PART IV CHAPTER 22 ARMED FORCES' ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS 422.1 Army Personal Affairs Program.-(a) The Army personal affairs program is designed to furnish counsel and advice on personal problems to members of the armed forces and, on request, to their dependents. It includes the furnishing of current and authentic information and advice with respect to rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by law or otherwise made available to members of the armed forces while in service, or subsequent to their discharge from service, and to their dependents; and the rendering of assistance in connection with application for benefits, payments and services administered by the War Department, other Federal Government Departments and agencies, State agencies, and semipublic organizations. (b) At each camp, post, and military installation in the United States, a personal affairs officer, specially designated by the commanding officer of the camp, post, or military installation to serve in such capacity, is available to discuss with members of the armed forces and their dependents, the many and varied problems of a personal nature with which they may be confronted and to assist in their solution. 422.2 Navy Civil Readjustment Program.-(a) The civil readjustment program of the Navy Department has been established to insure that the exit interview for each dischargee from active naval service be thorough, provide the specific infc mation necessary for the completion of the individual's service record and be for the dischargee a personally satisfying experience of practical value in the process of his readjustment to civilian life. (b) The civil readjustment program of the Navy Department is administered through three types of organization: (1) A district civil readjustment officer is on duty at the headquarters of each naval district in continental United States. The district civil readjustment officer supervises activity civil readjustment officers who are assigned collateral duty as civil readjustment officers at each naval activity where personnel are being discharged directly to civilian life. The district civil readjustment officer coordinates all programs of civil readjustment operating within his district; through a follow-up letter he offers continuing service to dischargees residing in his district; and he maintains working liaison with Government and civilian agencies that provide post-discharge services to veterans; (2) In each naval hospital a civil readjustment officer is a member of the rehabilitation board. The civil readjustment officer at the hospital supervises the civil readjustment program for naval personnel discharged for medical reasons to civilian life: (3) Personnel redistribution centers, for the separation of naval personnel, are now established at Lido Beach, N. Y., and at Navy Pier, Chicago. It is anticipated that a sufficient number of personnel redistribution centers will eventually be established to process all naval personnel who are discharged, with the exception of those discharged from naval hospitals, naval prisons, and such other stations as may be necessary. (c) Close working relations are maintained between the civil readjustment program and the American Red Cross, Selective Service System, United States Civil Service Commission, Veterans' Administration, and the War Manpower Commission. 422.3 Marine Corps Rehabilitation Program.-(a) The Marine Corps rehabilitation program is designed to facilitate the rehabilitation of discharged or demobilized Marine Corps personnel to civilian life. The responsibilities of this branch include the counseling of separatees, the furnishing of information regarding their rights and benefits as veterans, and the rendering of assistance in connection with application for disability pensions and other necessary contacts with Government and private organizations. Post-service contact is established by the district rehabilitation officer in the veteran's home area for the purpose of following up on the predischarge interviews and to determine whether or not the separatee is established as a civilian. When it is indicated that a man has successfully completed his readjustment to civil life, a report of this fact is forwarded to Headquarters Marine Corps for file in his permanent record. (b) There are 12 district rehabilitation offices throughout the country, and men and women officers trained in rehabilitation procedures are assigned to posts and stations. 422.4 Coast Guard Civil Readjustment Program.—(a) The Coast Guard Civil Readjustment Program provides for a system whereby all persons separated from the U. S. Coast Guard are given written information and an interview regarding their rights and benefits as veterans in accordance with existing laws, and are referred to appropriate civilian agencies delegated to assist the veteran in his readjustment to civilian life. This civil readjustment processing is effected at one of the Discharge Centers located in various parts of the country and at which qualified Civil Readjustment Officers and personnel have been assigned. (b) The Civil Readjustment Officer is responsible for the effective functioning of the Coast Guard civil readjustment program within this district and at the Discharge Center; and for coordinating the functions tf the Hospital Liaison Program for hospitalized personnel with the objectives of the civil readjustment program. The Civil Readjustment Officer offers continuing services through a follow-up letter to all persons separated at his Discharge Center; and he maintains working liaison with Government and civilian agencies that provide post-discharge services to veterans. |