Military Caucus Aims to Preserve PA Bases

A new bipartisan caucus in the state’s General Assembly hopes to ensure Pennsylvania’s military bases survive the scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Military Installations and Base Development Caucus wants to preserve all of Pennsylvania’s installations when the Department of Defense starts its next Base Realignment and Closure Commission, possibly in 2015.

Co-chairman and Senator John Blake says considering both military employment and defense-related business, the state’s bases generate billions of dollars and more than 160,000 jobs.

The Lackawanna County Democrat says the new caucus will be serve as a liaison between the bases, the state legislature, and Congress. Blake says this is especially important in light of the possibility of a Closure Commission in four years. He says to keep its bases, the Commonwealth must be competitive with other states.

“I don’t know if they’ve set it up as a caucus of the general assemblies, but I can tell you that there’s evidence of much stronger dialogue between state legislators and Congressional delegations in other states like Alabama, I believe Louisiana,” says Blake. “There might be other states with heavy defense spending where I think that there’s a more seamless, more routine communication between the federal delegation and the state assembly.”

The Department of Defense lists eight military installations in Pennsylvania on its website, including two in Pittsburgh. Blake says the military caucus will hold its first meetings this fall.

Most Young Adults Ineligible for Military

A group of military leaders says 80% and maybe as many as 90% of 17 to 24 year olds in the Pittsburgh area would not qualify for military service. Members of "Mission: Readiness," a non-profit comprised of 200 retired military officers, say a 2009 Pentagon study shows that nationwide 75% of young adults are unfit for military service.
The reasons include obesity, health problems such as asthma, criminal records, failure to graduate high school or being unable to pass the entry exams.
Retired Major General John Stevens says these numbers are not just a problem for the military....
"When you have people who are unfit, uneducated and unscrupulous, if they don't get into the military, they're probably not going to be successful as diplomats, in politics, in local or national or international business. They;re not going to be the innovators, the technologists, professors of medicine. So we have a problem everywhere in this country in terms of securing the nation and defending our vital national interests."

At an event at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh, Stevens and other retired generals spoke about the importance of early education to build the foundation for disciplined, law-abiding, achieving adults.

County Announces Bids Start on Commissary

A new commissary is planned to be built on Allegheny County owned property across from the McGarity Reserve Center in Moon Township. Commissaries are military supermarkets where current and past service members can find goods at a cheaper cost because their salaries tend to be less than private sector ones. The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) announced that staff will solicit bids for construction. The commissary is expected to be about 43,000 square-feet and cost up to $17 million.

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato says this bodes well for the future of a military presenece in Southwest Pennsylvania. "Well the fact that we are one of the few on the BRAC report (The Defense BASE Closure and Realignment Commission)to get put back on shows the significance of the strategic importance of Southwest Pennsylvania, plus the men and women that serve in the military here."

Congressman Tim Murphy (R-18 PA) says that a new commissary is needed because the old one is an antique. "It is 50 something years old, it has many signs of wear and tear and it needs to be replaced in a more convenient location. In part because that base is going to close in the next couple of years and when it closes down we lose that base. A couple of years ago, I asked the Pentagon to please keep that commissary open at least until we build a new one, and they agreed to."

Murphy says that while the county is now announcing that it will take bids, they still have to get approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee. He says that once it passes, the county can legally start bids 30 days after.

The U.S. Army Office of Personnel and Readiness agreed to keep operating the current commissary in Oakdale until the new one can take on its duties. Currently, about 165,000 people rely on the commissary.

Altmire GI Bill Amendment Passes

As the U.S. Congress renewed the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill it also closed a loophole thanks to a change put forth by a Pittsburgh area Congressman. The act is aimed at getting traditional education benefits given to veterans into the hands of more National Guard members and Reservists.

When the bill was originally passed it excluded Guardsmen who served stateside. Congressman Jason Altmire of McCandless says local members of the National Guard brought this to his attention. Under the amendment introduced by Altmire and passed today, members who are called up for border security, natural disaster or other domestic duties can receive the G.I. Bill benefits. Altmire says by closing the loophole approximately 130,000 additional National Guardsmen qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s benefits.

“The point is that this is an issue of fairness, these are people who have served their county,” says Altmire, “ and we want to make sure that everyone who has served… is able to qualify.”

Altmire says, “America’s National Guardsmen provide invaluable service to our country during times of crisis. It is only right that they too should benefit from the largest expansion of veterans’ education benefits since World War II.” To qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s benefits, veterans must have completed at least 90 days of active-duty service since September 11, 2001. Until the amendment was passed only days served overseas counted.

The G.I. Bill benefit caps are based on the cost of education in the recipient’s home state. Altmire says for a Pennsylvanian that adds up to $24,000 in tuition reimbursement plus an additional $1,000 to offset the cost of books and other educational expenses. Veterans can also pass along the benefits to their children.

The law still needs to be signed by the President but Altmire says that should not pose a roadblock. It will go into effect January 1st.

Vets Parade Steps Off In Pittsburgh

The traditional Veterans Day Parade stepped off at 10:30 this morning with a long line of bands, veterans and active duty members of the military. Bill White was among those at the head of the parade. He served his country during the Korean War and says he is proud of his time in the army and of all the men and women who have served in the military. He says he is pleased that there is such a big parade in Pittsburgh. “The only problem I have, I wish that all the schools were closed today so that some of the students could attend,” says White, “I find a problem with the fact that schools can be closed for [other holidays] and not the Veterans day Parade. Without the veterans there would be no schools.”

General Peter Lennon of the 316th Sustainment Command in Coraopolis brought about 100 members of his unit to march in the parade. He says men and women in the military love to come to Pittsburgh because they are always well supported. He says this is a way for him to show respect for the city and to honor the vets that have come before him.
Along with the veterans and active members of the military the parade featured politicians, local high school marching bands and the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band.

Listen to a tune performed by the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band.

Altmire Bill Would Extend Benefits to Nat'l Guard

Armed forces members serving within the United States would be eligible for the same education benefits as those serving abroad, under new legislation proposed by Congressman Jason Altmire of suburban Pittsburgh. (D-PA-4)

National Guard and reserve members could qualify for more than $24,000 in annual education aid if Altmire’s bill is passed.

Currently, soldiers and sailors need 90 days of overseas duty to qualify for education benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. But Altmire says that’s unfair to the men and women serving in a more domestically-focused role.

“If they are training for deployment, if they’re responding to a domestic emergency like those who responded after the September 11 attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon, people who are responding to natural disasters like Katrina, the oil spill where we have people along the Mexican border, if there is a federal deployment along the border, those are things that would qualify.”

The education benefits package covers tuition as high as that of the most expensive state-owned university. Also included are a book stipend of $1,000 and cost-of-living coverage that varies depending on the soldier’s location.

Altmire says about 19,000 Pennsylvanians would qualify for the federal money, including about 6700 from the Pittsburgh region. All 14 schools owned by the state have a yearly tuition of $5,804.

The Congressman says the measure would boost recruitment and retention rates in the National Guard and armed forces reserves.

Altmire says with support from veterans’ groups and both chambers of Congress, he expects the bill to be signed into law later this year.

Members of US Military Can See Art For Free This Summer

A handful of Pittsburgh area museums will be offering free admission this summer to active military personnel and their families. The head of the National Endowment for the Arts, in conjunction with Blue Stars Families asked museums across the country to offer the free admissions. The Frick Art & Historical Center is one of more than 600 museums that said yes. “We are pleased to join museums across the U.S. by participating in Blue Star Museums,” said Frick Director Bill Bodine. “Offering free admission is a way of showing gratitude and support to our country’s military personnel and their families.” Bodine says he knows this will mean a slight hit on the museum’s bottom line this summer but he thinks it is worth it. He also notes that anytime a museum can expand its reach in the community it is a good thing. The museum always offers a discount to members of the military.

Blue Star Museums runs from Memorial Day, May 31 through to Labor Day, September 6, 2010. Members of the military must show their ID to get themselves and up to five family members into the museums.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area and the Andy Warhol Museum are all taking part in the program. A list of all the participating museums can be found online.

Science Center to Host Sunday Memorial Service

The submarine U.S.S. Requin will welcome back some of her former sailors Sunday morning, when the Carnegie Science Center hosts a special Memorial Day weekend service on deck.

Science Center Curator of Historic Exhibits Patty Rogers says the service will start at 10:00 a.m. with a pledge to the American flag. Next, veterans of the Cold War-era Requin will toll the sub’s bell once for each American submarine that is now on “Eternal Patrol” under the sea. Rogers says the veterans will then cast flower petals into the water, in hopes that they reach their comrades still at sea.

Rogers says the service will conclude at about 11:00 a.m. with a 21-gun salute from a local Marine Corps League. The event is without charge and the submarine will be available for free tours for the rest of the day.

Also, HBO has set up a kiosk in the Science Center where visitors can record a short thank-you to veterans or active service members. Rogers says if desired, the video can instantly be sent to a specific soldier or sailor.

Sestak Opposes 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak says he supports national defense officials’ recommendations to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding homosexuals.

Sestak says as an officer, he had to enforce the rule, although he didn’t like it. He says as a Congressman, he’s glad he has the opportunity to repeal the policy.

“I went to war with [homosexuals],” says Sestak. “How can you come home and say they don’t have equal rights? I just thought it was wrong.”

The Democratic Congressman says some legislators opposed to repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy are affected by outdated stereotypes.

He says he hopes nobody votes on the issue a certain way just because they want to keep their job.

PA National Guard Unit Goes to Haiti

Fifty members of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing are headed on a humanitarian mission to earthquake ravaged Haiti. That country has limited communications capability so the 193rd will broadcast information about where to go for shelter, medical care, food and water from its airborne radio and TV station.
Airman First Class Claire Behney (Baynee) of Lebanon says it's the first time the Middletown-based unit is launching this kind of effort for a country not at war...

"This is a perfect example of what we train for, a perfect example of humanitarian missions we participate in. It's not just war missions that we support. We also reach out a helping hand to those in need."

Staff Sergeant Kyle Herman of Carlisle, says in his more than 7 years in the military, he's never done a mission like this before Herman says details about the length of the mission are still unknown.

Pennsylvania Man Member of Human Terrain Teams

They're called "Human Terrain Teams." They help give the U.S. military commanders insight into the culture of the civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq. A Pennsylvania man helps prepare the 5-member teams at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Harry Pecote, a 49-year-old father of six from Erie, Pennsylvania is a Civil Affairs Officer in the army. He train officers, anthropologists and political scientists to be members of human terrain teams.

Pecote says the team members get to know civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan in an effort to promote peace and reduce military and civilian deaths.
"We're not seeking ideally the local government official or police chief. We want to know what is the true mindset of the person in the street, what does the village really feel, what do they think. Often there is a disconnect between what the local government says and what the local population is truly thinking."

Pecote says during his trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, he's noticed that every region in each country is different....
"Village by village, it will vary and that's one of the problems we have as a military and as Americans in general. We look at people as Iraqis or Aghanis and that would be like saying someone from Western Pennsylvania is the same as someone from Eastern Pennsylvania whereas the people grew up with different cultures, different perspectives."

When he's not serving, he owns and operates an antique shop.

The program started in 2006. The teams typically consist of five members. Several hundred have been deployed since it started. Three have died.
It has been criticized by anthropology groups who see it as a way to weaponize anthropology.

US Senate Candidate Wants Expanded GI Bill

Congressman and US Senate Candidate Joe Sestak says he has introduced legislation that would expand the GI Bill and make other changes that he thinks will help men and women when they leave the armed services. Currently, veterans cannot use their GI Bill money to attend career, vocational or technical training schools. Sestak says that makes no sense. He says many vets want to make a living using their hands and the federal government is telling them they will not help them pay for their training. The bill would also set up a system by which members of the military can get credit for training they receive while serving. Sestak, who spent 30 years in the navy, says he knew men and women who were highly skilled welders and electricians but had nothing official to show for it when they left the service. The Air Force has set up a sort of “community college” and has had its technical training classes certified. He says members of all branches of the military should be able to tap into that type of program. He says having those credits transfer to other programs or certifications will not only make life easier for vets trying to transition into private life but it will also save the federal government millions of dollars in GI Bill spending.

Sestak announced the introduction of the bill while touring the several Pennsylvania universities including The University of Pittsburgh. Sestak says what he learned on the tour has resulted in another GI Bill related effort. He says veterans are telling him that when they call the GI Bill help center they are often given conflicting information, no information or are told to call their schools for the answers to their questions. Sestak says he will begin looking into training at the San Diego based call center.

PA National Guard Brigade in Iraq

The Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade is a bit more than two thirds of the way through a nine month tour in Iraq. Scott Detrow, who usually reports from the state capitol for WDUQ as well as WITF in Harrisburg and other Pennsylvania Public Radio stations, is embedded with the brigade for three weeks. Two members of the brigade have been killed during this current tour. Detrow sat down with the unit's commander, Colonel Marc Ferraro at their headquarters at Camp Taji to discuss their mission. Listen to the interview with Colonel Ferraro.

Air Force Reserve Base On Track For Appropriation

The Air Force Reserve's 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township is on track to receive $12.4 million in federal funding. The Senate Armed Services Committee has okayed the appropriation, which, if it receives full Congressional approval, would be the first for the Airlift Wing since 1996. Since 1996 the Wing has twice been on the Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) list but both times survived. The base is preparing to receive the funding and has a 4 phase plan to build a new dining hall and temporary quarters on the base for visitors. Airlift Wing spokesman Shawn Walleck says both of the existing buildings are over 50 years old and have become to expensive to maintain.

New Commissary for SW PA

The Department of Defense has given final approval for a new commissary in the Pittsburgh region. It will be built near Pittsburgh International Airport and replace the Charles E. Kelley Support Facility which was included in the last round of base closures and realignments. Congressman Tim Murphy from the South Hills was pleased by the final approval...."This is great news for the hundreds of thousands of military members and their families, who will now continue to have the services that were guaranteed to them."
Without the new facility, the nearest commissary for the veterans and their families would be a 4 hour drive. Congressman Mike Doyle of Swissvale called the decision "a major victory."
12.2 million in federal funding has been secured to build the new commissary and post exchange which will serve 168,000 eligible veterans and active military from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. The Kelley facility will remain open until the new commissary is built.

UPMC Joins Army Reserve's Employer Partnership Initiative

The program begun last April is a process to secure and share the talents of trained professionals to meet the country's military and civilian needs. Army Reserve Chief Lt. General Jack Stultz says the country’s 250,000 Army Reservists are now used in combat on a regular basis, and military training enhances an employee's value in the private sector, and vice versa. Stultz says the program is open to all kinds of employers but UPMC is an especially natural fit because two-thirds of the Army's medical capability is in the Army Reserve.

After 9/11, UPMC adopted policies to recognize the sacrifices made by their employees with military commitments. They pay up to $5000 a month to make up the difference in pay when an employee is called to active duty, and they make sure the veteran’s job, or its equivalent, is available when the employee returns to civilian life.