Veterans Report - Week of November 19, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of November 19, 2012

Send Messages to Troops Overseas
In honor of (http://www.military.com/military-family ... tion-month) National Military Family Appreciation Month, Evergram has announced an outreach program in which military families and civilians are invited to send words of encouragement and gratitude to our deployed troops overseas. Tell our troops how much they mean to you and our country by sending a message through (http://ThankOurTroops.Evergram.com) ThankOurTroops.Evergram.com. Messages will be delivered on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.


American Legion Claims Coach App
The American Legion's Claims Coach app is available for both iPhone and Android users and provides step-by-step guidance to help veterans and their families connect with a service officer and navigate the VA claims process. The free app features a nationwide directory of accredited American Legion service officers, a built-in organizer for appointments, documents and deadlines, and a wealth of other resources. Additionally, a personal secure file called "My Checklist" keeps everything in order. To download the app, visit the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/mobileapps) www.legion.org/mobileapps . For more information, read the (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012 ... laims.html) Military.com story.


Deal of the Week: $100 Service Credit from Sprint
For a limited time active-duty, retired and veteran members of the military are eligible to receive a $100 service credit using the (http://sprint.ammoadvertising.com/17317 ... ESRC=vr.nl) Sprint discount code for the branch in which they served, when they switch to Sprint!


CBO Report Takes Aim at Pay and Benefits
The Congressional Budget Office points to freezing future pay raises, increasing TRICARE fees, and altering future retirement benefits as means to avoid the "fiscal cliff". The military community should be aware that the deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" is likely to impact their families as much as the sequestration itself. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... y-painful/) Read more on the Military Advantage Blog.
(http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... d=61004936) Let your elected officials know how you feel about this subject.


Military Skills Translator: Civilian Jobs You Qualify For
Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities. Enter in your MOS, MOSC, Rating, or Designator and we'll give you a list of civilian skills and equivalent job openings. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate Your Skills and Apply for Jobs Now.


Commissaries Duplicative and Wasteful?
Sen. Tom Coburn released a report, titled 'Department of Everything,' which details several "duplicative and wasteful" programs that the report argues have nothing to do with the nation's security that are wasting money and resources. The report identifies five major programs that are forecast to cost the DoD over $67 billion dollars over the next ten years. Commissaries and stateside DoD Elementary Schools programs are among the list of programs that duplicate existing resources and programs. The report claims that cutting those two programs alone could save over $24 billion over 10 years. The report also identifies several odd and expensive DoD programs like Pentagon Jerky and micro-breweries. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -programs/) Read the Military Advantage blog for more details.
(http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... 01&type=ML) Let your elected officials know how you feel about the efforts to end commissary benefits.


T-Mobile Veteran Story: Dominic Dimino
Dominic Dimino is a former Army combat medic who supported efforts following Hurricane Katrina and also did an 18-month tour in Afghanistan. He is now a Sr. Analyst, Business Process for the Direct to Customer group at T-Mobile. Dominic applied for a job at T-Mobile after a friend told him great things about the company, and found that (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... RC=mrvr.nl) the skills he acquired in the military played a big role in getting him the job.


Retraining Program for Veterans
Are you or do you know an unemployed Veteran 35-60 years old? The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) can provide up to 12 months of assistance ($1,564 a month) for training in a high demand career field. For more information, visit the (http://www.benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm) Vow to Hire Heroes Act 2011--Veterans Retraining Assistance Program website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA for Women Veterans
The number of female Veterans using VA health care has doubled in the last decade, making women a significantly larger portion of the Veterans we serve every day. For information on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services for women veterans, visit VA's (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/) Women Veterans Health Care webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Grants to End Veteran Homelessness
VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program helps to end homelessness. Up to $300 million is available for community and nonprofit organizations that support Veterans who are homeless or facing imminent homelessness. For more information, visit VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp) www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Say Thank you to Our Troops Today
Thanks-A-Bunch(TM) and Military.com have come together to offer you a unique opportunity to say "thanks" to our troops, our veterans and their families (American Heroes) by providing them with a $50 Thanks-A-Bunch gift card that you can purchase for just $10 (tax deductible) to help pay for (http://www.thanksabunch.org/milcom/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) a nice meal out with family and friends.


American Legion Debuts New Webpage
A new webpage on the American Legion website is devoted to introducing visitors to what is called the (http://www.legion.org/fodpal) Foreign and Outlying Departments and Posts of the American Legion (FODPAL). The new (http://www.legion.org/fodpal) FODPAL webpage is devoted to building awareness of the Legion's place and influence outside the continental United States. It also offers handy tips and opportunities for Legion family members to share their personal impressions from travels. FODPAL was organized in the early 1950s as a way of connecting members who may make their homes, pursue their careers or continue their service outside the continental United States. It currently boasts more than 15,000 members and more than 250 posts around the world.
For more military spouse and family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Benefits of a VA Loan in Today's Market
One of the unique benefits afforded to military personnel is access to the Veterans Affairs Home Mortgage Loan program. This program offers tremendous mortgage benefits to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. A VA home loan can be used for a number of purposes, including purchasing or building a new home, refinancing a current mortgage, repairing or improving your existing home, or installing home efficiency measures. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) See more benefits of a VA Loan in today's market.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Search for lenders ready to help you buy or refinance with a VA Loan.


Tips for Owning a Home and Building Wealth
Almost any servicemember can afford to own a home with proper preparation. Develop a savings plan to build up money for a down payment at purchase, for moving expenses, and for post-purchase emergency expenditures such as needed home repairs. Remember, the larger your down payment, the lower your home loan payment. MilitarySaves.org can help you develop a plan with regular monthly deposits in a bank or credit union account. For more, see (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... RC=mrvr.nl) this Military.com article.


Featured Job: Farmers is Hiring Veterans
Farmers Insurance(R) is one of America's best known and most respected organizations. With career opportunities in claims, customer service and more, we offer professional growth and great benefits in a culture that supports and values achievement. We are strongly committed to providing a wide variety of job opportunities to transitioning, retired and wounded veterans, as well as military spouses. It's our way of showing support for the contributions military families make in service to America. Learn more about us at the (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Farmers Insurance Veteran Talent Portal and at (http://www.Farmers.com/careers) www.farmers.com/careers.


National Family Caregivers Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) salutes the family members and friends who are taking care of our Veterans. For more information, read the story on the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20121105a.asp) VA Health Care webpage and visit the (http://www.nfcacares.org/national_famil ... ver_month/) National Family Caregivers Association website.
For more military spouse and family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Low Cost Life Insurance: $300k Coverage From $22 a Month
Protect your military family's future with affordable, supplemental life insurance. Get $300,000 protection for as little as $22 a month or buy a little more coverage. Find Your Own Coverage with (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =vr1119.nl) Affordable Rates Now.


Website Offers Veterans' Stories
Veterans face unique challenges coming home, but their strength and resiliency are leading them to successful lives after service. A new website offers the poignant stories of twelve veterans. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs' (VA's) (http://www.blogs.va.gov/strongatbrokenplaces/) Strong at the Broken Places website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Manhattan VA Facility Assessing Damage
Before Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the Manhattan VA Medical Center in New York safely evacuated its patients, but the damage done to the facility is still being assessed. The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System (VANYHHS) says it is too early to set a timetable on restoring health-care services. Updates on the hospital's recovery status are being posted publically at the (http://www.nyharbor.va.gov/) VANYHHS website and on (http://www.facebook.com/vanyharbor) Facebook. A Patient Information Help Line is now available at (855) 269-8338, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8328/va ... ng-damage/) VAntage Point Blog.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


'Veterans in Blue'
From WWII to Korea to Vietnam to Iraq, 19 stories of service and heroism at war are captured in the third volume of "Veterans in Blue," formerly known as "Pioneers in Blue." The new displays join those presently hanging in the Pentagon's A ring on the 5th floor between the 8th and 9th corridors. The stories, photos and video interviews are also available on the (http://www.af.mil/specials/veterans/index.html) Air Force Veterans in Blue Volume III webpage.
For more on military history, see the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.