Measures will strengthen veterans' employment protections, enhance mortgage safeguards, and block deceptive targeting of vets by educational institutions 

Washington, D.C. - A package of bipartisan bills authored by Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01), dubbed the "Blueprint for Veterans Opportunity," has been approved by the US House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.  The measures will help improve economic opportunities and job protections for America's military veterans.

The proposals were first advanced two weeks ago by the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, where Braley is the highest ranking Democrat.

Braley's "Blueprint" will strengthen employment protections for veterans seeking medical treatment for service-related injuries, enhance protections from home foreclosures against veterans, and target deceptive marketing practices by some educational institutions by providing veterans with standard information about available higher education options.

"The 'Blueprint for Veterans Opportunity' advanced by the Veterans' Affairs Committee today will strengthen protections for veterans' jobs, homes, and educational benefits," said Braley.  "This is a step forward for America's returning veterans.  I'm encouraged that these proposals attracted such strong bipartisan support.  It shows what's possible when we put aside party labels and work together to do good for men and women who have sacrificed so much for us."

The bills were passed with the overwhelming bipartisan support of the Veterans' Affairs panel.  Braley has worked closely with Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) for months on these and other legislative proposals to improve economic prospects for veterans.  In October 2011, for example, Braley and Stutzman hosted a field hearing on reducing the unemployment rate among returning National Guard veterans in Waterloo, Iowa.

More detailed summaries of the components of Braley's "Blueprint for Veterans Opportunity" follow:

HR 5747, Military Family Home Protection Act. Includes Braley language that ensures opportunities for housing and employment by 1) expanding and improving protections from home foreclosures against military veterans and surviving spouses of servicemembers who died while serving our country; and 2) providing military and National Guard veterans up to 4 weeks of unpaid leave from their employer each calendar year for treatment for a service-related injury without fear of losing their jobs.

HR 4057, Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act. Includes Braley language that targets aggressive and deceptive marketing to service members and veterans by some educational institutions and provides veterans with standard information about post-secondary institutions to help vets make more informed choices about college.

"Today's hearing helped further highlight the critical role the National Guard plays in our state's and nation's security and I am pleased Governor Branstad could join us," said Loebsack.  "As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I've been successfully fighting against the proposed cuts to the 132nd.  Our country has invested in the training and experience of the Airman with the 132nd who are some of the most experienced, most cost effective, and best performing in the country.  These Airmen have served our state and country with great dedication.  Going forward, I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis with the Governor to ensure that the Air Force's proposal does not move forward."

VIDEO

Loebsack questions Gov. Branstad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7p62xxKsPI

Loebsack welcomes Gov Branstad to the hearing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSaQV1vfilg

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad is ordering all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2012, until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2012 for Sgt. James Skalberg Jr., 25, originally of Emerson.

Sgt. Skalberg was killed in Afghanistan, while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was driving. He was one of two soldiers killed in the explosion.

The governor's directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor's executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

Sgt. Skalberg is survived by his wife, Jessica Skalberg; his son, Carter Skalberg; his parents, James and Kelli Skalberg Sr.; sister, Spring Skalberg; and grandparents Bonnie and John Stephens and Karen Brewer.

Visitation for Sgt. Skalberg will be held from 4-8 p.m., Friday, July 13 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 Summit St., Red Oak, with the family present. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 14, also at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A graveside service will follow at the Emerson Cemetery (directly west of Red Oak at the junction of Iowa Highways 34 and 59).

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Carter Skalberg Education Fund, 705 E. Corning St., Red Oak, Iowa 51566.

The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of the funeral will be presented to Sgt. Skalberg's family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring him.

CAMP RIPLEY, MINN. (07/11/2012)(readMedia)-- Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville participated in squad live-fire exercises at the Infantry Platoon Battle Course as part of the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program July 9 at Camp Ripley, Minn.

"This training is the culmination of what we have been doing over the last year," said 1st Lt. Chris K. Rodgers of Macomb, battalion liaison officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment. "This is a validation lane for what we are going to be doing July 12. There the companies will run through platoon-size, live-fire exercises."

As with much Army-based training, a crawl, walk, run approach was used. Soldiers were briefed they were in a reconnaissance patrol, came upon enemy contact and had to destroy the enemy with their weapons, clearing the way for future movement.

"It's a real slow pace right now as we're learning," said Spc. Waylon S. Holland of Columbia, Mo., with Company A. "We spent a lot of time with rehearsals trying to better fit each other. I think this will be foundational and a crucial part to our XCTC experience."

During the rehearsals each squad moved tactically until engaged by pop-up targets and then responded with blank-round ammunition. Soon after, the squads repeated the movement with live rounds.

"This training is simulating (received) contact on a dismounted patrol," said Pfc. Collin A. Watts of Plainfield, with Company A. "We're practicing bounding techniques, which are basic movement techniques within a squad."

Although the movements are basic infantry tactics, the importance of knowing and employing them are vital to mission success and Soldier safety.

"Every infantryman will know this ... this is as basic as it gets," said Cpl. Paul A. Minder of Roanoke, team leader with Company A. "This is something they have to practice; they have to know."

The acknowledgement of risk and the seriousness of the exercise was expressed by others as well.

"It comes down to knowing who's on your right and left, knowing how to communicate and knowing how to give and follow orders," said Capt. Nick P. Camardo of Rockford, Company A commander. "It's essential they know how to take the proper steps and keep the weapon pointed down range and at the enemy. It's important for them to continue to train like this and I'm confident they will be good to go by the end of the day."

Company A made safety a priority and took the necessary precautions to ensure the Soldiers stayed safe throughout the exercise.

"There will be one range personnel, one medic, and two internal company safeties who will walk with every squad," said Rodgers.

After Camardo validates squads, the battalion commander will validate the platoons and then Company A can be validated and complete a large portion of their pre-mobilization tasks.