RAO BULLETIN 15 April 2018

[boardman]

RAO
BULLETIN
15 April 2018

HTML/PDF Editions


THIS RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE BULLETIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES


Pg Article Subject
. * DOD * .

04 == Joint Chiefs of Staff ---- (Fat Leonard Impact on Appointments)
07 == F-35 Lightning II [01] ---- (All Deliveries Suspended | Repair Bill Disagreement)
07 == AFRH [12] ---- (Average 55% Fee Increase OCT 2018)
08 == Navy Fleet Size [12] ---- (2016 Need Assessment Down-Play)
09 == Arlington National Cemetery [74] ---- (2nd Future of the Cemetery Survey)
10 == TRICARE Problems Investigated [02] ---- (MOAA Town Hall Disclosures)
10 == TRICARE Premium ---- (45,000 Missing Payment Info to Lose coverage)
11 == Military Enlistment [19] ---- (Dependent's Military Health Record Impact | Navy)
12 == POW/MIA Recoveries ---- (Reported 01 thru 15 APR 2018 | Sixteen)

. * VA * .

15 == VA Rehabilitation & Prosthetic Services ---- (Direct Appointment Scheduling Now Possible)
15 == VA Presumptive Disabilities ---- (Top 10 Claimed and Agent Orange)
16 == VA Vacancies ----(Wait Time & Outsourcing Impact)
17 == VA Vet Choice [74] ---- (TriWest Healthcare Alliance Warning Letter to Congress)
18 == VA Vet Choice [75] ---- (Congress Again Urged to Pass VA Reform Package)
19 == VA Baby Showers ---- (Nationwide MAY 5-16 | Welcoming New Children into Vet Families)
20 == VA National Transplant Program ---- (Where To Go)
20 == VA Claim Notice of Disagreement ---- (When to File)
20 == VA Lawsuit | Beemer~John ---- (Allergic Reaction Death Settlement)
21 == VA Braille/Talking Book Program ---- (Overview)
22 == VA Disability Benefits [01] ---- (19-Year-Old Pain Precedent Overturned)
22 == CRSC [26] ---- (Are You Missing Out?)
23 == VA Privatization [13] ---- (Debunking The Myth)
24 == VA Privatization [14] ---- (What Does Privatization Really Mean?)
26 == VA Burial Benefits [45] ---- (Hmong and Laotian Vets Now Eligible)
27 == VA Golden Age Games 2018 ---- (To Be Held AUG 3-8 in Albuquerque NM)
28 == VA Secretary [71] ---- (David J. Shulkin's Departing Comments)
29 == VA Secretary [72] ---- (Shulkin Did Not Leave Office Willingly)
30 == VA Secretary [73] ---- (VA Confirmation Process Could Be Contentious)
31 == VA Secretary [74] ----(What The Law Calls For)
32 == VAMC Washington DC [08] ---- (Director Replaced | Problems Still Exist)
33 == VAMC Washington DC [09] ---- (Problems Persist Despite Reported Resolutions)
35 == VAMC Northport NY [01] ---- (Emergency Funding Needed | $15M)
35 == VAMC Canandaigua NY ---- ($161 Million Expansion Project)
36 == VAMC Houston [03] ---- (End Harassment Campaign | Female Vets)

. * VETS * .

37 == Vet Green Alert ---- (Wisconsin System For Missing Vulnerable Veterans)
38 == PTSD [244] ---- (Should Seeking VA Help Impact on Vet's Gun Ownership Right?)
41 == Vet Jobs [231] ---- (Federal Government)
41 == Stolen Valor [110] ---- (Reported 180401 thru 180415)
42 == Did You Know (01) ----- (Items of Interest to Vets)
43 == Obit: Akaka~Daniel K ---- (6 April 2018 | U.S. Senator & WWII Vet)
44 == Obit: Hudner~Thomas Jr. ---- (13 NOV 2017 | ROK MOH Awardee)
45 == Vet Deportations [20] ---- (ICE Wrongly Interpreting SECDEF Directive)
47 == Vet Fraud & Abuse ---- (Reported 01 thru 15 APR 2017)
48 == Philippine Veterans Advocacy Committee ---- (APR 2018 Notes)
48 == Retiree Appreciation Days ---- (Scheduled As of 16 APR 2018)
49 == Vet Hiring Fairs ---- (Scheduled As of 16 APR 2018)
49 == Vet State Benefits & Discounts ---- (Tennessee MAR 2018)

. * VET LEGISLATION* .

50 == Drug Cost Increases [14] ---- (S.2155 | Know the Lowest Price Act)
51 == Generic Drug Pricing [05] ----( S.2553, S.1688, & S.469 | Lowering Cost)
51 == VA Emergency Care [11] ---- (S.2131 | Newborn Emergency Treatment Act)

. * MILITARY* .

52 == Military Tattoo Criteria [12] ---- (No Change to USMC Policy for Reserves)
53 == B-1 Bomber [02] ---- (Deployed to Middle East Again To Take Over Strike Missions)
53 == USAF Warrant Officer Program ---- (Inching Closer To Reinstatement)
54 == USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) [12] ---- ($57 Million More Added for Repairs)
55 == Norfolk Four ---- (Wrongfully Convicted and Imprisoned Sailor's Compensation)
57 == USS Bremerton (SSN-698) ---- (Last Cruise Completed for Oldest SSN)
57 == USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118) ---- (Keel-Laying Ceremony Set for 14 MAY)
58 == Military Spouse Deportation [05] ---- ( Estimated Up to 11,800 Active Duty Impacted)
59 == USCGC Sherman ---- (Decommissioned 29 MAR After 50 Years Service)
60 == Navy M80 Stilleton ---- (Navy’s Coolest Surface Vessel)
61 == Warships That Will Change The Future ---- (HMAS Canberra L02)

. * MILITARY HISTORY* .

62 == Stolen C-130's Fate ---- (Air Force Mechanic/S 1968 Drunken, Desperate Bid To Return Home)
63 == Pacific's 4th Marine Regiment ---- (Honor vs. Dishonor)
65 == USS Thresher (SSN-593) ---- (Worst Submarine Disaster In U.S. Navy History)
66 == Broken Arrow | Mars Bluff S.C. ---- (March 11, 1958)
68 == Profile In Courage ---- (James Williams | Most Decorated Enlisted Sailor in Navy History
70 == Battle of Britain ---- (How It Was Really Won)
71 == Battle of Okinawa [01] ---- (Easter Sunday | A Time to Remember)
72 == WWI German Spring Offensive [01] ---- (MAR 21 thru APR 6, 1918)
73 == WWII Vets 160 ---- (Jack Schwartz | 1300 Days in Captivity)
75 == WWII Vets 161 ---- (Richard Overton | Will Turn 112 Next Month)
76 == WWII Vets 162 ---- (Vernon Bishop | Operation Fortitude)
77 == Military History Anniversaries ---- (16 thru 30 APR)
77 == Medal of Honor Citations ---- (Gilmore, Howard W | WWII)
79 == WWII Bomber Nose Art [04] ---- (Shamrock Sherry)

. * HEALTH CARE* .

80 == TRICARE Enrollment [02] ---- (Active Duty Retirement)
81 == Chronic Chillness ---- (Causative Conditions)
82 == VA Medical Marijuana [43] ---- (Shift In Federal Policy Called For)
83 == Deep Vein Thrombosis [01] ---- (What You Need To Know)
84 == Opioid Use [01] ---- (VA Overdose-Reversal Naloxone Kits)
85 == Organ Transplant [01] ---- (What Donors Should Know)
87 == Irritable Bowel Syndrome ---- (Three Ways You Can Keep Your Gut Happy and Healthy)
88 == TRICARE Podcast 443 ---- (MHS Nurse Advice Line - Right of 1st Refusal - Nutritional Needs)
89 == TRICARE Podcast 444 ---- (Military Child Month | Eye Exams | Supporting Our Youngest Heroes)

. * FINANCES * .

90 == Drug Cost Increases [13] ---- (Lomustine | 1400% Since 2013)
91 == Direct Deposit [04] ---- (Address Changes for Government Payments)
91 == SBP Premium [02] ---- (Deductions From CRSC Started 1 APR)
92 == Bitcoins [02] ---- (Cryptocurrency Is A Taxable Entity)
93 == Annuities ---- (What They Are)
93 == IRS 2018 Filing Season [01] ---- (Tax Cuts | Who Benefits)
94 == Lending Money [01] ---- (Family | Lender Tax Ramifications)
95 == Revocable Living Trust ---- (What It Is and Does)
95 == Revocable Living Trust [01] ---- (Benefits of Establishing One)
97 == Jury Duty Compensation ---- (May 7 Increase for Federal Courts)
97 == Car Insurance [15] ---- (Low Mileage Discounts)
98 == Bill Negotiations ---- (Should You Hire A Service?)
99 == Vet Benefit/Pension Buyout Scam ---- (How They Work)
100 == Vet Benefit Charity Scam ---- (Bogus | Verify Before Donating
101 == Free Health Screening Scam ---- (How It works)
101 == Tax Burden for Connecticut Retired Vets | 2017 ---- (As of APR 2018)

. * GENERAL INTEREST * .

103 == Notes of Interest ---- (01 thru 15 APR 2018)
104 == U.S. Entry Requirements ---- (The Line Could Soon Be Getting A Lot Longer)
105 == California Statehood ---- (Three State Proposal)
106 == Children’s Online Safety ---- (BBB Tips)
107 == Border Wall [04] ---- (Trump | Military Will Guard Border Until Wall Is Built)
108 == U.S.-Mexico Border Security ---- (National Guard Deployment)
109 == Roseanne's Appeal ---- (Explained)
110 == Gun Control [03] ---- (Right To Bear Arms)
111 == Vinegar [03] ---- (Multiple Uses | Household Hints, Yard & Garden, and Car Care)
112 == Have You Heard? ---- (Trivia | Origin of Phrases/Words)
113 == Where There's a Will, There's a Way ---- (14)

1. The page number on which an article can be found is provided to the left of each article’s title
2. Numbers contained within brackets [ ] indicate the number of articles written on the subject. To obtain previous articles send a request to raoemo@sbcglobal.net.

. * ATTACHMENTS * .

Attachment - Tennessee Vet State Benefits & Discounts MAR 2018
Attachment - Military History Anniversaries 16 thru 30 APR
Attachment - Battle of Britain

TO READ and/or DOWNLOAD THE ABOVE ARTICLES & ATTACHMENTS Click on One of the Following Websites:

-- http://www.nhc-ul.org/rao.html (PDF Edition w/ATTACHMENTS)
-- http://www.veteransresources.org (PDF & HTML Editions w/ATTACHMENTS)
-- http://frabr245.org (PDF & HTML Editions in Word format)
-- http://veteraninformationlinksasa.com/emos-rao.html (PDF & HTML Editions w/ATTACHMENTS)
-- http://www.nj-americanlegionpost493.org (PDF Edition w/ATTACHMENTS)

Note: The above websites are blocked by some, if not all, USAF & USCG military commands for security purposes. To gain access you need to open them using a non “...@us.af.mil“ “...@uscg.mil“ source. Contact raoemo@sbcglobal.net if you are unable to do this.

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Notes:
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RAO Bulletin Editor/Publisher:
Lt. James (EMO) Tichacek, USN (Ret) Tel: (858) 842-1111 Email: raoemo@sbcglobal.net
Bulletin Web Access: http://www.nhc-ul.org/rao.html, http://www.veteransresources.org, http://frabr245.org, and
http://veteraninformationlinksasa.com/emos-rao.html [PDF & HTML Editions w/ATTACHMENTS]

RAO Baguio Director:
SSgt Terrance (Terry) Parker, USAF (Ret), PSC 517 Box 4036, FPO AP 96517-1000, Tel: Smart 0921824728 or Globe 09454073380, Email: rao.dir.baguio@gmail.com

RAO Baguio Office: Mountain Lodge, 27 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City, 2600 Philippines
FPO Mail Pickup: TUE & THUR 09-1100 --- Outgoing Mail Closeout: THUR 1100


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