The TAPS Daily - October 15, 2020

Welcome to The TAPS Daily - curated news and resources relevant to military, veterans, and their families. For more news and resources, visit our Government Resources page.

1. McConnell shoots down $1.8 trillion coronavirus deal, breaking with Trump
   The Hill
   Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) shot down the prospect of a coronavirus deal totaling between $1.8 trillion and $2.2 trillion.
2. Justin Trudeau: No Canada border reopening until U.S. controls COVID-19
   USA Today
   In an interview Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country is committed to keeping the border closed until the United States gets control of COVID-19.
3. AUSA Honors 2020 National Award Winners - Chef Robert Irvine
   AUSA
   AUSA presented its National Service Award to TAPS supporter and good friend, Robert Irvine, in recognition of his philanthropic work on behalf of the military, veterans, and their families.
4. It's Almost Impossible to Get COVID-19 on an Airplane, New Military Study Suggests
   Military.com
   A new military-led study shows there is a low risk for passengers traveling aboard large commercial aircraft to contract an airborne virus such as COVID-19.
5. Army National Guardsmen are working at election polling sites out of uniform
   Task & Purpose
   In what they see as a natural part of upholding their oath, National Guard soldiers are volunteering to fill poll worker shortages in their communities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
6. It's Time To Make Your Plan To Vote: Bring Your PPE and Patience
   NPR
   Making Election Day safer starts with taking measures to stop COVID-19 spread now.
7. ‘The Right Stuff’ shows how military test pilots were the heroes America needed
   We Are The Mighty
   A new Disney+ series is a throwback to an aspirational time in U.S. history that proved ordinary humans can achieve extraordinary feats. TAPS has worked with Disney to provide meaningful experiences supporting families of the fallen through TAPS Sports & Entertainment program.

• TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar and Family Program
  Register to join us virtually for the TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar and Family Program this October 16 -18.
• Join The Team TAPS Celebration
  For 20 years, Team TAPS has honored our heroes and raised awareness of the TAPS mission. Join us through December 31 as we celebrate this milestone with a virtual movement.
• A Breath of Fresh Air - Getting & Staying Grounded
  TAPS Outdoors wants to help you reconnect with the natural world in simple yet meaningful ways with weekly activities you can do anywhere.
• TAPS News Archive
  Catch up on all the TAPS news stories over the years on the TAPS media resource page.

• Military absentee ballots could have substantial impact on election, report says
  Military Times
  A group led by retired high-ranking military leaders has issued a clarion call to resist efforts to declare election winners until all military absentee ballots are counted.
• VA Has Lost GIBill.com Rights. Some Worry It Could Prompt Scammers to Target Student Vets
  Military.com
  The Department of Veterans Affairs has lost the domain rights to GIBill.com, which some advocates fear could open the potential for scammers to target veterans.
• Ship log digitization helping Blue Water Navy claims process
  Connecting Vets
  A collaborative effort between the VA and the National Archives is helping to determine ship locations and digitize more than 1,800 Blue Water Navy ships logs from the Vietnam era.
• Advocates Renew Push for Stipend to Feed Low-Income Military Families
  Military.com
  A provision in the House's fiscal 2021 defense policy bill would give some service members an additional allowance to cover the cost of food and other basic needs.
• Army helos' actions during D.C. protests subject of new ACLU complaint
  Army Times
  The ACLU filed a complaint against the D.C. National Guard on behalf of a woman who says she suffered injuries caused by their low-flying helicopters during a June 1 protest.
• These Military Lawyers Are Joining Forces to Help Troops Stand Up to Unlawful Orders
  Military.com
  A nonpartisan rule of law initiative connects military personnel with experienced civilian attorneys for advice on issues relating to the lawfulness of orders they receive. 

• Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville Wants Soldiers to Have Work-Life Balance.
  Task & Purpose
  The Army Chief of Staff and his wife, Maria, also an Army veteran, created a work-life balance slide years ago to help rank the importance of life events against work obligations.
• New California law is a national model for mental health care reform
  Stat
  This landmark piece of legislation will help close a critical gap in the way mental health care is covered by insurers, one that often forces families to pay out of pocket for lifesaving care.
• The importance of mental health support for veterans and first responders
  WJLA
  Everyone’s mental health has been affected by the pandemic, whether minor or severe. But it’s been an extremely difficult period for first responders on the frontlines of COVID-19.
• Attachment style can mitigate genetic risk for PTSD symptoms, Yale study finds
  Yale News
  A recent study by Yale faculty in the Department of Psychiatry found a link between genetic risk for post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans and social factors such as attachment style.
• Seeking the Military Suicide Solution Podcast, Episode 39
  Military Times
  This podcast examines military and veterans suicide, offering new insights based on research and effective clinical and peer support practices in suicide prevention.

• After Vanessa Guillen, Army updates policy to ensure soldiers are 'missing' before 'AWOL'
  Connecting Vets
  The new designation avoids negative connotation to soldiers who may have been victims of crime and helps to change how soldiers approach the situation of a missing peer.
• As Private Sector Races to Develop a COVID-19 Vaccine, Army Takes Guarded Approach
  Military.com
  The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is taking its time to develop a vaccine it hopes will protect against any coronavirus, from the common cold to COVID.
• This new tool for commanders aims to ID risky soldier behaviors and prevent problems
  Army Times
  The Commanders Risk Reduction Toolkit is the newest iteration of a six-year-long project that started with a kind of computer dashboard to give leaders a snapshot of the status of their troops.
• Soldier shoots her way to Olympic dream
  We Are The Mighty
  This Soldier going through Advanced Individual Training qualified for the Olympics in a sport equally suited for the Army – marksmanship.
• From Poland, with love: Army Reserve soldiers return home with military rescue dogs
  Connecting Vets
  Two American Soldiers returning from Poland were able to bring very special souvenirs from the country back to the U.S. with them.

• White Veterans Affairs employees twice as likely to be promoted as Black staff, union says
  Connecting Vets
  White employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs were twice as likely to be chosen for promotions to management positions they applied for as Black employees, VA data shows.
• Hawaii rescinds citation given to veterans home operator
  Connecting Vets
  The Hawaii Department of Health on Friday rescinded an order and citation it issued to the administrator of a veterans home that has experienced a large coronavirus outbreak.
• Peter Markle: From the U.S. Army to USA Hockey and on to Hollywood
  We Are The Mighty
  After time in the U.S. Army and on the USA Hockey Team, this veteran went on to direct films like Bat 21, Faith of my Fathers, Flight 93, Saving Jessica Lynch, Nightbreaker and Youngblood. 

• Blue Star Families seeking minority representation in Military Family Lifestyle Survey
  We Are The Mighty
  The Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey ends October 16 and they are actively seeking more participation from Black, Hispanic and Asian members of the military community.

Banner photo courtesy of the School of Advanced International Studies | John Hopkins University.