Defense official recalled to active duty (2nd time, age 56).

[rodeodance]

Defense official recalled to active duty

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 20 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Paul McHale, a top civilian
Pentagon official and a former congressman, has been recalled to active duty as a Marine reservist and will be sent to
Afghanistan, The Associated Press has learned.

..........

McHale, 56, the assistant defense secretary for homeland defense, will head overseas by the end of the year, according to a Defense Department official who requested anonymity because the time and location of the deployment had not been released publicly.

Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke confirmed on Thursday that McHale would be taking a leave of absence to go back on active duty.

"Like many other Marine reservists, Secretary McHale has been recalled to active duty and will serve overseas," said Krenke.

She said he is expected to return to his civilian Pentagon job after he completes his service.

[kestrel91316]

1. expected to return to his civilian Pentagon job after he completes his ser

That would be assuming he survives to come home.
And that he is physically and mentally intact and can hold down any sort of job afterwards.

1 in 4 returnees apparantly already have got medical disabilities.

[rodeodance]

4. yes, afgan used to be 'safe place to be stationed, but NO more.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. No big deal. Medicare will take care of him when he gets back.

Nuts, eh?

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Yeah. Medicare and the VA.

Maybe he should get his name on the list at the VA right now. By the time he gets back maybe they'll have gotten around to him.

[Lasher]

5. Maybe, but he'll only get 2 years of VA benefits.

Reservists and National Guardsmen returning from Iraq and Afghanistan get 2 years of VA benefits. But VA funding cuts, despite these and other new beneficiaries, are putting a strain on the system as you have implied.

Those who have honorably discharged from regular military service of 2 years or more had been entitled to VA benefits, and with no time limit such as that imposed on Reservists and NGs. But starting on January 17 2003, and for the first time ever, the VA started turning away new applicants who did not have additional qualifiers such as service-connected disabilities.

Guess repukes like to talk about supporting our troops but not when they become vets.

[saigon68]

6. Its a fucking political stunt

To get a few more geriatrics activated

With "See look who else got called up"

LOL (wonder what rank this guy is?)

[dubyaD40web]

7. Link?