Military Report - Week of April 09, 2012

[boardman]

Military Report - Week of April 09, 2012

Play Military Trivia, Win an iPod
Think you know military history and trivia? Test your knowledge with the Military.com Trivia Challenge. 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.


$300k Financial Security: As Low as $1 a Day
For as low as $1.00 a day, you can give your family $300,000 financial security, because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Prepare your family for tomorrow, by purchasing affordable life insurance today. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=mr.nl) What would they do, if something happened to you?


Your Opinion Counts: Transition Survey
We need your help -- Take the (http://www.surveymeonline.com/vetseek20 ... er2012.htm) Military Transition Survey and give your opinion on what it's like to transition into the civilian workforce. This survey is designed for Servicemembers, Veterans, Guard, and Retirees. By completing this 10-minute survey, you'll help us serve the military community and better understand what it's like to transition into todays job market. Responses are anonymous and used for research purposes only.
(http://www.surveymeonline.com/vetseek20 ... er2012.htm) Take the Survey Now.


VA Overpaid for Prosthetic Limbs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is trying to recover millions of dollars from prosthetic limb manufacturers that have been overcharging for the artificial arms and legs used by veterans. A VA Inspector General's audit released recently found the agency was overpaying some manufacturers in part because contracting officers did not negotiate costs or use pricing guidelines. VA says it is going over the data uncovered by the Inspector General and will have VHA's finance office take action to recover the overpayments by the end of the current fiscal year. (http://www.military.com/news/article/va ... -legs.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


The Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child. This year's theme, developed by the Army Teen Panel, is "Military Kids: Heroes for the Future." More than 1.7 million children have at least one parent serving in the military. An estimated 900,000 children have had one or both parents deployed multiple times over the last 10 years. Many child development and mental health experts believe military children need support. During April, Army garrisons around the world are developing events and celebrations designed to recognize the sacrifices military children make and the support they provide to their Soldier-parent(s) and families. For more information and resources, visit the (http://www.myarmyonesource.com/ChildYou ... fault.aspx) Army OneSource Month of the Military Child webpage.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Top 10 Technology Jobs
The Chicago Tribune, based on industry growth projections from ComputerWorld, has assembled a top-10 list of fast-growing tech jobs which include: network architect, application developer, software engineer, web developer, information security specialist, database administrator, information systems manager, computer support specialist, and computer programmer. (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/506 ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get full job descriptions with average salaries for each of these professions.
For more guides and tips on tech occupations, plus veteran-friendly listings for jobs, visit (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Veteran Job Search


Beware of Scam Letter!
A letter is making the circuit purporting to be from the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) asking military member's fiancees to register in the system entitling them to benefits in the event of the member's death. All for only a $350 fee. This is not a genuine DFAS letter -- it is a scam. The letter is a typical scam phishers use to try and obtain your personal information and, in this case, money. DFAS will never send unsolicited e-mail messages with attachments.
For more on scams and financial issues to watch out for, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... management) Military.com Credit and Debt Management Center.


Coach Selected for Warrior Games
Maj. James Bales, an Air Force orthopedic surgeon and Air Force Male Athlete of the Year for 2010, will be the head coach of the 2012 team for the Wounded Warrior Games. There are also other coaches for the individual track and field, cycling, swimming, archery, shooting, volleyball and basketball competitions. For more information about the 2012 Warrior Games, visit the (http://usparalympics.org/military-and-v ... y-deloitte) 2012 Warrior Games website. For more information about Air Force wounded warriors, visit the (http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/) Air Force Wounded Warrior webpage.
For more sports and entertainment-related military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Entertainment Center.


Army Emergency Relief Campaign
The annual fundraising campaign for Army Emergency Relief (AER), the Army's own emergency financial assistance program, has begun. The theme for this year's campaign, which runs through May 15, is "A Strong Tradition of Soldiers Helping Soldiers." Soldiers requiring AER assistance should contact their unit chain of command or visit their local Installation AER office. Soldiers and Families not near an Army installation can get AER assistance at an Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard base from the Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance respectively or from the American Red Cross call center at 877-272-7337. Additional program information is available on the AER website at (http://www.aerhq.org) www.aerhq.org or in the Army Blue Book application for smart phones.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Featured Employer: Chevron Hiring Vets
Chevron is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Chevron Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, translate your military skills and network with other veterans.
The Chevron team has the technology to take on big challenges, the integrity to do it responsibly and the drive to keep moving forward. Right now we?re hiring Facility Engineers, Petroleum Engineers, Drilling and Completion Engineers, Pipeline Operator / Maintenance, Production Operations and More. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Chevron Talent Portal Now.


AF Cooking Contests
Known as 'Cook It Up', Air Force installations worldwide are organizing local cooking contests to foster and instill a sense of community and promote a healthy lifestyle. This annual program is offered throughout the year and may be partnered with such events as the July 4th Chili Cook-off or a Holiday Cookie challenge. The contest might include a cookie bake-off, a secret-ingredient cook-off or a "mix-it-up"-style competition where participants receive the same ingredients to make a dish. For more information, contact your local Air Force Community Center and visit the (http://www.afcommunityprograms.com/cookitup.htm) Air Force Community Center programs website.
For more community news and information for military bases around the country, visit the (http://www.military.com/base-guide/) Military.com Base Guide.


Navy Revises Selection Board Schedule
The U.S. Navy has announced a revised Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) enlisted selection board schedule. The FY13 enlisted selection board schedule was revised following the public disclosure of the active duty E9 selection board's convening order, quota plan and membership list. Reserve E9 and Reserve E8 selection boards were not affected by the change. For more information and the new schedule, read NAVADMIN 108/12 at the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/P ... fault.aspx) Navy Personnel Command website.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Deal of the Week: Travel Discounts
Visit the Travel Channel on Military.com to find exclusive military discounts offered by top airlines. Fares available to Active Duty, Active Reserve, National Guard, Air National Guard and all dependents. (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search Now.
See more military discounts listed on military.com -- (http://www.military.com/discount?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Banana Republic, Apple, Blue Nile, Lowes and More.


New Wounded Warriors App
A new smartphone app has been released for iPhone and Android devices that provides wounded warriors with a comprehensive mobile resource guide. Based on "The Wounded, Ill and Injured Compensation and Benefits Handbook" that was released November by the Department of Defense, the free app gives wounded and ill servicemembers and their families access to information they may need during recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration, and answers many of the questions that servicemembers may have. The app also lists toll free numbers for TRICARE regional contractors, behavioral healthcare providers and other TRICARE programs (dental, pharmacy, etc.). The app can be downloaded for free on the Android Market and iTunes Store.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


GI Benefit Watchdog Bill Introduced
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, recently joined with Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Mark Begich (D-AK) to introduce in the U.S. Senate the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012. The bill will give servicemembers and veterans using the GI Bill and other VA education benefits access to information that would help them make informed decisions about the schools they attend so they get the most out of the benefit. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... eness-act/) Highlights of the bill are available on the Military Advantage Blog.


Civilian Employment for Wounded Warriors
Wounded warriors may explore new opportunities to serve through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Civil Service Employment Program. The program helps all combat or hostile-related ill, injured and medically separated Airmen transition into Air Force federal civilian employment. Once the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) receives notification of a wounded warrior's desire to enter federal service, program managers contact local CPOs to try to match them with current or pending vacancies. Airman and family readiness center officials also provide general guidance on how to transition from the military to a civilian career. For more information about the Air Force Wounded Warrior Civil Service Employment Program, call 800-581-9437, or visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil) Air Force Personnel Services (AFPERS) website. For general information on Air Force civilian careers, visit the Air Force Civilian Careers website at (http://www.afciviliancareers.com/) www.afciviliancareers.com.
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.


A Navy One-Stop Shop
The Navy Personnel Command (NPC) website is a one-stop shop for all Navy-related information. The website contains links to guidance and policy, programs, pay and benefits, Navy messages, stories and much more. Using the website, Sailors can get answers to their questions in a centralized location. The NPC website is the second most-visited Navy website and more than 85 percent of the Navy's web content can only be found there. For more information, visit the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil or call NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, (1-866-827-5672).
For more on military benefits for servicemembers and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefit Center.


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.


What Does Military Friendly Mean?
A recent (http://www.military.com/news/article/mi ... cerns.html) Associated Press article by Justin Pope addressed this issue of military friendliness and the proposed legislation which would force schools that wish to participate in the GI Bill to follow much tighter veteran friendly policies. Unfortunately, most veterans have no way of knowing exactly what the phrase really means. But, in the loosest interpretation it means that veterans are welcome and the school has programs which have been approved by the VA for using the GI Bill (and by the DoD for tuition assistance). The fact is, for a school to be truly "Military Friendly" they need to do a lot more than that.
Read the full article on (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ndly-mean/) The Military Advantage blog.


Reconnect with Military Buddies
Check out the Military.com Buddy Finder, with over 20 million searchable military records -- search by name, pay grade, job code, age or installation. (http://www.military.com/buddy-finder/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Find old friends and reconnect today.


Hearings Held on Disability Claims
The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs recently held a hearing to review the progress made by the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) in implementing the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). A servicemember is referred to IDES when their active duty status is questioned through either physical or mental injuries incurred on active duty. Testimony and a webcast of the hearing are available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/re-ev ... mitment-to) 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.


AF Senior Officer Promotions
More than 2,450 Air Force officers were recently selected for promotion to colonel, lieutenant colonel and major as part of the 2011C Colonel Medical Service Corps and Lieutenant Colonel Nurse Corps and the 2011D Major Line of the Air Force central selection boards. The colonels list is available at (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 28-008.pdf) www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/A ... 28-008.pdf. The lieutenant colonels list is available at (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 28-009.pdf) www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/A ... 28-009.pdf. The majors list is available at (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 28-010.pdf) www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/A ... 28-010.pdf. For more information about officer promotions 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.


Army Museum Unveils Honor Wall
The Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina recently unveiled its Medal of Honor wall. The wall features the names of 73 individuals who were assigned to airborne or special forces units when they were awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for gallantry in combat. For more information, including hours of operation, visit the Airborne and Special Operations Museum website at (http://www.asomf.org/) www.asomf.org/.
For more military museum listings, visit the (http://www.military.com/Resources/Resou ... _guide.htm) Military.com Museum page.


Marine Corps Marathon Sets Record
The 2012 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) recently sold out the 30,000 available online entries in a little more than two and a half hours, becoming the fastest sellout in the history of marathon events. The 37th MCM will be held on Sunday, Oct. 28 in Arlington, VA and the nation's capital. For runners still interested in participating in the 2012 MCM, registration is available through MCM Charity Partners. By linking to the MCM Charity Partner page at the Marine Corps Marathon website at (http://www.marinemarathon.com/Register/ ... rtners.htm) www.marinemarathon.com/Register/Charity_Partners.htm, runners can directly contact any one of the MCM charity partners for registration, training and fundraising information. For more information, visit the Marine Corps Marathon website at (http://www.marinemarathon.com/) www.marinemarathon.com/ and visit the Marine Corps Marathon Official Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/MarineCorpsMarathon) www.facebook.com/MarineCorpsMarathon.
For military-level fitness programs and tips, visit the (http://military-fitness.military.com/) Daily PT blog.


Free Job Seeker Boot Camp Seminar
VA for Vets is sponsoring a free event for Veterans, Servicemembers and Spouses. The 3-hour Job Seeker Boot Camp seminar will help you to: create your best resume, develop key job searching strategies, utilize your network, develop a social media presence, make a strong first impression and deliver a stand out interview. You'll leave the seminar with an action plan, electronic resources and a renewed enthusiasm for your job search.
The Job Seeker Boot Camp is held in two locations from 9am to noon. The first event is in Cherry Hill, NJ on April 17 at the Crown Plaza Cherry Hill and the second event is held in Baltimore, MD on April 19th at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore.
Register today for (http://www.bit.ly/VAforVets_CherryHill) Cherry Hill or (http://www.bit.ly/VAforVets_Baltimore) Baltimore. Space is limited.


AF Captain Promotion List
More than a hundred Air Force first lieutenants were recently selected for promotion to captain during the 2011E Chaplains, Line of the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, Nurse Corps, Medical Service Corps and Biomedical Sciences Corps Quarterly Captain Selection Process. The promotion list is available at (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 03-012.PDF) www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/A ... 03-012.PDF. 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.


The History of the VA Loan
A VA Loan is an exclusive benefit that helps qualified men and women of the armed forces with their mortgage needs. Whether it's used for the purchase of a new home or refinancing an existing loan, it's no doubt that the VA Loan program has helped many veterans and active duty service members. (http://www.military.com/money/partner/v ... ESRC=mr.nl) Find out more.


Last-minute Tax Season Tips
All military personnel have to file taxes, but there are several rules and provisions that military personnel should consider at tax time. Here are five last-minute tax tips to consider. First, be sure to File by the appropriate deadline. Although you may have a different deadline depending on your service status, you do need to make sure to file by the appropriate deadline. File an extension if you have to, but don't miss any deadlines or you'll make your situation worse. For four other important tax season tips, see (http://www.military.com/money/partner/p ... -tips.html) this Military.com article.