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February 15, 2013

News for Reservists

Top Story

Republican senators block Hagel vote
Senate Democrats on Thursday fell two votes shy of advancing the nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's choice for defense secretary. Another vote is expected when the Senate returns from a 10-day recess, and several Republican lawmakers have indicated they will not block a final vote. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/14) , Air Force Times (free registration) (2/14)

In the Pentagon

Analysis: African conflicts disrupt Pentagon's "pivot to Asia"
The Pentagon's strategy to divert resources to the Asia-Pacific region has been made more difficult by recent conflicts in Africa. While the U.S. presence in Africa is relatively small -- about 5,000 troops across the entire continent -- at least one high-ranking Pentagon official has recommended that the U.S. increase its intelligence operations in the region nearly fifteenfold. The Washington Post (2/14)

On the Hill

Bill proposed by Senate Democrats calls for $27.5B in defense cuts
Senate Democrats unveiled legislation Thursday as an alternative to sequestration. The proposed bill would cut defense spending by $27.5 billion for the 2013 fiscal year. However, the bill may not have the required support from Republicans to pass. Defense News (2/14)

Analysis: An overview of sequestration's possible impact
Federal officials have delivered statements in recent weeks outlining how sequestration would affect various agencies. Navy officials have indicated that sequestration would prevent the service from supporting counterterrorism operations in Somalia and Yemen, while a letter from the Pentagon this week indicated that Army maintenance and training would be reduced. White House budget controller Daniel Werfel warned Congress on Thursday that the cuts would have "destructive consequences." The Washington Post/The Associated Press (2/15)

Lawmakers see parallels between Afghanistan, Iraq
Air Force Times (free registration)/The Associated Press (2/14)

On the Home Front

Civilian helps carry out drone missions in Afghanistan
A childhood fascination with remote control planes set Peter Sunder on a path that has led him to Afghanistan. Sunder now works as a civilian contractor helping the U.S. military manage unmanned aerial vehicle operations in the field. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (2/14)

Reserve Life

VA waives burial restrictions for Ore. same-sex couple
The Department of Veterans Affairs said Thursday that it would allow the same-sex spouse of a former service member to be buried in a national cemetery even though the action would go against department policy. Air Force Times (free registration)/The Associated Press (2/14)

VA took 40% longer to process claims in fiscal 2012, records show
The Department of Veterans Affairs took 40% longer to process disability claims in fiscal 2012 than in the previous year, according to a recent VA report. Processing times for education and burial benefit applications also increased, the report found. The Fayetteville Observer (N.C.)/McClatchy Newspapers (2/14)

SmartQuote

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal. Not to people or things."

--Albert Einstein,
German-born theoretical physicist

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