Dec. 2, 2009

AFGHANISTAN:
Afghanistan Plan Resources
Click here to read full text of President Obama's speech
 Click here to read the U.S. Army Talking points on a troop increase for Operation Enduring Freedom

Obama Adds Troops, but Maps Exit Plan (New York Times)
President Obama announced Tuesday that he would speed 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in coming months, but he vowed to start bringing American forces home in the middle of 2011, saying the United States could not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment.
Click here to read rest of story

The Puzzle For Congress: How To Pay For The Plan (Washington Post)
President Obama's decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan ensures what was already inevitable: The cost of the wars in that country and Iraq is about to exceed $1 trillion. Less certain for Congress is how to pay for it.
Click here to read rest of story

Defense Secretary Robert Gates Discusses Afghan Strategy with Jim Lehrer on The NewsHour:
Defense Secretary Robert Gates will discuss President Obama’s Afghan strategy with Jim Lehrer tonight (Dec 2), check local listings.
PBS NewsHour
 

LEGISLATION AND MILITARY POLICY:
Health Care Bill considers Selected Reserve for PHS
ROA staff met with the Senate Homeland Security Committee last week to discuss the need for a Selected Reserve for the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS).
 Click here to read ROA’s position paper on this topic
 Click here to read more


NEWS FOR CITIZEN WARRIORS:
Recent ROA Blog Entries:
 A Selected Reserve for the Public Health Service?
Retirees Still Concerned Over Health Care Debate Effects on TRICARE

ROA's "Intersect" Weekly News Clips
 Current "Intersect" edition
Archived editions   

ROA NEWS: 
'Meet the Chiefs' event a success
ROA hosted all of the Reserve Chiefs from each component at the Minuteman Memorial Building to have a frank, open and non-attributable discussion with ROA's STARs partners Dec. 1. Thank you to all of our attendees for making this event a success. 
 Click here to see our STARs Partners 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Little-Known Benefit Available to War Veterans:
The Aid and Attendance benefit for at home, assisted living, or nursing home care is available to many more veterans than are current recepients.
Click here to learn more about this benefit

DD-214 Application Process Now Available Online:
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans
to apply for their DD-214's online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov/  
  
Stevens Institute of Technology Registration Open:
Stevens Institute of Technology's Spring 2010 semester begins the week of January 25, 2010. Registration is now open.
Click here to view available courses
 Click here to view ROA's Educational Resources