Issues Veterans Benefits
Transition Services
Making the transition back to civilian
life after serving in the field can be a difficult challenge
for anyone. I have heard from a number of military families
and veterans service organizations about the lack of access
to adequate transition counseling and medical services as
they demobilize from service. I am also concerned about reports
of uneven provision of services from base to base and from
service to service.
All of our men and women in uniform have pledged to serve
our country, and all of them deserve to have access to the
best services available in return. In June 2005, I introduced
the Veterans Enhanced Transition Services Act, or VETS Act,
to ensure that all military personnel have access to the same
transition services as they prepare to leave the military
to reenter civilian life. In addition to expanding services
available at the time of demobilization or discharge, this
bill requires demobilization physicals, including mental health
screenings, for all military personnel.
Sections of my legislation were enacted as part of the fiscal
year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act. |
