Wasteful moves

Like Secretary Robert Gates, I would like to recommend a cost-saving measure: Duty-station moves can be scaled back, especially for civilian employees overseas who were hired overseas and want to stay in their jobs.

Through the five-year rule, civilians are involuntarily made to move back to the states. That is money that could be saved.

— Charles C. Jones, Postmaster, U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, Germany

Begin VA on active duty

The current backlog of Veterans Affairs Department claims has been a problem for veterans and dependents. This suggests that VA operates solely in a reactive mode to veterans' needs. Why is there not a "push system" for claims and the release of benefits?

For example, an active-duty sergeant first class who has a knee injury and a permanent profile against running or standing should be "pushed" into the VA system, minus collecting pay benefits, for 20 percent service-connected disability before he can retire at 20 years.

This type of push system provides a few initial advantages. It would (1) reduce claims sent to regional VA offices, (2) expedite more accurate identification of future VA budget requirements and better fund the process for VA, (3) reduce paperwork to and from VA, (4) give more time for life planning, (5) speed up claim processing and (6) provide a smoother transition from active duty to the VA system of medical care.

These advantages pump funds more flawlessly into community support for veterans and dependents.

— Maj. D.A. Sutherland, West Park, Fla.