Veterans Report - Week of November 12, 2012

[boardman]

Veterans Report - Week of November 12, 2012

New VA Claims Coach App
The American Legion has developed and launched a smartphone app to help veterans apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs for disability compensation. (http://www.legion.org/mobileapps) The "Claims Coach" app provides an applicant access to a certified Legion service officer, a resource guide, tips on working through each stage of the application, and a handy way to keep track of submitted documents. (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012 ... laims.html) Read the full story on Military.com.


What's Next After the Military?
At the Military.com Transition Center, start early and get ahead. Explore your options. (http://www.military.com/military-transi ... RC=mrvr.nl) Build your free personalized transition plan.


Veterans' Help Information After Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy might be over but recovery efforts are ongoing in affected areas. You can find out more about how Sandy has affected local medical center operations by using local links at the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) (http://www.va.gov/opa/socialmedia.asp) Social Media Directory webpage. And you can keep up with your VA benefits on VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8308/ke ... ane-sandy/) VAntage Point Blog.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Resources for Soldiers Seeking Employment
Soldiers and Veterans seeking employment assistance can visit: (1) the (https://www.acap.army.mil) Army Career & Alumni Program (ACAP) website; (2) each state Department of Labor employs Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) representatives and Local Veterans Employment (LVER) Representatives who work in the one Stop Career Centers. To find your local DVOP/LVER, visit the (http://dvoplverlocator.nvti.ucdenver.edu) DVOP/LVER locator website; (3) the (https://h2h.jobs) Hero2Hired (H2H) website was created to make it easy for servicemembers to connect to and find jobs with military-friendly companies; and (4) the Army's (http://www.wtc.army.mil/) Warrior Care and Transition Program (WTC) supports the rehabilitation and successful transition of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers back to active duty or to veteran status.
For more veteran job guides or to translate your military skills into civilian job occupations, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Manhattan VA Facility Closed
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System's Manhattan facility remains closed. Learn more at VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8328/va ... ng-damage/) Vantage Point Blog. To use the Emergency Pharmacy Refill Program, visit any big chain pharmacy with your veteran ID card and medication bottle with label (showing a refill date within the last 90 days). Ask the pharmacist to call Heritage Health Solutions Customer Care Center at toll free (866) 265-0124, where a customer care representative will qualify the request. Other useful telephone numbers to use include: (1) VA Nurse Help Line, (866) 940-2877 to speak to a registered nurse if you experience any symptoms or have any health related questions; (2) Centralized Scheduling, (877) 877-9267 if you have questions about an appointment at the Manhattan VA or to schedule an appointment; (3) the Mental Health Help Desk, (718) 836-6600, Ext. 3742; and (4) the Pharmacy Call Center, (631) 863-4832.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Deal of the Week: 50 OFF Banana Republic 11/12-11/15 111212
You went beyond the call of Duty. Now it's our duty to give you a stylish new start. (http://www.BananaRepublic.com/Military) Get 50% OFF in Banana Republic stores from 11/12/12-11/15/12.


Veterans Day Deals You Can Use Monday, Nov. 12
Each year businesses honor Veterans and Servicemembers by offering Veterans Day discounts on goods, services, and dining. Military.com has put together a list of 2012 veteran and military discounts. Many of these deals last through Monday, November 12 and beyond. (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/ve ... RC=mrvr.nl) View the list of deals and discounts.


Are You Eligible for a VA Home Loan?
In order to obtain a VA home loan, you must first fill out VA Form 26-1880, the request for your Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate is issued only through the Veterans Administration, and is the first step towards applying for your loan. Veterans, active duty, guard or reserve, and military spouses potentially qualify for this certificate. Keep in mind that the Certificate of Eligibility, while necessary, only allows an eligible individual to apply for a home loan; it does not guarantee a loan approval. Eligibility for the Certificate is based on an individual's (or a spouse's) military service. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get specifics on Military.com.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Find Lenders ready to help you use your VA Home Loan.


Consumer Protection on Social Media
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) opened two valuable new communications channels to the military community with the launch of an (http://www.facebook.com/CFPBMilitary) OSA Facebook page and (http://www.twitter.com/CFPBMilitary) Twitter feed. These accounts give OSA and the CFPB the opportunity to digitally engage directly with servicemembers, military families and veterans on the consumer financial issues that matter most to them. These accounts also give OSA the ability to offer military members tips, tools and other resources to help them keep financially fit.
For more on credit, debt and other personal finance issues, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money Center.


VA Loan Policy After Natural Disasters
Help is available for those seeking answers to questions about the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) loan policy after natural disasters -- the information is currently available on the (http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/do ... asters.pdf) VA Benefits website.
For more on VA home loan eligibility and processes, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) Military.com VA Loan page.


Senator Calls for PTSD Review Timeline
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta requesting next steps and a timeline for the execution of a critical military-wide review of PTSD and behavioral health diagnoses made since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began. A copy of the letter is available on the (http://veterans.senate.gov/press-releas ... 23aaa2846d) U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Find more PTSD Resources on Military.com.


Benefit Calculator: What Can You Use Today?
The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits information based on service and status. Find Federal Benefits, State Benefits, National Guard State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and More. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Your Benefits Now.
(http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Benefit Channel to access Pay Charts, TRICARE information, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Vet Benefits and More.


Legionnaires Encouraged to Donate Blood
Legionnaires interested in donating can make an appointment at the (http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation) Red Cross' donation appointment page. Posts that want to host a blood drive should visit the Red Cross' (http://www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-blood-drive) blood drive registration page. Members and posts can also contact the (http://www.aabb.org/Pages/Homepage.aspx) American Association of Blood Banks, and (http://givingblood.org/donate-blood/whe ... onate.aspx) the Council of Community Blood Centers.
For more military spouse and family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


171K May Soon Lose TRICARE Prime
Defense officials are expected to announce that military retirees and their dependents that live more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility or BRAC (base closure) site will lose access to TRICARE Prime as early as next April. This move could force as many as 171,000 retirees to shift to TRICARE Standard, which would mean an increase in out-of-pocket costs--especially those with special needs dependents or other chronic health issues. The first round of Prime service changes is "tentatively" planned to go into effect in the West region on April 1. The North and South regions will see the plan implemented by October 1, 2013.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... are-prime/) Read the Military Advantage Blog to learn more about this plan.
(http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... 86&type=ML) Let your elected officials know how you feel about this issue.


New Combat Infantryman's Badge Exhibit
Of the hundreds of thousands of Infantrymen who have fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, only 325 have been awarded the third award of the Combat Infantryman's Badge, known as the Triple CIB. Their names were recently enshrined on a new display at the National Infantry Museum. The CIB Third Award is the most prestigious combat badge in the U.S. Army and one that is among the least presented. The U.S. War Department established the badge on Oct. 27, 1943, and was later made retroactive to Dec. 6, 1941. For more information, visit the U.S. Army Combat Infantry Badge webpage at (http://www.army.mil/symbols/CombatBadges/infantry.html) www.army.mil/symbols/CombatBadges/infantry.html and the National Infantry Museum website at (http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/) www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/.
For more on military history visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


Hurricane Sandy Victims Emergency Funds
Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion who are victims of Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for financial assistance through the Legion's National Emergency Fund (NEF). Eligible members may receive up to $1,500 in emergency assistance, while Legion posts may receive up to $5,000. Applicants must have been displaced from their primary residence and provide proof of out-of-pocket expenses, including, but not limited to, temporary housing, food, water and clothing. The American Legion or Sons of The American Legion membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application. Detailed information and an application for NEF assistance may be downloaded from the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/emergency) www.legion.org/emergency. For further information or assistance call (800) 433-3318.
For more military spouse and family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


'GI Bill' Name Becomes Trademarked
The GI Bill is now a brand name, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA's registration of "GI Bill" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office was suggested by President Obama at his signing of an Executive Order last April. The order was in reaction to allegations of questionable marketing practices by a handful of schools attempting to recruit GI Bill beneficiaries into their student population. Obama's Executive Order directs that "...all appropriate steps (be taken) to ensure that websites and programs are not deceptively and fraudulently marketing educational services and benefits to program beneficiaries, including initiating a process to protect the term 'GI Bill' and other military or veterans-related terms as trademarks, as appropriate."
For more on GI Bill benefits, download the (http://images.military.com/media/educat ... gibill.pdf) GI Bill Guide.


Connect with Hiring Managers at the Veterans Virtual Career Fair Nov 13
Top employers are looking to talk and hire veterans at the Veterans Virtual Career Fair on November 13. From your computer you'll be able to communicate with hiring managers at companies such as AT&T, BOS Solutions, Cisco Systems, GE Aviation, Toyota & more. Registration is free. Don't miss this opportunity. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information and register.


Some Call for Ousting VA Chief of Staff
Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and Senator Richard Burr, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, recently called on VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to remove VA Chief of Staff, John Gingrich from his position due to his involvement in VA's conference scandal. Chairman Miller's and Ranking Member Burr's letter to the Secretary is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/sites/republi ... ngrich.pdf) House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Farm Training Webinar for Veterans
Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, NE, along with partnering organizations will host a Farm Training Webinar on Friday, November 16th. The webinar will include several virtual farm tours and other information for U.S military veterans interested in taking up a career in a rural community and starting their own farms or ranches. The web-based training will allow people to participate wherever they are, including those deployed overseas. The webinar will be conducted online Friday, November 16, 2012, 7:00-8:30pm CST. To join the webinar, visit (https://connect.cis.ksu.edu/veteranfarmer) this site, log in as "guest" with no need to preregister. For more information visit the Center for Rural Affairs website at (http://www.cfra.org/veteran_farmers_project) www.cfra.org/veteran_farmers_project .
For more veteran job guides or to translate your military skills into civilian job occupations, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Mojave Cross Goes Back Up
The Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial, known as the Mojave cross, was recently erected again on Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve near Yucca Valley, California. Litigation surrounding the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial has been ongoing since March 2001, when a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, arguing that the display of a cross in the memorial violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Liberty Institute and various veteran service organizations supported keeping the cross up. The cross was erected at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012, with a ceremony will following. For more information on the Mojave Cross, visit the (http://www.libertyinstitute.org/news/po ... ial-cross/) Liberty Institute website.
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Featured Job: AT&T is Hiring Veterans
It's a different kind of action, but exciting nonetheless: In the military, you contributed to a disciplined, motivated and successful team. You'll be right at home with AT&T. We continuously recognize the contributions of our armed forces. In every area of AT&T, you'll find retired military and active reservists who made the (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) transition to civilian life.