Commuters may see military helicopters today
Early morning commuters may have to rub their eyes to make sure of what they're seeing today when military helicopters from bygone days rise above the hills in Murrieta en route to Washington, D.C., for Memorial Day.
Three UH-1 ``Huey'' helicopters, the type captured in thousands of photos depicting the Vietnam conflict, and an OH-58 Kiowa, used in Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, will take off this morning on a trip that will culminate with a flyover at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in the nation's capital, said Shayne Meder, information officer for the Wings & Rotors Air Museum at French Valley Airport.
The aircraft will make stops at Vietnam memorials and remembrance ceremonies at 43 cities along the way, Meder said.
For 20 years, motorcyclists from all over the country have traveled to the Washington, D.C., memorial to remember veterans on Memorial Day, and this
year, the helicopters will provide air escort, Meder said.
The helicopters were restored at the museum and are fully functional and combat-certified, she said.
``It's a memorial flight to honor the veterans,'' Meder said. ``It's never been done.''
Meder said the money for the trip -- it will take $80,000 for fuel alone -- comes from corporate sponsors and private donations.
The museum is a not- for-profit entity, she said.
Cities where riders and fliers will make stops will provide meals and housing for those participating, she said.
The aircraft and riders are expected to reach Washington, D.C., on May 22, with the ride to the wall and flyover on May 25, to coincide with the annual remembrance ceremonies at the memorial wall.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Commuters may see military helicopters today
‘Lt. Dan’ and his band coming to La Crosse
‘Lt. Dan’ and his band coming to La Crosse
By Tribune staff
.
Actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform at 8 p.m. June 7 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex as part of the Veterans Memorial Ride.
The Remainders will open at 7 p.m., and a program will begin at 6 p.m.
Sinise’s concert is part of the Veterans Memorial Ride, which will include thousands of motorcycle riders who will converge on La Crosse, gathering first at the National Guard Armory in Onalaska, Wis., at 3:30 p.m., leaving there
at 4:30 p.m. led by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, and arriving at the field at 5 p.m.
Sinise, who stars in CBS’ “CSI: New York” and played the part of Lt. Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” is a longtime veterans advocate. This ride and Sinise’s concert will be the kickoff for what is to become an annual fundraising event in La Crosse to raise money for the Hall of Honor for Veterans at UW-L.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $45 for preferred seating in the grandstand and $125 for VIP seating and parking. To purchase tickets, go to the event Web site at www.vets
ride.com and click on the Ticketmaster logo.
This concert will be the last event in the stadium before it is torn down to make way for a new stadium.
.
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As a disabled veteran I have the utmost respect and admiration for what Gary Sinise has done for veterans over the years. He has used his "fame" to raise the spirits of the veterans and money for causes to help the disabled. SALUTE sure wish I was close to Wis. Columbia SC is to far of a trip my power chair don't roll that far lol
'Guinea pig' vets may get their due
'Guinea pig' vets may get their due
By Lee Davidson
Deseret News
Published: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:04 a.m. MDT
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700225121,00.html
Two members of Congress want the federal government to finally provide health care to veterans who were likely exposed to Vietnam War-era chemical and germ warfare tests that were overseen by Utah-based Army scientists.
Reps. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., have introduced a bill to require the Veterans Affairs Department to assume that toxins in the tests known as Project 112 and Project SHAD caused injury to the veterans, which would make them eligible for medical benefits and/or compensation for illnesses.
The tests were first disclosed by the Deseret News in 1995 through use of the Freedom of Information Act. That happened when the newspaper's help was sought by sailors who participated in at-sea portions of such tests, during which ships sailed through clouds of chemical and germ warfare agents. Sailors suspect that the tests caused unusual illnesses later in their lives.
The tests were overseen by the old Deseret Test Center, which was based at different times at Utah's Fort Douglas and Dugway Proving Ground.
Despite stories by the Deseret News and other media, the Pentagon for years officially denied that the tests occurred. Finally in 2002, the Pentagon said research verified that the tests had happened. But Thompson and Rehberg said many veterans still have been denied health care because they could not prove tests were connected to unusual diseases that many of them suffer. The bill would instruct the VA to make that assumption and provide care.
"For 10 years, I've been fighting to get the government to acknowledge that these extremely dangerous tests made some of our brave veterans sick and even caused some of their deaths," Thompson said.
"These men risked their lives for their country, and in return, the government treated them like guinea pigs and has for years turned its back on them. This legislation will make sure they don't have to wait any longer for the help they need and deserve," he said.
Rehberg added, "Project 112 is one test the Department of Defense has undoubtedly flunked. Now, these brave men and women who served our country have been left to suffer. These veterans deserve quality health care and recognition by their government that it understands what they've had to go through."
Of note, in February the U.S. General Accountability Office released a report saying the military has not done enough to find and contact people who were likely exposed during the old tests.
E-mail: lee@desnews.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
PROPOSED RELIEF by the Veterans SF Lawsuit
NOTE: Please remember, this is only a PROPOSAL to the Court!
Case 3:07-cv-03758-SC Document 229-2 Filed 05/09/2008
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION
VETERANS FOR COMMON SENSE, and
VETERANS UNITED FOR TRUTH, INC.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JAMES B. PEAKE, M.D., Secretary of Veterans Affairs, et al.,
Defendants.
Case No. C-07-3758-SC
[PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING
DECLARATORY AND
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Complaint Filed: July 23, 2007
Trial Date: April 21, 2008
Article continues below:
On March 3-6, 2008, this Court heard testimony and received evidence on Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Given the serious nature of Plaintiffs’ allegations and evidence presented at that hearing, and the importance of prompt remedial relief if Plaintiffs were to prevail, this Court continued the matter and set an expedited schedule for discovery and for consideration of Plaintiffs’ Request for Permanent Injunction and Declaratory Relief. A bench trial was held from April 21 through April 30, 2008. Numerous witnesses, including percipient and expert witnesses as well as excerpts from videotaped depositions, were presented by the parties.
Having considered all of the evidence and testimony offered by the parties, this Court hereby declares and orders relief as follows:
I. THE PARTIES
1. Plaintiffs Veterans for Common Sense (“VCS”) and Veterans United for Truth (“VUFT”) both have numerous members with service-connected death and disability compensation (“SCDDC”) claims, including claims based upon Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”), and/or claims for VA health care under applicable law.
II. PRELIMINARY MATTER
2. The Court hereby adopts and incorporates by reference the rulings and finding it made at the hearing on Plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion. (See March 3, 2008 Transcript at 4:19-11:19.)
III. DECLARATORY RELIEF
3. The Court hereby orders relief pursuant to the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, as follows: A. Due Process Rights to Health Care and Death and Disability Compensation
4. Applicants and recipients of SCDDC, and veterans eligible for medical care under federal statutes have a property interest in the receipt of such compensation and medical care under the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution (“the Due Process Clause”).
B. Mental Health Care
5. Defendants’ failure to provide timely and effective mental health care to veterans with PTSD, and related or co-occurring conditions such as depression or traumatic brain injury (“TBI”), and/or to veterans exhibiting suicidal intentions or symptoms, constitutes a statutory violation of 38 U.S.C. §§ 1705 and 1710, and that failure constitutes agency action unreasonably delayed under 5 U.S.C. § 706(1).
6. The Court further finds that the VA’s process for resolving clinical disputes about health care treatment violates the Due Process Clause in that it does not apply to refusals to provide care, and even where it does apply, there is no opportunity for any hearing by a neutral decision-maker, the process is unduly complicated and lengthy, and there is no provision for any expedited process that would apply in an emergency situation such as a threatened suicide.
C. Claims Processes for Adjudication of Death and Disability Compensation
7. Delays and waiting times for applicants and recipients filing SCDDC claims or appeals are so lengthy as to constitute an unconstitutional deprivation of property under the Due Process Clause. The unreasonably long processing times are also a violation of 38 U.S.C. § 1110, which states that veterans are entitled to SCDDC. In addition, the long processing times for remands violate the mandate of 38 U.S.C. § 5109B, which requires that remands be handled in an expeditious manner.
8. Given the adversarial and complicated nature of the VA claims processes, the unavailability or lack of utilization of basic procedural protections, such as a right to a pre-decisional hearing and the right to discovery, both alone and in combination with the inability to retain paid counsel at the Regional Office level, constitute an independent violation of the Due Process Clause.
9. The lack of adequate procedural protections for veterans in the adversarial SCDDC claims process at the Regional Office level and the Board of Veterans Appeals, has deprived SCDDC claimants and recipients of meaningful access to the courts and of their right to redress grievances in violation of the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution.
10. The informal adoption of the extraordinary awards procedure by the Compensation and Pension Service by means of a Fast Letter dated August 27, 2007 (Exh. P-375-A; and hereafter the “Extraordinary Awards Procedure”), which involves Central Office review of certain Regional Office grant decisions prior to promulgation, has no foundation in any law or regulation governing the adjudication of claims. Therefore, it deprives certain claimants and recipients — those with retroactive awards of over $250,000 or a retroactive award extending over a period in excess of eight years — of their property interest in the receipt of SCDDC under the Due Process Clause.
IV. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
The Court hereby finds that injunctive relief is justified and appropriate as follows:
A. Enforcement of Duty to Provide Medical Care and Treatment and
Implementation of VHA’s Comprehensive Mental Health Strategic Plan
11. Defendants are hereby enjoined from refusing to provide prompt medical treatment and care, including immediate psychiatric evaluation, to any and all veterans eligible for medical care who present at VA facilities with suicidal intentions or whom Defendants otherwise determine to be suicidal.
12. Within 150 days, Defendants shall fully implement, in all material respects, VA’s existing Comprehensive VHA Mental Health Strategic Plan, and the June 1, 2007, Feeley Memorandum (collectively, the “Plan”), as set forth in Trial Exhibits 398 and 148 and provide the Court with a sworn declaration attesting to the full implementation of each part of the plan;
13. Within 150 days, Defendants shall implement monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the Plan is actually implemented, maintained, and enforced;
14. Within 150 days, Defendants shall implement a mechanism to fairly and accurately assess the effectiveness of the Plan and all of its components; and
15. Within 45 days, the Parties shall meet and confer with a Magistrate Judge of this Court and shall formulate and present to this Court, within 60 days of this Order, a comprehensive plan to effectuate sub-parts (11) through (14), above, and to assure that veterans’ mental health needs are met.
B. Delays and Other Deficiencies in Adjudication of SCDDC Claims and Appeals
16. Defendants are hereby enjoined from applying or taking any administrative action to enforce the provisions of the Extraordinary Awards Procedure;
17. Within 120 days of this Order, Defendants shall implement steps necessary to shorten the current average time period for processing and adjudication of SCDDC claims at the VBA’s Regional Offices and the Board of Veterans Appeals to constitutionally acceptable time periods;
18. Within 90 days of this Order, Defendants shall establish a comprehensive remedial plan to develop and implement procedures to satisfy the requirements of the Due Process Clause, including a right to retain paid counsel, steps to insure the availability of pre-decisonal hearings at the Regional Office adjudication level, and the readjudication of all SCDDC claims where Regional Office grant amounts or retroactive awards were reduced as a result of the Extraordinary Awards Procedure; and
19. Within 45 days of this Order, the Parties shall meet and confer with a Magistrate Judge to formulate and present to the Court, within 60 days of this Order, a comprehensive plan for expediting each stage of the claims process for deciding SCDDC claims and appeals. The objective of this element of the plan is to insure that all backlogs are reduced or eliminated, and that waiting times are brought within constitutional limits, as soon as possible.
V. CONTINUING JURISDICTION OVER PARTIES
This Court shall retain continuing jurisdiction over this matter to ensure that this Order is implemented and followed.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: , 2008 __
THE HONORABLE SAMUEL CONTI
United States Senior District Court Judge
-------------------------
posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
Last time this is what the veterans are asking for there is no indication yet on what Judge Conti will do this is the wish list only
Missed opportunities at the chemical weapons treaty meeting
Missed opportunities at the chemical weapons treaty meeting
By Malcolm Dando | 12 May 2008
Prior to the Chemical Weapons Convention's (CWC) Second Review Conference
last month, several attempts were made to raise the issue of the potential
for incapacitating chemical agents to skirt the convention's rules. Despite
these efforts, when the convention adjourned in mid-April, little had been
done to address the issue.
The CWC, which came into force in 1995, bans all chemical weapons. However,
among the peaceful uses exempt from the ban is "law enforcement, including
domestic riot control purposes." Observers have argued that this exemption
creates a potential loophole within the convention, as states might use it
to develop novel chemical agents. Under the exemption, standard domestic
riot control agents such as tear gas could be seen as a subcategory of law
enforcement agents. Because other law enforcement agents are not defined or
required to be reported under the convention, the development of novel
agents could take place in secret. The lack of state-level objections to the
Russian use of a new "nonlethal" chemical agent to break the Moscow Theater
siege in 2002 lends weight to this argument. The danger in reading the
convention in this way is that allowing the development of new chemical
agents by means of this potential loophole could lead to the erosion of the
whole prohibition--particularly as rapid developments in the life sciences
reveal new means of incapacitation.
At the First Review Conference in 2003, states attempted to raise this
issue, but they were unsuccessful. At the International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry meeting in Zagreb in preparation for the Second Review
Conference, the problem was discussed in some detail, and the report
concluded, "The risks associated with advances in science and technology
would increase significantly, should dedicated [chemical weapon] programs be
able to take advantage of them. There is, therefore, good reason . . . to
carefully assess the CWC compatibility of the development of devices that
use toxic chemicals for law-enforcement purposes (including so called
'nonlethal weapons')."
The report also suggested that parties at the Second Review Conference
needed to come to "agreement on the need for the declaration of toxic
chemicals for law enforcement purposes (types, qualities and delivery
systems)." Such an agreement would increase transparency about what types of
agents states are developing and increase trust, but while the report fed
into the deliberations of the conference, and a paper by Switzerland raised
a series of critical questions about so-called nonlethal chemical agents,
the issue did not feature in the final outcome of the meeting. (See Ralf
Trapp's further assessment of the Second Review Conference, "When States
Fail to Address Incapacitants."
It would appear, however, that the Swiss concerns were not removed from the
final consensus agreement until late on in the two-week review proceedings
and that a number of others states shared the Swiss's concerns. Taking an
optimistic view, by the time of the next review conference in 2013, States
Parties will have thoroughly examined this problem and agreed on an
effective solution. Yet, in order for that to happen, independent scientists
and nongovernmental organizations will have to ensure that states do not
lose sight of the problem.
The CWC has accomplished a great deal in a short period of time, but the
issues it addresses remain far from the public's attention. As the head of
the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Media and
Public Affairs Branch remarked in the run up to the Review Conference: "The
successful negotiation and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
is among the most significant multilateral achievements of the past 15
years--and one of the least known or appreciated by the public at large."
This facet of the CWC will pose particular challenges. The spokesman
continued: "Outside of a few specialized journals, scant attention has been
paid by media to the steady destruction of chemical weapons and their
production facilities, or to the development of OPCW's exemplary inspections
regime. Few policy institutes or think tanks have examined the relevance of
chemical disarmament for multilateralism and global security and only a
handful of nongovernmental organizations are engaged with the issue. Even
many in the chemical industry remain unaware of its own key role in
concluding the convention and monitoring the production and trade of
scheduled chemicals." Thus, the necessary nongovernmental attention is by no
means assured.
Considering the scope and pace of change in our understanding of the central
nervous system, and the possibilities for misuse of that knowledge in the
development of new forms of incapacitants, I take the pessimistic view that
the Second Review Conference of the CWC made a major mistake in failing to
deal with this issue. Waiting until 2013--or beyond--to deal with this
problem may be far too late.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Kicking the can down the road usually leads to more problems ala Iraq and it's supposed WMD's it would be far better to deal with issues now rather than later.
SUBJECT: Revised Disability Examination Worksheets
Does anyone have link to the actual recent VA directive or fast letter on AO & hypertension
I just saw this.. from April 2007
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Benefits Administration
Washington, D.C. 20420
April 24, 2007 In Reply Refer To: 211D
Fast Letter 07-10
Director (00/21)
All VA Regional Offices and Centers
SUBJECT: Revised Disability Examination Worksheets
Revised disability examination worksheets for Audio; Ear Disease; Hand, Thumb and Fingers; Feet; Mental Disorders; Eating Disorders; Esophagus and Hiatal Hernia; Intestines; and Stomach, Duodenum, and Peritoneal Adhesions have been released nationally to VA Medical Centers for C&P examiner use.
These worksheets are changed in the following significant ways:
Audio and Ear Disease
· The Audio examination worksheet no longer requires frequency and duration for tinnitus. The examiner only needs to state whether tinnitus is persistent or recurrent.
· On the Audio examination worksheet, the request for an opinion about the etiology of tinnitus has been removed. If an opinion about etiology is required for a specific veteran, the regional office must request it.
· On the Ear Disease examination worksheet, questions have been added about history of hospitalizations, surgery, noise exposure and ear trauma.
· On both examination worksheets, examiners are asked to describe effects on occupational functioning and daily activities.
Hand, Thumb and Fingers
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, trauma and neoplasm have been added.
· Examiners are asked to describe current symptoms and effects on occupational functioning and daily activities.
· On physical examination, the requirement for passive range of motion has been removed.
Feet
· Under history, questions about neoplasm have been added.
· On physical examination, all requirements for range of motion of the toes; active, passive and after repetition have been removed.
· On physical examination, assessment of posture in various positions has been removed.
Mental Disorders and Eating Disorders
· The credentials of examiners who VBA and VHA recently agreed can perform these types of examinations are listed.
· On a Mental Disorders examination, the examiner is expected to select the appropriate assessment of the veteran from the list provided and support the assessment with examples.
Esophagus and Hiatal Hernia
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, trauma and neoplasm have been added as well as the effects of the condition on occupational functioning and daily activities.
· Under diagnostic tests, if there is a history of bleeding (past 12 months) or signs of anemia, a hemoglobin/hematocrit is required.
Intestines
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, trauma and neoplasm have been added as well as effects of the condition on occupational functioning and daily activities.
· Under history, for ulcerative colitis, the number of attacks per year has been added as a requirement.
· Under diagnostic tests, if there are signs of anemia, a hemoglobin/ hematocrit is required.
Scars
· Under history, the treatment used and response to treatment has been removed.
Stomach, Duodenum, and Peritoneal Adhesions
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, trauma and neoplasm have been added as well as effects of the condition on occupational functioning and daily activities.
· Under diagnostic tests, if there is a recent history (past 12 months) of hematemesis, melena or signs of anemia, a hemoglobin/hematocrit is required.
The following worksheets will be released in approximately 8 weeks: Bones; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Cranial Nerves; Cushing’s Syndrome; Eye; Fibromyalgia; HIV-Related Illness; Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas; Lymphatic Disorders; Nose, Sinus, Larynx, and Pharynx; and Rectum and Anus.
These worksheets have been changed in the following significant ways:
Bones
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery and neoplasm have been added.
· If a joint is involved, the examiner is referred to the Joint worksheet.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
· Under history, a question about hospitalizations has been added.
· Under history, questions about debilitating fatigue, incapacitating episodes and cognitive impairment have been added.
· A cursory physical examination has been added.
Cranial Nerves
· Under history, the question about flare-ups has been deleted.
· Under history, the examiner is asked to comment on onset, course since onset and current symptoms.
· Under history, questions about hospitalization, surgery, neoplasm and trauma have been added.
· Under history, a question about effects on occupational functioning and daily activities has been added.
Cushing’s syndrome
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, and neoplasm have been added.
· Under history, a question about effects on occupational functioning and daily activities has been added.
· Diagnostic and Clinical tests are only to be performed if not of record or to confirm a diagnosis.
Eye
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, and trauma have been added.
· Under history, a specific question for congestive or inflammatory glaucoma has been added.
· Under physical examination, a specific question about the ability to wear a prosthesis after enucleation has been added.
Fibromyalgia
· Under history, a question about hospitalizations has been added.
HIV-Related Illness
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery and neoplasm have been added.
Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas
· Under history, a question about effects on occupational functioning and daily activities has been added.
Lymphatic Disorders
· Under history, a question about hospitalizations and surgery has been added.
· Under history, a question about effects on occupational functioning and daily activities has been added.
· A focused physical examination has been added.
Nose, Sinus, Larynx, and Pharynx
· Under history, for chronic sinusitis, a question about incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes per year has been added.
· Under history, a question about effects on occupational functioning and daily activities has been added.
· Under history, questions about neoplasm have been added.
· Under physical examination, the examination for larynx and pharynx has been added.
Rectum and Anus
· Under history, questions about hospitalizations, surgery, trauma, and neoplasm have been added.
· Under history, a question about effects on occupational functioning and daily activities has been added.
· Under Diagnostic and Clinical tests, the examiner is asked to obtain a CBC if there is a history of bleeding, signs of anemia or chronic infection.
If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Vicki Milton, M.D., at (202) 273-9646 or by e-mail.
/S/
Bradley G. Mayes
Director
Compensation & Pension Service
Army sets campaign star rules
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday May 13, 2008 9:43:38 EDT
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/army_campaignstars_051108w/
Soldiers and Army veterans who believe they are eligible for the newly authorized Afghanistan and Iraq campaign stars must verify eligibility with unit personnel officials or the Human Resources Command.
The verification requirement applies to Regular Army, National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers and former soldiers who have served, or are serving, deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Defense Department data indicate nearly 805,000 soldiers have served qualifying deployments.
Campaign stars were approved by the Defense Department on April 16 for wear on the Afghanistan and Iraq campaign medals.
Implementing instructions were issued April 30 by the Army’s Military Awards Branch as MilPer Message 08-123.
The instructions mandate that “no Afghanistan Campaign Medal or Iraq Campaign Medal will be awarded to Army soldiers without at least one service star.”
A second implementing instruction will be issued later this year for the award of Afghanistan and Iraq campaign streamers, which are displayed on unit colors, flags and guidons.
“Soldiers who are, or have, qualified for either of these awards (Afghanistan or Iraq Campaign Medals) can report to their unit S-1, unit administrator or supporting military personnel division and have their campaign entitlements updated to their records,” according to the Army instructions.
Eligibility can be verified with supporting documentation, such as orders for the campaign medal, DD Form 1610 travel orders, evaluation reports (DA Form 67-9 for officers or DA Form 2166-8 for NCOs), a memorandum signed by the soldier’s former battalion commander, deployment and redeployment orders (must include soldier’s full name), and other documents such as certificates of appreciation.
Veterans can request campaign star approval by sending a written request, a copy of their DD Form 214 or DD Form 215 and supporting documentation (same type of documents as for serving soldiers) to the Commander, Human Resources Command, Attn: AHRC-PDP-A, 200 Stovall St., Alexandria, VA 22332-0400.
Designated campaign phases
The campaign stars recognize soldiers for participating in designated campaign phases — not multiple deployments — within the areas of eligibility for 30 consecutive days, or 60 nonconsecutive days.
Soldiers also are eligible if they engage in combat, or are wounded or injured and require medical evacuation, regardless of the time in a designated area.
Eligibility is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, for service in Afghanistan, and March 19, 2003, for Iraq.
Soldiers who qualify for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by reason of having served in Afghanistan during Sept. 11, 2001-April 30, 2005, or Iraq during March 19, 2003-April 30, 2005, remain qualified for that medal, but can have it replaced by the ACM or ICM.
Campaign stars are not authorized for wear on the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, according to Army policy.
In the April 19 directive authorizing campaign stars, the Defense Department established three qualifying phases, or time periods, for Afghanistan, and four for Iraq.
In authorizing the award of campaign medals and stars, the Defense Department stipulated that soldiers cannot receive separate medals for the same action, time period and service.
However, if a soldier’s period of deployment overlaps one or more of the approved campaign phases, the soldier qualifies for each phase, and is entitled to the appropriate number of service stars.
For example, if a soldier deployed to Afghanistan for 180 days during Oct. 24, 2001, to April 13, 2002, he is entitled to two service stars on the ACM for participation in both the liberation of Afghanistan and Consolidation I campaign phases of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Campaign stars are bronze or silver five-pointed stars. A silver star is worn in lieu of five bronze campaign stars.
Campaign phases
A directive issued by the Department of Defense April 16 designates three phases of Operation Enduring Freedom as qualifying for a campaign star:
• Liberation of Afghanistan (Sept. 11, 2001–Nov. 30, 2001)
• Consolidation I (Dec. 1, 2001-Sept. 30, 2006)
• Consolidation II (Oct. 1, 2006-TBD)
The four qualifying phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom are:
• Liberation of Iraq (March 19, 2003-May 1, 2003)
• Transition of Iraq (May 2, 2003-June 28, 2004)
• Iraqi Governance (June 29, 2004-Dec. 15, 2005)
• National Resolution (Dec. 16, 2005-TBD)
