Tag Archives: veteran

What the Veterans Administration Should Be: An Open Letter to Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Pete Hegseth, and Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-1)

Posted on by mjgranger

Gentlemen,

Our justice system operates on the principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. Why, then, does the Veterans Administration (VA) seem to operate under the opposite assumption when it comes to veterans’ care and disability ratings?

Upon verifying service through documents like the DD-214 and issuing an ID card, the VA should immediately assume veterans are entitled to care as promised by the very ethos of our military service: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” This statement by Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address at the end of the Civil War, carries no qualifiers; it’s a promise to care for all veterans, regardless of where they served or what they endured.

However, the current system is fundamentally flawed. Veterans are forced to spend considerable time and effort proving their ailments are service-related, which contradicts the unconditional service and sacrifices we’ve made. Veterans took an oath without caveats; we committed to follow orders, defend the Constitution, and potentially give our lives. In return, we should receive care without the burden of proof.

The administration of the VA by civilians lacking military or combat experience has been problematic. With Pete Hegseth potentially becoming the new Secretary of Defense, there’s hope for change. This matter should also resonate with President Trump, and I believe the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the influence of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, could address these inefficiencies with common sense and innovation.

A New Philosophy for the VA:

Prioritization: The veteran should be the priority. Upon entering a VA facility, instead of the impersonal request for “Last Name and Last Four,” why not use modern technology like facial recognition and/or other biometrics for both security and personalized greetings? This would not only enhance security but also personalize and streamline the care process.

Efficiency and Technology: Implement integrated, high-tech systems to improve efficiency. Veterans should feel welcomed and valued, much like guests at a Disney resort where the business model is simple: treat every customer as a cherished guest.

Perception and Recruitment: The negative perception of the VA could deter potential recruits. If the VA were seen as a place where veterans are genuinely cared for, it might attract and keep more individuals to military service.

Facility Management and Care:

At Northport VA on Long Island, NY, the ongoing disrepair and delays in basic maintenance projects like HVAC systems or parking areas reflect a deeper issue of neglect. A 3-year, $21 million project, started in 2018, is still unfinished. These conditions not only degrade the quality of care but also demoralize veterans who must navigate an environment that seems to have forgotten them. Part of my 36-year career in education and education leadership involved public school facilities management. Some of the jobs in the capital projects plan for the Northport VA could have been completed in 6-8 weeks, rather than the current 6-8 years!

My personal health experience, after 22 years of military service including combat deployments, involves dealing with issues like hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and PTSD, yet the process to receive care or compensation feels like an additional battle.

Rethinking VA Budgeting and Care:

The VA’s budgeting must be adaptive to the fluctuating needs of veterans, not constrained by typical government fiscal policies. The number of new claimants cannot be accurately predicted from year-to-year. It’s been over 16 years since I retired, and I am only now applying for a disability rating for the first time. Imagine the savings and improved care if we assumed veterans’ health issues were service-related unless proven otherwise? This shift could redefine the VA from an adversarial entity to one that truly supports and heals those who served.

I understand the current disability application system results in compensation, but what if I don’t need the money, just the care? Because the process is so arduous, complex and full of bureaucratic red tape, it could take months for approval, disapproval, appeals and other delays. Many veterans needlessly pay others to help them through the application process.

Conclusion:

I urge you to consider these changes, to let loose the capabilities of DOGE and the leadership of Pete Hegseth on this broken system. We should treat the whole person, not just the ailments deemed service-connected. A wholistic approach to healthcare is the most effective. Veterans have given much; it’s time the VA reflects this nation’s gratitude and commitment to our well-being by honoring Lincoln’s compassionate vision for veteran care.

Kamala Harris in the eyes of a military combat veteran

Posted on by mjgranger

The current Vice President, a CIVILIAN, has assumed the role of President of the United States, or, the Commander in Chief. In a way, this is STOLEN VALOR.

She is consciously saluting military personnel, as if she were in their chain of command. She is not. Civilians do not salute unless they are veterans and it is during an appropriate ceremony or event where saluting the flag or National Anthem are pro forma.

The goal is to promote the illusion that Ms. Harris is already Madame President. She is not. In fact, if Ms. Harris were in the military she would have been fired long ago, if not just from her appointed roles, i.e. Border Czar, then from the position of Vice President.

Recently, while describing gifts she plans to give people if she becomes the next President, she said, “I’m gonna give,” (blank amount) to the people. “I’m gonna give?” As if the money were coming from her personal bank account.

In the military, which used to be a meritocracy, if you don’t perform, you’re fired from your position. Or, you get demoted, or you get kicked out, or you go to jail. Ms. Harris would be in the running for all of these if her record were totally scrutinized by authorities over her (where are the CHECKS and BALANCES I learned about in high school government class?).

As one progresses in one’s military career there are opportunities for promotion, which are mostly based on the quality of one’s periodic professional evaluations. Good evaluations and positive results in one’s endeavors and responsibilities could lead to promotion. Performance and achievement are usually rewarded in the military.

In the case of Ms. Harris, who can tell us what her OER support form would look like? This Officer Evaluation Report support form is completed by the officer seeking promotion, for the superior officer who has the authority to grant or recommend promotion. In it, the promotion candidate details accomplishments and achievements.

Isn’t she up for a public referendum (election) on her performance? After all, she is asking to be promoted, and not just from second lieutenant to first lieutenant, but from the second highest office in the land to the very tip top position – where leadership equals influence and setting the example is paramount. She is asking We the People for this promotion. We are the promoting authority. We need to see the OER support form.

On her support form, we need to see examples of her demonstrated leadership skills, evidence of her professional competence, effective communication skills, demonstrated personal integrity and ethics; examples of teamwork and collaboration; proof of her ability to problem solve, of her adaptability, resilience and resolve; we need to see evidence of her commitment to serve as loyal commander in chief. We need to know whether or not she has been a mentor and is able to develop others. We need to understand the facts pertaining to her ability to form and maintain positive relationships and demonstrated networking skills. And, finally, we need evidence of her accomplishments and performance.

Military officers must show and demonstrate and be able to document their claims, or guess what? No promotion.

If you were to write Ms. Harris’s OER support form, what positive things could you put in it?

The bottom line is that if one wishes to be promoted in a professional environment, military or civilian, one must show demonstrated skill, competence and acumen for the job they are seeking. Kamala Harris has not shown any shred of competence in her current job. Any CEO, HR professional or shop keeper would immediately put her resume in the circular file.

She is not exceptional.

Exceptionalism is the driving force behind achievement, behind progress, behind leadership.

If we elect someone who is not exceptional, we are cheating ourselves out of a brighter future, and we are letting down those who depend on us for good decision making for their future – our children and grandchildren, who, if Ms. Harris is elected, would certainly suffer a far worse future than if another candidate were chosen.

Montgomery Granger is a retired educator and veteran, and can be found in social media under the @mjgranger1 tag.