Military Report - Week of April 30, 2012

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Military Report - Week of April 30, 2012

Find a Career at VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it will add 1,900 mental health staffers to its workforce. The new employees will include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. If you are interested in serving through a job in its health care system, VA is hiring. This represents nearly a 10 percent increase in VA's total force. For more information visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Careers webpage at (http://www.vacareers.va.gov/) http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.
For more on similar veteran job initiatives and job search advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


AF Early Separation Incentives
The third round of Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay, which begins May 1, will allow Air Force civilians to fill VSIP-created vacancies at other Air Force installations, provided the losing base can show it saved an employee from involuntary separation. This will allow an exception to Department of Defense Priority Placement Program clearance procedures. The new flexibilities will be used to the maximum extent allowed. Employees should review all available information on the programs at the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil) Air Force Personnel Services (AFPERS) website and word search "VERA" and "VSIP." After doing so, employees should contact their local CPS to discuss their individual situation.
For more on similar veteran job initiatives and job search advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


New Air Force Housing Website
Thousands of Airmen and their families can now use a new housing website to help prepare for their move. The Air Force Housing website at (http://www.housing.af.mil) www.housing.af.mil features helpful housing links, a list of frequently asked questions, links to other resources such as move.mil at (http://www.move.mil/home.htm) www.move.mil/home.htm, information about on- and off-base housing and PCS moves, and links to Automated Housing Referral Network websites and an interactive map of bases. The site also connects users with the Defense Travel Management Office website at (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/) http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/, which helps families track their household goods. For more information, visit the Air Force Housing website at (http://www.housing.af.mil/) www.housing.af.mil .
For more on PCS moves and relocation, including tips for your move, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


Scholarships for Military Wives
Operation Homefront and the Women's Self Worth Foundation are offering the Saban Military Wife Educational Scholarship to wives of uniformed servicemembers. To be eligible, applicants must be a legal wife of a military member currently serving on active duty. Applicants must be accepted for registration by a vocational school in one of the required medical fields and be an active volunteer in their community. Applications are being accepted until June 12, 2012. For more information and to download an application, visit the Operation Homefront website at (http://www.operationhomefront.net/scholarship/) www.operationhomefront.net/scholarship/. All questions should be directed to Operation Homefront Program Manager by mail at Operation Homefront-Scholarship Program, 8930 Fourwinds Drive, Suite 340 San Antonio, Texas 78239.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Navy Expands Drug Testing
Effective May 1, the Navy will add two more commonly abused prescription drugs to the standard testing panel during random urinalysis. The prescription drug families tested will now include benzodiazepines and hydrocodones (I.e. Xanax and Vicodin). Military members should ensure their prescriptions are properly documented in their health records prior to May 1. Navy medical treatment facilities are ready to assist any Sailor or family member who self-refers for prescription drug misuse or abuse. Per (http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/050 ... 350.4D.pdf) OPNAVINST 5350.4D, the Navy's policy on substance abuse is zero tolerance.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Apprenticeship Opportunities
The U.S. Navy has expanded rating designation opportunities for Professional Apprentice Career Track (PACT) Sailors. The Navy plans to bring in about 4,700 more PACT Sailors this fiscal year, which will be increased opportunities and a shorter timeline for PACT Sailors to strike into ratings. There are several methods commands may use to get PACT Sailors designated in REGA: direct rating entry designation, Navy Wide Advancement Exams requests and A-school requests. Career counselors and career development teams should use the Rating Entry for General Apprentices (REGA) module in the Fleet Ride career tool to determine which ratings their PACT Sailors qualify. For more information, talk with your command career counselor.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


FAQs on VA Home Loans
Why get a VA loan over other types? Simply put, a VA home loan allows qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment. If you've used a VA home loan before, you can have previously-used entitlement "restored" one time only in order to purchase another home with a VA loan if the borrower has paid off the prior loan but still owns the property, and wants to use his entitlement to purchase a second home. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... RC=mrvr.nl) See more questions and answers on Military.com.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Connect with Lenders ready to help you purchase or refinance with your VA Loan


Beware of Scam E-mails
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is warning of email scams targeting military members, military retirees, and civilian employees. The most recent email scam indicates that individuals who are receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to obtain additional funds from the Internal Revenue Service, but only if they send copies of their income tax information. Do not open attachments or click on a link in the e-mail. Due to this situation, DFAS has developed a special page on their (http://www.dfas.mil/pressroom/dfasnewsr ... 11002.html) website. Servicemembers who receive these types of email on their .mil accounts should immediately notify their network administrator. For the latest DFAS updates, visit the DFAS (http://www.dfas.mil/) website.
For more tips on protecting your finances and your identity, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money Center.


American Freedom Festival San Diego
The American Freedom Foundation announces its 3rd annual American Freedom Festival San Diego. The event will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the USS Midway Museum and will feature the legendary Three Dog Night with special guests, ?World Classic Rockers" -- featuring Journey, Boston, Santana, Steppenwolf, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. This annual concert will celebrate our veterans and men and women of America's armed forces at the Party of the Year while benefiting various organizations that serve and support veterans, active duty military, wounded warriors and their families throughout San Diego County. Tickets for the American Freedom Festival at the USS Midway Museum on Saturday, May 26 at 7:30pm are $25.00, $44.50, $59.50 and $74.50 (plus applicable service charges). Tickets will be available through (http://www.midway.org/freedom) www.midway.org/freedom and (http://www.americanfreedomfoundation.org) www.americanfreedomfoundation.org. For more information, please visit these websites or or call (619) 398-8241.
For more entertainment-related military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Entertainment Center.


Get Tickets for the GI Film Festival
The award-winning GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation's military film festival, offers 42 film screenings, with movies representing every branch of the military and spanning five wars. The event will be held in Washington DC May 14 to 20. Exciting events have been scheduled for EVERY day at the festival. On Thursday May 17, GIFF will provide an advanced screening of Universal Pictures' BATTLESHIP, directed by Peter Berg. Actors from Lifetime's Army Wives will be on hand to receive "GI Family Award" on Military Spouse Appreciation Night, May 19. Get a 20% Military Discount by Entering MIL12 at Checkout. (https://gifilmfestival.webconnex.com/tickets) See movie times, events and buy tickets.


Obama Signs Order on New GI Bill
While at Fort Stewart, Obama signed an executive order that will require schools to provide information about dropout rates and financial aid possibilities as well as protect military personnel, veterans and their family members from shady recruiting practices. The executive order "will make life a whole lot more secure for you and your families and our veterans," Obama said, "and a whole lot tougher for those who try to prey on you."
(http://www.military.com/news/article/ob ... -bill.html) Read the full article.


7th Annual MilBlog Conference
Join us for the 7th Annual MilBlog Conference, May 11-12 at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, VA. The Annual MilBlog Conference is the premiere event of the year for the military blogging community, which is comprised of active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, military parents and military supporters. (http://milblogconference.milblogging.com/) Get more information and register today.


Army Professional Development for Logisticians
The AUSA Sustainment Symposium hosted by the Association of the United States Army will be held May 8-10 in Richmond, Virginia. The theme is "Army Logistics: Sustaining the Decisive Force -- 2020." Events include presentations by noted speakers. For more information and to register, visit the (http://www.ausa.org/meetings/2012/sympo ... fault.aspx) AUSA Sustainment Symposium webpage.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Advanced Education Voucher
The Navy's Advanced Education Voucher (AEV) program enables top performing chief, senior chief and master chief petty officers to complete bachelors and masters degrees in designated, Navy-relevant areas of study. Deadline for applying for FY12 programs is May 25, 2012. Applications should be sent to Naval Education and Training Command (N523), 250 Dallas Street, Pensacola, FL, 32508-5220. For more information about the program, call Senior Chief Electronics Technician (SW/AW) Jason Szot, AEV and enlisted learning and development coordinator (NETC N523) at (850) 452-7268 (DSN 922). Additional information about the AEV program may also be viewed on the (http://www.nko.navy.mil) Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) website under the "Learning" tab.


Assisted Living House and VA Benefits
Homes in assisted living communities are often for sale rather than rent. VA borrowers with assisted living needs may be able to get a VA-guaranteed mortgage to finance a property located in an assisted living community. As long as the property meets VA requirements for acceptable use, then it can be considered for VA financing. For instance, condos and townhomes must be on the VA-approved list, and all properties must undergo a VA appraisal and provide safe living conditions. (http://www.military.com/money/partner/h ... ESRC=mr.nl) Get the full story on Military.com.


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. For tips on how to make the right choose when it comes to getting a car, check out (http://www.military.com/off-duty/conten ... w-car.html) this Military.com article.


AF Tests Smart Cards
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), along with members from select units and combatant commands, are evaluating a new smart card, known as a hardware token, on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet). Similar to the common access card (CAC), the SIPRNet token contains individual PKI certificates used for network logon, Website authentication and secure e-mail. Differences between the CAC and SIPRNet tokens exist, but they are not obvious to the average user, other than the fact the SIPRNet token doesn't have a picture, name, grade or service component listed. The DoD-wide implementation date is December 2013, and AFGSC pushing hard to be the first MAJCOM to issue tokens to all its SIPRNet users, well ahead of the implementation date.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Deal of the Week: Food & Beverages
Visit the Military.com Discounts Channel to get deals and discounts on food and beverages -- (http://www.military.com/discounts/categ ... RC=mrvr.nl) browse coupons now.
(http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all Military Discounts on Military.com.


Congress May Split on TRICARE Fee Hikes
The House armed services subcommittee on military personnel has declined to give the Obama administration new authority it sought to phase in (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... anges.html) higher TRICARE fees on military retirees over the next four years and to peg future TRICARE fee hikes to medical inflation nationwide. However the House did not include language that would block the Department of Defense from using existing authority to raise co-payments on prescription. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), ranking Republican on the armed services' subcommittee on military personnel, told Military Update's Tom Philpott, "Between now and the end of the fiscal year, I hope we can convince the House to accept some adjustments in premiums for TRICARE, because it's just unsustainable right now." For more details, (http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,244414,00.html) read the full article on Military.com.


License Fees Waived for Vets in Florida
A new law in Florida waives the initial license fee, initial application fee and initial unlicensed activity fee for many state board licenses for veterans returning from service, provided the veteran applies for licensure within 24 months of being honorably discharged. The law will apply to more than 20 professions under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's jurisdiction, including construction, real Estate, certified public accountants and cosmetologists, as well as businesses under DBPR's Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Division. The military fee waivers will go into effect October 1, 2012. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Business Regulation website at (http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/dbprmilitary.html) http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/dbprmilitary.html.
For more on similar veteran job initiatives and job search advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


AF Crossflow Program
The Air Force nonrated line officer crossflow program is one of several initiatives used to help balance the force. Eligible officers in overage fields - based on grade and year group - can volunteer to retrain and serve in a critically manned career field. For more information on the crossflow program, including exemptions and application instructions, or information on 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.


AF International Affairs Specialist
The Air Force Regional Affairs Strategists initiative under the International Affairs Specialist (IAS) Program is offered to Airmen who have 7-10 years of commissioned service. Most officers selected for the program will earn an advanced academic degree, learn a foreign language, and serve a six month immersion among several countries within their assigned region. The language requirements are varied. Officers interested in the International Affairs Specialist Program can find more information on the (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) Air Force Portal or on the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil) Air Force Personnel Services website -- search for "IAS." For more information about developmental 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.


Airmen Should Update Records
Missing or inaccurate enlisted or officer performance reports can affect an Airman's career. Airmen take the time to review their personnel records. Here are some tips: (1) check personnel records frequently via the Personnel Records Display Application located on AFPC's secure website and the (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) Air Force portal; (2) Keep copies of anything you sign; and (3) always review your record before a board meets to fix anything wrong. Airmen who notice discrepancies in their records should contact an installation military personnel section to help correct them. For more information about personnel records and other personnel programs, 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 Extends Smartcard Pilot
The Army recently extended its smartcard pilot for Army spouses and retirees through September, 2012. The Army is evaluating smartcard identity authentication as an alternative to username/password login to websites, such as Army OneSource, Army Family Readiness Group, milConnect, TRICARE Online and Army Knowledge Online (AKO). Army spouses and retirees living near Fort Belvoir, Va.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Fort Jackson, S.C., are being asked to register for a smartcard, or renew their card by visiting the (https://ako.us.army.mil/suite/page/650680) Smartcard Pilot page on AKO. Pilot participants will have the same level of access to information as before, the only difference will be how they make the initial connection.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


$300k Financial Security for $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?


Featured Job: Careers in Government
Hundreds of job openings in Government are listed on Military.com. Save time and apply to jobs that are seeking your military experience and background. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/se ... RC=mrvr.nl) Search Now.
Need federal job seeking advice? (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Here are 10 Steps to Getting Hired by Uncle Sam.


Reconnect with Military Buddies
Check out the Military.com Buddy Finder to search over 20 million 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.