Military Report - Week of June 04, 2012

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Military Report - Week of June 04, 2012

AF to Test Accountability System
The Air Force will conduct an Air Force-wide exercise this summer to test the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS). When directed by the AFCAT, all affected Airmen should log into (https://afpaas.af.mil) AFPAAS via computer or smartphone to account for themselves and their family members. Members who do not have access to a computer or are unable to contact their unit control center or commander representative should contact the Air Force Personnel Center Personnel Readiness Cell at 800-435-9941 or DSN 665-2020. AFPAAS can also be accessed from the (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) Air Force Portal, and the (http://www.afpc.af.mil) Air Force Personnel Center website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Army Family Child Care
Army Family Child Care (FCC) homes are operated by military spouses who are certified child care providers and provide quality, developmentally and age appropriate activities in a home environment. The certification process for each applicant includes thorough background and reference checks, numerous home inspections and six days of extensive training. Parents can register at Parent Central Services on-base and receive a referral list of AMR FCC Providers. The advantages they feel a FCC home offer versus a larger child development center are the comfort of a home setting, smaller ratio and more individualized attention, increased provider/child interaction and decreased risk of illness. For more information, contact your Family Child Care Office or visit the (http://www.armyfcc.com/) Army Family Child Care website.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Give Back with Bands for Freedom
Show support to our military personnel past and present by purchasing a Bands for Freedom wristband. Proceeds go to the Veterans Wellness Program and donates part of proceeds to Stars for Stripes Foundation. (http://bandsforfreedom.org/category/store) Buy a Bands for Freedom wristbands now. The Veterans Wellness Program (VWP) is a Medical service program designed to provide the means for qualified Veterans who suffer from the unseen wounds of war, such as insomnia, anxiety, and Depression. The VWP will assist with Physical and mental assessments, Psychological counseling, anger management courses, treatments for substance abuse, health education, including exercise and nutrition plans for each individual Veteran. Visit (http://www.bandsforfreedom.org) www.bandsforfreedom.org to learn more and purchase your wristband.


Benefit Calculator: Find Military Benefits In One Place
The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits information based on service and status. Find Federal Benefits, State Benefits, National Guard State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and More. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Your Benefits Now.
(http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Benefit Channel to access Pay Charts, TRICARE information, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Vet Benefits and more.


Lessen the Stress of Moving with Pets
Many resources are available to help your pet during a military move. First, go online and research the pet policies at your next duty station. A quick call to your sponsor, family-service center or veterinarian at the next installation can help you better understand pet policies in housing, animal laws in that state or country, pet-friendly hotels and any transport requirements. Next, consider calling local airlines to see if there are flight restrictions for your pet. Air Mobility Command offers space-available flights, commonly known as Space-A travel, for pets, but you may only take two pets and a 14-day travel window is required. Also, ensure that your military veterinarian certificates are in order including the Veterinary Health Certificate ( (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/info ... dd2209.pdf) Department of Defense Form 2209) and the Rabies Vaccination Certificate ( (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/info ... dd2208.pdf) Form DD 2208). For more information, visit (http://www.militaryonesource.mil) Military OneSource, which has numerous checklists and samples of a military pet care plan.
For more pet news and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment/pet-corner/index) Military.com Pet Corner.


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.


New Thrift Savings Plan Option
Servicemembers and Department of Defense civilian employees eligible for the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will soon be able to contribute to a new Roth option. This new feature allows members to contribute on an after-tax-basis to their TSP account and receive tax-free earnings when they withdraw the funds. Roth TSP elective deferral limits are the same as traditional TSP limits, which are $17,000 for regular contributions and $5,500 for catch-up contributions. Additional information regarding Roth IRA income limitations may be found on the Internal Revenue Service website at (http://www.irs.gov/retirement/participa ... 58,00.html) http://www.irs.gov/retirement/participa ... 58,00.html. For more information about TSP, visit the Thrift Savings Plan website at (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... w.tsp.gov/) http://www.tsp.gov. For information about other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... .disa.mil/) https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.
For more on TSP, see the (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... vings-plan) Military.com TSP section.


Military Mail Bans Lithium
The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently joined other international agencies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), as they prohibit products containing lithium from being sent as mail matter to and from APO, FPO and DPO locations and on international commercial air transportation flights, which will impact International and military mail. Thus, USPS and the Military Postal Service (MPS) must maintain standards prohibiting the shipment of products containing lithium. USPS and the MPS are working to determine if any exceptions can be made. Further announcements will be made if any new options become available. For more information, visit the (http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa) Military Postal Service Agency.
For more military 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. What if I'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.


Financial Tips for PCSing
Military.com estimates that during a Permanent Change of Station -- or PCS -- servicemembers spend an average of $1,725 in non-reimbursable costs. When you consider that most military personnel make PCS moves about every two to four years, that adds up to a substantial amount of money. To minimize your exposure in a move, you must understand what the military and Uncle Sam will cover. (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get Financial Tips for PCSing on Military.com.


Getting Army Military Records
The first choice for servicemembers and others to obtain records should be to follow the guidance on the (https://www.hrc.army.mil/) U.S. Army Human Resources Command website. Information normally releasable under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act are name, position, title, work phone number, salary, awards, decorations and the official military photo. Information NOT releasable include home address and telephone number, date and place of birth, Social Security number, race, religion, citizenship, marital status, dependency, disciplinary actions, reasons for termination, misconduct and performance ratings. For more information, visit the (https://www.hrc.army.mil/STAFF/FOIA) U.S. Army Human Resource Command FOIA webpage.
For more on military records and other military benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Hope for the Warriors
Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit organization that supports wounded servicemembers, their families and the families of the fallen. The organization was founded in 2006 by a group of military wives. The organization's programs were created to serve the different needs of wounded servicemembers and their families. For more information, visit the Hope for the Warriors website at (http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/index.html) www.hopeforthewarriors.org.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Docs Test New Therapy for PTS
Doctors at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina are experimenting with new approaches to help soldiers who are battling Post-Traumatic Stress. This new form of PTS therapy, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, uses electrical pulses. A veteran sits in a chair and they think about the event that made them feel so out of control while in the war zone. While that is happening, electrical pulses trigger feelings of control inside the veteran's brain. This type of therapy is in its early stages, but doctors at the VA Medical Center say the results are encouraging. For more information, call the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center at (888) 878-6884 or locally at (843) 577-5011.
For more on PTSD and links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Navy Online Language Assistance
The Navy's Public Library Service now offers Transparent Language Online(TM), which provides pronunciation, speech, grammar, writing, and vocabulary building lessons for more than 80 languages. The program can be used from any Internet-connected computer and is free to all Navy library patrons through Navy Knowledge Online (NKO). To register, Navy Library patrons may log into (https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil) NKO -- click on the "Reference" heading in the upper left part of the screen. Then click on "e-Library - Language and Culture" and finally click on the "Transparent Language Online" Logo. For more information about how to get started learning a language today, contact the Navy General Library Program at (mailto:nglp@navy.mil) nglp@navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


VA Chairman Talks Vet Jobs and War
Congressman Jeff Miller, R-FL, the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committeerecently joined the Military.com 'Editor's Desk' to talk about the state of the VA, veteran hiring, the war in Afghanistan, and the upcoming presidential election.
(http://podcasts.military.com/2012/06/ho ... e-war.html) Check out this week's Editor's Desk Podcast.


Peak PCS Season
Now is the busiest move season of the year as an estimated 225,000 household goods shipments are booked each summer. Families should be flexible with their moving dates, plan ahead, and recognize that now is the time to get rid of unwanted items to reduce their shipment's weight. Servicemembers can choose either (1) a government arranged move, in which a contractor packs and ships their household goods, or (2) perform a Personally Procured Move (PPM) where the customer arranges to rent a truck or trailer, or uses their own vehicle to move their items. For more information on either option and to start the move process, customers should go to Move.mil at (http://www.move.mil) www.move.mil. For questions or assistance, contact your local personal property shipping office.
For more PCS guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


$300k Financial Security: Only $1 a Day
For about $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?


Families Should Assess Their Fitness
The U.S. Army is encouraging families to use the Global Assessment Tool (GAT), which is a web-based survey instrument used to assess the dimensions of emotional, social, spiritual, and family fitness. It is part of the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. Families can complete the GAT, then follow up with the modules that address areas that might help them with improving their resiliency. For more information, visit the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness website at (http://csf.army.mil/) http://csf.army.mil/ --click on the 'Take the GAT link' at the top.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


U.S. Signs Aeromedical Agreement
U.S. Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, along with the surgeons general of Australia, Canada and Great Britain, recently signed an international "Interfly" Proclamation of Understanding. The agreement is intended to promote and support mutual cooperation and interoperability of the aeromedical evacuation assets between nations. Since 2009, there has been an informal agreement to clear medical equipment on each other's similar aircraft. However, the formal proclamation will now allow the nations' medical teams to use aircraft and work alongside each other.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Deal of the Week: 40% to 60% off at Converse
Save up to 60% on a selection of shoes, accessories and more for men, women, and kids. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal-details/612739) Get this deal.
(http://www.military.com/discounts?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all Military Discounts listed on Military.com.


PCS Season Paves Way for VA Loans
May through August is peak PCS season. Real estate signs will soon be popping up around military communities. Reassignments can lead eligible borrowers to purchase real estate in their new locations with VA loans. It can also mean military members with relocation orders may have to move quickly. (http://www.military.com/money/partner/h ... sales.html) Get the full story and find out if you qualify for home sale loss compensation.


Answers to VRAP GI Bill Questions
The GI Bill experts from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs staff recently participated in a LIVE Question and Answer session to help veterans and program administrators better understand the new (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ll-update/) VRAP GI Bill. The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP GI Bill) is designed to retrain and educate assistance for unemployed veterans who are no longer eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. VRAP offers up to 12 months of education benefits worth as much as $17,600 ($1473 a month) in education benefits.
The transcript of the event can be found in the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... i-bill-qa/) Military Advantage blog.


Navy Libraries Offer Summer Reading Program
The Navy General Library Program has begun registration for a shared summer reading program at base and installation libraries around the globe. Most local programs will run eight weeks with open enrollment during the summer. Using this year's theme "Reading Is So Delicious," activities will vary by location and include everything from Edible Art projects to discussions . For more information, contact your local base and installation Navy library or call Nilya Carrato with the Navy General Library Program at 202-433-0785 or email (mailto:dodsumread@navy.mil) dodsumread@navy.mil.


Navy Advancement Lists
More than 29,000 Sailors are on their way to advancement to E4, E5 and E6 with the recent release of the Petty Officer list. The Active Duty list is available (http://www.navy.mil/docs/CY215_USN_05_23_12_NT.pdf) online. The Navy Full Time Support Sailors list is available (http://www.navy.mil/docs/CY215_FTS_05_23_12_NT.pdf) here. The Canvaser Recruiters list is available (http://www.navy.mil/docs/CY215_CVR_05_23_12_NT.pdf) here. Advancement results are also posted on the Navy Personnel Command's Bupers On-Line webpage at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


How to Buy a Diamond: Expert Advice from Blue Nile
Buying a diamond one of life's most important purchases and we want to you to be empowered by your decision. Our education and guidance is unbiased, intimidation-free, and easily guides you through the process of choosing the right diamond ring and setting. You've probably heard of the (http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds/diamon ... track=head) Four C's. They determine a diamond's quality characteristics. Based on cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, these characteristics will help you find the perfect diamond for her that fits your budget. (http://www.military.com/ecomm/articles/ ... ESRC=mr.nl) Get details and more information on Military.com.


Social Security for Wounded Warriors
Social Security's Wounded Warriors Initiative is for servicemembers who become disabled while on active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel, including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses, may be able to receive benefits. For more information, read the publication ' (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html) Military Service and Social Security' or visit the Social Security Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors webpage at (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors) www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Army Early Separation
Congress recently amended legislation that expands the services' authority to separate Regular Army enlisted members from three months to one year prior to their scheduled date of separation or Expiration Term of Service (ETS). The Army will implement this change in a phased manner based on scheduled unit deployment dates. He Army G-1 and Army Human Resources Command will send commanders and Soldiers specific implementation guidance. Commanders will afford Soldiers as much time as possible, but not less than 90 days, dedicated solely to transition activities. For more information, contact your unit Career Counselor.
For more on military benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.