Veterans’ Benefits for Burn Pit Victims: Expanding the list of presumptive illnesses

Written by Fall 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor John Madigan.

“Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars.”[1] Logistics management, therefore, has a preeminent place in the design of a campaign. In Iraq and Afghanistan, getting the necessary supplies to forward units was hard enough – it wasn’t uncommon for Forward Operating Bases to be supplied by airdrop because overground transport was too dangerous. Read more

From Hard Look To No Look Review

Written by Fall 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Zach Kobokovich.

Introduction

Imagine you are suffering from severe anxiety while serving in the military.[1] You attempt to persevere and continue serving your country, but the mental struggle wears on you constantly and makes your day-to-day existence extremely challenging. Read more

“Can the Army really kick me out for this?” A look into the ACFT and its potential impacts on our Nation’s largest fighting force.

Written By Fall 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Ty Delgado.

In June, 2019, the U.S Army introduced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a replacement to the forty-year-old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). What has followed has been a slew of questions and controversies affecting current servicemembers and future veterans alike. Read more

M-VETS Supports NSI/MINSLA Open House

(Pictured: Zach Kobokovich, Chapman Good)

The Antonin Scalia Law School Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) supported the NSI/MINSLA Open House Event on 21 October 2021. Student-advisors Zach Kobokovich, Chapman Good, and John Madigan II represented the M-VETS clinic by proving information about the legal services offered by M-VETS and their experiences in the Clinic. Read more

Military Retirement and Transition to the Blended Retirement System

Written By Summer 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Mike Smiley

Summary

Military retirees and current Servicemembers ought to be aware of the military pension system that is applicable to their circumstance and the implications it can have on their financial wellbeing. The system of service member pensions is periodically revised, most recently and radically, as of January 1st, 2018, the Department of Defense has fully implemented the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Read more

M-VETS Secures Disability Compensation for a Retired U.S. Air Force Veteran due to Exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam

(M-VETS Student-Advisors Megan Huppee (left) and Samantha Lewis (right))

The Antonin Scalia Law School Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) secured Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) disability compensation for a retired U.S. Air Force veteran for his service in Vietnam.   Read more

M-VETS Prevails and Secures Honorable Discharge for Army Combat Veteran

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) successfully argued before the Army Discharge Review Board for an Army Combat veteran to receive a fully Honorable conditions discharge.  Filed in 2019, the M-VETS request was recently approved by the Army Discharge Review Board and the veteran now has a fully Honorable conditions discharge reflected on the veteran’s DD 214. Read more

Supported Decision-Making

Written By Summer 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Megan Huppee.

Introduction – What is Supported Decision-Making?

Supported Decision-Making (“SDM”) is an informal or formal way individuals can have trustworthy people help them make decisions. SDM has evolved as one alternative to guardianship. Read more