Will the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs be a RallyPoint member?

Ryan Callahan — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:44:41 -0400

I hope the answer is yes. I believe it is very important to have a veteran who can relate in office. We have over 1.5 Million members to choose from. What are your thoughts?

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 26 at 2018 11:45 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:45:06 -0400

I await my phone call

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 26 at 2018 12:15 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:15:16 -0400

Nothing stopping RP from actively recruiting any Secretary after they take office. Former Mil or not, having direct access would be pretty nice for the community.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 26 at 2018 12:17 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:17:41 -0400

Okay, okay fine, I'll do it.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 26 at 2018 12:26 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:26:03 -0400

Ryan Callahan: I think that that is a terrific idea. I would love to run for the office of Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Apr 26 at 2018 12:40 PM

CWO3 Dennis M. — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:40:05 -0400

Go Navy, lets get a Navy guy in there...talk about cussin and swearin, and talk about getting things done,......... we deliver! ......Marines when needed and Navy Seals when things get going real tough! Yep, we can square Away that VA!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 26 at 2018 12:48 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:48:13 -0400

Sounds great to me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 1:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:07:22 -0400

Might as well throw my hat in the ring.
I am close to as qualified as the last nominee, and I don't think I have any skeletons in my closet.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 26 at 2018 1:18 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:18:37 -0400

I'm nominating SMA Ray Chandler

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 26 at 2018 1:45 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:45:27 -0400

Who wants a temporary job?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 26 at 2018 1:45 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:45:40 -0400

You know, i was joking on here the other day, one of my residency directors befire my total perm disability was USAFR, i think that was why he gave me an unpaid residency spot at the VA i was with him at...he’d be perfect...I’d love to it or at least help, ive got a fair clue at this point how the whole Dept functions...of course it’s just a pipe dream, obviously...more’s the pity...

Response by Sgt Douglas Berger made Apr 26 at 2018 3:24 PM

Sgt Douglas Berger — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:24:40 -0400

I think the Secretary should be a Veteran who has a working knowledge of the VA. Inside/ out. One who knows the delays, and the lack of good diagnosis. If a primary care can not diagnosis a condition of a Veteran that Veteran should be choice'd out. One who understands that Doctors who care for our Veterans should be current with the latest in medical advancements. Not 20 years ago when they received their license. They should be required to take an annual review and test. We need a Secretary who knows how to connect the community and VA Clinics to give the best care available. One who understands that when a Veteran is admitted for Emergency Care that Veteran needs to be evaluated within three days not 30 days or three months when their next regular appointment comes around. In other words focus on Veterans and deal with issues such as onlyusa.us Harriet Nix COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 26 at 2018 3:30 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:30:01 -0400

I don't care really who gets it. What I care about is results. If someone who hasn't served can get them, great. Only the results matter.

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Apr 26 at 2018 3:41 PM

1stSgt Nelson Kerr — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:41:48 -0400

I do not care what he is a member of, I do care whether he cares about veterans and is qualified to manage 300,000 people caring for millions.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Apr 26 at 2018 3:48 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:48:51 -0400

That would be interesting if on RP. Actually, what we should do is Take the $174K job and split it between 3-4 or even 5 retirees to do the ONE job. With 5 brains, skills from management, to medical, to empathy for PVT Snuffy and maybe more management. That is what is really needed...and as retirees already getting a check....plus, I believe we could telework. Maybe we need on Wash DC based sucker to sit in a chair in meetings all day...those meetings can be VPN to our home laptops. Mostly it is a management job. Each element, Battalion gives a report, gives suggested solutions to problems....and decisions are made.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 4:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:41:48 -0400

If he/she is, at least we know they will have been vetted! ;)

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 26 at 2018 5:16 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:16:04 -0400

Why not COL Mikel J. Burroughs? I was under the impression that he commands all RallyPoint members around the world.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 26 at 2018 6:19 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 18:19:31 -0400

I think that COL Mikel J. Burroughs would be good for the position. He is already doing so much to help the Veteran Community, this would just be taking it to the next level.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 26 at 2018 8:13 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 20:13:05 -0400

Honestly, I don't care if the person selected is a vet or not. However....

Before they go through Senate Confirmation, I want the Senate to call the VA 1-800 number and see if they can get through. I want them to do this on live TV with a randomly selected vet from RP. Let's see if the phone center can support.

Don't give warning. Just call up and see if they can make it through.

That's how we should determine whether the government is efficient or trustworthy. Call up the listed phone number on live TV. "Hi, my name is Aaron Kennedy, and I have an issue. I'm hoping you can help me out."

Let's see how they do.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 27 at 2018 1:11 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 13:11:24 -0400

Instead of looking toward former officers, it might be time for a retired division level Command Sergeant Major to lead the VA.

Response by Sgt Douglas Berger made May 7 at 2018 7:44 PM

Sgt Douglas Berger — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:44:49 -0400

Miss Nix and I mentioned HR 299 was reported a maybe for May. Last I heard it could be tomorrow. Still no timing on the table used to combine service connected disabilities. It was also was scheduled to see some action this month. As Veterans we need to work together to make changes. The timing is good now because so many are up for election. By using onlyusa.us as a response to the many political speeches brings the table to the top as for Veterans issues impacting millions of Veterans. So, my opinion, is to ask the politician for their opinion on http://www.onlyusa.us .Those up for re_election will be especially vulnerable to have their lack of action on Veteran issues exposed. anyone feel free to direct their attention to http://www.onlyusa.us for details of the issues.

Cobinding Veterans Service Connected Disabilities

Response by Sgt Douglas Berger made May 7 at 2018 7:50 PM

Sgt Douglas Berger — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:50:10 -0400

I believe we as a group "Rally Point" could/ should be a consultant on Veteran issues. onlyusa.us There is many qualified sources as members of Rally Point.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 12 at 2018 5:38 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 12 May 2018 17:38:00 -0400

Wow, what a good idea...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 12 at 2018 5:38 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sat, 12 May 2018 17:38:47 -0400

Numero uno on my list of things to suggest....

Response by SSG Bill Cooke made May 20 at 2018 11:20 PM

SSG Bill Cooke — Sun, 20 May 2018 23:20:45 -0400

At this point, who knows who President Trump will nominate, and then if the Senate will pass whoever is selected. Key points. Veteran, Admin, Medical Experience too. Rare person who the Dems = Insiders = Deep State will NOT want as they hate Trump and want to defeat him.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made May 21 at 2018 5:54 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Mon, 21 May 2018 05:54:38 -0400

I agree. My vote is for our brother in arms, MAJ Pete Hegseth. Check him out! He's been a faithful veteran's advocate since he became one himself. He is a regular on Fox News and is as fine a patriot as you will find. Hooah!

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made May 21 at 2018 12:50 PM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Mon, 21 May 2018 12:50:16 -0400

Well, we now know the answer to your question. Robert Wilkie, the newest nominee for the VA's yop post is not apparently a member of RallyPoint, but is a military Reservist. Formerly an intelligence officer with the US Naval Reserve, and currently a member of the US Air Force Reserve, assigned to the Pentagon, Mr. Wilkie (none of the references I found gave a rank, but said he had attended the War College, so we can assume an officer rank), has no combat, or apparently any active duty experience. Although his father was an Army artillery officer. We shall see.

Response by CPT Scott Sharon made May 28 at 2018 1:40 PM

CPT Scott Sharon — Mon, 28 May 2018 13:40:58 -0400

I agree!

Response by PO3 David Mondello made Jun 12 at 2018 9:43 AM

PO3 David Mondello — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 09:43:40 -0400

Maybe they don't want to hear what some have to say.

Response by SSgt Max Gonzales made Jun 18 at 2018 12:13 AM

SSgt Max Gonzales — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 00:13:02 -0400

I believe that only a veteran could take on that responsibility. Someone,who has our best interest at heart and will not be held back by the politicians. Our needs need to be met and dealt with, without having to wait until they feel you're eligible.

Response by SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott made Jul 15 at 2018 6:43 PM

SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 18:43:39 -0400

I agree!! In my opinion it takes a veteran to understand veterans! Now that my husband qualifies for home care help through the VA, I think it's even more important that the VA is directed by an individual that has the needed qualifications to see that ALL Veterans receive the care they need!!

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Nov 11 at 2018 7:44 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 07:44:26 -0500

Indeed; the next Secretary of the VA should definitely be a member of RallyPoint (RP), so he can interact with us directly, without diluting our cause and intent COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" .

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Nov 11 at 2018 7:49 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 07:49:32 -0500

Invite the SECFEF too and make RP a Center of Excellence (CoE) for Veteran Affairs. Assisting VA and DoD helping veterans would be a dream come true for me.

Response by Sgt Fredric Garms made Oct 19 at 2021 7:59 AM

Sgt Fredric Garms — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 07:59:03 -0400

Why do we keep fighting wars that we have no intention of WINNING?

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Jun 7 at 2023 12:50 PM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:50:29 -0400

I am up for the challenge!