Develop an actionable roadmap with funding tied to specific programs with MOEs and MOPs.
This report is lacking in purpose, direction and clear linkage to funding intent. I would rewrite the report.
Specifics: Your report lacks a detailed vision and simple road map that integrates funding by fiscal year across the FYDP, with milestones, associated projects and associated decision points.
GAPs: I found no measures of performance or effectiveness tied to your programs (big red flag). What is the end state for each action and the expected outcome?
After so many years of inaction I expected a clear path forward for research, evaluation and funding. Interestingly, I found that funding is still lacking. The official VA budget for FY2013 actually cuts Gulf War illnesses research two-thirds from $15 million in the FY12 budget to $4.86 million for FY13 the amount actually spent in FY12, $4.98 million. The VA staff also cut Gulf War illness research spending in FY12 by two-thirds compared to what Congress and the Secretary approved. Your report also indicates that other non-gulf war programs were funded with the so called “dedicated funding” to Gulf War Veterans.
On a personal note, you know the evaluation and research process is broken when a "gulf war registered" active duty soldier is surveyed only once since 1990-91. How can the VA understand what is going on with our population? There is a lack of correlational data.
Broken programs can be fixed with dynamic leadership and strong advocacy. It is time to get busy and to do your job as an effective staff. I like many others am still doing my job and I will be back in Afghanistan in a couple of months and then retirement. I can’t believe how ineffective we have been up to this point. We can’t even add clarity to gulf war syndrome after 20+ years. The least we can do is articulate the way forward in a simple and clear manner: Numerically ID priorities. ID associated milestones, MOPs, MOEs and expected impact indicators of success. Understand the problem first. That means invest in research that targets specific sub-populations. Clearly, some Gulf War Veterans were without a doubt exposed to Sarin and mustard gas. Know what is identifiable and conduct your research accordingly and objectively. We have missed years of data up to this point. Compare the results to other studies of chemical exposure, integrate controls and render findings.
Thanks for asking for my opinion and we (the soldiers) do appreciate the VA's process of transparency and willingness to embrace constructive feedback.