Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has introduced legislation that would protect combat veterans who are so disabled they are forced out of the service early, losing full retirement benefits. Most of these veterans had planned to make the military a career, says Reid. His Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2006 (S. 2385) would give “eligible combat-related disabled” who is “retired” with fewer than 20 years of service under Chapter 61 a pro-rated retirement benefit.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.