Hero Stories for January 2012

President Barack Obama today signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which increases active-duty and reserve pay by 1.6 percent and governs Defense Department activities, from procurement to military personnel policy. Several provisions in this year’s act will potentially affect active-duty and retired service members and their families. Section 347 requires DOD to finance an independent assessment of overseas troop basing, advising retention, closure, realignment or establishment...

Veterans of the Persian Gulf War with undiagnosed illnesses have an additional five years to qualify for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. "Not all the wounds of war are fully understood," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "When there is uncertainty about the connection between a medical problem and military service, veterans are entitled to the benefit of the doubt." A recent change in VA regulations affects veterans of the conflict in Southwest Asia. Many ...