Military Report - Week of April 16, 2012

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Military Report - Week of April 16, 2012

Army Band Concerts in DC
The U.S. Army Military District of Washington Twilight Tattoo in Washington, DC has announced its summer season. The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," will hold its sunset military pageant consecutive Wednesdays on Summerall Field from April 25 to June 27 and on Whipple Field from July 11 to August 29. No tattoos will be held on the Wednesdays of June 13 or July 4, although there will be a tattoo on Tuesday June 12. The Twilight Tattoo begins at 7 p.m., but static displays relating to military history will be on view beginning at 6 p.m. All events are open to the public. For more information, visit the (http://twilight.mdw.army.mil/) Twilight Tattoo 2012 website, the U.S. Army Band (http://www.usarmyband.com/event-calendar.html) "Pershing's Own" website, and the (http://www.fifeanddrum.army.mil/) Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps website.
For more entertainment-related military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Entertainment Center.


Deal of the Week: Fitness Equipment
Smooth Fitness is offering a 10% off discount to all Military Personnel. You can call (888) 211-1611 and all Military Members can get 10% off, Free Shipping and Free in room placement plus a free treadmill or elliptical mat. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... ESRC=mr.nl) Get this deal.
(http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... ESRC=mr.nl) View all Military Deals and Discounts on Military.com.


Featured Employer: AT&T Hiring Military
AT&T is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... ESRC=mr.nl) Visit the AT&T Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, translate your military skills and network with other veterans. 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 transition to civilian life. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... ESRC=mr.nl) Visit the AT&T Veteran Talent Portal Now.


Getting Out? Consider USMC Reserve
The Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) Active Reserve (AR) enables separated Marines to stay in the Marine Corps. Active Reserve Marines are stationed all over the country, including on Marine Corps bases. They are eligible to serve in billets such as drill instructor duty or recruiting duty and are able to deploy. Marines in the AR program also receive active duty pay, benefits and retirement benefits. To be eligible for the AR program, active duty Marines must be within six months of their expiration of active service date, be eligible for reenlistment and be willing to serve in an MOS required by the AR program. If you are interested in continuing your service with the Active Reserve program, contact your local prior service recruiter or call MCRC at (703) 432-9857.
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.


AAFES Operation Be Fit
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service offers information on healthy nutrition options, fitness programs, family activities and overall wellness at the Exchange's " (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/BeFit/) Operation Be Fit" website. Opbefit.com offers tips for all members of the family, from novice to expert.
For military-level fitness programs and tips, visit the (http://military-fitness.military.com/) Daily PT blog.


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


$400k Protection: Less than $1 a Day
For less than $1.00 a day, you can get $400,000 in NMAA coverage. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're protected by life insurance without hidden clauses or fine print. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=mr.nl) Get Started Now.


Prep Before Enrolling in College
The Post-9/11 GI Bill and recent drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a flood of veterans headed to college. Roughly 416K veterans are currently using the GI Bill to prepare for their civilian careers. This number is sure to increase in the coming year -- unfortunately, the failure rate among student veteran is also likely to increase. In many cases the veterans are finding that going back to school is a bit rougher than they had anticipated and that thier academic skills have gotten a bit rusty since high school. Fortunately, there are programs that can help vets refresh or build thier academic and study skills. This means that student vererans can protect their benefits and time by taking remedial or college prep courses before they go back to school.

Read the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ou-enroll/) Military Advantage blog to learn how to ensure you are ready to go to college -- before enrolling.


Study Finds PTSD Gene Link
Stars and Stripes reports that a recent study has identified the genes that are linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "The existence of a study population with clear genetic links, common family histories, and exposure to a single trauma allowed researchers an unusual opportunity to distill information about genes' role in PTSD," said UCLA psychiatrist Armen K. Goenjian, who led the study. An abstract of the study is available in the April 5, 2012 online edition of the (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 2712001115) Journal of Affective Disorders.
For more facts on PTSD from Military.com's Ms. Vicki, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse/content/ ... urces.html) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


AF Captains Promo List
More than one 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 selection list is available at the (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 03-012.pdf) Air Force Personnel Center 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.


Navy Offers Cyber Master's Degree
Sailors in the information systems technician (IT) and cryptologic technician networks (CTN) ratings are encouraged to apply to cyber master's degree program at Naval Postgraduate School. Applicants must be an E-6 or above, possess a bachelor of science degree in a relevant technical field, hold or be eligible for a TS/SCI security clearance, and be eligible for CONUS/shore assignment between April and December 2012. Sailors interested in applying for this degree program should forward a written request via their commanding officer by May 15. For more information, read NAVADM 117/12 on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/P ... fault.aspx) Navy Personnel Command website or contact LCDR Brian Carey at (703) 604-6297/DSN 664.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


New TSP Savings Plan Debuts
Servicemembers and their dependents who earn less income today than they expect to earn in the future, such as those in junior ranks who look forward to getting promoted to higher grades, may want to consider investing in the Thrift Savings Plan's new Roth option. The traditional Thrift Savings Plan defers taxes on earned income until the money is withdrawn. The Roth option allows a member to contribute after-tax dollars that grow tax free and are not taxed upon withdrawal. Both plans now allow a maximum annual contribution of $17,000. For more information, watch the video on the (https://www.tsp.gov/whatsnew/roth/index.shtml) Thrift Savings Plan website. For more details on the TSP program, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... vings-plan) Military.com TSP section.


9 Tips for Buying a New Car
Recent government reports estimate the average family devotes over 14% of disposable income to automobile expenses. As a major part of your budget, it's important to consider your purchase carefully. We often think of negotiating price or financing as the most important part of the purchase process, but these are relatively small in the overall picture. (http://www.military.com/off-duty/conten ... ESRC=mr.nl) Get 9 Tips for Buying a Car listed on Military.com.


Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness month. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments; communication difficulties; and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Signs and symptoms begin to show up early in life from one to three years of age, but the average age of diagnosis is five years. The Army has a partnership with respite care providers to allow parents and caregivers of a person with autism time take a break. Also the Department of Defense's Exceptional Family Member Program, a mandatory enrollment program, works with agencies to provide medical, educational and community support services to families with special needs. For more information, visit the (http://www.stompproject.org/) STOMP Project website, the (http://apps.mhf.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p ... ILE:HOME:0) Exceptional Family Member Program website, and the (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism ... ECTION=all) Mayo Clinic's Autism webpage.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


USAF Looking for Test Pilots
The 2012 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School selection board will convene in July to fill openings for July 2013 and January 2014 class start dates. Eligible pilots, combat systems officers and engineers are invited to apply. All officer and civilian applications are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by June 1. Minimum eligibility requirements include a flying physical certified by the Air Force Materiel Command Surgeon General Aerospace Medicine. All applicants must have a secret security clearance. Additional criteria are explained in the personnel systems delivery memorandum (PSDM 12-28) on 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 Wants Your Input on MWR
The Army MWR Services Survey seeks to identify what morale, welfare and recreation programs customers are interested in, whether they are using available services and if so, how satisfied they are with the programming their garrison has to offer. The survey will involve randomly selected participants from Army communities and will remain open from March through May. Xdssss/. The Army has selected participants from 75 garrisons. Those who were randomly selected to participate were mailed instructions in March. Follow-up reminders will be sent by postal mail. For more information, visit the (https://www.armymwrsurvey.info/) Army MWR Services Survey website.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


DANTES Credit-by-Examination
The DANTES "Credit-By-Exam" is a program that gives you the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. Find out how Credit-By-Exam tests can help you save money and time and help you (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... ogram.html) achieve your education goals.
Next Step: It's important to compare schools to make sure it meets your specific requirements. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for schools now.


DARPA Looking for Air Force Officers
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking Air Force officers to apply for the fiscal year 2013 Service Chiefs Program (SCP). Applicants must be active duty, and in the rank of major-select, major, lieutenant colonel-select or lieutenant colonel with a secret level security clearance. Application packages for the three-month program, which begins in September, are due to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) officer developmental education branch by May 31, 2012. For more information about the DARPA SCP program, including nomination package requirements and application procedures, or for information about 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.


New Air Force App
The Air Education and Training Command has unveiled a new mobile phone application that is designed to provide resiliency and safety information to Airmen. The app features a local taxi finder, information on high-risk activities, Airman-to-Airman videos, information on risk management, hazard reporting, motorcycle safety, crisis/distress support, sexual assault prevention/response, and more. The new app will work on any mobile device with access to the Internet, although some functionality may be lost on older devices. To view a video overview of the Virtual Wingman application, visit the (http://youtu.be/l8Lzy6J7z2M) YouTube website. All Airmen can download the mobile app at the Virtual Wingman website at (http://www.airforcevirtualwingman.com) www.airforcevirtualwingman.com.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Military Education Benefits User's Guide
Military service offers several education benefits, but trying to use them can be confusing. This compact users guide from Military.com will help you use your education benefits wisely and get the most bang for your benefits buck - Tuition Assistance, TA Top Up, Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Federal Student Aid & Scholarships. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) View the online user's guide now.
Next Step: It's important to compare schools to make sure it meets your specific requirements. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for schools with VA-Approved Programs Now.


AF Offers Early Retirement
The Air Force has announced an application window for targeted early retirements for enlisted Airmen. Eligible Airmen will have 15-19 years of service in fiscal 2012 and be in the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant in overmanned career fields. The Temporary Early Retirement Authority application window will be open April 10-30. Approvals will occur after the application window is closed. For more information, visit the Air Force Personnel Center's fiscal 2012 enlisted (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/answer ... a_id/21836) TERA program page. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve do not plan on conducting force management actions in fiscal 2012.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.