New LAND WAR MAVEN Column: “Saving Heroes” – Protecting Veterans

Operation Relentless Care

New Land War MAVEN Column:

Lieutenant Colonel Scott E. Rutter

U.S. Army (Retired)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a single mission: to care for Veterans injured while serving our country. This has been a difficult task for the VA because it’s leadership over the years has failed to understand the very difficult decisions that must be made to ensure this mission is accomplished. Intervening political, employment, contractual factors serve only to hinder the mission. It is not a choice between government provided care and private care, it is only the choice for the best care. The leadership of the VA needs to take a large step back and assess the battlefield. When Servicemembers are asked to risk their lives in defense of this nation, they do not consider will I be cared for if I am injured. They only think of their dedication and commitment to this nation, our freedom and their fellow Servicemembers. I know, I was there. And now, I am here. A beneficiary of the VA system.

Operation Relentless Care’s mission and intent is to secure the highest quality care for our Veterans.When we go to battle, we don’t care if you are a Democrat or Republican, our mission is clear and we must execute.There are 4 “Lines of Advance” in this mission:

1) Complete restructuring of the VA organization structure

2) Aggressive implementation of technology with specific emphasis on cloud computing and methods to enhance productivity and medical outcomes