Military Report - Week of January 30, 2012

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Military Report - Week of January 30, 2012

Navy to Dump BCG Eyeglasses Servicemembers will soon say goodbye to old BCG's as the Navy replaces the '90s era "birth control glasses" with an arguably more stylish Buddy Holly style frame. The U.S. Navy recently announced that all active duty and Reserve personnel, including recruits will soon have a new standard issue eyeglass frame available. Effective Jan. 1, the current cellulose acetate spectacle frame provided at all Armed Forces initial entry training sites began the transition from male and female, brown "S9" spectacles to a new, unisex, black "5A" frame. Within six months, the 5A frame will be made available to all active duty and Reserve servicemembers with full implementation expected to be completed over a two-year period. Retirees are currently eligible to receive standard issue S9, S91A and Half-Eye frames, and there will be no change to this authorization. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... l-glasses/) See the new glasses on the Military Advantage blog.

Family Support Tied to BAH Because of new basic housing allowance rates for 2012 that recently took effect, Soldiers providing interim family support pursuant should adjust their allotments accordingly. Those receiving interim family support may also want to make sure they are receiving the proper amount. (http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/R608_99.PDF) Army Regulation 608-99 creates an interim support requirement that applies only when the parties do not have a court order or an agreement concerning support. Servicemembers with questions regarding their possible obligations under AR 608-99 are encouraged to speak with their commanders, and can also schedule an appointment with a legal assistance attorney. For more on BAH, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... or-housing) Military.com Benefits Center.

Homebuying Myth: Renting Less Expensive The Truth: In some cases, mortgage payments may be lower than rental payments and if you continue to pay rent, you'll only succeed in making a landlord wealthy. Military Mortgage Express can help you find the financing solutions that enable you to become a homeowner. Begin with the basics to achieve your goals: You need a purchase strategy. Keep in mind that your first home is a "strategic" stepping stone to your dream home. Your strategy: be willing to make some concessions, like a smaller home or property, a fixer-upper, a home with a rental unit, one in a different neighborhood, or a longer work commute. (http://www.military.com/money/content/h ... RC=mrvr.nl) Learn more in the Military.com Home Buying Channel.

Top 15 High-paying Jobs for Vets The 15 most common, well-paid and quickly growing professions veterans choose include: Management Consultant, IT Program Manager, Systems Analyst, FBI Agent, Field Service Engineer, Systems Engineer, IT Consultant, Intelligence Analyst, Helicopter Pilot, IT Network Engineer, Construction Project Manager, Technical Writer, Business Development Manager, IT Network Administrator, HVAC Service Technician, and Fireman. (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/489 ... RC=mrvr.nl) See Median Salaries and Projected Growth for each. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Career Opportunities in the above fields on Military.com

Army Field Band Performance Schedule The Army Field Band has quite a lineup scheduled for 2012 with performances ranging from Arkansas to Iowa and many in-between. The Army Field Band is also working hard on its educational products including CDs, DVDs, and online tutorials that build relationships with band students and music teachers. This year many educational products will be available online. Fans of the Army Field Band can also expect to see more video products being produced in the coming year. For more information, visit the United States Army Field Band website at (http://www.armyfieldband.com/) www.armyfieldband.com/. For more entertainment-related military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Entertainment Center.

Sailors Should Review Records Online With the 2012 Navy-wide advancement exam for chief petty officer complete, first-class petty officers hoping to advance should review their official military personnel file (OMPF) for completeness and accuracy. The OMPF consists of digital images of official documents amassed over the course of an individual's career by categories. Sailors may access their OMPF online by selecting "My Personnel Info" link on the NPC website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil/) www.npc.navy.mil. Sailors who find items missing from their OMPF or discrepancies may submit a letter to the board and include the missing document or explain discrepancies for the board to consider. Sailors can confirm their package has arrived by clicking on the "Selection Board Status" link on the NPC website, or by calling the NPC Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC. For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Army TAP Process to Start Earlier According to a new order, all Soldiers planning to separate from the Army are now required to begin their transition process at least a year before leaving by scheduling a pre-separation counseling session at their installation Army Career Alumni Program (ACAP) Center. Also, a new toll-free call center for transition assistance recently opened. Soldiers can call 1-800-325-4715 for transition advice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And a new website or virtual ACAP Center will soon be available. Army civilian employees who are leaving due to Base Realignment and Closure, or just moving on, as well a National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, are also eligible to use ACAP separation services. For more information, visit the (https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/tagd/acap/) Army Career and Alumni Program website and see () this article on Military.com.

Join Us: Military Spouse Summit The Military.com Spouse Summit, scheduled for March 2-3 in Arlington, VA, is a first-of-its kind event aimed at informing and empowering military spouses. The Summit brings together Subject Matter Experts to address the most pressing issues facing military families today. Whether it's learning how to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of career or education goals, or how the state of the economy could affect military pay and benefits, the 2012 Spouse Summit will cover the substantive issues which are crucial to maintaining the mental, physical and financial health of our military families. Get more information at (http://spousesummit.com/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) spousesummit.com.

Send Valentines to 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. 6. (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. To send free Valentine's Day cards, shoppers can simply stop by participating Exchange facilities through Feb. 6th and fill out cards provided, or bring their own cards to drop off. The Exchange will arrange for delivery to local veterans on or before Valentine's Day. For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.

TRICARE Troubles Loom Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave a sneak peak at the DoD's proposed FY2013 budget and his long term plan to reduce defense spending by approximately $259 billion over the next five years. The proposed budget includes a plan to tier enrollment fees based on retiree's ranks. In addition, TRICARE Doctors who face a 27 percent cut in TRICARE payment rates this year are considering limiting the number of TRICARE patients they serve. Check out the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... bles-loom/) Military Advantage blog to learn more.

Rideshares Sought in Northern Virginia The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) has begun "Real-time Ridesharing," a six-month pilot program designed to match Department of Defense personnel traveling along the Interstate 95/395 and U.S. Route 1 corridors with fellow employees taking similar paths to work. The program pays defense workers to carpool. Commuters can use a smart phone app to arrange a specific time to meet a driver traveling in the same direction. The NVRC is recruiting at least 1,000 riders and 500 drivers to participate in the pilot. Sign-ups for the program will begin in March, and ride sharing would begin in May or June. Contact Peggy Tadej at (703) 642-4635 for more information. For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.

Earned Income Tax Credit Some people could be eligible to get more money back from the Internal Revenue Service -- as much as $5,751. People who earned less than $49,078 from wages, self-employment or farming last year may qualify for a refundable tax credit called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But you must file a federal income tax return claiming the credit to get it. Both EITC eligibility and the amount of tax credit people are eligible for is based on several factors. The online EITC Assistant on the IRS website at (http://www.irs.gov/eitc) www.irs.gov/eitc can help determine your eligibility and estimate the amount of your credit. For more information, visit your local Tax Assistance Center. For more tax guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com Tax Center.

Army Band to Celebrate Anniversary The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" will celebrate its 90th Anniversary with a 2 hour concert Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD. General admission tickets are free, but are required and will be available to the general public on February 1, 2012. Visit the U.S. Army Band website at (http://www.usarmyband.com/anniversary/index.html) www.usarmyband.com/anniversary/index.html for a direct link to the ticket order form which will become available on Feb 1. For more entertainment-related military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Entertainment Center.

AF Changes Family Care Plans The Air Force recently made significant changes to AFI 36-2908, Family Care Plans. Military personnel who must have an FCP include (1) single parents; (2) dual-military couples with dependents; (3) married servicemembers who have children under the age of 19, but their spouse is not the biological parent of the child; and (4) those fully responsible for dependent family members. Members should notify Military Personnel Services customer service and their commander or first sergeant within 30 days of a change in personal statutes or family circumstances. In addition to the FCP, deploying members should come to the legal office and complete a special power of attorney for their caregiver. For more information, visit your local legal office and read (http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/m ... 6-2908.pdf) AFI 36-2908. For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.

Benefit Calculator: Benefits in One Place 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 Guad State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and More. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Your Benefits Now. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Benefit Channel to access Pay Charts, TRICARE information, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Vet Benefits and More.

Use Social Media Responsibility Facebook can not only inform friends and family, but also scam artists and individuals working against ongoing U.S. military interests. It can put operations security at risk and endanger the lives of servicemembers. Here are some safety tips: (1) adjust privacy settings to "private" or "friends only"; (2) remove any personally identifiable information that gives away too much information about you or your family; (3) avoid sharing details about bases and capabilities by not posting photos of or details about formations, quarters, armored vehicles, and/or weapons; (4) disable the GPS feature on your mobile device or turn off tagging or tracking applications on your Facebook account that give your exact location; and (5) educate yourself, your friends and your family about what is and is not safe to share on Facebook or any other social networking platform. If you are not comfortable putting the same information on a sign in your yard, do not put it online. To keep up with the military on social media, visit the (http://www.facebook.com/#!/Militarydotcom) Military.com Facebook page.

Deal of the Week: Banana Republic Banana Republic is offering military personnel, veterans and family members a discount of 15% off full-priced items. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get this deal. (http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Browse all Military Discounts

AF Reinstates PFT Rules The Air Force is reinstating an altitude adjustment for physical fitness tests. The change benefits Academy personnel as well as Airmen at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., Peterson AFB, Colo., F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Kirtland AFB, N.M., and Buckley AFB, Colo. The altitude correction is a straight-time bonus starting at 18 seconds and increasing minimally depending on the window in which a person finishes. The altitude adjustment is not retroactive and will only be applied to those testing after Jan. 1. For more information, contact your unit fitness program representative. (http://www.military.com/military-fitnes ... ess-guide/) Visit the 2012 Military Fitness Guide to get tips on running in the winter, the best equipment for you, how to make treadmill workouts interesting, supplements that work, intense home workouts, and more.

Army Adds Newsroom to App U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) has updated its smartphone app, adding a "Newsroom" section that links users to the command's news page on its website. Customers of iTunes can downloaded the App, The free app is compatible with Apple's iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The app also links to information about Europe-based units, garrisons and command social network pages on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube. To keep up with the military on social media, visit the (http://www.facebook.com/#!/Militarydotcom) Military.com Facebook page.

Navy Offers Early Retirement The Navy will offer voluntary early retirement to certain Sailors separating due to the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) through Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA). TERA is a temporary, voluntary program that offers voluntary early retirement at a reduced monthly retirement pay to eligible members with 15 to 20 years of active service. Eligible Sailors who desire early retirement under TERA must submit an application. As TERA is not an entitlement, all eligible members must apply to receive benefits, and all applications may not necessarily be approved. For more information on the ERB visit the NPC Webpage or contact the NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC. More information on ERB transition assistance can be found on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/b ... nInfo.aspx) NPC webpage. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ent-offer/) Learn more about the details on Early Retirement offer.

Army's Best Sapper Award Applications for engineers wanting the title of Best Sapper are now being accepted. The three-day competition is open to Army Soldiers serving in the 12-series career field or for any Soldier who wears a Sapper tab. All qualified teams are encouraged to compete in the competition. Each participant must be either a Sapper School Graduate or 12-series MOS. One team member must be a Sapper School graduate. Registration is open until March 9. Competitors must furnish a letter of preparedness signed by the first O-5 in their chain of command and will report to Fort Leonard Wood April 16, with the competition beginning on April 19. For more information and to register, visit the U.S. Army Best Sapper 2012 website at (http://www.wood.army.mil/sapper/BSC) www.wood.army.mil/sapper/BSC . For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

'Ticking Bomb' View of Veterans Erroneous Many of veterans saw a report in the media last week which characterized veterans as "ticking bombs." In an effort to combat this perception the VA responded with a VAntage Point Blog entry by Alex Horton. Horton's article puts the issues in perspective by adding context and facts that were absent from the original article. Horton's blog helps dispell the narrative that veterans are ticking bombs, primed to explode. Read Alex Horton's full article on (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/5813/us ... -veterans/) VAntage Point.

$250k Protection for $18.15 a Month Protecting your family's future is easy. Get $250k ASMBA insurance for as little as $18.15 a month. Not enough? Create a customized plan for your family today. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=mr.nl) Quick, affordable coverage now!

TRICARE Helps Transition When servicemembers leave active duty, TRICARE offers a transitional health care option for eligible beneficiaries and their families while they look for new health coverage. The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) is designed to extend TRICARE eligibility for sponsors and their family who involuntarily separate from the military prior to retirement. The 180-day TAMP period begins the day after the date of separation from active duty. (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... ogram.html) For more information about TAMP visit Military.com.

Post 9-11 GI Bill Changes Now in Effect Most of the GI Bill 2.0 changes went into effect August 1, 2011. Many veterans, servicemembers, and eligible family saw significant changes. A New Online Housing Allowance is payable to students enrolled 100% in online classes. The housing allowance is half the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. National Guard Eligibility has been expanded -- certain National Guard members mobilized on Title 32 orders on-or-after Sept. 11th are now eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. There are several more changes -- (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) see them all listed on Military.com. Next Step: (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Compare schools with VA-Approved programs to find the one that meets your specific needs and requirements. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl)

AF Seeks Video Submissions Air Force Assistance Fund officials want to remind USAF videographers and YouTube fans that submissions for the AFAF 2012 fundraising campaign online video are due Jan. 31, 2012. The video contest was extended to allow participants more time to complete their video entries. Video contest rules and guidelines are available on the (http://www.afpc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123286860) Air Force Personnel Center website. For more information on the AFAF and its affiliate charities, visit the Air Force Assistance Fund website at (http://www.afassistancefund.org/) www.afassistancefund.org. To view the hottest videos from everywhere in the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/video/) Military.com Video Center.

Free Foreclosure Reviews Millions of Americans may be eligible for a free mortgage foreclosure review. To be eligible, foreclosure victims must have been going through the foreclosure process between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010. In addition, the property must have been the primary residence and the mortgage loan was serviced by one of several financial institutions. If you believe you are eligible to have your foreclosure papers reviewed, you must submit a Request for Review Form before April 30. Call 1-888-952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. To 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. To obtain the form. For additional information and answers to basic questions about the review process, visit (http://www.independentforeclosurereview.com/) www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com or talk with a base financial counselor. For more information and tips on home loans, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) Military.com Home Loan Center.

Support for Sexual Assault Victims The Department of Defense community now has access to professional help for sexual assault victims with just a click, call or text, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Safe Helpline offers access to victim support services (http://www.safehelpline.org/) online. Victims may speak with an advocate about their options to receive support by calling the helpline at 1-877-995-5247 or texting their location to 55247 and receiving contact information for SARC at their base. The helpline is operated by the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, the largest anti-sexual violence organization. For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.