Tony

VetResources: Veterans State Tax Breaks and Benefits

I have not heard anything on my part... anyone?

Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent got into a heated shouting match in earshot of President Trump and other officials in the White House last week during a dispute about the IRS, two witnesses and three sources briefed on the matter tell Axios.

Are you Serious! For starters, what was DEI's function before it was removed? Next, why are you emphasizing the protection of one group only? From the sound of it, this sounds pretty racist and unprofessional coming from the Veterans Administration... The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a task force to determine whether "anti-Christian bias" exists within the federal government's second-largest Cabinet department and is asking its employees to report alleged discrimination by other staff members.

"Hegseth, before becoming defense secretary, was a morning show co-host on Fox News' "Fox & Friends Weekend." Since his nomination, he has vowed to emphasize improvements in the armed forces' warfighting abilities and military readiness." (He could start by ordering makeup units on Navy bases, ships, subs and airplanes perhaps ) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ordered modifications to a room next to the Pentagon press briefing room to retrofit it with a makeup studio that can be used to prepare for television appearances, multiple sources told CBS News.

PHILADELPHIA — A new national survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center reveals that while public trust in key institutions like the Supreme Court and Congress is fading, Americans across party lines overwhelmingly support the Constitution’s system of checks and balances that limits presidential authority.

"The extent of the feud, which has been previously unreported, helps explain the chaos that has eclipsed the Defense Department in recent weeks. And it affirms skeptics’ concerns that Hegseth lacked the management experience to run a large organization." When President Donald Trump chose Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, incoming officials knew they’d need to surround the inexperienced Fox News host with accomplished staff who could handle the nation’s largest bureaucracy. Hegseth would be the show horse, they figured, and others at the top would keep the Pentagon on track. What happened was the opposite.

In this spirit, Bright Line Watch brings together a group of political scientists to monitor democratic practices, their resilience, and potential threats.

OIX GATEWAY NORFOLK VA SUCCESSFUL PROCESSING REPORT: NAVY EXPEDITIONARY COMBAT COMMAND NAVY RESERVE ACTIVITY GOES MSG_ID: 120001867602 RTTUZYUW RUOIAAA0022 1051802-UUUU--RHSSSUU. ZNR UUUUU R 151802Z APR 25 MID120001867602U FM COMNAVRESFOR NORFOLK VA TO COMNAVRESFORCOM NORFOLK VA COMNECC LITTLE CREEK VA REDCOM SAN DIEGO CA REDCOM JACKSONVILLE FL NAVRESCEN JACKSONVILLE FL NAVRESCEN NORTH ISLAND CA COMNECCPAC PEARL HARBOR HI MESG ONE MESG TWO MSRON ONE MSRON FIVE MSRON TEN COMNAVRESFOR NORFOLK VA BT UNCLAS ALNAVRESOR 012/25 // MSGID/GENADMIN/COMNAVRESFOR NORFOLK VA/APR// SUBJ/NAVY EXPEDITIONARY COMBAT COMMAND NAVY RESERVE ACTIVITY CAPABILITIES PILOT// REF/A/TYPE: DOC/CNRF/01DEC2022// AMPN/ REF A IS COMMANDER, NAVY RESERVE FORCE BATTLE ORDERS 2032. RMKS/GENTEXT/This is a joint Commander, Navy Reserve Force Command (CNRFC) and Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Tasking Order promulgating a campaign plan directing implementation of the NECC Navy Reserve Activity (NRA) Capabilities initiative Pilot Program (NCPP). This message provides direction for implementation, delineates responsibilities, and provides coordinating instructions specifically for Phase I of the NCPP. 1. SITUATION NECC is comprised of roughly 9,000 Selected Reserve (SELRES) equating to 51% of the Expeditionary Force, and over 20% of the Navy's reserve warfighting capability. The majority of these SELRES are assigned to NECC operational units that have unique and significant Major Combat Operations (MCO) readiness requirements which demand a high level of Force Generation (Fg). This TASKORD is the first step in streamlining the operational control (OPCON) and administrative control (ADCON) chains of command under a single reporting senior, the NECC operational unit Commanding Officer. This simplification of the chain of command is designed to streamline competing Fg requirements, eliminate dual reporting requirements for individual SELRES, and result in improved individual and unit warfighting and mobilization readiness. Phase I of the NCPP is the first step in an initiative to establish NECC Operational Units as fully functional NRAs. 2. MISSION Navy Reserve Forces Command will transfer NRA capabilities and responsibilities to the NECC units identified below with a transfer target date of 01OCT2025 for locally assigned sailors. The transfers will occur in a systematic, planned approach, with completion actions outlined in paragraph 3. 2.A. East Coast: MSRON 10 NRA (AUIC 30667). Initial RUICs included in the NCPP: MSRON 10 HQ (30667), MSRON 10 Security Boat Company Alpha (SBC A) Platoon, Jacksonville (55227), and MSRON 10 SBC A Jacksonville (87796) only. 2.B. West Coast: MSRON 5 NRA (AUIC 4601B). Initial RUICs included in the NCPP: MSRON 5 HQ (86941), MSRON 5 Boat Division 51 (87783), and MSRON 5 Boat Division 52 (47116) only. 2.C. As the transfer of these capabilities occur, the expectation is that every subordinate command and supporting Commander will aggressively identify and correct problems within his or her area of responsibility and complete assigned tasks with a sense of urgency and professionalism. If a barrier is discovered that is beyond your ability to resolve, rapidly elevate it for resolution. 3. GENTEXT/EXECUTION// 3.A. Commander's Intent. The smooth transfer of NRA capabilities to NECC NRAs is essential in establishing ownership of assigned SELRES and improving warfighting readiness requirements unique to NECC operational units. CNRFC and NECC have chosen to implement the NCPP for these selected MSRONs in order to provide authoritative data of MSRON NRA ability to maintain the high level of administrative and operational readiness needed for these units while balancing currently assigned administrative, training, and maintenance requirements. Following a period of review, expansion of NRA Capabilities to all operational units across the NECC enterprise is envisioned. 3.A.1. Method. The NCPP will be executed in two phases. 3.A.1.A. Phase I: Visibility and Transition to full NRAs for Locally Assigned personnel only. Phase I will begin with the provision of select individuals at the MSRON NRAs, MESGs, and NECC with access to both the CNRFC and NECC Readiness Dashboards detailing mobilization readiness drilled down to the individual Sailor. Additionally, CNRFC and NECC will execute a UMUIC realignment of locally assigned SELRES to standalone MSRON NRAs. Finally, MSRON NRAs will assume control of all NRC-administered Functions and Tasks (FT) in paragraph 4.A for locally assigned personnel only. Phase I will commence immediately following promulgation of this message. 3.A.1.B. Phase II: Expansion of MSRON NRA capability for non-locally assigned personnel. Phase II will begin after CNRFC and NECC have determined that all milestones referenced in paragraph 5 have been satisfactorily met. Due to current systems limitations, MSRON NRA oversight over non-locally assigned personnel may be accomplished by granting global access to all systems required to administer NRA FTs. 3.A.2. End State. NECC NRAs have the capabilities needed to administer the programmatic responsibilities currently managed by NRCs and exercise full ownership over all assigned SELRES. The CNRFC support model to NECC NRAs will align with the Battle Orders 2032 objective of utilizing NRCs as flexible service centers continuing to assist MSRONs with completing SELRES readiness requirements. 4. Phase I Implementation Tasks 4.A. MSRON NRAs will be prepared to accept additional administrative responsibilities for all FTs for locally assigned SELRES only upon completion of all actions in this paragraph. A comprehensive list of FTs is located at [https://locker.private.navyreserve.navy.mil/ commandassessment/programs. 4.B. MSRON NRAs will coordinate directly with Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Commands (REDCOMs) Jacksonville and San Diego and Navy Reserve Centers (NRCs) Jacksonville and North Island to complete a comprehensive program review of the CNRF Command Assessment Checklists and applicable instructions for all programs to ensure staffs understand all programmatic responsibilities and their new roles and responsibilities of administering new FTs. MSRON NRAs will forward the results of the comprehensive program review, along with a Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) addressing any required shortfalls or required support to the NECC Director of Reserve Integration via the applicable Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) no later than 45 days from release of this message. 4.C. Where required, identified MSRON TAR staff personnel will conduct left / right seat training with the assigned NRC to gain experience necessary to assume control of new FTs. REDCOMs and NRCs will support this training requirement during this training period, between the date of message release and 01OCT2025. The MSRON NRA Commanding Officer shall be responsible for any coordination between the MSRON NRA and the NRC for any support required. In addition, MSRON NRAs will ensure that required personnel attend the necessary schools and have the required NECs prior to 01OCT2025, in order to effectively manage FTs. 4.D. Prior to full assumption of any FT, MSRON NRAs will conduct a final self-assessment utilizing CNRF Command Assessment checklists for each program. Assessment results will be routed to NECC via the applicable MESG. Assessment results will be submitted to the NECC Director for Reserve Integration, who will recommend FT certification to CNRFC. Upon submission, applicable CNRFC N-Codes will validate completed self- assessments and finalize FT certification. Checklists are available at [https://locker.private. navyreserve.navy.mil/commandassessment/programs and will be provided by the NECC Reserve Program Director SEPCOR following release of this message. Referenced CNRF Command Assessment checklists are a starting point for effective program oversight and review, however all applicable program instructions and directions must be adhered to. The certification of each program will ensure required milestones are met before transitioning official ownership from the NRC to the MSRON NRA. FT responsibility will be transferred for Locally Assigned personnel only. Upon certification, NRCs will relinquish responsibility for administration of selected FTs for affected SELRES except for ongoing flexible service center support detailed in paragraph 7.A. 4.E. MSRON Visibility of Assigned SELRES. CNRFC and NECC will grant MSRON NRAs access to CNRFC Warfighting Readiness (WfR) Enterprise Readiness Dashboard and NECC SELRES Mobilization Readiness Tracker (SMRT) visibility dashboard in order for operational unit leadership to gain the situational awareness needed to proactively manage mobilization readiness. CNRFC and NECC will host training for Pilot MSRONs and MESGs on dashboard functionality at the beginning of Phase I. 4.F. UMUIC Realignment to a Standalone MSRON NRA. CNRFC and NECC will conduct a UMUIC realignment of all locally assigned SELRES from NRCs to MRSON NRAs in TFMMS. UMUIC realignment will result in establishment of MSRON hierarchies in downstream systems including NSIPS and NROWS. As systems hierarchies are established, MSRON NRAs shall establish access to all systems needed to manage FTs and confirm alignment of all locally assigned SELRES within. 5. Assessment Measures 5.A. Upon completion of UMUIC realignment and confirmation that MSRON NRAs have all access to all required systems, MSRON NRAs will execute a 180-day evaluation period, to measure the effectiveness of Phase I efforts and FT assumption. CNRFC and NECC will conduct a detailed review of Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) and Measures of Performance (MOP) progress prior to implementation of Phase II. The following measures will be used for assessment during Phase I of the NCPP: 5.B. Measure of Effectiveness 1: Pilot program resulting in streamlined C2 and ownership of assigned SELRES for MSRON NRAs 5.B.1. Measure of Performance 1-1: Increased participation of SELRES assigned to MSRON NRAs: Increase in AT Completion, decrease in AT waivers required, increase in E-AT utilization, increase in IDT-R applications, UA/AA/Admin U decrease, overall MSRON local population increase. 5.C. Measure of Effectiveness 2: Increased efficiency in generating Mission Readiness for Sailors assigned to MSRON NRAs. 5.C.1. Measure of Performance 2-1: Improved rate of Qualification, Certification and Licensure (QCL) completion for Sailors assigned to MSRON NRAs compared to other sample cohorts. 5.C.2. Measure of Performance 2.2: SELRES Man-days saved at NRC convertible to generation of Mission Readiness for Sailors assigned to MSRON NRAs. 5.D. Measure of Effectiveness 3: Maintain current levels of Mobilization Readiness after FT responsibility is shifted to MSRON NRAs. 5.D.1. Measure of Performance 3-1: Sustained level of personnel assigned to MSRON NRAs in a fully medically ready (FMR) status. Baseline to be established upon current NRC medical readiness for impacted SELRES. 5.D.2. Measure of Performance 3-2: Sustained level of ZIPSERVE Pay Packet compliance for all personnel assigned to MSRON NRAs. Baseline to be established upon current NRC compliance for impacted SELRES. 5.E. Additional MOEs and MOPs specific to each FT will be established as required and will be provided SEPCOR in order to ensure satisfactory management of new programmatic responsibilities by MSRON NRAs. 5.F. The NECC Reserve Program Director is responsible for working with MSRON NRAs and MESG leadership to collect and analyze data needed to monitor progress towards designated MOEs / MOPs. Where data exists, a baseline for each listed metric will be established at the beginning of Phase I to determine progress of each MOP/MOE 6. Phase II Implementation. 6.A. Upon satisfactory completion of Phase I, CNRFC and NECC will collaborate to develop an implementation plan to grant global access for systems needed to administer NRA capabilities to non-locally assigned personnel at MSRON NRAs. This expansion of access is necessitated by TRUIC-centric system hierarchies in many current Navy systems that are not anticipated to change in the near-term. Additional details on Phase II implementation will be promulgated in future tasking orders. GENTEXT/ADMIN AND LOGISTICS// 7. Admin 7.A Delineation of Responsibilities 7.A.1 COMNAVRESFORCOM: 7.A.1.A Oversee the implementation of the NCPP in direct coordination with COMNECC. 7.A.1.B Provide higher echelon oversight of REDCOMs and NRCs in the conduct of support required to transition NRA capabilities to MSRON NRAs. 7.A.2 COMNECC 7.A.2.A Oversee implementation of NCPP in direct coordination with COMNAVRESFOR. 7.A.2.B Continue to provide higher echelon oversight of MESGs and MSRON NRAs in the assumption of NRA capabilities and prepare to assume upper echelon reserve-specific functions and support requirements. 7.A.2.C Host a weekly implementation drumbeat with details to be provided SEPCOR. Intent is to utilize this meeting to provide status updates and work through barrier removal. Additional discussion will be focused on preparations for Phase II actions involving global systems access. Intended audience is Action Officer level participants from NECC, CNRFC, MESGs, REDCOMs, MSRON NRAs, and NRCs. 7.A.2.D. Facilitate the gathering and presentation to all stakeholders of all data used for assessment measures (MOEs/MOPs) tracking NCPP progression towards program objectives. 7A.2.E. Provide monthly status updates on NCPP progress to CNRFC. 7.A.3 REDCOM 4.A.3.A Provide higher echelon oversight of NRCs in the transfer of NRA capabilities to MSRON NRAs. 7.A.3.B Provide reserve-specific upper echelon programmatic support for MSRON NRAs assuming FTs in the same manner as NRCs during the initial period of Phase I. 7.A.3.C Coordinate directly with MESGs to adjudicate issues and support requirements in the transition of NRA Capabilities from subordinate NRCs. This support relationship will be in place until such time it is determined that MSRON NRAs have the access needed to fully administer all programmatic responsibilities. 7.A.3.D. Serve In advisory capacity to provide training to MESGs in the requirements established in CNRF Command Assessment Checklists to be utilized in the assessment of MSRON NRA FTs. 7.A.3.E. Conduct training with MESGs on reserve-specific upper echelon functions and support requirements with the intent of transitioning Echelon IV responsibilities to MESGs. 7.A.4 MESG 7.A.4.A Provide higher echelon oversight of MSRON NRAs in the assumption of NRA capabilities. 7.A.4.B Coordinate directly with REDCOMs to adjudicate issues and support requirements to transition NRA Capabilities to MSRON NRAs. 7.A.4.C Periodically inspect MSRON FTs to ensure compliance with all established policies, utilizing CNRF Command Assessment Checklists as a guide. Report assessment results to the applicable REDCOM and NECC. 7.A.4.D Continue to provide upper echelon programmatic support for MSRON NRAs for all FTs currently managed by MSRONs, to include the expansion to locally assigned SELRES during Phase I. 7.A.4.E. Conduct training with REDCOMs on reserve-specific upper echelon functions and support requirements with the intent of assuming Echelon IV responsibilities from REDCOMs. 7.A.5. NRC 7.A.5.A. Directly support MSRON NRAs in the transfer of selected FTs for locally assigned Sailors. Support requirements may include training assistance and access establishment assistance. 7.A.5.B. Continue to provide support to MSRON NRAs during the transition period until MSRONs are ready to accept complete responsibility for each of the FTs as described in paragraph 4. This support relationship will be in place until such time it is determined that MSRON NRAs have the access needed to fully administer all programmatic responsibilities. Following MSRON NRA assumption of FTs for Locally Assigned Sailors, NRCs will still be required to administer programmatic requirements for Non-Locally Assigned Sailors. 7.A.5.C. Support other MSRON NRA requirements as required. MSRON NRAs will continue to rely on support from assigned NRCs as flexible service centers as outlined in reference A, enabling completion of Sailor readiness requirements at either command as resources are available. As an example: An NRC could be to facilitate medical provider access to SELRES assigned to Pilot MSRONs, when coordinated previously by MSRON NRA leadership and as resources allow. 7.A.6. MSRON NRAs 7.A.6.A. Maintain overall responsibility for the assumption of NRA Capabilities as detailed in paragraph 4. 7.A.6.B. Communicate any issues related to the assumption of NRA Capabilities to NECC via the applicable MESG. 7.A.6.C. Coordinate support requirements with applicable NRCs. The MSRON NRA Commanding Officer shall be responsible for required coordination between the MSRON NRA and the NRC for all support requirements. 7.B Delineation of Fiduciary Responsibilities 7.B.1 Upon assumption of MP-6: Operations FT at MSRON NRAs, Annual Training (AT) funding will be realigned in NROWS from NRCs to MSRON NRAs for fund approval authority. The applicable geographic REDCOM will maintain comptroller responsibilities for funding provided to MSRON NRAs. Additionally, to support follow on Defense Travel System (DTS) requirements for orders generated in NROWS, DTS ORGS and "R" Profiles for Approving Officials (AO) will be aligned to MSRON NRA lines of accounting. 7.B.2 There will be no changes to the funding pathway for discretionary funding (Active Duty for Training (ADT), Individual Duty Training Travel (IDTT), Additional Training Periods (ATP) or Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds currently provided by BSO-60 and BSO-70. 7.B.4 MSRON NRAs will be accountable to CNRFC via the applicable REDCOM for financial audit improvement requirements (FIAR) compliance for actions involving NROWS and DTS funds provided by BSO-72. Inspection requirements shall be coordinated by CNRFC and COMNECC. GENTEXT/COMMAND AND SIGNAL// 8. Command and Signal 8.A. Points of Contact: 8.A.1 CDR Tyler Pietrick, COMNECC, COMM: 757-462-4316 x283 NIPR: Tyler.j.pietrick.mil@us.navy.mil 8.A.2. CDR Emily Laraway, COMNAVRESFORCOM, COMM: 948-223-6271 NIPR: emily.a.laraway.mil@us.navy.mil 9. RADM Steffen and RADM Andros send.// BT #0022 NNNN <DmdsSecurity>UNCLASSIFIED/</DmdsSecurity> <DmdsReleaser>ROBINSON.JADARIUS.AHMAD.1535765622</DmdsReleaser>

More than a dozen Senate Democrats have signed onto a letter demanding a status update from Secretary of Defense Pete Hedgehog over the military's treatment of transgender servicemembers.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is seemingly no longer welcome in the United States. 'I can't go anymore because I think they've revoked my visa,' Petro said during a Council of Ministers meeting on Monday. 'I didn't need a visa, but hey, I've seen Donald Duck several times. So, I'm off to see other things.'

Incompetent Now the question that begs to be asked: Why did Trump start this tariff war that he is now backing off of? This is unnecessary with all the countries, including our allies, that he started this nonsense with. “No one thinks the current status quo is sustainable” with tariff rates at their current levels, Bessent said at a private investor summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by JPMorgan Chase.

Abuse of Power WASHINGTON — A survey of more than 500 political scientists finds that the vast majority think the United States is moving swiftly from liberal democracy toward some form of authoritarianism

TRIPOLI, Libya - The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Libya for scheduled port visits, April 20-21, in support of enduring U.S.-Libya cooperation and regional security. While in Libya, Mount Whitney visited both Tripoli and Benghazi for key engagements with leaders from across the country.

The Department of the Navy is looking to lease a climate-controlled facility between 19,000 and 33,000 square meters near Subic Bay and Clark for the storage of equipment in the Philippines by 2026 under a ten-year-long lease which could mark the largest prepositioning effort to date between Washington and Manila since 1992.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – You may be approaching age 65, or you may have a disability or a medical condition that makes you eligible for Medicare and TRICARE For Life before you turn age 65. In either case, you’ll benefit from checking out the TRICARE For Life Handbook.

Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez was suspended as garrison commander of Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, on April 18, according to a statement from the U.S. Army Reserve. “This suspension is not related to any misconduct,” Monday’s statement reads. “The Army Reserve has no further details to provide.” But Army officials did not connect the missing photos to Baez Ramirez’s removal, and such boards are ubiquitous on all military installations.

But while recent Army numbers do point to a hot streak for enlistments, former Army officials and an expert on personnel issues noted that the Army’s recruiting numbers had started to rebound last year after the Army rolled out several major revamps of its recruiting enterprise, prior to Trump’s election. The White House is trumpeting a recent surge in sign-ups of new soldiers as a response to President Donald Trump’s reelection and return to office. But while Army recruiters have been on a winning streak in recent months, the service’s surge in enlistments began nearly a year ago as the Army overhauled much of its nearly $2 billion recruiting enterprise.

So here's my question. Would the thousands of federal workers that were fired by doge also be considered "anonymous, disgruntled former Federal workers"? Defense Secretary Pete Hedgehog is locked in open warfare with his own Pentagon, a hotbed of distrust and dysfunction that commands the most powerful military on the face of the Earth. Who's Watching China?

"But we must not forget that ultimate responsibility here lies with President Trump for selecting a former weekend TV host, without any experience successfully leading a large and complex organization, to run our government's biggest department and make life and death decisions for our military and country," she said. The White House has begun the process of looking for a new leader at the Pentagon to replace Pete Hegseth, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. This comes as Hegseth is again mired in controversy over sharing military operational details in a group chat.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Gov. Gavin Newsom has put up a $50,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in the 2021 murder of a U.S. Navy sailor in La Mesa that has remained unsolved.

"I think voters support the idea of making sure that we respect constitutional rights because if we deny them for one person, they could be next," Van Hollen said. "I think conservatives and libertarians, when they think about it, they'll recognize how dangerous it is to deprive someone of their personal liberty without due process."

New Report: Trump Administration Just Got Hit With Another Signal Chat Scandal

The defense secretary sent sensitive information about strikes in Yemen to an encrypted group chat that included his wife and brother, people familiar with the matter said.

American-born doctor receives DHS email telling her to leave the U.S. Experts recommend seeking an immigration attorney and collecting documentation to prove your U.S. citizenship, including birth certificates and passports.