61where percentage awards are based only on the disqualifying disability and with military retirement pay offset by VA compensation. Those rated below 30% disability would be separated with severance pay in lieu of retirement pay and would not qualify for TRICARE. However, there is a new wrinkle: The President proposes that when disabled service members reach age 65, that the VA disability compensation will be terminated and the service member will draw the reduced Social Security Benefit. This proposal has two major flaws -- 1. Unless something is done very soon, because of decades of bad accounting practices, the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to go bankrupt in 30 years. What does the President plan do about the Social Security crisis? The Presidents plan transfers the disabled veteran to a rapidly sinking ship without a life jacket. FIX SOCIAL SECURITY FIRST! 2. What of the disabled service member who has less than 10 years Social Security earnings? As I recall, those with less than 10 years earning receive NO BENEFIT! There are already laws in place that reduce the Social Security Benefits for having less than 30 years of Social Security Earnings The Windfall Elimination Provision is one of these laws. The Presidents proposal runs counter to the already published findings of the Dole-Shalala commission, and to the preliminary findings of the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission, both recommend more consistent and equitable treatment of service members disabled in the service of our great country. Therefore, I urge you to oppose any reduction of disability compensation now paid to disabled service members. I urge you to vote against any inclusion of such legislation into the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. I urge you to enjoin your colleagues to do the same. Please advise me of your intentions.

Forum: Resources for our Wounded

Many states providing cash, tax breaks and tuition help to soldiers and their families

GoldStarWife — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:07:24 GMT

Many states providing cash, tax breaks and tuition help to soldiers and their families

By Tim Martin

ASSOCIATED PRESS

5:49 a.m. August 25, 2007

LANSING, Mich. When Michelle Engel returned from a trip to Florida to help her sick mother, she found a leaking hot water heater in her home that had damaged drywall, carpeting and floorboards.

Her husband, John, and son, Michael, could not help they were both stationed in Iraq with the Michigan National Guard. Another son, Joshua, was also unavailable. He was stationed with the Air Force in Japan.

But Engel did not have to deal with her damaged home in Reading entirely on her own. A fund set up in Michigan to help the families of National Guard and military reserve troops gave her $1,700 to help with repairs.

Michigan is among more than 20 states that give military personnel and their families income tax breaks, college tuition help and emergency financial assistance as volunteer forces and National Guard troops are increasingly relied upon. Most of the programs have been established since the National Guard began playing a larger role in Afghanistan and Iraq after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Many states offer some sort of educational assistance to National Guard children or spouses, most often when the enlisted family member is killed or disabled. Several states have broadened the programs to include branches of the U.S. military.

Families tighten their belts and make adjustments, said Engel, who welcomed her husband and son home from Iraq recently. But we all have needs, especially when the heads of households are deployed.

In New Jersey, officials are considering providing home health care aides to disabled and elderly veterans. Wisconsin allows soldiers called to active duty to cancel cell phone contracts with no penalties.

In Michigan, one lawmaker has proposed that active duty military personnel get free admission to state parks, while another wants a deer hunting season specifically for disabled veterans.

States are recognizing soldiers often need emotional and economic help as they return to civilian life. They are working to add programs, but also say they must do more to promote the ones they already have and add staff or training to make them more accessible to military personnel and their families.

Rena Guttrich's son Bruce is a medic who has served in Iraq and now is stationed at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington.

So many men and women are coming back home with issues to deal with, she said. Managing the money, managing the stress is a challenge.

Guttrich leads the West Michigan Military Family Support Group, one of hundreds around the country offering parents, spouses and friends a chance to network on troop-related issues.

Some reservist and National Guard families lose a large chunk of their income when a military member has to give up a civilian job for active duty. Lawmakers hope that improved benefits will help recruitment and retention efforts.

In 2004, Michigan set up an income tax checkoff program to allow residents to donate to a military family relief fund. The fund provides up to $2,000 a year for families with members called to active duty for the military reserves or National Guard. The cash can be used for housing, health care, food, clothing, car payments or other necessities.

More than $2 million has been raised through the checkoff, according to the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency. Veterans and military groups support a bill that would extend the program past the end of this year, when it's scheduled to expire.

Indiana earlier this year joined a growing list of states that give income tax breaks to active duty personnel, raising the maximum allowable income tax deduction for military pay from $2,000 to $5,000.

In 2005, New Mexico became the first state to start paying the life insurance premiums of its National Guard troops. The $250,000 policies would cost a National Guard member about $200 a year, but the state covers the cost through an insurance company contracted by the federal government.

Michigan lawmakers are considering requiring employers to provide up to 10 paid days of bereavement leave for people whose family members are killed during military service. Despite some concerns about the potential costs to small businesses, the bills appear to be gaining support.

It's all part of states adjusting their laws to fit a military that has become virtually all volunteer, as opposed to a few decades ago when forces were drafted, said state Rep. John Garfield, a Republican from Rochester Hills in southeast Michigan and a Vietnam veteran.

We have to do what we can to provide some sense of security when they feel like everything in their lives is being controlled by somebody else, said state Rep. Terry Brown, a Democrat representing Michigan's upper Thumb region. You need to know that next paycheck is still coming.

Forum: Resources for our Surviving Families

Many states providing cash, tax breaks and tuition help to soldiers and their families

GoldStarWife — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:06:06 GMT

Many states providing cash, tax breaks and tuition help to soldiers and their families

By Tim Martin

ASSOCIATED PRESS

5:49 a.m. August 25, 2007

LANSING, Mich. When Michelle Engel returned from a trip to Florida to help her sick mother, she found a leaking hot water heater in her home that had damaged drywall, carpeting and floorboards.

Families tighten their belts and make adjustments, said Engel, who welcomed her husband and son home from Iraq recently. But we all have needs, especially when the heads of households are deployed.

In Michigan, one lawmaker has proposed that active duty military personnel get free admission to state parks, while another wants a deer hunting season specifically for disabled veterans.

Rena Guttrich's son Bruce is a medic who has served in Iraq and now is stationed at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington.

So many men and women are coming back home with issues to deal with, she said. Managing the money, managing the stress is a challenge.

Guttrich leads the West Michigan Military Family Support Group, one of hundreds around the country offering parents, spouses and friends a chance to network on troop-related issues.

Forum: Resources for our Wounded

Imminent Danger Pay for Wounded Warriors

mtalleda — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 19:17:17 GMT

Imminent Danger Pay (HFIDP) for Wounded Warriors

Military members who served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area (QHDA) and are hospitalized or re-hospitalized for more than 24 hours as a direct result of an injury sustained during service may be entitled to Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, or CZTE.

CZTE allows military members to exclude all or a portion of pay and entitlements earned while serving in designated combat areas from tax liabilities.

Qualification for CZTE in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area (QHDA) is authorized for each month during which the service member is hospitalized or re-hospitalized for more than 24 hours as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone or QHDA. The service member must meet the qualifying criteria for all or a portion of a month in order to claim CZTE for that month.

CZTE qualification extends up to two (2) years after the date of termination of activities in the CZTE/QHDA area if the service member is still hospitalized. The amount of tax exemption remains the same maximum per month for 2006 is $6724.50. Although most soldiers will not exceed this amount, some field grade officers might.

Members who have any questions about CZTE or think they may qualify to receive CZTE should contact their local finance office.

PAAN 06-05 AND RPAAN 06-05

2005.01.26

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR MEMBERS HOSPITALIZED OR REHOSPITALIZED AS A RESULT OF A WOUND OR INJURY INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A COMBAT ACTION.

RAAUZYUW RUDIDFF1500 0211500-UUUU--RHMCSUU. ZNR UUUUU R 211500Z JAN 05 ZYB FM DFAS KANSAS CITY MO//PMMP// TO AIG 4571 AIG 4572 AIG 4573 AIG 4574 INFO CMC WASHINGTON DC// DFAS HQ ARLINGTON VA//CE// BT UNCLAS FOR CDMR'S, FO'S, MISSO'S, MCAAT'S, DIR FIN MGT SCOL AND PERS ADMIN SCOL. FOR CMC WASHINGTON DC PASS TO RFF/MI/MPO-40/MR// MSGID/GENADMIN/DFAS-KC// SUBJ/ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR MEMBERS HOSPITALIZED OR REHOSPITALIZED AS A RESULT OF A WOUND OR INJURY INCURRED AS A  RESULT OF A COMBAT ACTION.// REF/A/DOC/DODFMR VOL 7A, CHAPTER 10// REF/B/DOC/DODFMR VOL 7A, CHAPTER 17// REF/C/DOC/DODFMR VOL 7A, CHAPTER 44// POC/DFAS-PMMP/KC/TELSN 465-5278/TEL:COMM (816)926-5278// RMKS/

1. THIS MSG IS LABELED PAAN 06-05 AND RPAAN 06-05 FOR ID PURPOSES. 

2. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO INFORM THE FINANCE AND  ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNITY OF A MARINE'S ENTITLEMENTS (HFP/IDP, HDPL, CZTE, AND DEPLOYED PER DIEM) WHEN HOSPITALIZED OR REHOSPITALIZED  AS A RESULT OF A COMBAT RELATED INJURY/WOUND. 

3. HFP/IDP. ADMIN OFFICERS ARE REMINDED THAT PER CHPTR 10 OF REF A,  A MEMBER ENTITLED TO HFP/IDP WHO IS HOSPITALIZED FOR A WOUND OR INJURY INCURRED AS A RESULT OF HOSTILE ACTION IS TO REMAIN  ENTITLED TO HFP/IDP FOR EACH MONTH MEMBER IS HOSPITALIZED UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 3 MONTHS AFTER THE MONTH IN WHICH THE WOUND OR INJURY OCCURRED. EX: SNM IS WOUNDED AS A RESULT OF COMBAT ON NOV 08 2004 AND IS  MEDIVACED TO LANSTUHL GERMANY FOR TREATMENT. SNM IS MEDIVACED ON  NOV 10 2004 AND ARRIVES IN LANSTUL ON NOV 10 2004. SNM REMAINS IN  LANSTUHL UNTIL HE IS MEDIVACED TO BETHESDA, MD FOR FURTHER TREATMENT.  SNM IS RELEASED FROM BETHESDA ON MAR 05 2005. SNM'S ENTITLEMENT TO  HFP/IDP WOULD TERMINATE ON FEB 28 2005. SNM WOULD NOT BE ENTITLED  TO HFP/IDP FOR THE MONTH OF MAR BECAUSE THE LAST MONTH OF  ENTITLEMENT IS FEB PER THE ADDITIONAL 3 MONTH RULE. 

4. HDP-L. TABLE 17-1, RULE 2 OF REF B, WHEN AN ENLISTED MEMBER OR OFFICER IS ASSIGNED TO PERMANENT DUTY IN A LOCATION DESIGNATED HARDSHIP DUTY AREA AND LEAVES THE DESIGNATED AREA PERMANENTLY THEN HDP FOR THE DESIGNATED AREA CONTINUES THROUGH DAY OF DEPARTURE (NOTE 4). NOTE 4 STATES RULE 2 APPLIES WHEN A MEDICAL EVACUEE HAS  BEEN REASSIGNED ON PCS FROM THE DESIGNATED AREA FOR MEDICAL  TREATMENT.  EX: SAME AS ABOVE. SNM'S ENTITLEMENT TO HDP-L WOULD TERMINATE  NOV 10 2004 (DATE OF DEPARTURE FROM DESIGNATED AREA). 

5. DEPLOYED PER DIEM. ENTITLEMENT TO DEPLOYED PER DIEM WOULD  TERMINATE UPON THE MARINE'S DATE OF DEPARTURE FROM THE JTF AOR.  EX: SAME AS ABOVE. SNM'S ENTITLEMENT TO DEPLOYED PERDIEM WOULD TERMINATE ON NOV 10, 2004.  

6. CZTE. PER REF C, MILITARY MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO COMBAT ZONE TAX EXCLUSION FOR ANY MONTH DURING ANY PART IN WHICH THE MEMBER IS HOSPITALIZED OR REHOSPITALIZED ANY PLACE AS A RESULT OF WOUNDS,  DISEASE, OR INJURY INCURRED WHILE SERVING IN A COMBAT ZONE. A  MBR IS CONSIDERED AS HOSPITALIZED OR REHOSPITALIZED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS STATUS AS A HOSPITAL PATIENT CEASES BY REASON OF DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL. THIS TAX EXEMPTION WILL NOT APPLY TO ANY MONTHS  BEGINNING MORE THAN 2 YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF THE TERMINATION OF  ACTIVITIES IN THE COMBAT ZONE. EX 1: SAME AS ABOVE. SNM'S CZTE STATUS WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE  MONTH OF MAR 2005.  EX 2: SNM IS WOUNDED AS A RESULT OF COMBAT ON NOV 08 2004 AND IS  MEDIVACED TO LANSTUHL GERMANY FOR TREATMENT. SNM IS LATER MEDIVACED TO BETHESDA, MD FOR FURTHER TREATMENT ON DEC 12 2004. MEMBER  REMAINS AT BETHESDA UNTIL HIS RELEASE FROM THE HOSPITAL ON JUN 05, 2005. SNM IS REHOSPITALIZED, AS AN INPATIENT, ON SEP 10, 2005 AND  RELEASED ON OCT 1, 2005 AS A RESULT OF THE COMBAT RELATED INJURY. THE MEMBERS ENTITLEMENT TO CZTE WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL HIS/HER  RELEASE FROM THE HOSP IN JUN 2005 AND SNM WOULD AGAIN BE ENTITLED  TO CZTE FOR THE MONTHS OF SEP AND OCT 2005. 

7. ADMINISTRATORS ARE REMINDED THAT THESE ENTITLEMENTS ARE BY-LAW  AND THAT THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR THE HOSPITALIZED MEMBER TO  REQUEST PAYMENT. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT WHEN A HOSPITALIZED MEMBER IS TRANSFERRED THAT THE JOINING COMMAND CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF  THE MEMBER'S PAY AND ALLOWANCES TO INSURE MEMBER IS IN RECEIPT OF  CORRECT ENTITLEMENTS. 7. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN COORDINATED WITH HQMC(RFF/MIO/MPO/MRC).// BT #1500 NNNN

RIRP - Helping reservists fill the pay gap

The Reserve Income Replacement Program (RIRP), part of the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizes the Secretary of Defense to pay income replacement to eligible involuntarily mobilized members of the reserve component.

It is hoped this program will reduce the financial stress placed on the family when a reserve member is called to active duty causing a reduction in the monthly household earnings.

The program will pay eligible members an amount equal to the difference in pay between their military pay and their civilian employment pay if greater than $50.00.

Reserve members with private sector income that exceeds their active duty income would be eligible for the income replacement payment for:

1) Any full month following the date that the member completes 18 continuous months of service on active duty;

2) OR 24 months on active duty during the previous 60 months;

3) OR for any month during a mobilization that occurs within 6 months of the member's last active duty tour.

Payments would be limited to a minimum of $50 each month and a maximum of $3,000 each month. This authority will end in December 2008.

PAAN 53-06 AND RPAAN 49-06

2006.08.28

RESERVE INCOME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (RIRP)

RAAUZYUW RUDIDFF1500 1541405-UUUU--RHMCSUU.

ZNR UUUUU

R 281500Z AUG ZYB

FM DFAS CENTER KANSAS CITY MO

TO AIG 4571

AIG 4572

AIG 4573

AIG 4574

INFO CMC WASHINGTON DC//RFF/MI/MPO-40/MI//

DFAS HQ ARLINGTON VA//CE//

UNCLASS FOR CMDR'S, DO'S, FO'S, MCAAT'S, DIR FIN MGT SCOL AND PERS

ADMIN SCOL//

MSGID/GENADMIN/DFAS-PMMP/KC//

SUBJ/RESERVE INCOME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (RIRP)//

REF/A/PUBLIC LAW 109-163, SECTION 614//

REF/B/TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, (U.S.C.) SECTION 910//

REF/C/MARADMIN 405/06, DTD AUG 25, 2006//

POC/DFAS-KC/PMMP/TEL: DSN 465-5278/TEL: (816) 926-5278//

RMKS/

1. THIS MESSAGE IS LABELED PAAN 53-06 AND RPAAN 49-06 FOR ID

PURPOSES.

2. THE FY06 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA) DIRECTS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESERVE INCOME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (RIRP). THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE WHO ARE INVOLUNTARILY SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY, AND ARE EXPERIENCING A MONTHLY ACTIVE DUTY INCOME

NEGATIVE DIFFERENTIAL OF MORE THAN $50.00 AS DETERMINED BY THE MEMBER'S SERVICE SECRETARY.

3. REFERENCE (C), MARADMIN 405-06 WILL PROVIDE POLICY, DEFINITIONS, ELIGIBILITY AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION. PAAN PROVIDES PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE FOR THE ADMIN OFFICE AND THIS OFFICE.

4. PROCEDURES:

A. MEMBER

(1) RESERVE COMPONENT MEMBERS WILL COMPLETE THE DD FORM 2919 (INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH FORM) WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE UNIT ADMINISTRATORS DURING ACTIVATION, AND MUST PROVIDE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR INCOME REPLACEMENT TO THEIR SUPPORTING PERSONNEL OFFICE TO VERIFY ELIGIBILITY FOR INCOME REPLACEMENT. DOCUMENTATION SHALL INCLUDE:

(A) A COPY OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN (IRS FORM 1040,

ALL APPLICABLE W-2 FORMS, AND ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE FORMS OR DOCUMENTS). MEMBERS DESIRING TO BASE THEIR AVERAGE MONTHLY CIVILIAN INCOME (AMCI) ON THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS SHALL SUBMIT MONTHLY LEAVE AND EARNINGS STATEMENTS (LES) PROVIDED BY HER/HIS EMPLOYER FOR THE MOST RECENT 12 MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE MEMBER'S CURRENT MOBILIZATION IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUS INCOME TAX RETURN. UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND RESERVE DRILL

PAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MEMBER'S TOTAL AMCI.

(B) SELF-EMPLOYED MEMBERS SHALL SUBMIT A COPY OF THE MOST

RECENT FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN (IRS FORM 1040 AND SCHEDULE SE - FORM 1040).

(C) MARRIED MEMBERS FILING JOINTLY, SHALL PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THE PORTION OF INCOME CONTRIBUTED BY THE SPOUSE'S EMPLOYMENT. THIS AMOUNT SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE MEMBER'S

AVERAGE MONTHLY CIVILIAN INCOME (ACMI).

(2) MEMBERS SHALL PROMPTLY REPORT ANY CHANGES TO THEIR AVERAGE MONTHLY CIVILIAN INCOME (AMCI) THAT AFFECTS HIS RIRP ELIGIBILITY TO HIS PERSONNEL OFFICE. THIS INCLUDES CHANGES IN FEDERAL WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCES OR ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS THAT AFFECT THE TAX ADVANTAGE ATTRIBUTED TO BAH AND BAS.

(3) TO VERIFY POSSIBLE ELIGIBILITY, RESERVE MEMBERS

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THEIR UNIT ADMINISTRATORS MUST FILL OUT CALCULATOR AT http://www.DEFENSELINK.MIL. THE CALCULATOR WILL ASSIST IN DETERMINING MEMBER ELIGIBILITY. IF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESERVIST'S ESTIMATED TOTAL MILITARY MONTHLY COMPENSATION (TMMC) AND HIS/HER AVERAGE CIVILIAN MONTHLY INCOME IS GREATER

THAN $50, THEN THE MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR RIRP. THE MONTHLY

AMOUNT PAID TO ANY MEMBER MUST BE MORE THAN $50.00 BUT SHALL NOT EXCEED $3,000.00 A MONTH.

(B) ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. ASSIST THE RESERVIST WITH FILLING

OUT DD FORM 2919. VERIFY THE MEMBER'S ELIGIBILITY FOR RIRP PER REF C, PARA 4 AND CERTIFY THE DD FORM 2919. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS ARE PECUNIARY LIABLE PER THE DODFMR, VOLUME 5, CHAPTER 33 FOR ENSURING THE PROPRIETY OF THE MEMBERS RIRP. AFTER CERTIFYING THE DD FORM 2919, SUBMIT THE FORM AND A COPY OF THE MEMBERS ORDERS TO THE MOBCOM FINANCE OFFICE, DSSN 6167, VIA DTMS FOR PAYMENT. CHANGES TO FAMILY COMPOSITION, AMCI, OR ELIGIBILITY REQUIRE RESUBMISSION OF A NEW DD FORM 2919 TO THE MOBCOM FINANCE OFFICER VIA DTMS PRIOR TO THE EOM U&E FOR THE MONTH

AFFECTED BY THE CHANGE TO PREVENT MISPAYMENTS. ADDITIONALLY CHANGES TO THE MEMBERS PERIOD OF DUTY REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF A MODIFICATION TO THE MEMBERS ORDERS TO THE MOBCOM FINANCE OFFICER.

(C) MOBCOM FINANCE OFFICER (DSSN 6167). RIRP ELIGIBILITY IS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2006. PAYMENTS SHALL ONLY BE MADE FOR FULL CALENDAR MONTHS BEGINNING ON OR AFTER 1 AUGUST, 2006 AND TERMINATING ON 31 DECEMBER, 2008. NO PAYMENTS ARE AUTHORIZED FOR PARTIAL MONTHS (EXAMPLE: 20060801 - 20060815). UPON RECEIPT OF THE DD FORM 2919 AND COPY OF THE MEMBERS ORDERS ESTABLISH A RETAIN FILE TO SUPPORT AND TRACK PAYMENTS MADE. RETAIN FILE SHOULD INCLUDE

DD FORM 2919, COPY OF ORDERS, LES USED TO COMPUTE PAYMENT AND A LEDGER OF PAYMENTS. ON A MONTHLY BASIS, AFTER THE END OF MONTH U&E, CALCULATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MEMBERS AMCI AND THE MEMBERS TMMC USING THE MEMBERS MONTHLY LES AS THE SOURCE DOCUMENT FOR PAYMENT. AFTER COMPUTING THE MEMBERS RIRP CREDIT THE MEMBERS ACTIVE DUTY PAY ACCOUNT VIA MISCELLANEOUS CREDIT (TTC 694/000), THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MEMBERS AMCI

AND THE MEMBER'S TMMC BASED ON THE PAYMENT ELIGIBILITY PERIOD IN BLOCK 9 OF DD FORM 2919. THE MOBCOM FO MUST INITIATE PAYMENT PRIOR TO THE FIRST OF MONTH U&E FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH. PAYMENT WILL NOT BE MADE BEYOND THE END OF THE MEMBERS PERIOD IF DUTY AS INDICATED IN THE ORDERS WITHOUT A MODIFICATION TO THE ORDERS.

D. RETROACTIVE COMPUTATIONS. IN CASES WHERE THE MOBCOM FINANCE OFFICE MUST RECOMPUTE PRIOR PERIODS OF ENTITLEMENT DUE TO THE RETROACTIVE CHANGES IN THE MEMBERS ELIGIBILITY THEY WILL MAKE THE APPROPRIATE CREDIT OR CHECKAGE . RETROACTIVE ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE VIA MISCELLANEOUS CREDIT (TTC 694/004) OR CHECKAGE

(TTC 693/003). USE TAX CODE OF 1 (FITW AND SITW) FOR CREDITS

AND CHECKAGES. RIRP PAYMENTS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CZTE PER TITLE 26, USC 112 NOR FICA AND MEDICARE TAXES PER TITLE 42, USC 409(D). ON A MONTHLY BASIS, THE FO WILL CALCULATE THE INCOME DIFFERENTIALS AND SUBMIT CREDIT/CHECKAGE AS APPROPRIATE. THE FOLLOWING FIVE DIGIT NUMERIC PAY CODES ARE TO BE USED.

17000 REGULAR OFFICER

27000 REGULAR ENLISTED

5. THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN COORDINATED WITH CMC (M&RA), OASD/RA(M&P),

USMC/MOBCOM/MCDOSS.//

#1500

NNNN

CIP

CIP applies to marines who are in patients or out patients receiving extensive care (e.g. a patient at Palo Alto billeted at the Menlo Park facility) until the time that they receive payment of T-SGLI.

Date signed:

04/17/2006

COMBAT-RELATED INJURY REHABILITATION PAY (CIP)

Subject:

R 170001Z APR 06

FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)

TO AL MARADMIN(UC)

UNCLASSIFIED//

MARADMIN 175/06

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM MP//

SUBJ/COMBAT-RELATED INJURY REHABILITATION PAY (CIP)//

REF/A/MSGIDOC/-/YMD:20060323//

NARR/REF A IS DOD POLICY ON CIP//

POC/P. R. BONINCONTRI/CAPT/MPO-40/-/TEL:COM 703-784-9386

/TELSN 278-9386//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. PURPOSE. TO ANNOUNCE THE POLICY FOR PAYMENT OF CIP FOR MARINES WHO, WHILE SERVING IN THE LINE OF DUTY, INCUR A WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS IN A COMBAT OPERATION OR COMBAT ZONE AND

ARE EVACUATED FROM THE THEATER OF THE COMBAT OPERATION OR FROM THE COMBAT ZONE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. FOR THIS PURPOSE, SUCH WOUNDS, INJURIES OR ILLNESSES ARE LIMITED TO THOSE INCURRED IN THE LINE OF

DUTY IN A GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION THAT QUALIFIES A MARINE FOR THE COMBAT ZONE TAX EXCLUSION (CZTE) OR, IF NOT INCURRED IN SUCH A LOCATION, THEN INCURRED WHILE THE MARINE WAS DEPLOYED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ON ORDERS IN SUPPORT OF EITHER OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM OR OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. SUCH INCURRED WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE "LINE OF DUTY" UNLESS IT WAS THE RESULT OF THE MARINE'S OWN INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT OR WILLFUL NEGLIGENCE, OR IF IT OCCURRED DURING A PERIOD OF UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE. TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CIP, A MEMBER MUST

REMAIN IN AN INPATIENT STATUS, OR BE RECEIVING EXTENSIVE OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION OR OTHER MEDICAL CARE IN A MILITARY TREATMENT

\ FACILITY WHILE A RESIDENT IN QUARTERS AFFILIATED WITH THE MILITARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. ONCE A MEMBER IS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL FROM THEIR INITIAL ADMITTANCE, AND IS NOT RECEIVING EXTENSIVE

OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION, CIP IS STOPPED. ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS OF CIP ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR MARINES WHO ARE RE-HOSPITALIZED. MARINES OR THEIR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ARE DIRECTED TO CONTACT THEIR

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN APPLING FOR THIS BENEFIT IF NOT AUTOMATICALLY PAID.

2. GUIDANCE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PAYMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:

A. CIP IS EQUAL TO $430 PER MONTH MINUS HOSTILE FIRE/IMMINENT DANGER PAY (WHEN PAID). CIP IS A MONTHLY AMOUNT AND WILL NOT BE PRORATED. CIP MAY BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE THRIFT SAVINGS PROGRAM.

B. ALL PAYMENTS OF CIP WILL BE MADE TO MEMBERS EFFECTIVE

23 MAR 2006. NO RETROACTIVE PAYMENTS ARE AUTHORIZED. HOWEVER, AN INJURY INCURRED PRIOR TO 23 MAR 2006, MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR ELIGIBILITY TO CIP.

C. CIP WILL TERMINATE AT THE END OF THE FIRST MONTH DURING WHICH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY: (1) THE MEMBER IS PAID A BENEFIT UNDER TRAUMATIC-SERVICEMEMBERS GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (T-SGLI), (2) THE MEMBER RECEIVES NOTIFICATION OF THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE MEMBER

FOR BENEFIT UNDER T-SGLI AND A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS EXPIRES AFTER THE DATE OF SUCH NOTIFICATION, OR (3) THE MEMBER IS NO LONGER HOSPITALIZED IN A MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY OR A FACILITY UNDER

THE AUSPICES OF THE MILITARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

3. A PAAN WILL BE RELEASED TO ADDRESS THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES NEEDED TO EXECUTE THE POLICY.

4. COORDINATED WITH DFAS, CMC (RFF), (RA) AND (MI).

5. T

Forum: Resources for our Wounded

Law may not bar shirts with troops' names

GoldStarWife — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:59:43 GMT

Law may not bar shirts with troops names

By Paul Davenport - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 24, 2007 8:30:09 EDT

PHOENIX A Flagstaff man who sells anti-war T-shirts with the names of service members killed in Iraq may escape criminal prosecution under a state law that legislators hoped would block his activities.

The criminal portion of a law passed earlier this year was written in a way that doesnt actually bar sales of items that use the causalities names without family authorization, attorneys for the Attorney Generals Office and the Flagstaff city attorneys office acknowledged during a court hearing Thursday.

Also, the federal judge weighing a request to temporarily block enforcement of the law on free-speech grounds said the laws exemptions for news accounts and memorials may provide a shield for Dan Frazier from civil lawsuits authorized under the law.

And U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake said the laws ban on advertising items with casualties names may not apply to Frazier because individual names cant be discerned on photos of shirts displayed on his online business web page.

However, a lawyer for Frazier said he hopes Wake puts the law on hold while its constitutionality is decided because Frazier still could be burdened with having to defend himself against lawsuits from casualties families or charges filed by politically motivated prosecutors.

The Legislature passed the law last May in response to complaints by casualties family members who said Frazier had no right to use the names and that using them could lead people to believe that the casualties or their families shared his anti-war beliefs.

The emergency law took effect immediately when signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano.

A suit later filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona on behalf of Frazier contends the law violates his First Amendment rights to make a political statement through his Bush Lied They Died T-shirts.

Supporters contend its restrictions are permissible because Fraziers activities are commercial in nature.

Even if actual sales arent prohibited in the part of the law making it a crime to use the causalities names without permission, theres still the advertising ban, attorney Lee Phillips said. We dont want to have to fight this out in a bunch of separate courts.

At several times during the hearing, Wake held up one of the T-shirts to look at the readability of the casualties printed names during the hearing, and he at one point likened it to Life Magazines decision during the Vietnam War to devote an entire issue to photos of one weeks American casualties.

It had a significant effect on public opinion about the Vietnam War, the gray-haired appointee of President Bush recalled.

Wake did not immediately rule on the request for a preliminary injunction to put the law on hold pending an eventual decision on its constitutionality.

Violations of the laws criminal section would be punishable by up to six months in jail and fines of up to $2,500 for an individual or $20,000 for a company.

At least three other states Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma have similar statutes passed in the last two years because of complaints like those voiced in Arizona.

Forum: Resources for our Surviving Families

Article: Ruptured eardrums after battlefield blast signal possible brain injury in troops, doctors say...

GoldStarWife — Thur, 23 Aug 2007 15:34:27 GMT

Ruptured eardrums after battlefield blast signal possible brain injury in troops, doctors say

By: MARILYNN MARCHIONE - Associated Press

An unusual study by doctors treating blast victims at a field hospital in Iraq has found that ruptured eardrums may help reveal which troops are at risk of hidden brain injury.

The finding is important because many such brain injuries have been missed in the past, especially when more severe or obvious wounds demanded attention.

Researchers report their observation in a letter in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Diagnosing brain injury, especially mild damage, is based largely on subjective symptoms like irritability and forgetfulness. Imaging tests like CAT scans do not help, and neurological function tests are not very useful without baseline information.

"It's very early in the game of understanding how to evaluate this carefully," and better ways are badly needed, said Jordan Grafman, a brain injury expert at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Grafman had no role in the study.

Researchers led by Air Force Lt. Col. Dr. Michael Xydakis checked all troops brought for treatment from roadside bombs and other explosions to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, during the last three months of 2005.

The study focused on the 210 surviving U.S. troops who were evaluated for eardrum rupture and loss of consciousness. Of those, 35 percent had ruptures and 36 percent had lost consciousness; the two were closely linked.

Those with ruptured eardrums had a nearly threefold greater risk of concussive brain injury.

The eardrum is only half a millimeter thick -- thinner than a contact lens -- and ruptures easily, Xydakis said. It is only half an inch from the brain, so "whatever hits the eardrum is going to hit the brain," such as the pressurized shock wave that follows an explosion, he explained.

Eardrum ruptures usually heal by themselves but occasionally need to be reattached. Concussive brain injuries have a variety of treatments, depending on severity and symptoms. Early detection is thought to improve the chances of avoiding permanent damage.

More research is needed to prove that eardrum rupture is a good marker for possible brain injury; Xydakis hopes that it will lead to more of these injuries being detected.

"We are the first to show this link," with a study done amid bombs and bullets flying in Iraq, he said. "It's a very challenging place to do this type of research."

Forum: Resources for our Wounded

Article about Claudia Carreon

mtalleda — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 06:24:16 GMT

Glamour Magazine, in their September issue... Queen Latifa is on the cover. They did an article on Claudia Carreon. Claudia is our only female wounded. She was injured in Iraq in 2003 and suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) It gives a very real description of what TBI is all about. The article begins on page 390. Pick up a copy.. It's a good article and helps tell her story well.

Also Sgt Major Jesse Acosta just had another surgery. They did a bone gragh from his hip to the upper mouth. He is in some pain but doing well. He'll be talking and dancing soon.

Mike

Forum: Open Forum

Booth at Gas Co. Softball Tournament 9/15/07

mtalleda — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:37:30 GMT

Hi everyone

Corrine has arranged for us to have a booth at (SempraUtilities) Gas Company's 30th Annual Softball Tournament at Cathedral City CA.

Palm Springs area. If you would like to come with us, let us know. It's Saturday Sept 15, 2007 from 10:00 to 2:00 PM. It's a huge event will give us a chance to let people know about our foundation and maybe recruit some volunteers as well as Golfers and Sponsors. Interested ...LET US KNOW.

Contact Corrine or Mike

Forum: Upcoming Events

Up Coming Meetings

mtalleda — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:13:37 GMT

We had our First Meeting this Weds 8/15
Next meetings will be

Saturday    9/01/07  1:00 to 3:00 PM
Wednesday 9/12/07 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Saturday    9/29/07 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Please try and make some of the schedule meetings if you are planning on volunteering at the golf tournament. There is a lot to talk about as things get closer. We had a very productive meeting. Also the first meeting at our new meeting location.  PLEASE show up if you can. We have lots of work ahead and need to begin assigning jobs...stay in the loop.

Thanks

Mike

Forum: Upcoming Events