Darlene Hooley: “I thank you and Chairman Ortiz for including my bill providing for reimbursement for superior helmet liners to protect…”

“I thank you and Chairman Ortiz for including my bill providing for reimbursement for superior helmet liners to protect soldiers with severe head injuries and for adjusting the testing criteria for helmet pad systems. Thankfully, this bill calls for another round of testing and evaluation on all qualified combat helmet pad systems to be conducted by an independent test laboratory outside the government. I just want to thank you for doing that, for again protecting our soldiers. I rise today to ask for your help to expand the reintegration programs for members of the National Guard included in this year's National Defense Authorization Act. In Oregon, our Adjutant General has put together a program that helps to ease returning Guard members through the transition back to civilian life. The Yellow Ribbon National Guard Reintegration Program provides for 5 days of reintegration activities after demobilization. I would ask that the program be expanded to keep returning servicemembers on active duty for up to 15 days after demobilization. Not all need or want the full 15 days, but commanders should have the flexibility to provide extra time to those who need it.”