Military Report - Week of February 06, 2012

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Military Report - Week of February 06, 2012

Hostile Fire Pay Now Prorated
Starting this month, the Defense Department will calculate imminent-danger pay by the day rather than the month, a cost-cutting move the department estimated last year could save $30 million annually. Up to now, servicemembers received a full month's imminent-danger pay -- $225 -- for spending even a single day in designated hazardous areas, which range from war zones such as Afghanistan to out-of-the-way spots like Montenegro. But beginning Feb. 1, troops will get the extra pay only for days they're actually present in the danger zones. The prorated daily amount works out to $7.50. Pentagon officials said affected servicemembers should begin seeing the difference in their paychecks on Feb. 15.
(http://www.military.com/news/article/da ... e-day.html) Read the full Stars and Stripes article on Military.com.


Retirees Taxable Income Up in 2011
Military retirees received 13 payments for 2011 unlike previous years that typically reflect 12 payments. This isn't a mistake. The pay schedule for military retirees changed in mid-2011 because of the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. The Defense Accounting and Finance Service now pays military retirees on the first day of the month. When that day is a weekend or national holiday, we must move the official pay date to the previous business day. As a result, the payment originally scheduled for Jan. 3, 2012 was issued Dec. 30, 2011.
Read more in the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -for-2011/) Military Advantage Blog.


Deal of the Week: KinderCare
KinderCare is offering fee assistance for active duty military families when care at a Child Development Center is not available. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information.
(http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all Military Discounts


'Navy Week' Schedule Announced
From Boston to Sacramento, America's Navy will come home to 15 cities across the country in 2012 to show Americans why having a strong Navy is critical to the American way of life and to help commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence. For more information and the complete 2012 schedule, visit the (http://www.navyweek.org/) Navy Week website. For more information on the Navy's commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, visit the (http://www.ourflagwasstillthere.org/) Bicentennial of the War of 1812 website.
For more resources on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


VA Home Loan Program
Last year, VA helped 72,391 veterans and servicemembers who were in default on their mortgage loan retain their homes or avoid foreclosure. For veterans and Servicemembers who have trouble meeting their mortgage obligations or anticipate problems in the near future, VA first recommends contacting their loan servicer. Depending on the situation, VA's loan specialists can intervene on a veteran's behalf to help pursue home-retention options such as repayment plans, forbearances, and loan modifications. Veterans and Servicemembers can also call VA toll-free at (877) 827-3702 to speak with a VA specialist concerning foreclosure avoidance. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) VA Home Loan section of the Mililtary.com Money Center.


Navy Updates High-Year Tenure
The U.S. Navy has announced changes to the High Year Tenure (HYT) policy and the merging of the active and reserve policy into one Total Force policy. Under the new policy, HYT for E-2 Sailors will be four years, down from six. Additionally, E-3 Sailors will reach HYT at five years vice six, and continuation to eight years for passing a Navy Wide Advancement Exam has been eliminated. Policy changes will take effect July 1, 2012. Effective July 1, active and full time support E2 and E3 Sailors with active service in excess of these HYT length of service gates must separate by Mar. 31, 2013, unless advanced or waived. These HYT changes will not affect Sailors who have reached sanctuary or nuclear rated Sailors. For more information, call the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC.
(http://www.military.com/news/article/na ... olicy.html) Read the full story on Military.com.


Separation Pay for Sailors
Involuntary Separation Pay (ISP) for Sailors has Navy Reserve requirements and obligations. Career counselors and command leadership can assist Sailors on applying for affiliation in conjunction with ISP. All Sailors who apply for ISP must obligate in the Ready Reserve for a minimum of three years past their initial military service obligation. Involuntarily separated Sailors E3 through E6 can apply for a Selected Reserve (SELRES) quota via Perform-to-Serve/Fleet RIDE. A Sailor who affiliates with the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) must have their command complete a NAVPERS 1070/613 form and send it to their supporting personnel office. For more information, call the Navy Personnel Command 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 Web page.
For more information on pay benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


CCME to Meet in Orlando
The (http://www.ccmeonline.org/ccme.aspx) Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) 2012 National Conference offers attendees the chance to network with government officials, subject matter experts, and fellow educators who specialize in serving the military and veteran student population. This year's event will be held on February 12-16 in Orlando Florida. The event will feature speakers like (http://prhome.defense.gov/bios/robertGordon.aspx) Robert L. Gordon III (Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community Family Policy) and military voluntary education's leaders and decision makers, over 50 separate breakout sessions, 150 exhibitors and numerous events including a banquet and awards ceremony at Universal Studios, Orlando.
To learn more about CCME visit their website at: (http://www.ccmeonline.org/) www.ccmeonline.org.


Navy Equal Opportunity Symposium
The Navy Equal Opportunity Advisor Professional Development Training Symposium will be held Feb. 7-9, at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) aboard Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Fla. No registration fee will be charged to participants. Registration is available (http://www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/equalopportunity) online. Onsite registration will be available Feb. 6, only. Questions on the Navy Equal Opportunity Advisor Professional Development Symposium can be directed to the Navy Equal Opportunity Advice Line at (800) 253-0931.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Join Us at the Spouse Summit March 2-3
The Military.com Spouse Summit 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) http://spousesummit.com.


VA Loan Facts for 2012
VA Home Loans allow qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment. There are also no monthly mortgage insurance premiums to pay, limitations on buyer's closing costs, and an appraisal that informs the buyer of the property value. For most loans on new houses, construction is inspected at appropriate stages and a 1-year warranty is required from the builder. VA also performs personal loan servicing and offers financial counseling to help veterans having temporary financial difficulties. Although there is no maximum VA loan, lenders generally limit the maximum VA loan to $417,000. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... loans.html) See the VA Loan FAQ on Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... loans.html)
Use your VA Loan in 2012 to buy or refinance with no down payment. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find lenders today.


State Veterans Benefits Directory
Each state manages its own benefit programs. The following is a list of links to the websites for each of the individual states that offer veterans benefits. Be sure to take advantage of the benefits you have earned by clicking on the link to your State Department of Veterans Affairs. (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... RC=mrvr.nl) See what benefits your state offers.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... RC=mrvr.nl)
GI Bill Benefits are worth up to $52,500. Don't wait to use the benefits you've earned. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Find Schools with VA Approved Programs.


Corps of Engineers Offers Internships
Soldiers in Warrior Transition Units at Fort Stewart, Ga., Fort Benning, Ga., Fort Gordon, Ga., and Fort Bragg, N.C., now have the option to learn valuable construction and engineering skills through internships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District. The internships are offered as part of Operation Warfighter, a temporary assignment internship program developed by the Department of Defense for servicemembers that are recovering at military treatment facilities throughout the U.S. Military members interested in obtaining an internship with the Corps of Engineers Savannah District should contact their local WTU unit coordinator. For additional information about the Savannah District's construction program, call 912-652-5241or visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District website at (http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/) www.sas.usace.army.mil.
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.


Vets Sought in Kansas, Nebraska
The Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) needs help reaching out to U.S. veterans who would like to start or get back into farming as well as any landowner that may be willing to offer ground to help a veteran farm. The goal is to reach a minimum of 100 veterans interested in farming and invite them to two workshops in Kansas and two workshops in Nebraska as well as two farm tours in each state. For more information or to submit the names of prospective veterans and landowners willing to get involved with this project, contact the Nebraska Farm Service Agency State Office at 402-437-5581or your local FSA Office.
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.


$200k Protection for $14.52 a Month
Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Give your family $200k worth of financial security for as little as $14.52 a month by purchasing affordable life insurance through ASMBA. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba/?ESRC=mr.nl) Get more information.


Top 35 Veteran Employers
We've posted a list of the "35 Top Employers for Military," compiled by Civilian Job News, which took a look at a variety of companies, both large and small, over different industries. Included with each listing below are links to more information about veteran hiring, as well as current Monster.com job postings for those companies. These companies include: Amazon, The Exchange, BNSF Railway, CACI International, Capstone Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Chesapeak Energy Corporation, Cintas and More. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the full list of our top 35 Veteran Employers.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Military-friendly Jobs


Navy's New Tuition Assistance Policies
The U.S. Navy recently announced policy changes to the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program and Navy Voluntary Education. The Navy's policies for authorizing Tuition Assistance (TA) have changed and Sailors will not be able to use TA for courses at intuitions without a signed MOU by April 1. Sailors who meet all the above requirements but whose TA request is submitted after April 1 will be approved for TA only if their institution has a signed DoD MOU. Sailors can check the DoD MOU status of the academic institution they are attending by going to www.DODMOU.com and clicking on the "Participating Institutions" tab. Sailors are encouraged to talk with the Navy College Office or Virtual Education Center counselors about their options, including changing schools, and use of GI Bill benefits or scholarships.
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... d-mou.html) Read more about the DoD MOU.


Sailors Reminded to Designate Benefits
The Navy is reminding Sailors of the fifteen benefits and programs where members may designate beneficiaries of their choosing. Recipients for these benefits may include anyone designated by the servicemember, including a dependent, friend, significant other, or a family member who is not a military dependent. A list of these program is (http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=64947) available. A comprehensive listing of all benefits can be found in the Navy Pay and Benefits Guide on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/c ... ault2.aspx) Navy Personnel Command (NPC) webpage. For more information on member-designated benefits, contact your local personnel office or visit the (http://www.npc.navy.mil/) NPC's website.
For more information on benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Veterans Benefit Calculator
The benefits calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits based on your service and duty status. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get started finding your Federal and State benefits and Special Military Discounts.


AF O-6 Promotions Announced
The Air Force 2011B Colonel Line of Air Force and Nurses Corps Central Selection Boards selected 539 lieutenant colonels and 112 captains for promotion. The entire list for each category can be found at (1) (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 24-044.pdf) CY11B Major and (2) (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 24-043.pdf) CY11B Colonel.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


AF Employee Leadership School
The Air Force Personnel Center is advising that Air Force civilians interested in developmental education (CDE) should work on their nomination packages now. The official call for nominations will be in March, but some people may need more time to gather information and coordinate their package. Due to one change, GS-14 and GS-15 civilians will be able to apply for the Defense Senior Leader Development Program for academic years 2013 and 2014. The submission process this year will require that employees submit their own application packages to AFPC via the Air Force Personnel Services website after the packages have been coordinated through the chain of command. For more information about civilian developmental education opportunities and other 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.


College Credit for Marines
Many programs offer Marines the opportunity to save money for college classes while on active duty or at the end of their active service. Individuals who are currently on active duty or have served in the Marine Corps or Navy are able to use the Sailor/Marine American Registry Transcript (SMART) system, which helps servicemembers translate their military experience and knowledge into terms recognizable to leaders of the American workforce. The College Level Examination Program and DSST are also programs that offer anyone exams who have gained substantial knowledge from the work force or independently to gain college credit. For more information about college or SMART, visit your base's education office. To obtain a Sailor/Marine American Registry Transcript, visit the (https://smart.navy.mil/smart/welcome.do) SMART website.
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... rvice.html) Learn more about getting credit for military service.


Army's World-Class Athletes
The United States Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) is a detachment of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation division. The Soldiers train full time in an Olympic sport, and participate in the Pan American Games, World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information, visit the United States Army's World Class Athlete Program website at (http://www.thearmywcap.com/) www.thearmywcap.com/.
For military fitness tips and programs, visit the (http://military-fitness.military.com/) Daily PT on Military.com.


VA Eyes Paperless Claims
Stars and Stripes reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) top claim processing official recently testified before the House veteran affairs' subcommittee on disability assistance. Tom Murphy, director of compensation service for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), an agency for the Department of Veterans Affairs, testified that the only way to achieve VA's goal of every disability compensation claim being processed within 125 days and with 98 percent accuracy is to shift to a paperless claims system. And that transformation has begun. Opening statements and a webcast of the January 24, 2012 hearing are available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/ratin ... st-century) 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.


Consumer Financial Protection
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has created a national database to share between state and federal law enforcement with information about companies that target military members for consumer and financial fraud. The database is named ROAM (for Repeat Offenders Against the Military) and is accessible only by law enforcement. Servicemembers can obtain more information and protect themselves from scams by consulting financial and legal guidance on-base before buying.
For more tips on protecting your credit, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money Center.


New Website for Military Kids
The Military Kids Connect website is a new Department of Defense website developed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), a Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (http://www.dcoe.health.mil/WhoWeAre/Centers.aspx) center. The new website uses videos to help military families stay connected. MilitaryKidsConnect.org provides military children a safe, fun, interactive place where they can build resilience and learn coping skills to help deal with the challenges of having a deployed family member. For more information, visit the (https://www.militarykidsconnect.org/) Military Kids Connect website.
For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Traveling With TRICARE Prime
TRICARE recommends that any routine medical care should be coordinated through a Primary Care Manager (PCM) before traveling. Beneficiaries receiving routine medical care while traveling without an authorization will be billed as Point of Service and require the beneficiary to pay out of pocket expenses. If Emergency Care is needed call 911 or report to the nearest emergency room. Provide the emergency room staff with your ID card. For urgent or acute care, Call Humana at 1-800-444-5445 and ask for the closest urgent or acute care TRICARE authorized facility. While traveling, have prescriptions filled at a TRICARE network pharmacy. To find a TRICARE retail pharmacy, call 1-866-363-8779 or visit (http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE) www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE. For more information, visit the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil/) www.tricare.mil/.
For more information on TRICARE benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


College Credit for Sailors
One consideration for Sailors in pursuit of a college degree is to choose academic institutions that award maximum credit for military training and ratings as evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE). Those credits, along with the college credit exam program offered by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), can help Sailors maximize non-traditional credits and may get them closer to a degree with less expense. Sailors are encouraged to talk with the Navy College Office or Virtual Education Center counselors about their options.
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... rvice.html) Learn more about getting credit for military service.


Cold War Satellites on Display
Three formerly classified reconnaissance satellites have been placed on public display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The three satellites were among the most important U.S. photo reconnaissance systems used from the 1960s to the 1980s. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force website at (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/) www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
For more features on the Cold War, visit the (http://www.military.com/Content/MoreCon ... e=cw_index) Military.com History Center.


Report Looks at PTSD TBI Programs
Stars and Stripes reports that a recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) report has found that Department of Defense programs supporting psychological health and traumatic brain injury treatment and research are poorly coordinated, and the department has failed to provide reliable and comprehensive data on how more than $2.7 billion in funds for such programs have been used in recent years. The House Armed Services committee had asked the GAO to determine how much funding had been used to support DOD psychological health and TBI activities in recent years and how those funds had been used. A summary of the January 25, 2012 report is available on the (http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-154) GAO website.
For more articles on military life issues, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


African-American History Month
Each February, the country recognizes African American History Month to highlight the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens and looks at their contributions to the nation's cultural and political life. The first celebration to commemorate the contributions to the nation made by people of African descent occurred Feb. 12, 1926. This year's theme is "Black Women in American History and Culture." For more information and downloadable materials, visit the (http://www.af.mil/art/mediagallery.asp?galleryid=2047) U.S. Air Force webpage, the (http://www.deomi.org/SpecialObservance/ ... fm?CatID=2) Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute website, the (http://www.npl.lib.va.us/AAHMbibliography2012.pd) Norfolk Public Library website, and the (http://www.history.navy.mil/special%20h ... n-hist.htm) Naval History and Heritage Command webpage.
For more Black History Month features, visit the (http://www.military.com/Content/MoreCon ... e=BH_Index) Military.com History Center.


Navy Lodge North Island Opens
The Navy Lodge located on Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) recently held its grand opening ceremony. The Navy Lodge just finished a refurbishment, making the lodge more family friendly by providing new amenities. A family can stay at the lodge anywhere from two to 30 days. Navy Lodge room rates range from $85 to $135 per night. Each Navy Lodge finances itself and no taxpayer money is used in their construction. For more information, visit the (https://www.navy-lodge.com/) Navy Lodge website.
For more travel discounts, visit the (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home/) Military.com Discount Center.


Vet Job Corps Plan Announced
President unveiled some of the details of his Vet Job Corps plan, which essentially falls into a three part program focusing on three areas - hiring police and firefighters, creating a veteran conservation corp, and enhanced small business training programs to help vets start their own businesses. The President's plan will be managed by several agencies including the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Dept. of Labor, the Small Business Administration, and the Dept. of the Interior.
Read the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... job-corps/) Military Advantage Blog to learn more.