Military Report - Week of May 28, 2012

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Military Report - Week of May 28, 2012

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Military.com brings you great 'no haggle' pricing with our Car Buying Program. Simply plug in the car you want, to find what others paid for the same car in your area. Plus, get a list of local certified dealers for upfront pricing. Buy your next new car with confidence. (http://military.zag.com/main.html?refer ... MIL0000034) Check out Military.com's new Car Buying Program.


Military Associations: Right for You?
There are many organizations and associations available to help members of the military during and after their service to the country. These associations not only encourage and spur camaraderie, they also offer incredible benefits for their members. Some provide advocacy, help you network and access job opportunities, tap into benefits at a reduced cost, lobby congress concerning issues vital to military life, or find support for you and your family in times of war and peace. (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) See all the advantages of belonging to a military association.


5 Hot Jobs for Ex-Military Personnel
The US military is arguably the best-trained workforce in the world, and personnel who leave military service have skills that translate to virtually any career. Take a look at five popular jobs that give the men and women who've served our country an opportunity to make a difference and move up -- Information Technology Specialist, Police Officer, Math or Science Teacher, Entrepreneur & Civilian Public Service. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the full story on Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Employers are looking for Military Experience -- Find Military Friendly Jobs listed on Military.com.
The Veterans Benefit 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 ... ESRC=mr.nl) Get started finding your Federal and State benefits and Special Military Discounts.


Deal of the Week: Disneyland Discount
Disneyland Resort Offers 3-Day Hopper Promotion to eligible military personnel and their spouses for $99. Certain restrictions apply and there is a maximum number of tickets that can be purchased. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get this deal.
(http://www.military.com/discounts?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all Military Discounts.


Gene Linked to Post-Traumatic Stress
A new research study has found that a genetic variant associated with an enhanced capacity for emotional memories is also linked to increased susceptibility to post-traumatic stress. The scientists examined the DNA of a large group of Rwandan refugees, all of whom had experienced multiple traumatic events during their country's civil war, and found that those carrying the variant are twice more likely to suffer from PTSD than those who do not. The article is available on the (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/ ... l.pdf+html) website of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For more on PTSD and links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


PCS News: Get Full replacement Value
Servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians can protect their possessions by taking advantage of the Full Replacement Value (RFV) program during government-sponsored moves. FRV provides full reimbursement to personnel whose property is damaged or lost while in the custody of a transportation service provider (TSP). Servicemembers must notify the transportation provider of all damage and loss within 75 days of the delivery. They must also make a claim to the provider within 9 months of the delivery. If the 9-month deadline for filing a claim with the provider is missed, Families still can submit a claim within two years of the delivery but the reimbursement will not exceed depreciated value. Those on PCS orders should use the Defense Personal Property system during the move. Visit Move.mil at (http://www.move.mil/home.htm) www.move.mil/home.htm to use the DPS system.
For more PCS guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


AF Prior Enlisted Retirement Waivers
Prior enlisted officers with eight years of active duty commissioned time may be able to retire through the Air Force 10-8 Commission Waiver Program. Prior enlisted officers with 20 years of active duty service may apply for a waiver if they have, or will have, eight years of active duty commissioned time by Sept. 1. Approved applicants must be retired by Sept. 1. The 10-8 waiver program is open to line of the Air Force, LAF Judge Advocate General, chaplain, bio-medical service corps and medical service corps lieutenant colonels and below. Some Airmen in those specialties are not eligible to apply. For application details and information about other voluntary force management programs, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil) Air Force Personnel Services website, select the "All Components" search option and enter PSDM 11-105 in the search box.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-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. Even if you've used a VA 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.


More Navy Uniform Changes
The U.S. Navy has approved a number of changes to uniforms and uniform wear policy. An improved design of the male E1-E6 Service Dress Blue (SDB) Uniform, incorporating a side zipper on the jumper and a hidden center zipper on the trousers, has been approved with fleet availability is expected by October 2018. The E1-E6 men's and women's Service Dress White (SDW) jumper has design improvements include incorporating a side zipper, front and rear yoke, Navy blue piping on the flap, and sleeve cuffs with Navy blue piping and button fasteners with fleet roll out to begin by October, 2018. The contemporary design for Service Dress Khaki (SDK) has also been approved for optional wear. Illustrations of the new uniform items can be found on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/s ... ault2.aspx) Navy Uniform Matters Office website.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Featured Job: Serving Those Who Serve
At USAA, we are honored to serve military members and their families. (https://www.usaa.apply2jobs.com/profext/default.htm) Click here to learn more about our careers.


AF Enlisted Promotions
More than 5,400 Air Force technical sergeants were recently selected for promotion to master sergeant. A list of selectees is available (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 17-002.pdf) online. The average score for those selected was 332.85, with an average time in grade of 4.43 years and time in service of 15.58 years respectively. For more information on promotions or other personnel issues, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New Navy Reserve Leave Policy
The U.S. Navy has implemented a Department of Defense (DoD) policy allowing Reservists to carry over leave earned during an active duty period to a later active duty period. Reserve Sailors may now earn and carry over up to 60 days of accrued leave. Additionally, all servicemembers may carry over up to 75 days if the leave was accrued between Oct. 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2013. If serving in a combat tax exclusion zone, active duty and Reserve Sailors may be eligible to carry over up to 120 days of accrued leave. The new leave carry-over changes are being updated to reflect the current MILPERSMAN articles that apply (1050-060, 1050-070 and 7220-340). For more information, contact your servicing Personnel Support Detachment (PSD).
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Memorial Day Discounts
Many discounts are being offered for servicemembers and veterans in honor of Memorial Day, which will take place this year on Monday, May 28. Some of these discounts will be good beyond Memorial Day -- to keep up with these major Memorial Day discounts, visit the (http://www.military.com/memorial-day/me ... 072&rank=2) Military.com Memorial Day discount page.


Commissaries to Remove Pink Slime
All commissaries have modified their contracts to require that our ground beef suppliers only sell us products not treated with the lean finely textured beef antibacterial (LFTB) process, which uses 'pink slime.' The process of phasing out all pink slime products will be completed by the end of May, 2012. In the meantime, commissaries are carrying USDA organic ground beef or USDA all-natural ground beef, neither of which has pink slime. For more information, contact your local commissary.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


$100k in Coverage for $6.80 a Month
Navy Mutual offers low-cost life insurance with no location or hazardous occupation restrictions and makes it affordable to keep your loved ones safe. SGLI is not enough to keep your family protected if the unthinkable happens. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=mr.nl) Supplement your SGLI with Navy Mutual for as low as $6.80 a month for an additional $100,000 of coverage.


Owning a Home and Building Wealth
Almost any servicemember can afford to own a home with proper preparation. Develop a savings plan to build up money for a down payment at purchase, for moving expenses, and for post-purchase emergency expenditures such as needed home repairs. Remember, the larger your down payment, the lower your home loan payment. MilitarySaves.org can help you develop a plan with regular monthly deposits in a bank or credit union account. (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more tips for owning a home and building wealth.


AF Launches myPers
The Air Force Personnel Services website is now known as myPers and has a new address at (https://mypers.af.mil/) https://mypers.af.mil. Airmen can access myPers via a secure link to use existing personnel services information and transaction applications. All transactions are conducted within a secure environment. The site is customized, recognizing the user's affiliation as officer, enlisted, civilian, Reserve or Guard. There are also links to the most commonly used applications that allow Airmen to navigate the site with greater ease. For more information on personnel services and self-service applications, visit the myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil) https://mypers.af.mil.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Traumatic Stress Services
The Traumatic and Operational Stress Services clinic at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth recently opened its "Back on Track" program to the fleet. The program is tailored for combat veterans who are struggling with mental traumas, with the goal of introducing patients to options to improve their daily lives. The program includes a two-week course taught by a wide array of hospital staff with more than 70 hours of class time. The topics range from anger management, physical fitness, stress management and problem solving to sleep hygiene, nutrition and relationships. The program is currently accepting more patients. For more information about the Back on Track program or to enroll, contact Bethany Swogger at (757) 953-6975.
For more support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Companies to Hire More MilSpouses
Thirty-four more companies have pledged to hire more military spouses by joining the Defense Department's (http://www.govexec.com/defense/2012/04/ ... ans/41681/) Military Spouse Employment Partnership. The partnership began in June 2011 as part of Michelle Obama and Jill Biden's military family service initiative Joining Forces, and 22,000 military spouses have been hired at participating companies since the partnership began. Applicants with a military spouse identification card are eligible to participate in the partnership by checking a box on the application indicating their status. For more information, visit the (https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/) Military Spouse Career Portal.
For job fair listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


New AF Civilian Hiring System
Starting at the end of May and going through February 2013, officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas will help test a new procedure to centralize steps military members take to get their permanent change of station (PCS) orders and other actions prior to out-processing. The project will transfer PCS relocation tasks from Randolph military personnel sections to the Total Force Service Center in San Antonio. As a result, Airmen will take care of the bulk of their PCS requirements through the (http://www.afpc.af.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website via the "My Account" function. Local base out-processing items will still be handled using the out-processing checklist on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight website. Feedback will be used to determine whether or not to expand centralized relocations to all bases within Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA).
For more PCS guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


Military Pay Charts
With basic pay and 70 types of special pays and allowances, including BAH, military pay is customized to your situation. Changes in pay grade, duty status, your military occupation, duty station, or deployment status can have an impact on your pay. (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... RC=mrvr.nl) See 2012 Pay Charts, Flight Pay, Basic Housing Allowances, Advance Pay Enlisted Breakouts and more.


New AF RABU Uniform
The new Rip-stop Airman Battle Uniform (RABU) will be available to Airmen at 16 U.S. bases and through the (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) starting in June. The wear policy for the light-weight RABUs will be exactly the same as for the ABUs. The only difference between the ABU and the RABU is the material, which will make the RABU lighter and cooler with a wrinkle-resistant finish. A list of the 16 clothing sales locations to receive the new RABU is available (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123302958) online. The plan for world-wide distribution of the RABU is currently in development.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Tests New PCS Process
Starting at the end of May and going through February 2013, officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas will help test a new procedure to centralize steps military members take to get their permanent change of station (PCS) orders and other actions prior to out-processing. The project will transfer PCS relocation tasks from Randolph military personnel sections to the Total Force Service Center in San Antonio. As a result, Airmen will take care of the bulk of their PCS requirements through the (http://www.afpc.af.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website via the "My Account" function. Local base out-processing items will still be handled using the out-processing checklist on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight website. Feedback will be used to determine whether or not to expand centralized relocations to all bases within Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA).
For more PCS guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


Mental Health Related Hospitalizations
Mental illness ranks as the leading cause of hospitalization for active-duty troops, according to a report published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC) in the April issue of its Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. The report found that troops seeking help for mental health problems ranked third in outpatient visits in all treatment categories. The report is available on the (http://www.afhsc.mil/viewMSMR?file=2012/v19_n04.pdf) Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center website.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Play Military Trivia and Win an iPod
Think you know military history and trivia? Test your knowledge with our 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.


10 Happiest Companies for Veterans
What are the "happiest" companies out there for veterans who are looking to transition to a civilian job? CareerBliss has come up with a fresh top-10 list for 2012, with companies that specialize in technology high on the list, including Dell, 3M and Verizon Communications. For a rundown and discussion of the list, visit the (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/841 ... orveterans) Military.com Vet Jobs blog.


Army Reviewing Diagnoses
Stars and Stripes reports that the U.S. Army has launched a review of its handling of post-traumatic stress and other behavioral health evaluations at all of its medical facilities since 2001. The review is in response to fears that some soldiers had their diagnoses reversed because of concerns about the cost of treating them. The announcement follows disclosures that some soldiers diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder had that finding rejected during subsequent evaluations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State.
For more on PTSD and links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


AF Early Separation Waivers
Some Air Force active duty officers who are unable to separate because of an active duty service commitment may still be able to take advantage of the Expanded Palace Chase program. Waiver applications are due to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) by June 1, 2012. The program allows eligible active duty members to transfer to an Air Reserve Component with a 1-for-1 time commitment of not less than one year or more than six years. Officers in certain specialties are not eligible to apply. For more application details and information about other voluntary force management programs, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil, select the "All Components" search option and enter PSDM 11-105 in the search box.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Offers Enlisted Separation Waivers
Active duty Airmen who would like to retire or separate but have an active duty service commitment that prevents them from doing so may be eligible for a waiver. Applications for the Limited Active Duty Service Commitment Waiver Program are due to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) by June 1 for officers and June 30 for enlisted Airmen. Those approved must retire by Sept. 1 or separate by Sept. 29. Colonels, chief master sergeants and chief master sergeant-selects in eligible fields may apply but applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For application details and information about other voluntary force management programs, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil) Air Force Personnel Services website, select the "All Components" search option and enter PSDM 11-105 (officers) or PSDM 11-98 (enlisted) in the search box.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Offers New PCS Tool
The U.S. Navy has launched the Housing Early Application Tool (HEAT). This web-based tool will allow Sailors and their families to apply for housing online from any computer. Servicemembers or their spouses can use HEAT prior to receiving permanent change of station (PCS) orders to request information about community housing or check on their eligibility for military and privatized housing. They may also submit HEAT requests to multiple Installations if they are not sure where they may be stationed next. HEAT will be available Navy-wide by June 30. To access HEAT, and for more information about when your base will have HEAT, visit the (http://www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT) Housing Early Application Tool (HEAT) webpage.
For more PCS guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


Tips on Your Credit and a Mortgage
Even with interest rates at historic lows, there can be a big difference in your rate if you have good credit and not-so-good credit. How much? The difference over the lifetime of a 30-year, $200K mortgage can be $67K. That's a serious chunk of change. For tips on how to manage your credit to get a better rate on your mortgage, see (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... tgage.html) this Military.com money article.