Officials Extend Deadline to Apply for ‘Stop Loss’ Pay

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – Service members and veterans whose military service was involuntarily extended under the “Stop Loss” program between the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible for special retroactive pay, and they now have more time to apply for it.

Eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until Oct. 21 to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay, Pentagon officials announced today.

“Even with extensive outreach efforts and tremendous support from the president, Congress, the [Veterans Affairs Department], veteran and military service organizations, and friends and family around the world, some qualified individuals have not yet applied,” said Juliet Beyler, the Defense Department’s acting director of officer and enlisted personnel management. “We highly encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply for this pay. You have earned it.”

The special pay is compensation for the hardships the involuntary extensions caused, officials said. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service to receive $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status.

When the special pay began on Oct. 21, 2009, the services estimated 145,000 service members, veterans and beneficiaries were eligible for this benefit. Because the majority of those eligible had separated from the military, officials said, the services have engaged in extensive and persistent outreach efforts, such as multiple direct mailings, public service announcements and continuous engagements with military and veteran service organizations, social networks and media outlets.

To apply for the pay, or for more information on submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.

Navy Surgeon General Calls for Future Medical Capabilities Assessment

From U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

RESTON, Va. (NNS) -- Navy Medicine held a conference March 19-21, 2012, in support of its Expeditionary Health Service Support (EHSS) Capability Based Assessment (CBA) bringing together nearly 100 medical and operational specialists across the Navy and Marine Corps to discuss how best to plan for future operations.

The EHSS CBA and the Joint Capability Integration and Development System (JCIDS) is designed to provide a long-range look at aligning Navy Medicine's future capabilities with the needs of the warfighter from 2015 through 2025.

The assessment is being conducted at the behest of the Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan who believes support to the warfighter and their families is the top priority of Navy Medicine.

"The CNO's Sailing Directions highlight warfighting first, operating forward, and readiness over the next 10 to 15 years, so efforts to improve capabilities across the spectrum and develop our personnel will be the foundation of the Navy's future success in these areas," said Nathan. "JCIDS and the EHSS CBA will give Navy Medicine the framework to join with the Marine Corps to operate and fight as expeditionary partners and ensure we are meeting the future needs our services."

According to Dr. Michael Malanoski, deputy chief, Future Operations for the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), the EHSS CBA marries health services requirements, afloat and ashore, with Navy, Marine Corps, and Defense Health planning, programming, budgeting and execution processes.

"EHSS is essentially Navy Medicine's core mission and this assessment looks at where we are now, where we need to be in the future, and what we need to do to get there in the operational area," said Malanoski. "It is a critical step in being able to meet future missions and operate in a joint, agile environment across a wide range of military operations."

The CBA will also conduct functional area review in many areas including casualty management, patient movement, human performance, health engagement operations and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, as well as reviewing Navy Medicine's ability to support U.S. civil authorities if a disaster were to strike on American soil. The assessment will need approval from senior leaders across the board to ensure that requirements and associated risks are appropriate in an environment of limited resources.

Malanoski stated that the impacts of the assessment will be vast and across multiple fields and will have a direct impact in shaping of the force. Ensuring there is an appropriate balance of uniform and civilian personnel in our facilities to support continued operational readiness both at home and overseas remains critical to Navy Medicine meeting its mission. He added that the CBA will also impact future resource levels and the Navy Medicine training continuum.

Nathan was pleased with the status of the future readiness initiative and believed the groups work would have long-term benefits for warfighters of the future.

"I have said many times, when the world dials 911, it is not to make an appointment," said Nathan. "The EHSS CBA is one more tool in our arsenal to ensure we are equipped and ready at a moment's notice to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

As the Navy Surgeon General and Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Nathan leads 63,000 Navy Medicine personnel that provide health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

Health and wellness are important elements of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.

RIVRON 1 Earns Green H Award for the First Time

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Heather M. Paape, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1's Medical Department was the first iverine command to earn the Force Health and Wellness Unit Award, or Green "H," March 13 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

The Green "H" is an annual award earned by commands who demonstrate medical readiness, physical readiness and commitment to health, fitness and mental well-being of its Sailors throughout the year. Commands display their commitment by participating in activities such as, smoking cessation courses, tactical combat causality care, drug and alcohol programs, suicide awareness classes, fitness sessions and education on healthy living.

Participating commands from NECC were judged upon their medical readiness standards from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011. Capt. Christopher Halton, commodore of Riverine Group 1, visited RIVRON 1 March 19 to congratulate the command on their award.

"This is the first time in Riverine history that the Green "H" was awarded to any Riverine Squadron and RIVRON 1 is the first and only," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Julian Torres, RIVRON 1 medical department. "We are very proud as a medical department to have helped receive this award and to make sure our Riverines are deployment ready."

The Green "H" demonstrates RIVRON 1's dedication to helping shipmates make productive changes in their lives. It also encourages participation in health promotion by providing resources to ensure the Sailor's health is at the highest level, and by offering every opportunity to educate the command.

"The Green 'H' is like the Battle 'E' of medicine," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Brett McIlmail, RIVRON 1 medical department. "Winning has definitely increased the morale of the command and is just another testament that we provide the best care for our Sailors."

Commands that earn the Force Health and Wellness Unit Award are authorized to paint a green "H" to display evidence of the honor. For each consecutive competition won, the command may paint a hash mark, below the green "H".

"It's not just the medical department that won the Green "H," but the command as a whole," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Anthony Royal, leading chief petty officer, RIVRON 1 Medical Department. "We won because of the effort that was put forward by every Sailor in the command."

The medical department ensures that the Riverine Force is deployable and capable of accomplishing their mission of providing an offensive combat component to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Navy brown and green water operation areas.

Frontline Psych with Doc Bender: 24/7 Help at Veterans Crisis Line

By Dr. James Bender, DCoE psychologist

Dr. James Bender is a former Army psychologist who deployed to Iraq as the brigade psychologist for the 1st Cavalry Division 4th Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Hood, Texas. During his deployment, he traveled through Southern Iraq, from Basra to Baghdad. He writes a monthly post for the DCoE Blog on psychological health concerns related to deployment and being in the military.

Hello. A friend at work recently asked me about patient confidentiality and suicide prevention hotlines. After our discussion, and speaking with a few others, my informal poll told me chances are there may be misinformation floating around. So I reached out to Patricia Lucas, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention coordinator for the Washington, D.C. area, and decided to spotlight a free, confidential resource for service members and veterans in emotional crisis this month—Veterans Crisis Line.

Partnered with VA and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the crisis line is available 24/7 by calling 800-273-TALK (8255) and pressing “1,” online chat or text message to 838255. In five years, the crisis line has fielded more than 500,000 calls and made more than 18,000 “rescues” where emergency services went to the caller’s location.

There are usually complex and varied reasons why someone may experience suicidal thoughts, but hopelessness is a common theme and a better predictor of suicide than depression. When people feel “trapped” or that their situation will never improve, it may lead them to consider suicide as the only option. It’s safe to say we probably all experience times when we’re down and not feeling ourselves, but people whose behaviors don’t seem to improve and actually worsen, may show signs that they need help. Here are some warning signs to look for: increased substance use; anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness; dramatic mood changes; rage, uncontrolled anger; and withdrawal from family, friends or society.

Who can use the crisis line?

Veterans can use the Veterans Crisis Line—you don’t have to be registered with VA—and how long you served or your discharge status doesn’t matter. Additionally, any service member, or concerned person can use this service. Here’s how it works:

1. When you call, use online chat, or send a text, it’s answered by a VA professional experienced with military-related issues and suicide prevention. They may even be a veteran. The responder starts with basic questions, like inquiring what the immediate problem is and how long the problem and poor moods have been going on. They may ask if the caller is thinking about hurting or killing themself and if so, if there’s a plan to do it. These questions may sound morbid, but they’re the most effective way to determine the best course of action.

2. If the caller is not in immediate danger, the nearest VA suicide prevention coordinator will follow-up with the caller within a day. This follow-up will require a name and phone number, so a face-to-face visit with a local health care provider can then be scheduled if the caller is receptive.

3. Because the safety of the caller is a primary concern, if the caller is at risk of suicide, a rescue is initiated to the caller’s location for immediate assessment and treatment, usually at a hospital emergency room.

Having worked with suicidal patients, I can tell you that there are many dramatic recoveries and some people literally consider themselves “reborn” after recovery from their suicidal episode. They are often scared to look back at this period in their life because they came close to making a big mistake.

It’s important for people to know that there is help available and to talk to someone before issues escalate. Stressful events can affect our health in multiple ways. It helps to maintain proper physical, emotional and psychological health in order to better deal with stressors in our lives.

Find out more about suicide prevention information and resources, and thanks for reading.

Transport, Triage, and Treat training with NHB Mass Casualty Exercise

By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton held a mass casualty exercise March 21 to test after-hours response capabilities of limited staff on duty.

The exercise, held in conjunction with force protection exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2012, and in cooperation with Naval Base Kitsap and Command Navy Region Northwest Fire/Emergency Medical Services, focused on how those on duty could handle a scenario involving multiple casualties in need of immediate medical assistance.

"We plan and practice several mass casualty drills a year and for this one, we wanted to see how our weekend and after hours staff would respond if they were suddenly surged due to an influx of multiple injured patients. In such a scenario, they're going to be the only ones for about the first hour. They need to know how to deal with all that's needed during that time," said Terry Lerma, NHB emergency preparedness coordinator.

The exercise scenario involved a vehicle accident on Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton. A passenger van swerved to avoid a pedestrian, tipped over and rolled, causing 12 people to sustain various injuries. NBK Bremerton Federal Fire Department initially responded with NHB helping to handle the surge of multiple patients needing medical treatment.

"As always, when an actual emergency happens, it won't be at our convenience. It will be when we least expect it and we have to ready. Planning and training to prepare for that actual emergency will give us the experience needed to be able to handle whatever needs to be done," said Lerma.

On any given weekend and after normal working hours, there are duty personnel in such areas as Operating Room, Emergency Department, Nursing Services, and Clinical Support Services. The objectives of the exercise were to primarily stress the capabilities of the emergency department and main operating room with the patient surge, and assess the ability of the after-hour staff to respond, triage, treat and/or transport injured patients to appropriate treatment areas. The exercise also tested the collective communication capability of the staff on duty.

"The communication during the exercise was good. Our emergency department did really well. The turnover and interface with the fire department delivering the incoming casualties was very good, as was the triaging and transferring of some of the injured to the operating room and multi-service ward," said Lerma.

According to Lerma, one of the top three after action report items after any emergency exercise is always about internal communications. This mass casualty exercise gave the command the opportunity to activate the alternate hospital command center (HCC) and iron out information-sharing and various means of informing staff, patients and beneficiaries.

"We primarily used landlines, but also had our command radios on hand for the exercise. Our command duty officer relayed inputs and updates to the HCC which was very timely," Lerma said.

"This exercise was valuable. It allowed us to talk things through, especially regarding communication," said Russ Kent, NHB Facilities Management Department head and HCC operations section chief.

Of prime importance to the HCC during any emergency is ensuring that the timely and accurate word gets out to staff on reporting to assigned places of duty. During an after-hours emergency event, the duty section has the immediate responsibility as other staff members are notified to augment the caring for casualties.

"We do have several ways to quickly recall additional clinical support and every emergency exercise can pose a different scenario. If we're dealing with an earthquake, that could impact our network connectivity and we might have to use other means. If we're handling a number of casualties from a automobile accident, then we can use our internal pager system. We will use the best methods available to get the word out to staff if they need to immediately report to the hospital. Social media also gives us several options that we will utilize," said Capt. Mark Turner, NHB executive officer and HCC incident commander.

"I would say this training is very valuable especially for the emergency medical technicians and firefighters. They were the ones who went through and practiced their training. I learned the importance of triaging. We don't normally see these kinds of cases on a day to day basis so being able to do it in a drill makes you more aware. The hospital staff was very professional. They treated me like I was an actual patient and I was impressed," said Hospital Corpsman Andrew Colbeck, of Branch Health Clinic Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

"There are always three priorities in any emergency," said Lerma. "There is life safety where we take care of the sick and injured; incident stabilization that in a mass casualty scenario we treat every patient; and property conservation/business continuity where we still provide services to care for other patients when dealing with mass casualty casualties. We did all of those today."

Naval Hospital Bremerton is part of Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery, a global healthcare network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

Training as well as health and wellness are important elements of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.