Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) on Dec. 13 introduced legislation meant to protect employment rights of servicemembers returning from duty in the war on terror. According to a statement from the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the measure would impose deadlines on federal agencies to assist vets running into problems and implement efficiency changes recommended by the Government Accountability Office. Despite a law that supposedly secures employment and re-employment rights, there are continued reports of problems, including reservists who say they face a “military service penalty.”
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
