Dear Neighbor,

In February and March, we had the privilege of meeting with many service organizations including the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), National Association of Veterans Program Administrators (NAVPA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and more. We covered a wide range of topics, including the Guard Act, PACT Act, expanding health care to veterans, veterans' education, and more.

As your representative in Congress, it is my goal to champion my constituents through passionate advocacy and legislation. Team Kat values your concerns and relays them to senior heads of leadership. My goal is to lean into hard challenges and restore your faith and trust, as we, too, share the frustrations regarding the dysfunction of the VA and its failures to address several of our veterans' problems.

On a brighter note, we and the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) have been working to deliver expanded health care services to Levy County. We will have more details to share in the future, so stay tuned!

With all that's happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can read below about what we've been up to this week, and as always, you can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For the Republic,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack                                                                                Proudly Representing Florida's Third Congressional District

Service Academy Day On May 4th

Service Academy Day is right around the corner! Learn more about our nation's military service academies and how to apply for the upcoming school year beginning in 2025. Our office will host the Service Academy Day on Saturday, May 4 from 9am to 12pm at Trinity Catholic School in Ocala. For more information, please contact Dorothy in our Gainesville office at (352) 505-0838. 

VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center, 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care

The VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is the best tool for those who have trouble contacting the VA Medical Center. It provides veterans with a method to get in touch with specific clinics, order urgent refills, and more.

This number goes directly to the VISN in St. Petersburg, Florida and is useful for veterans in search of steps to take in finding health care. Visit their website here or give them a call at 1-877-741-3400.

Military Buyback Program

The Military Buyback Program is a benefit for all veterans with active-duty military service to receive credit for their time. Time served can be added to years of civil service with the government and increases retirement annuity.

Florida National Guard Update

Please see below for an update on the work of the Florida National Guard. 

Current State Activations:

• 400 Soldiers and Airmen supporting Department of Corrections
• 40 Soldiers supporting migration mission in South Florida

Counterdrug Program Continued Support:

• FHP, "Operation Safe Highways"
• FHP, Border Integrity Trafficking Enforcement (BITE)
• Continuous support to sheriff offices throughout the state

Federal Deployments:

• 94 Soldiers and Airmen on federal deployments worldwide
• 629 Soldiers and Airmen will deploy during the next 12 months

Embrace Serving Veterans As A Physician Assistant At The VA

As a physician assistant (PA) at VA, you’ll find purpose in serving veterans. You’ll come to work each day knowing that you’re helping those who have served the nation on their path to whole health.

As one of only three disciplines in VA that can diagnose, treat and prescribe, PAs provide high-quality, veteran-centric care across all areas, including primary care, surgery, mental health, or other specialties. With your training, you can find a path to leadership roles at the local, regional, and national levels, as well.

VA also has education support opportunities available for those who have been accepted into PA school. The Educational Assistance for Certain Former Members of the Armed Forces (EACFMAF) scholarship is a perfect path to a career at the VA.

Marine Helicopter Squadron 1

Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) was established December 1, 1947 at Marine Base Quantico as an experimental unit tasked with testing and evaluating military helicopters when rotary wing flight was still in its infancy. Founded to test tactics, techniques, procedures and equipment, HMX-1 has since then become synonymous with helicopter transport of the President of the United States.

In 1957, rotary wing movement of the President, Vice President, and other important personnel originated as President Dwight D. Eisenhower—away on vacation—was urgently needed back at the White House. What would have been a two hour motorcade trip was reduced to a seven-minute helicopter ride. On that day, HMX-1 earned its most prestigious of missions: direct support of the President.

In addition to Presidential and VIP support, the "Nighthawks" of HMX-1 maintain the role as the primary Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) unit for Marine assault support helicopters and related equipment. Indeed, the same pilots and aircrew supporting the President are often testing and evaluating aircraft and systems used by the Fleet Marine Forces.

HMX-1 aircraft and Marines also support the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in the development of helicopter tactics, techniques and landing force equipment, as well as for student demonstrations and helicopter indoctrination. 

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