Watching My Back

In the spring of 1982 I was finishing up my tour at Commander Naval Forces Korea. A small Navy command in a sea of Soldiers. Stationed there with me was another young Sailor who didn’t like me (shocking but true). In fact he didn’t like anyone who wasn’t a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. He was nice enough in the workplace. Always cordial and always did his job well. But he made it clear that during non-working hours he wanted nothing to do with any of us. We got along fine at work but I knew not to add him to my Christmas card list.

Before I became the cool cat that I am now, I would occasionally try to live up to the stereotypical sailor image, and have a little too much to drink. On one occasion I even decided that it would be a good idea to take on four Soldiers at once. I don’t really remember what started it, but I had consumed too much bravery in a bottle to back down. So I jumped in with both feet (and hands) determined to do my best before they beat me to a pulp. I noticed almost immediately that there was a sixth person involved, but since he seemed to be fighting on my side I didn’t worry about him. Before anyone could get seriously hurt, someone shouted that the MPs were coming and we all scattered.

After getting a few blocks away, I noticed that my mystery benefactor was running behind me and was shocked to find that it was my shipmate who didn’t like anyone who was different from him. I stopped and asked him why he helped me and he said, “You’re in the Navy and those guys were Army, and besides, if I wanted someone to kick your butt I’d do it myself. Until then I’ll watch your back and I’d expect the same from you.”

I told that story not to let you know that those archaic ideas about how we treat each other were still alive and well in 1982, but to point out how deeply ingrained were the lessons of looking out for our shipmates. I’m sure it is the same in the other branches.

This all bubbled to the surface because of a question that was asked at a meeting of the fledgling Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Coalition. The question was why don’t the VA Hospitals award more contracts to companies owned and operated by veterans and disabled veterans? I thought it was a valid question since most if not all of their patient population is made up of veterans and disabled veterans, and they should be watching our backs.

I was ready to sit down at my computer filled with righteous indignation over the injustices of it all when I decided that I should at least check to see how the Veterans Administration (VA) was actually doing in regards to awarding contracts to Veteran and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB).

I knew from previous research that the VA had still not achieved the 3 percent goal mandated by the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003. In FY 2005, the VA awarded 2.09 percent of their contracting dollars to SDVOB. Better than the previous years, but still not good enough, especially when you think of easy it should be to reach a 3 percent goal. They are by no means the only ones. Out of 68 federal agencies, only a handful have ever made or exceeded the 3 percent goal.

So many to choose from and so little time. I decided to focus on three departments, the ones that should be leading by example on this issue. The VA’s sole purpose is to take care of veterans. Their Mission Statement reads, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan." The Department of Defense (DoD), since they are the generator of veterans. And to round it out, the Small Business Administration (SBA), because they are the ones tasked with administering this and other Small Business programs. For FY 2005, DoD and SBA did 1.416 percent and 0.269 percent respectively.

Before you start calling me a whiner, some of you may have noticed the picture with my bio and seen that I’m black. I’ve always been insulted by the notion that because of the color of my skin the only way I could make it is with the government standing behind and propping me up. However, if the government wants to show their appreciation for my service and taking one for the team, I have absolutely no problem with that. The difference being that my parents chose my skin color, but I made the choice to be a veteran. I wish I hadn’t been hurt, but these things happen. And besides, if they weren’t going to follow through, they should never have told us they were going to do it.

So here we have a situation where nepotism is legal. We can show favoritism to our brothers and sisters without getting in to any trouble. We can finally take care of our own. Armed with these new marching orders I would think that the VA would be jumping for joy, especially when you look at their vision statement and strategic and enabling goals. Here are a few examples taken directly from the VA’s website. The emphasis is mine.

Vision – …(4) fostering partnerships with veterans organizations, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, state and local veterans organizations, and other stakeholders to leverage resources and enhance the quality of services provided to veterans

Strategic Goal 1 - Restore the capability of veterans with disabilities to the greatest extent possible and improve the quality of their lives and that of their families.

Strategic Goal 4 - Contribute to the public health, emergency management, socioeconomic well-being, and history of the Nation.

What better way to provide improvements in the quality of life and socioeconomic well being than by economic opportunities? Not all of us want to be entrepreneurs, but there are 10,226 firms registered in the Central Contractor Registration database. And the ones I’ve met would gladly hire other Veterans.

So how do we get from where we are to where we want to be? Besides venting my frustration with this wonderful prose, I’ve spoken at least once to just about half of my state’s congressional delegation, or their staffers. I’ve helped to chair a roundtable discussion between business owners and government representatives sponsored by Senator Patty Murray. I’ve roamed the tradeshow exhibits letting all the agencies and prime contractors know that I’m ready, willing, and able to help them get closer to that elusive 3 percent. Basically, I’m being the squeaky wheel. You’ll have to decide for yourself how hard you want to push this issue.

If it would help spur you into action, check out vetbiz.gov. Here you will find how the VA is doing, implementation strategies submitted by all the major agencies, and the agency implementation contacts. Contact them and ask them who is watching our backs now.

by  Brian George

Copyright © April 26, 2006