The last four years have seen a remarkable resurgence of democracy in the Southern Cone of the Americas. Military regimes have been replaced in Argentina (1983), Uruguay (1985), and Brazil (1985). Despite great interest in these new democracies, the role of the military in the process of transition has been under-theorized and under-researched. Alfred Stepan, one of the best-known analysts of the military in politics, examines some of the reasons for this neglect and takes a new look at themes raised in his earlier work on the state, the breakdown of democracy, and the military. The reader of this book will gain a fresh understanding of new democracies and democratic movements throughout the world and their attempts to understand and control the military. An earlier version of this book has been a controversial best seller in Brazil. To examine the Brazilian case, the author uses a variety of new archival material and interviews, with comparative data from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Spain. Brazilian military leaders had consolidated their hold on governmental power by strengthening the military-crafted intelligence services, but they eventually found these same intelligence systems to be a formidable threat. Professor Stepan explains how redemocratization occurred as the military reached into the civil sector for allies in its struggle against the growing influence of the intelligence community. He also explores dissension within the military and the continuing conflicts between the military and the civilian government.

For as long as there have been armed forces there have been camp followers - the families who move with the military to stay with their men. This book looks at the experiences of just a few of these families, through the eyes of the military wives and their relatives. From the First World War, when many women were fiancees but never wives, through the Second World War and postwar Britain to the present day and twenty-first-century service life, military wives talk about their experiences as never before. What is it really like to be married to a member of Britain's Armed Forces? Can you ever be prepared for the reality that awaits you when you say 'I do' and walk down the aisle? From Big Bertha's booms, rationing and bomb shelters, to military wives choirs, Afghanistan and marathons, this book celebrates that great British heroine, the military wife.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits and services to veterans and eligible dependents who meet certain criteria as authorized by law. These benefits include medical care, disability compensation and pensions, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment services, assistance to homeless veterans, home loan guarantees, administration of life insurance and traumatic injury protection insurance for service members, and death benefits that cover burial expenses. Chapter 1 focuses on FY2018 appropriations and FY2019 advance appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA is one of the Federal government's largest property holding entities with a capital asset portfolio that includes thousands of medical facilities spanning hundreds of millions of square feet in both owned and leased space across the country. The average VA medical facility building is five times older than the average building in a not for profit hospital system. All too often current facilities, including those that have been well maintained, are not equipped to support the provisions of modern high quality care and are not well suited to providing care in the current VA healthcare system. As reported in chapter 2, there is a wide and growing gap between VA's capital need and the antiquated and anticipated resources. Following the brief legislative history of VA provided community care, chapter 3 describes the background and legislative history leading up to the enactment of the VA MISSION Act. This is followed by summaries of the major provisions in the VA MISSION Act by title. The chapter concludes with an appendix providing implementation and reporting deadlines contained in the VA MISSION Act. VHA anticipates that it will provide care to more than 7 million veterans in fiscal year 2019. The majority of veterans using VHA health care services receive care in one or more of the 172 medical centers or at associated outpatient facilities. Chapter 4 assesses VHA's management of medical center performance. Chapter 5 reviews the new rule entitled "VA Claims and Appeals Modernization" (RIN: 2900-AQ26), which amends the regulations governing claims adjudication and appeals. VBA employees have authority to request reexaminations for veterans "whenever VA determines there is a need to verify either the continued existence or the current severity of a disability," and when there is no exclusion from reexamination. Chapter 6 determines whether Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) employees required disabled veterans to submit to unwarranted medical reexaminations. Training health care professionals is part of the VA's statutory mission. The VA is the largest provider of medical training in the United States and is involved in training at all levels: medical students, medical residents, and medical fellows Chapter 7 focuses on physician training.