Military Report - Week of January 23, 2012

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Military Report - Week of January 23, 2012

Deal of the Week: Disneyland Discount Let Military.com's partner, Military Member Services, book your Disneyland Resort Package -- you can save up to $500. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get this deal. Visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Discounts Center to see more exclusive discounts for the military community.

Applying ACE Credits ACE was created in 1942 to recognize the educational value of military training and experience. Through ACE, you can take academic credit for most of the training you have received, including Basic Training. The ACE military evaluations program is funded by the DoD and coordinated through DANTES. In most cases, ACE recommended credits will be used to fulfill your free-elective requirements, but each college determines the number of credits they will accept, and how they will be applied toward your degree. In fact, some schools may even choose not to grant any credit for military experience. That is why it is critical to shop around to find the school that best fits your needs. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information on ACE. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?lpid=cr ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find schools that may offer college credit for military experience.

Play Military Trivia, Win an iPod Test your knowledge with our the Military.com Trivia Challenge. Think you know military history and trivia? Here's how you win: For each question you answer correctly you'll receive one point, and for each point you'll earn an electronic raffle ticket. At the end of the month we'll have a random drawing of all the tickets and pull out one to determine the winner. Play as little or as much as you'd like during the month, but the more questions you answer correctly, the greater your chances of winning. (http://www.military.com/Trivia/Home?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Play Now.

AF Selective Continuation Board Update Air Force captains and majors twice deferred for promotion to the next higher rank who have less than 18 years of service may face a selective continuation board. Officers not selected for continuation are eligible for involuntary separation pay and will be projected for separation no later than six months after the President or his delegate approves the board results. For more information about officer promotions, selective continuation or any other personnel related issues, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website. To find out how much pay you would make with a promotion, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... harts.html) updated pay charts on Military.com.

Navy to Phase Out SEAL LDOs The U.S. Navy has announced the phase-out of the SEAL Limited Duty Officer (LDO) designator. During the first phase, current SEAL LDOs may convert to the SEAL unrestricted line officer designator based on defined criteria. In the second phase, beginning in fiscal year 2013, Navy will begin converting SEAL LDO billets to SEAL chief warrant officer billets or SEAL unrestricted line officer billets. Billet conversion will occur through fiscal year 2017. For more information, call the NPC Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672). For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Worried About Benefit Cuts in 2012? According to the (http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/01/17/anoth ... ngerously/) DoD Buzz, Members of both parties in Congress are gearing up for a protracted game of political chicken over the potential threats to the future of DoD's budget. The impact of the sequestration will not go into effect until January 2, 2013, meaning that military servicemembers, retirees, federal employees, and their families are not likely to see any changes in benefits or pay in 2012. However, the threat is real for 2013. Read more in the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... s-in-2012/) Military Advantage Blog.

New Army Family Readiness Website The U.S. Army's Initial Military Training Center of Excellence recently launched a family readiness website, designed as a one-stop area that links cadre, family members and civilians to resources, information and communication channels designed to promote well-being. The website blends technology and personal contact so that users can learn from and support each other. For more information, visit the (http://www.tradoc.army.mil/dcgimt/IMT-FR.htm) IMT Family readiness website. For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.

Fisher House Opens in Alaska The Fisher House of Anchorage, Alaska officially opened its doors recently to family members of military patients. Fisher Houses serve patients and families from all branches of the military receiving active medical treatment at a base hospital or local area hospitals. There are over 40 Fisher Houses nationwide, plus two in Germany. To arrange a stay at the Anchorage Fisher House, visit the (http://www.akfisherhouse.org/) Fisher House of Alaska website. For more information on Fisher Houses, visit the (http://www.fisherhouse.org/) Fisher House Foundation website. For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.

Child Support Doesn't End with Service In the latest post on military finance expert June Wahlbert's (http://askjune.military.com/2012/01/chi ... rvice.html) Ask June blog, a reader asks: "If my ex-husband is getting out of the Army, will my child support end the month he is getting out?" To read June's answers, as well as her answers to other important questions affecting military familities, visit the (http://askjune.military.com/2012/01/chi ... rvice.html) Ask June blog.

$250k Protection for $12.50 a Month Give yourself peace of mind by protecting your loved ones with life insurance. Get $250k in coverage for $12.50 a month through Navy Mutual -- no fine print, no hidden clauses. We're 100% non-profit and have been working with servicemembers, veterans and their families since 1879. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Contact Navy Mutual Now.

AF Enlisted January Promotions List More than 355 Airmen have been selected for promotion to the next higher rank as part of the January enlisted supplemental promotion process. The enlisted supplemental promotion list can be found (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 11-054.pdf) online. Airmen can also access their score notices at the same time on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight through the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website. For more information about personnel issues, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website. For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Is Early Retirement a Good Deal? In an effort to meet the required looming reduction in forces, Congress has given the DoD the authority to reinstitute Temporary Early Retirement Authority -- better known as the TERA 15-year retirement. But will taking the TERA package mean a loss of hundreds of thousands dollars in retirement benefits? Read the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ment-offer) Military Advantage Blog to learn more.

SitterCity Program Helps Airmen Airmen now have another option when it comes to choosing a caretaker for their children, pets and homes and even tutors. Sittercity helps connect people who need babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, tutors, housekeepers and adult caregivers with reputable and trusted service providers. The Department of Defense has funded the membership cost so servicemembers can take advantage of the program for free. For more information on how to get a free Sittercity membership, visit the Sittercity website at (http://www.sittercity.com/DOD) www.Sittercity.com/DOD. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/spouse/content/ ... tters.html) this Military.com article.

Valentines for Veterans Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers can show their appreciation to military servicemembers who came before them by sending free valentines through their local Exchange now through Feb. 6th. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/66 ... otostream/) "Valentines for Veterans" is an annual Exchange campaign to send greetings to local Veterans Administration hospitals, Fisher House locations and military retirement facilities. For more information, contact your local Main Exchange and ask about "Valentines for Veterans." (http://www.military.com/discounts) Visit the Military.com Discounts Channel to see more military coupons and discounts.

Space A on Facebook Select passenger terminals across Air Mobility Command are establishing Facebook pages to provide passengers more predictability when it comes to space-available and -required passengers. Travelers will also be able to the see their local terminals tentative flight schedule 72-hours in advance. The same information available via the local terminal's answering machine will also be posted on the passenger terminal's Facebook page. For a complete list of AMC Passenger Terminals who have a Facebook page, please visit the Space-A Website at (http://www.amc.af.mil/amctravel) www.amc.af.mil/amctravel . For military travel tips and Space-A guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home/0,13396,,00.htm) Military.com Travel channel.

12 Most Underrated Jobs in America Even in a sluggish economy, there are jobs out there that have lower unemployment rates and decent salaries -- Paralegal, Accountant, Loan Officer, Market Research Analyst, Software Engineer, Computer Systems Analyst, Insurance Agent, Dietitian, Dental Hygienist, Civil Engineer, Physical Therapist and Chiropractor. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get average Income and Unemployment Rates for these 12 professions. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for jobs in these fields on Military.com.

2012 Military Pay Calculator The (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... calculator) 2012 Military Pay Calculator can help estimate your gross monthly pay -- base pay, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Subsistence Allowance (BAS) Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and Special Pay. This handy tool can help you quickly see how much your longevity increase will be, how much you'll make at your next duty station and find out how much your next promotion could be worth in 2012. Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... calculator) Military.com 2012 Military Pay Calculator. Note: The Military Pay Calculator is intended to help active duty servicemembers and their families estimate their pay and identify possible pay problems. It does not calculate how much you owe in taxes. Amounts are rounded to nearest dollar.

Postage Prices Increase As of January 22, 2012, it will cost a penny more to mail letters to locations in the United States. The new price increase will affect First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services. The Forever stamps are sold at the First-Class Mail stamp postage rate at the time they are purchased. The advantages of a forever stamp to the consumer include the ability to stock up on first class postage at the current rate and use them until your supply is exhausted. For more information on the new postal rates, contact your local post office, or visit the (https://www.usps.com/) U.S. Postal Service website. For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Veterans Who Can Help Your Job Search Meeting the right people can make the difference in your next job search. The Military.com Veteran Career Network can connect you to over 1 million veterans working in companies, government agencies, career fields, industries or locations that interest you. (http://benefits.military.com/vcn/search.do?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Veterans willing to help with your job search and career.

Free Tax Return Preparation The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and the military, provides at military bases across the country free, individual income tax preparation for all military personnel and dependents eligible for legal assistance. The program's services are offered to active duty, reservists, retirees and their dependents for both federal and state income taxes. Servicemembers filing taxes through VITA should bring their tax information, social security cards, photo identification, W-2 wage and tax statements, bank account with routing numbers, power of attorney forms and all other income information. For more information, visit the (http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/ ... 26,00.html) IRS website and contact your base VITA office. For more tax guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com Tax Center.

Masters Degrees for Marines The Marine Corps College of Distance Education and Training has partnered with multiple universities to provide graduates of the 8900 series Command and Staff College Distance Education Program and 8650 series Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program, the opportunity to earn credits towards a Master's Degree. Each university will grant graduate level credits for course work completed for a variety of different degree and certificate programs. For more information, visit the (http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/cdet/masters_credit.asp) U.S. Marine Corps College of Distance Education and Training website. For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.