If the VA has always been led by a veteran, and it's clearly a huge mess, then why is a non-veteran VA leader not a reasonable idea?

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:49:40 -0500

There are fine arguments both ways. But I don't buy so heavily into the argument of "only a veteran can really understand what the VA needs." There is little basis to say that veterans are best to head up the VA, based on where we are today.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 1 at 2017 9:54 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:54:32 -0500

The logic that I don't like here is: (1) The VA is a big mess (2) The VA has always been led by a person type X (3) We must need more of person type X to solve the problem!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 9:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:57:42 -0500

I suspect the problem is not who holds the top seat but in trying to shed the corrupt and bloated middle executives. I think it is easier to cure herpes than fire a VA employee.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 1 at 2017 10:07 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:07:29 -0500

because the Political hacks want to Blame the problems on some one other than them selves... and the best way is to shove a politically oriented Vet into the Job who they Know will do as Little as needed to get the Job Done...

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 1 at 2017 11:21 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:21:41 -0500

You cannot save the VA as the media has buried it. Selffulfilling prophecy now and based upon reimbursements rates there will plenty of people willing to fill the gap or if too low there will be no one.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 11:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:22:46 -0500

I don't really think it would make a significant difference but I do believe that if the VA is lead by a non-vet with the right credentials...that the new CEO's surround themselves with the quality VA leaders that are Vets to make it happen....Healthcare is all about three things. COST, ACCESS and QUALITY....Reduce COST + Improve ACCESS + Improve QUALITY = Increased VALUE....If any hospital or hospital system fails these and doesn't continually try to improve itself...then it fails its primary mission. I do believe that many processes need to be re-examined and streamlined b/c they are just too cumbersome....

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Feb 2 at 2017 5:12 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:12:07 -0500

That Veteran is paid too much money.
If I were in charge, then I wouldn't want a crazy 6 figure salary. I would expect a fairly large salary considering I was dealing with so many people.

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 2 at 2017 6:15 PM

SGT William Howell — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 18:15:53 -0500

Until they fix the the ability to hold employees accountable it does not matter who is in charge. Your mechanic may be the best one in 100 miles. If he does not have any tools at his disposal he can't fix shit.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 2 at 2017 7:24 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 19:24:33 -0500

May take some heat for this, but for the near term I think it shouldn't be a vet. IMO the VA is more concerned with preserving its bureaucracy than accomplishing its mission of serving vets. Granted as a retiree I don't have a lot of interface with the VA, but from all that I've seen and heard their attitude is that it's the VA way or no way. Unfortunately I think too many veterans buy into this philosophy and may tweek things but never really change things. Someone from outside the veteran community with firm guidance from above to implement change may be more able to accomplish this. Get things fixed and then look to prior veterans to maintain the changed organization.

Response by MSG Darren Sherrard made Feb 14 at 2017 3:31 PM

MSG Darren Sherrard — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 15:31:16 -0500

The last 4 SECVA's have been West Point grads. I am optimistic.