George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

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

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

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

Special Victim Counsel Services Extended to Victims of Domestic Violence

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Raphael Johnson.

The Department of Defense reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and supporting victims of domestic violence by extending Special Victim Counsel services to military-connected victims of domestic violence. The Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Department of Defense to extend Special Victim Counsel services to personnel previously not authorized assistance from military attorneys, uniformed and civilian. Read more

The War Within: The Uncomfortable Truth About Sexual Assault and a Pervasive Culture of Harassment in the Military

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Alana Nielson.

“I wanted to believe in the Navy’s ability to properly handle cases of sexual assault. However, after having been through the process, it became clear that while step one [reporting the assault] is for the victim, all else is done explicitly for the image of the Navy, and the process caters to the perpetrators.” Read more