Military Report - Week of August 06, 2012

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Military Report - Week of August 06, 2012

State Voting Systems Vulnerable
Stars and Stripes reports that a new state-by-state report has found that states trying to make it easier for troops overseas to vote have set up voting systems that are vulnerable to hacking when they allow voters to return ballots online, via email, or Internet fax. (http://countingvotes.org/sites/default/ ... es2012.pdf) The report, Counting Votes 2012, says all states should require overseas ballots to be mailed because even faxed ballots cannot be independently audited. The report is available on the (http://countingvotes.org/sites/default/ ... es2012.pdf) CountingVotes.org website.
To keep up with legislation and laws that affect servicemembers and veterans, and make your voice heard with politicians, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislation Center.


Register to Vote
Voters can request an absentee ballot and register to vote by completing a single form -- the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA, aka SF-76). The FPCA should be submitted in January of each year and every time a voter changes address or at least 90 days prior to the election. The easiest way to complete the FPCA is by visiting (http://www.fvap.gov/) www.fvap.gov and using the navigation wizard that will automatically incorporate State-specific requirements. The wizard will create a completed form and postage paid and addressed envelope template that can be printed and mailed. If a service member has not received his/her absentee ballot within 30 days of election, they should use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, as a backup ballot. For more information, contact your base Voting Action Officer.
To keep up with legislation and laws that affect servicemembers and veterans, and make your voice heard with politicians, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislation Center.


VA Loan Eligibility Details
In order to obtain a VA home loan, you must first fill out (http://images.military.com/Data/MIB/Fin ... 6-1880.pdf) 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. Congress establishes eligibility with strict guidelines. (http://www.military.com/money//va-loans ... RC=mrvr.nl) See the five common categories of those who normally qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Connect with lenders who can help you use your VA Loan Benefit.


Vet Transition Story: Parker Hannifin
Navy veteran Eric Romero on his military transition: "One month prior to my discharge in 2002 I created and posted my resume on Monster.com. I was sure to mention all experience and training that I received from the military. I heavily utilized the career description dictated from the job description from the Navy for an Aviation electrician. I received a call from a staffing agency and they wanted to set up an interview for a position in their Qualification Lab. The position required a hydraulics background; however, they stated that there were electronics in the future and that my avionics and military discipline was something Parker was very interested in." Read the full story, along with tips for transitioning servicemembers, on (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... RC=mrvr.nl) Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Parker Hannifin Veteran Talent Portal


AF SOC Opportunities for Officers
Rated and nonrated officers interested in special operations command opportunities must update their Airman Development Plan (ADP) with a command statement of intent and submit the ADP to the Air Force Personnel Center by September, 2012. Rated command opportunities exist for lieutenant colonels and lieutenant colonel selects with an April 1, 2009, or later date of rank, experience in a special operations weapon system within the past eight years, and no previous flying squadron command experience. Nonrated command opportunities exist for majors, lieutenant colonels and lieutenant colonel selects with an April 1, 2009, or later date of rank. For more information, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


82 AF LtCols Selected for Vigilant Eagle
The Space and Missile Vigilant Eagle Operations Squadron Commander Selection Board has selected 82 lieutenant colonels and lieutenant colonel-selects as command candidates for projected 2013 vacancies. Candidates will be matched to command vacancies at Air Force Space Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and the National Reconnaissance Office as well as wing-level chief of safety positions or recruiting and training squadron command positions. To see the candidate list or for information about other personnel issues, visit the (http://mypers.af.mil) myPers website. Select the "all components" search option and enter Vigilant Eagle or PSDM 12-66 in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


TRICARE Fees Announced
The fiscal year 2013 TRICARE Prime enrollment fees for uniformed service retirees and their families go into effect Oct. 1, 2012. The Prime enrollment fees for 2013 are $269.28 for retirees, and $538.56 for retirees and their family members. Survivors of active duty deceased sponsors and uniformed services medically retired service members and their dependents are exempt from annual fee increases. As always, active duty service members and their families have access to TRICARE Prime with no enrollment fee. It is recommended that beneficiaries pay their enrollment fee monthly or quarterly. To learn more about TRICARE Prime enrollment fees, please visit the TRICARE Costs webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/costs) www.tricare.mil/costs.
For complete guides on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


Veterans' Employment and Training Service
If you are a veteran looking for assistance in transitioning into civilian life, finding a job or getting the training needed to get a job, then you need to learn more about the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) program. VETS is an independent agency within the Department of Labor create specifically to assist veterans in making the transition from military to civilian life, train for and find good jobs, and to protect the employment and reemployment rights of veterans, Reservists and National Guard Members. (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information on Military.com.


SUVs with the Best Fuel Economy
In these days of $4/gallon gas prices, owning a gas-guzzling vehicle is putting a squeeze on the finances of many Americans, giving car buyers pause over owning a vehicle with poor fuel economy. If you're a devout SUV buyer because you love the body style, you love the off-road capability, the towing capability, the versatility, the space, or whatever reason you can't do without one, you may want to look at more fuel-efficient options. (http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/ ... ESRC=mr.nl) Get a list of SUVs with the best gas mileage.


72 Officers Tapped for AF Intelligence Squadron
Seventy-two Air Force officers have been selected as intelligence squadron command candidates. Those who are selected will assume their command during calendar year 2013. Candidates who are not matched to an intelligence command position will be recommended for 365-day extended deployment squadron command, Air Education and Training Command recruiting and training squadron command, as well as for Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment command opportunities. The candidate list is available on the (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/doc ... 27-059.pdf) Air Force Personnel Center website. For information about other personnel issues, visit the (http://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Marine Corps Early Release Program
The U.S. Marine Corps has approved its Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program (VEERP), which gives certain Marines the option of exiting the Corps with an honorable discharge a year earlier than their original end of active service date. This new policy is effective immediately and continues until September 2013. The VEERP is approved for Marines with an EAS within fiscal year 2013. Marines with an EAS on or after Oct. 1 of this year are not qualified to separate prior to Oct. 1, 2012. Applicants cannot be scheduled to deploy. Contact your unit's career planner for information on how to apply or to see if you meet qualification requirements.
For nation-wide job listings and job search guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


New Transition Program Announced



Get Hired at the Vets Virtual Career Fair Aug 21
Military.com and Monster are hosting a Veterans Virtual Career Fair on August 21st. It's free to join and you'll be able to communicate and engage with exhibitors and attendees in a collaborative virtual environment. Fast Track Your Military Experience to a Civilian Career. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more details and register for the event now.
(http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) View a full calendar of Military Career Expos.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Veteran Career Center to search for jobs and get tips on your career and job search.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities.


New Army BCT Museum
The new U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum, previously known as the Fort Jackson Museum, recently celebrated its first anniversary since its reopening. In the past year, the Museum has seen more than 50,000 visitors. In addition to the regular exhibits located at the museum, the Basic Combat Training Museum has also focused on reviving their heritage month displays used by various groups around base. New displays currently available upon request concentrate on the history of women in the Army, the history of Asian/Pacific- Americans in the Army, the Month of the Military Child and the Army Birthday. The museum is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the (http://www.jackson.army.mil/sites/garrison/pages/673) U.S. Army Basic Combat Museum webpage or call 803-751-7419.
For a complete directory of military museums nationwide, visit (http://www.military.com/Resources/Resou ... guide.htm/) the Military Museum Guide.


Is TRICARE Budget Crippling DoD?
Claiming that TRICARE costs are killing the military budget, the defense officials have been pushing for TRICARE Fee increases over the last several years. However, according to reports, the DoD is now telling Congress that military health care will cost $708 million less than what was originally budgeted for FY2012 and that the excess to can be used for "higher priority items with no impact to the program."
Read the full article in the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... scredited/) Military Advantage Blog.


Deal of the Week: School Apparel
Back to School is around the corner! Shop millions of t-shirts, hoodies, bags, and more for nearly every school and college at Prep Sportswear, a Military.com shopping partner. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get 10% savings off your purchase.
(http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all Military Discounts -- travel, clothing, jewelry, auto and more.


2012 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Access the 2012 VA compensation rate charts for veterans with a disability rating 10 percent or higher. These amounts reflect a 3.6% increase over the 2009-2011rates. In addition veterans entitled to compensation whose disability is rated as 30 percent or more, shall be entitled to additional compensation for dependents. (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... ESRC=mr.nl) View Rates.
(http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mr.nl) Visit the Military.com Benefits Channel to access information on TRICARE, Military Pay, BAH, Pay Calculator and More.


SGLI too Expensive? Get $100k Coverage: As Low as $8 a Month
Is SGLI too much or do you need additional coverage? Get $100k life insurance protection for as little as $8.00 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ad&ESRC=mr.nl) Find protection for your family today.


Get Your Military Benefit Guide
The 2012 Military Advantage Benefit Guide Book is packed with updated benefit information. Find answers to all your benefit questions -- Pay, TRICARE, VA Loans, GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, Transition, Family Benefits and More. (http://www.amazon.com/The-Military-Adva ... 1591143934) Get a copy today.


AAFES and Crayola Sponsor Contest
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Crayola are inviting military children to show their colorful side for a chance at a $250 shopping spree in the "Crayola Coloring Contest." Authorized shoppers 16-years-old and younger can visit the Shop My Exchange website at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/patriotfamily) www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/patriotfamily to download and print the official contest illustration. The "Crayola Coloring Contest" runs through Aug. 25. Entries will be judged on creativity and skill level. One winner in each age group (under 4, 5-8, 9-12 and 12-16) will receive a $250 Crayola shopping spree. Complete rules can be found at the Patriot Family Connection website at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/patriotfamily) www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/patriotfamily.
For more on military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Channel.


Voluntary Sea Duty Program Extended
The U.S. Navy is extending the Voluntary Sea Duty Program (VSDP) for an additional year and adding High Year Tenure waiver consideration as an incentive for senior enlisted Sailors who volunteer. VSDP encourages highly-trained and motivated Sailors to voluntarily extend their enlistment in their current sea duty billet beyond their prescribed sea tour, to terminate shore duty and accept new orders to a sea duty billet, or to accept back-to-back sea duty orders beyond their prescribed sea/shore flow. The Navy will also consider High Year Tenure (HYT) waivers with VSDP applications for senior Sailors with the appropriate skills and leadership experience to fill critical at-sea billets. Sailors accepted into the program can also defer their Perform-to-Serve (PTS) window to the minimum obligated service requirement for the orders negotiated, typically 24 months.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


2012 BAH Rates
The overall average military Basic Allowance for Housing rates across the country increased over the last year. The 2 percent increase cannot be tied to any single factor. As noted above, BAH rates are based on the combination of local costs for rent, utilities and renter's insurance for various housing types. Any fluctuation of one or more of those factors in a given location will affect BAH rates for that location. (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... ESRC=mr.nl) View rates now.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... ESRC=mr.nl) Visit the Military.com Pay Channel to access paycharts, special pay, reserve and guard pay, allowances and more.


New AF Civilian Hiring Tool
The U.S. Air Force recently finished full-implementation of its USA Staffing Onboarding Manager (OM) tool ahead of schedule. The OM tool helps reduce the average amount of time it takes to process new civilians before they enter on duty. For more information about civilian hiring reform initiatives and other personnel issues, visit the myPers (http://mypers.af.mil) website. For more information about Air Force civilian career opportunities, visit the Air Force Civil Service website at (http://www.afciviliancareers.com/) www.afciviliancareers.com.
For nation-wide job listings and job search guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


New Navy Interactive Detailing System
The U.S. Navy has announced changes to their enlisted distribution system in Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID), which is the interactive system that Sailors use to apply and negotiate for orders. Beginning with the August 2012 CMS/ID cycle, a single set of sea and shore billets, prioritized by U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Navy Personnel Command to reflect the highest-priority Fleet billets, will be advertised. Detailers will fill all advertised billets each cycle. Sailors are encouraged to speak with command career counselors to understand changes to CMS/ID. For more information, contact the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) or via e-mail at (mailto:CSCMailbox@navy.mil) CSCMailbox@navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Academy Instructor Opportunities
Active duty officers interested in U.S. Air Force Academy instructor opportunities have until Aug. 31 to apply. To be eligible applicants must be first lieutenants through lieutenant colonels with three or more years' time on station between June 1 and Dec. 1, 2013. Eligible officers may apply for dean of faculty, preparatory school and athletic department positions. Limited positions at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., are also available. For more information on Academy instructor opportunities, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, and search for USAFA opportunities or enter 14055 in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Staff Sergeant Promotion List
The U.S. Air Force recently released its staff sergeant promotion list. 13,448 of 33,060 eligible senior airmen were selected for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 40.68 percent. The staff sergeant promotion list is available on the (https://my.af.mil/) Air Force Portal, (http://www.afpc.af.mil/) Air Force Personnel Center public website and the (http://mypers.af.mil/) myPers website. Airmen will also be able to access their score notices at the virtualMPF secure site, accessible via the (https://my.af.mil/) Air Force Portal or (http://mypers.af.mil/) myPers. For more information on promotions or any other personnel related issue, visit the (http://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Army Tightens Wt. Standards
The U.S. Army has tightened its body fat standards for some recruits. All male recruits age 17-20 who enlisted after May 16, must now have a body fat percentage of 24 or less before they begin basic training. For female recruits in that age category, their body fat must be at 30 percent or less. The new rules listed in (http://www.armyaprt.com/army-apft/bodyfat-alaract.html) All-Army Activity (ALARACT) directive 113/2012 have set those standards back to pre-2005 levels. Standards have not changed for older age categories or for the active and reserve components. Six months after basic training, male Soldiers 17-20 are required to have a body fat percentage of 20 percent. No changes were made to the 30 percent body fat requirement for female recruits, ages 17-20 for six months after training.
For military-grade fitness tips and programs, visit the (http://military-fitness.military.com/) Daily PT at Military.com.


New Licensing Law Helps Vets in NC
North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue has signed a new law that gives military spouses and veterans professionally licensed in other states the opportunity to apply for their North Carolina license without having to re-license. Regardless of occupational specialty, all military or out-of-state qualifications must meet or exceed North Carolina's licensure standards. A licensing board will determine eligibility to qualify for licensing and certification based on training, experience and competency requirements. There are more than a 100 different occupational licensing agencies in North Carolina, and each licensing board will be required to implement the new statute within one year from the date the act becomes law.
For more articles and advice on military spouse employment, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.


Air Guard and Reserve Loadmasters Sought
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard loadmasters may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty. Eligible applicants must be master sergeants or below, be current and qualified on their major weapon system, have less than 16 years of total active federal military service by the end of their extended active duty period, and have a current qualifying flying class III physical. Tours will be one or two years, during which time members will be eligible for deployment. Interested AFR and ANG loadmasters should contact their local military personnel section for guidance on preparing and submitting the application package. For more information about the program and other personnel issues, visit the (http://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Guard and Reserve news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


TRICARE Approves New Coverage
Two laboratory-developed tests have been approved for coverage by TRICARE under a demonstration project: the BRACAnalysis BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests, and also the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay. BRACAnalysis testing assesses a woman's risk of developing hereditary breast or ovarian cancers. TRICARE providers will be prepared to accept patients under this demonstration project by September 30, 2012; however, coverage for the approved use of these tests is retroactive to May 22, 2012. Beneficiaries should speak with their primary health care professional or their regional contractor to determine their eligibility for having these tests performed as a TRICARE benefit. Find regional contractor contact information at (http://www.tricare.mil/contactus) www.tricare.mil/contactus.
For complete guides on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.