Navy’s New Sub Comes a Year Early. How?

Who says that defense acquisitions are broken and no one cares?

This week, General Dynamics’ Electric Boat yard delivered the Navy’s newest fast attack submarine, the future USS Mississippi, almost one year ahead of schedule. The sub’s contract delivery date was April 30, 2013, and the Navy got the metaphorical keys on Wednesday, May 3, 2012. Service officials and industry leaders are seldom so pleased. And not only did the ship come in early, the Navy said, it’s the best-built, most-complete one yet. For more on the story check out DOD Buzz at /www.dodbuzz.com/2012/05/03/the-navys-new-sub-comes-in-a-year-early-how/.

Obtaining Veteran Service Documents

Army veterans and family members are eligible to receive service-related documents for free through official sources. Soldiers who separated in October, 2002 or later can submit a signed Standard Form 180/Request Pertaining to Military Records (HERE) to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, ATTN: AHRC-PDR-V/ Department 420, 1600 Spearhead Division Ave., Fort Knox, KY 40122-5402.

Soldiers who separated prior to October, 2002 should submit a signed SF 180 to the National Archives and Records Administration's National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63132-1002, or telephone the NPRC at 314-801-0800.

National Guard Soldiers should contact their State Adjutant General at their state's address found at HERE. Veterans can also access their information directly HERE. For more information, telephone the Army Human Resource Command at 1-888-ARMYHRC (276-9472).

Compensation for Vietnam Veterans

Nearly 2.6 million Americans who served in Vietnam are eligible for compensation if they suffer from one of 16 ailments. Some are fairly common, like Type II diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer. The Agent Orange law, passed in 1991, states that a military person who was in Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 and has been diagnosed with one of the named conditions qualifies for disability benefits. These payments can range up to $2,673 a month for 100 percent disability. There is no need for proof of actual exposure to Agent Orange or other poisons. For more information, visit VA's Agent Orange webpage or contact your local or state office of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans Win Mojave Cross Battle

The state Veterans of Foreign Wars in California is preparing to take over a one-acre cross site in the Mojave National Preserve after the group reached a settlement in its long-running lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union. The settlement calls for the site at Sunrise Rock to be turned over to a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Barstow, California in exchange for five acres of donated land. That particular VFW chapter has since disbanded, so the state organization will assume control of the site. The settlement involves a lawsuit filed in 2001 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a retired park service employee who argued that the Christian religious symbol was unconstitutionally located on government land. For more information on the Mojave Cross, visit the Military.com website.

New Airman Heritage Museum