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Veterans groups appear to see favorably the designation of former Army Chief of Staff retired Gen. Eric Shinseki as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. If confirmed by the Senate Shinseki would be the first Asian-American to lead the nation’s second largest cabinet department.
Shinseki was twice wounded in Vietnam and had solid leadership experience during his career, one that included commanding the Fort Hood, Texas,-based 1st Cavalry Division as well as Stabilization Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As is the case with the president-elect Shinseki was born in Hawaii. He graduated from West Point in 1965 and later received a master’s degree in English literature from Duke. Shinseki as Chief of Staff pushed for better mobility and technology but also told Congress that several hundred thousand troops would be needed to win in Iraq, something ignored by then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Shinseki recognizes some of the deficits in service facing veterans who use the VA and wants to correct those problems.
“Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, in particular, are confronting serious, severe wounds – some seen, some unseen – making it difficult for them to get on with their lives in this struggling economy,” he said. “They deserve a smooth, error-free, no-fail, benefits-assured transition into our ranks as veterans, and that is our responsibility, not theirs.
“A word to my fellow veterans: If confirmed, I will work each and every day to ensure that we are serving you as well as you have served us,” Shinseki continued. “We will pursue a 21st-century VA that serves your needs. We will open … new doors of opportunity so you can find a good job, support your families when you return to civilian life. And … we will always honor the sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform, and their loved ones.”
I use the VA for health care. And while care is often good the delivery of care is in too many cases infused with red tape administered sometimes by people who have no greater calling in life than being an obstructive bureaucrat. That is by no means all of the VA but those who are guilty are enough to ruin one’s day.
The VA doesn’t need more red tape and doesn’t need more bureaucrats, especially at the top. Shinseki might just be what the VA needs to get in shape and make the lazy ones who seem to think they deserve their jobs to get off their asses or get off the clock.