Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes

On March 6, 2007, President Bush created the Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes. The purpose of the Task Force was to improve the delivery of Federal services and benefits to Global War on Terror servicemembers and veterans. The President appointed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as Task Force Chair. Membership consisted of the Secretaries of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, plus the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Under the terms of the Presidents Executive Order, the Task Force had 45 days to complete the following Identify and examine existing Federal services that currently are provided to returning Global War on Terror GWOT servicemembers Identify existing gaps in such services Seek recommendations from appropriate Federal agencies on ways to fill those gaps Ensure that appropriate Federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively Develop a Government-wide Action Plan that ensures that in providing services to these servicemembers, appropriate Federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively. The Task Force utilized a gap analysis approach to determine the manner and extent to which services and benefits are provided to GWOT servicemembers and veterans. The Task Force received over 2,400 comments from veterans, active duty personnel, veterans service organizations, and other interested parties.