TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp. Agrees to Pay $179.7 Million to Resolve Overpayments from the Department of Veterans Affairs

 WASHINGTON –   TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp. has agreed to pay the United States $179,700,000 to resolve claims that it received overpayments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with its administration of certain VA health care programs, the Department of Justice announced today.

TriWest, an Arizona corporation headquartered in Phoenix, is in the business of administering government health care programs, including those operated by the VA. TriWest is responsible for administering certain portions of the VA Patient-Centered Community Care Program (PC3) and the VA’s former Veterans Choice Program (Choice). Both programs have enabled veterans to obtain medical care from providers in their communities. As an administrator of these programs, TriWest is paid by the VA to coordinate medical appointments and make payments to health care providers. 

The settlement resolves allegations that TriWest retained overpayments from the VA in connection with its administration of the PC3 and Choice Programs. The alleged overpayments included payments by the VA to TriWest twice for the same services as well as payments for services for which TriWest received full or partial reimbursement from certain health care providers.

“The VA’s PC3 and Choice Programs have provided significant benefits to our nation’s veterans,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to support the VA and its Office of Inspector General in ensuring that the VA’s programs are administered properly and that taxpayer funds are used as intended.”

“The VA provides invaluable assistance to those who have sacrificed on our behalf,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey for the District of Arizona. “It is vital that those who administer programs for the VA be held accountable to do so with the utmost care and integrity.”

“The VA Office of Inspector General works tirelessly to promote the economy, efficiency, and integrity of the VA’s programs and operations,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal. “This settlement is integral to ensuring that the VA’s funds are spent for the benefit of our nation’s veterans. I appreciate the teamwork and dedication that led to this significant recovery.”

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, and the VA and its Office of Inspector General. The claims resolved by the settlement agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.    

Mask Prep

 

An Air Force medical provider participates in an N95 mask fit test at a hospital in Lodi, Calif., Dec. 29, 2020, as Defense Department teams prepare to integrate into California hospitals to provide medical support alongside hospital personnel in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heavy Lifting

 

A soldier uses a forklift to receive and stage equipment in Jordan, Dec. 22, 2020, while deployed to support operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve.

Warrior Readiness

 

Service members participate in a live-fire training event at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Dec. 30, 2020, as part of Operation Wardog Kila, a joint Army-Marine Corps exercise.

After 75 Years, Veteran Receives Honors for WWII Service

 Dec. 31, 2020 | BY C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

The Navy and the Connecticut National Guard on Monday will honor Connecticut native son Dan Crowley for fighting against the Japanese in the Philippines 75 years ago.

Gregory J. Slavonic, who is performing the duties of the Navy undersecretary, will present Crowley with an honorary Combat Infantryman Badge in recognition of the fighting he did while in the Philippines, and a Prisoner of War medal. Crowley will also be promoted because he attained the rank of sergeant in October 1945, but he was never notified. The Jan. 4 ceremony will be held at the Land Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, at 11:30 a.m.

Spotlight: Commemorating World War II

Crowley enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in October 1940 at the age of 18. Less than six months later, in March 1941, he arrived at the Nichols Field air base near Manila in the Philippines.

In December 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Almost immediately afterward, they bombed airfields in the Philippines — including Nichols Field where then-Army Pvt. Crowley was stationed. That raid destroyed all the hangers there and other infrastructure. Crowley and others worked to defend that airfield against the Japanese attack, but their efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Weeks after the bombing of Nichols Field, Crowley and others sailed about 25 miles across Manila Bay to the Bataan Peninsula in the dark of night.

Fighting on the Bataan Peninsula eventually forced the Americans there to surrender — but Crowley and others didn't want to give up. Instead, they snuck off to Corregidor Island, which was about five miles south. But about a month after Bataan was surrendered, Corregidor also fell to the Japanese, and Crowley and others were held as prisoners of war.

The Japanese took the POWs from Corregidor back to Manila and held them at Camp Cabanatuan. To escape the horrid conditions at the camp, Crowley volunteered for a work detail to help build an airfield for the Japanese on Palawan Island. He and others worked to build an airstrip using only hand tools.

After Crowley and others returned from their work on the airstrip, Crowley was shipped off to Japan to be a slave laborer in a copper mine in March 1944.

Spotlight: Honoring Our Veterans

After being liberated on Sept. 4, 1945, Crowley returned home to his family in Connecticut. He was honorably discharged from the Army in April 1956.

While in the Philippines, Crowley participated in combat against the Japanese as part of the Army’s Provisional Air Corps Infantry Regiment on Bataan and later with the 4th Marines Regimental Reserve.

Deck Drive

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jajuan Mangual moves a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Makin Island in the Indian Ocean, Dec. 26, 2020.

Vaccination Station

 

Army Spc. Madalyn Stella emerges from a medical tent with a COVID-19 vaccine for a waiting patient in Exeter, N.H., Dec. 29, 2020. Stella is one of 11 New Hampshire National Guardsmen assigned to the vaccination station, one of 13 across the state that has opened for New Hampshire first responders and high-risk ambulatory care providers.

Welding Work

 

Marine Corps Sgt. Shane Holum welds a fence at Camp Foster, Japan, Dec. 4, 2020.

Range Lines

 

Army Lt. Col. Catherine Dunn fires during a pistol qualification course at the Udairi Range Complex in Kuwait, Dec. 28, 2020.

Guam Serenade

 

From right: Guam Army National Guard Spc. Syd Refugia, Spc. Christopher Bolus and Staff Sgt. William Cunningham III perform for guests in the COVID-19 quarantine facility at the Dusit Beach Resort in Tumon, Guam, Dec. 30, 2020.

Live Fire

 

Service members participate in a live-fire event at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Dec. 30, 2020, during Operation Wardog Kila, a joint Army-Marine Corps exercise.

USS Nimitz Returns to Home Port

 Dec. 31, 2020

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Following its role in providing support to American troops in Somalia and the arrival of follow-on operational capability, Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller has directed that the USS Nimitz will transit directly home to complete a nearly 10-month deployment.

“The Secretary appreciates the hard work, commitment, and flexibility of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group who repeatedly demonstrated operational excellence in providing air support to combat operations against terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan and ensuring maritime security in critical waterways,” said Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. 

“The Nimitz team provided persistent air cover during the troop drawdowns in Afghanistan and conducted operations and exercises that strengthened enduring partnerships and alliances in the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility.

“They conducted themselves admirably throughout the deployment despite the many challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The sacrifices and services of the Sailors, Marines, and their families is greatly appreciated by the entire Department of Defense and were in the finest traditions of the U.S. naval service.  We are glad that we can conclude 2020 by announcing these warriors are headed home.”

Drive-Thru View

 

Marines volunteer at a food drive at the Grainger Stadium parking lot in Kinston, N.C., Dec. 29, 2020. The event provided Kinston residents a free box of food and COVID- 19 testing.

Meet the New Dog

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Carmen Pontello introduces Hammer, a military working dog, to a Ghost Robotics Vision 60 semi-autonomous robot at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Dec. 17, 2020. The Vision 60 resembles a dog but is not designed to replace military working dogs.

Vaccine Line

 

Service members assigned to U.S. Forces Korea wait to receive the first COVID-19 vaccines at Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea, Dec. 29, 2020. The hospital is one of three Defense Department medical treatment facilities in South Korea inoculating medical staff and other key personnel during the initial worldwide distribution of the vaccine.

Recruit Routine

 

New recruits undergo screening after arriving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Dec. 28, 2020. Recruits will be tested for COVID-19 and go through a 14-day staging period before beginning recruit training.

Cockpit View

 

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2020.

Fire Fight

 

Air Force firefighters extinguish flames from a simulated car accident during an exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8, 2020.

Green Glow

 

Air Force Senior Airman Brendan Alverson inspects night vision goggles at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Dec. 18, 2020.

Training Colors

 

Soldiers train for a downed aircraft scenario in the Middle East, Dec. 30, 2020.

Wintry Work

 

A Navy P-8A Poseidon prepares for takeoff at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2020.

COVID-19 Vaccines Arrive at Royal Air Force Lakenheath

 Dec. 30, 2020 | BY Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Plew , 48th Fighter Wing

The 48th Fighter Wing received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Dec. 27, 2020. 

The United States government has purchased COVID-19 vaccines and is making them available to the Defense Department for distribution and administration to DOD personnel. Initially, the vaccine will be offered under an emergency use authorization, and vaccinations will be voluntary until achieving full Food and Drug Administration approval. 

"The health of our force, families and communities always remains a top priority," said Air Force Col. Jason Camilletti, 48th Fighter Wing commander. "This vaccine is an important part of the way forward as we continue to care for the communities where we live and work."

Spotlight: Operation Warp Speed

Initial quantities of the vaccine are limited and will be distributed on a rolling delivery basis as more vaccines become available. Tri-base personnel (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell) will be prioritized to receive the vaccine based on the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and on the DOD COVID-19 Task Force's assessment of unique DOD mission requirements.  

"At the medical group, we are excited and honored to be a part of the rollout of this historic vaccination program," said Air Force Col. Thomas Stamp, 48th Medical Group commander. "We have full confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and are eager to do our part to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. Our team of experts is poised to begin vaccine administration in accordance with DOD guidelines, and we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the vaccine."

Those providing direct medical care, maintaining essential national security and installation functions, deploying forces, and those beneficiaries at the highest risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19 will be among the first to receive the vaccine before other members of the installation population. The 48th FW personnel will be notified once the schedule of the COVID-19 vaccine administration has been determined.  

"The vaccine will be made available to each of us, as detailed in DOD's priority scheme; we encourage personnel to take the vaccine as it becomes available in order to protect their health, their families, their community and lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic," Camilletti said.

Force health protection requirements will continue, including requirements to wear appropriate masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and restriction of movement to protect our safety as a large portion of the population will need to be vaccinated before COVID-19 risks diminish.

Robot Strut

 

Airmen perform a function check on a Ghost Robotics Vision 60 semi-autonomous robot dog before a demonstration at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Dec. 14, 2020. The robot dog uses an adaptive communication system that allows it to operate on a series of preset commands or when operated manually.

Employment discrimination claim resolved on behalf of U.S. Army National Guard reservist

 HOUSTON – Luxury Jeweler Harry Winston has paid a U.S. Army reservist to resolve a claim they violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by refusing to offer him full-time employment.

“Discrimination against members of the National Guard or Reserve because of their service to our country is intolerable, violates the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and the Department of Justice will not stand for it,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “We honor all service members for their service to our nation, and this settlement signals the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment in protecting the rights of our men and women in uniform.”

“Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines fight for us. Fighting for their legal rights is the least we can do,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). “All service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, need to know that employers cannot discriminate against them based on their military service obligations. This settlement sends a strong message to employers that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will protect the rights of our service members.”

In December 2017, John Walker applied for a job with Harry Winston Inc. who ultimately denied his application. Walker alleged Harry Winston Inc. refused to hire him because of his military service obligations.

Congress enacted USERRA to encourage non-career service in the uniformed services by reducing employment disadvantages. It also intended to minimize the disruption to the lives of persons performing military service, their employers and others by providing for the prompt reemployment of such persons upon their completion of such service. USERRA also prohibits discrimination against persons because of their service in the uniformed services or if they pursue a claim.

Under the terms of the settlement, Harry Winston Inc. has agreed to fully compensate Walker for his back-pay and non-wage damages.

The Department of Labor - Veterans’ Employment and Training Service conducted the investigation.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Edward Wyatt and Annalisa Cravens handled the matter with Assistant Director Andrew Braniff of the Department of Justice’s Service members and Veterans Initiative and Senior Trial Attorney Alicia Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section. SDTX paralegal specialists Raymond Babauta and Nicole Robbins also provided assistance.

Justice Department Secures Relief for U.S. Army National Guard Reservist on Employment Discrimination Claim Against Luxury Jeweler Harry Winston

 The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced today that they resolved a claim that luxury jeweler Harry Winston Inc. violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by refusing to offer full-time employment to U.S. Army National Guard Reservist John A. Walker because of his military service obligations.

“Discrimination against members of the National Guard or Reserve because of their service to our country is intolerable, violates the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and the Department of Justice will not stand for it,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “We honor all servicemembers for their service to our nation, and this settlement signals the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment in protecting the rights of our men and women in uniform.”

“Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines fight for us. Fighting for their legal rights is the least we can do,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick for the Southern District of Texas. “All service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, need to know that employers cannot discriminate against them based on their military service obligations. This settlement sends a strong message to employers that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will protect the rights of our service members.”

In December 2017, reservist Walker applied for a job with Harry Winston, Inc., which denied his application. Walker alleged that Harry Winston, Inc. refused to hire him because of his military service obligations. Under the terms of the settlement, Harry Winston, Inc. has agreed to fully compensate Walker for his back-pay and non-wage damages.

Congress enacted USERRA to encourage non-career service in the uniformed services by reducing employment disadvantages; to minimize the disruption to the lives of persons performing military service, their employers and others by providing for the prompt reemployment of such persons upon their completion of such service; and to prohibit discrimination against persons because of their service in the uniformed services or if they pursue a claim under USERRA.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) referred this matter following an investigation by their Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and the Employment Litigation Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division handled the case and work collaboratively with the DOL to protect the jobs and benefits of military members.

This investigation was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Edward Wyatt and Annalisa Cravens and Paralegal Specialist Raymond Babauta of the Southern District of Texas, along with Assistant Director Andrew Braniff of the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative and Senior Trial Attorney Alicia Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section.  

Marine on a Mission

 

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Wick participates in a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020. The exercise provides immediate response to isolated personnel in potential search and rescue situations.

Guam Arrival

 

The fast attack submarine USS Key West moors at Naval Base Guam, Dec. 20, 2020, upon returning from regularly scheduled maintenance.

First Shipment

 

The Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing receives its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Dec. 27, 2020.

Welding Work

 

Army Lt. Col. Jeff Drawe, an Idaho National Guardsman, completes a welding course at the College of Western Idaho in Boise, Idaho, Dec. 12, 2020.

Load Labor

 

An Air Force loadmaster prepares a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for cargo during a mission in Southwest Asia, Dec. 24, 2020. Air Force Master Sgt. Joey Swafford

Exercise Prep

 

Marines prepare for a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020.

Skies Above

 

An airman prepares to execute a high-altitude low-opening jump in East Africa, Dec. 24, 2020.

Force Fuel

 

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle departs after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Southwest Asia, Dec. 22, 2020.

Wipe Down

 

An airman wipes down the landing gear on a B-1B Lancer at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 26, 2020.

Shot Prep

 

Navy Seaman Cierrajaye Santella prepares to administer one of the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, Wash., Dec. 23, 2020. The command initially received a limited quantity of COVID-19 vaccines for front line health care and emergency support services personnel and is following the Defense Department's phased, standardized and coordinated approach to administering COVID-19 vaccines.

Seeing Sailor

 

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Elizabeth Weil uses a telescopic alidade aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2020.

Squadron Maintains Flight Excellence During COVID-19

 Dec. 29, 2020 | BY AIR FORCE AIRMAN 1ST CLASS TAYLOR SLATER , 86th Airlift Wing

With flight times, delays and seating arrangements, travel by plane can be a monumental task to manage on its own. Add a global pandemic on top, and one may just burst under the strain. 

Fortunately, the Airmen of the 721st Aerial Port Squadron, Ramstein Air base, Germany, are here to help.

Since March, members of the 721st APS have worked tirelessly at the Ramstein Passenger Terminal to make sure the mission continues, and their patrons and employees are kept safe from exposure to COVID-19. 

The initial experience of COVID-19 at the terminal was described as "very fluid," according to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brandon Mabee, 721st APS noncommissioned officer in charge of passenger services.

"As we get information and implement a process, something else happens and it changes," Mabee said. "Anything that we were doing today could be different by the end of the day."

Managing the COVID-19 guidelines of various countries was a steep challenge for the terminal because different countries had different requirements for border entry. Coordinating those requirements with the f Defense Department's stop movement order and host nation guidance made for a difficult but rewarding challenge for Mabee.

"Having to work out everything on the fly was crazy because this was a real-life scenario. As a noncommissioned officer, I thought logically about how I could solve the problem without infecting or cross-contaminating people," Mabee said. "It was stressful but fun."

Despite the lifting of the stop movement in May, Mabee emphasized that many of its rules are still in effect with space available travel limited to travelers with emergency leave or exceptions to policy.

The terminal also established new rules as the pandemic progressed. Tape was placed in queues to mark social distancing guides and hand sanitizer stations were installed. Patrons must wear face coverings and undergo a brief screening process before entering the building.

"Please be ready to wear your [face covering] from the moment you enter this terminal all the way until you leave the building at your destination," Mabee said. "There have been a few cases where people caused issues, and they could have been removed from their flight and placed on a no-fly list for a period of time." 

As important measures were taken to increase passenger safety, the terminal also helped ensure the health of their employees. Airmen from the 721st APS split into minimal manning shifts to mitigate exposure. In addition, night shift airmen sanitize the terminal every night to keep people safe. 

"It's been a learning process for us," Mabee said. 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Domingo Gutierrez, 721st APS passenger services supervisor, enjoys his job despite the challenge because of the opportunity to guide his airmen through COVID-19 and show them how important their position is.

"A lot of people go throughout their day and think, 'Oh I'm just signing up passengers,'" Gutierrez said. "But then they see life come into someone's eyes when they learn they can get on their flight and see their family members in critical care. These are real-life struggles and this is how you impact the mission."

Mabee saw a silver lining in witnessing various units come together to combat the COVID-19 crisis. 

"[We recognized], 'Okay, this sucks, but we're going to get through it,'" Mabee said. 

Overall, Guittierez shared some crucial advice for future patrons: show up early, check your flight numbers and make sure your pet is booked correctly.

"Most of us own pets," Mabee said. "We couldn't imagine being told we can't get on a plane with them."

For more information on flights, pet travel and other situations the Ramstein Passenger Terminal can be reached at DSN 479-4411 and commercially at 06371-46-4441. The latest information on flight departures can also be found on the Ramstein Passenger Terminal Facebook page.

(Airman 1st Class Taylor Slater is assigned to 86th Airlift Wing.)

Sports Heroes Who Served: Baseball Legend Served During the Cuban Missile Crisis

 Dec. 29, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.

As sports legends go, there is a case to be made that Joe Torre is the personification of greatness. During his 50-year baseball career — 17 years as a player and 33 years as a manager — Torre is the only major leaguer to achieve both 2,000-plus hits as a player and 2,000-plus wins as a manager. 

Joseph "Joe" Paul Torre ranks fifth all-time in Major League Baseball history with 2,326 wins as a manager and 2,342 hits in 2,209 games during his playing career with the Milwaukee Braves (1960 to 1965), the Atlanta Braves (1966 to 1968), the St. Louis Cardinals (1969 to 1974) and the New York Mets (1975 to 1977).

He ultimately transitioned from player to manager with the New York Mets (1977 to 1981), the Atlanta Braves (1982 to 1984), the St. Louis Cardinals (1990 to 1995), the New York Yankees (1996 to 2007) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2008 to 2010).

On the field, he played first and third bases and was also a catcher and is a nine-time All-Star (1963 to 1967 and 1970 to 1973). 

As a manager for the Yankees, his team won four World Series: 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Although baseball defines him in the eyes of sports fans, Torre also served in the military. On Nov. 5, 2015, he spoke about his military experiences with John Raughter, a former Marine who wrote about him for the "The American Legion Magazine:"

"I was in the Air National Guard. It was a very tense time; I was in basic training during the Cuban crisis in 1962," he said. "I had already been in the big leagues for two years, and we were lying in bed listening to those planes take off from Kelly Air Force Base [Texas]. It was, wow. 

"And, of course, needless to say, my drill instructors were saying I'd be playing in Havana next year," he continued. "They always liked to stick a knife in you. It was a scary time. I think we all know that. Of course, we didn't know how scary it was until you got the news accounts after the fact. We were certainly alert to the fact that we were close to something that wasn't good."

In 2002 Torre and his wife, Alice, founded the Safe At Home Foundation, a nonprofit, that the website says "provides healing services to youth who have been traumatized by exposure to violence including domestic violence, child abuse, teen dating abuse and sexual assault in order to empower them to live healthy lives free of violence. Our mission is to educate to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives."

Torre said he was motivated to create the foundation because he experienced domestic violence as a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York.

"Growing up in a home where there was domestic violence was very difficult and left lasting scars," he said. "Although I didn't realize it then, I used to feel like the abuse was my fault. I felt helpless and alone. For many years, I felt ashamed and worthless. As an adult, I began to speak openly about my childhood experience with domestic violence."

Torre was the younger brother of Frank Torre, who played for the Milwaukee Braves from 1956 to 1960 and the Philadelphia Phillies from 1962 to 1963. Frank died in 2014 at age 82. 

Joe Torre is 80.

More Stories of Sports Heroes Who Served

Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Miller on Transition Efforts

 Dec. 28, 2020

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“The Department of Defense has conducted 164 interviews with over 400 officials, and provided over 5,000 pages of documents – far more than initially requested by Biden’s transition team.  DOD’s efforts already surpass those of recent administrations with over three weeks to go and we continue to schedule additional meetings for the remainder of the transition and answer any and all requests for information in our purview. Our DOD political and career officials have been working with the utmost professionalism to support transition activities in a compressed time schedule and they will continue to do so in a transparent and collegial manner that upholds the finest traditions of the Department. The American people expect nothing less and that is what I remain committed to.”

TRANSITION FACTS 

To date, since November 23rd the department has:

• Conducted 164 interviews with over 400 officials
• Responded to 188 requests for information (RFI)
•  Provided over 5,000 pages of controlled non-public and classified information

We continue to schedule interviews with senior leaders and career officials for early January.  Additionally, we will coordinate any urgent Operation Warp Speed or COVID-related requests as they arise over the holidays, as well as provide responses to RFIs specifically related to COVID-19 vaccine distribution.  We have three interviews scheduled the week of Dec. 28-31: two COVID-related, and one on cybersecurity.

We continue to support with:

• access to classified and controlled non-public information,
• visits to the Pentagon,
• working with the Agency Review Team to validate a pilot for rapidly onboarding political appointees in a new administration.
• providing confirmation support to prospective nominees.

This has all been done while:

• Taking all precautions to protect American lives from COVID-19 exposure
  • Operating under HPCON B – with only 40% of the workforce in the building and 60% teleworking.
  • Conducting all interviews virtually – something that has never been done before.
• Implementing the National Defense Strategy
• Supporting Operation Warp Speed to save American lives.

DOD continues to support the presidential transition aligned with the President Transition Act, White House and Biden-Harris Transition Team Memorandum of Understanding, and DOD policy.

Rainbow Ride

 

An Army UH-60 Black Hawk flies by a rainbow at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, Dec. 27, 2020.

Moderna Vaccine

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Monzon-Kazhe holds a box of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 26, 2020. The 374th Medical Group received 800 doses as its first wave of COVID-19 vaccine shipments.

Pay For Some Will Decrease to Cover Social Security Deferrals

 Dec. 28, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

At the end of this month, the 2020 Social Security tax deferral will end. 

Beginning in January, the 6.2% Social Security tax withholdings will again be deducted, and there will be an additional deduction for the deferred 2020 Social Security tax collection that has been in effect since September.

Most service members and Defense Department civilians have had their Social Security taxes deferred. That money will now be automatically deducted from paychecks beginning in January until the amount that has been deferred is collected by April 30.

Social Security taxes were withheld for service members whose monthly rate of basic pay was less than $8,666.66 and for civilians whose wage per pay period was less than $4,000.

Those who are unsure whether or not their Social Security was deferred should check their past and current Leave and Earnings Statements on the MyPay website. On the Leave and Earnings Statement, there is a deduction labeled OASDI — which stands for Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance — or FICA-Social Security, which stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. OASDI and FICA-Social Security are other names for Social Security. If no money was deducted for OASDI or FICA-Social Security, then that tax was deferred. 

To determine how much you owe, look at the August LES to see what amount of Social Security was deducted and then multiply that by the four months of the deferrals to get an approximate amount.

Another method for determining how much is owed is to multiply 6.2% times the amount of basic pay received from September through December 2020. Divide that amount by four to determine how much per month will be collected in addition to the normal Social Security deductions per month.

The 2020 Social Security taxes deferred will be collected from the Jan. 1 to April 30 pay periods. 

For those in the Reserve or National Guard who perform only intermittent duty from January to April 2021, the collections may not be split evenly across pay periods. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will collect 6% of net available pay each pay period. Collections may be extended past April 30, 2021, if the member does not earn enough pay to collect the 2020 deferred taxes before that date.

Those who are preparing to separate or retire before the deferred Social Security tax is collected are still responsible for repaying the taxes. The unpaid balance will be collected from your final paycheck or a letter will be mailed with instructions for repayment.

The 2020 Internal Revenue Service W-2 Wage and Tax Statements will be issued in January. A W-2c Corrected Wages and Tax Statement that includes the collection of deferred Social Security taxes in 2021 will be issued for those whose Social Security taxes have been deferred.

However, receiving a W-2c does not change the deadlines established by the IRS for filing 2020 income tax returns. 

Need help figuring out what to do?

Service members and retirees should contact their nearest installation Military and Family Support Center for more information.

Service members and their families may also contact Military OneSource, https://miltaryonesource.mil for financial counseling and tax consultation support up to 365 days post-separation and retirement.

Other information for service members, DOD civilians and retirees is available at: https://www.dfas.mil/taxes/Social-Security-Deferral/.

The IRS is also a good source of information:

• Tax Deferral Implementation: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/guidance-issued-to-implement-presidential-memorandum-deferring-certain-employee-social-security-tax-withholding
• W-2 Reporting: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/form-w-2-reporting-of-employee-social-security-tax-deferred-under-notice-2020-65

For more information, see Order Gives Employees Social Security Withholding Tax Deferral, Not Forgiveness.

Related News Release: DOD Educates Military Service Members and Civilian Employees on the Social Security Payroll Tax Deferral