Military Report - Week of September 10, 2012

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Military Report - Week of September 10, 2012

New GI Bill Payment Rates Announced
Each year in October, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) payment rates increase to meet the growing cost of education. This October the MGIB full-time student payment rate will be increased to $1,564 a month for the 2013 fiscal year (2012-2013 School Year). Eligible veterans and servicemembers could receive as much $56,304 in cash benefits over 36 months. This new monthly payment rate applies to all MGIB users no matter when they became elgible for or began using the Montgomery GI Bill.

AAFES GSA SmartCard Pricing
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) offers competitive prices to authorized GSA SmartPay card holders. Servicemembers, military units and government agencies using a SmartPay card at the Exchange or online at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) www.shopmyexchange.com pay no sales tax and receive 10 percent off any purchase (excluding gas, tobacco, alcohol and certain Military Clothing items). AAFES will also match a competitor's price on identical items under the "We'll Match It" program. Also, civilian employees who are not normally entitled to Exchange privileges, but are authorized to make organizational purchases, need only show their SmartPay card and a government ID to make official purchases. For more information, contact your local Exchange.
For more discounts for servicemembers, veterans and families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Military.com Discount Center.


How to Get the Best Deal on a Loan
Let's talk about how you can take charge to get the best deal when you want a home loan. You may assume that a Realtor has the connections and expertise to get you the best deal and that may be true, but not necessarily. Sometimes, a Realtor has a vested interest in steering you to a particular bank, mortgage company or lender. And some shady lenders may make you feel that financing is way too hard for you to understand, but it isn't. (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... ESRC=mr.nl) Try these five steps to assure you get the best deal anywhere, and rest easier knowing you've done your homework.


AF Weather Command Candidates
The Weather Officer Squadron Commander Candidate Selection Board recently named 21 lieutenant colonels, lieutenant colonel-selects and majors as command candidates. Command matches are expected to be announced the end of October. The list of candidates is available on the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, select the "search all components option" and enter "weather command candidates" in the search window.
For Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Employer Spotlight: Bankers Hiring Vets
Bankers is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/bankers/) Visit the Bankers Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, read success stories, and learn more about a career with Bankers. With over 200 Branch Sales offices across the country, Bankers Life and Casualty has more than 4,800 agents who live and work in the communities they serve. At (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/bankers/) Bankers, we offer more than just a job; we offer a challenging and rewarding sales career! Successful Agents come from all backgrounds, are supported by nationally recognized training, and operate with a level of service unmatched in the insurance industry since 1879.


Practice OpSec
Operations security is a key component of antiterrorism and force protection, helping protect servicemembers, facilities, equipment and others everywhere by denying information. Examples of critical information include: (1) detailed information about the mission of assigned units; (2) details on locations and times of unit deployments; (3) personnel transactions that occur in large numbers (Example: pay information, powers of attorney, wills and deployment information); (4) references to trends in unit morale or personnel problems; and (5) details concerning security procedures. To a trained adversary, they are small pieces of a puzzle that highlight what a military unit is doing and planning. If anyone persistently seeks information, notify your unit OPSEC program manager. If you see suspicious activity, report it to the police.
For military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Retraining Deadline Nears
Noncommissioned officers in unrestricted career fields affected by the fiscal year 2013 NCO Retraining Program have a month to volunteer for retraining. During Phase I, Airmen in unrestricted career fields may apply for any shortage career fields listed on the retraining advisory if they meet requirements. Voluntary applications will be accepted only through Oct. 5. More than 1,400 NCOs are affected by this year's program. The master vulnerability list is available on the virtual Military Personnel Flight website, accessible via the (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) Air Force Portal or the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website. To access the secure site and for more information about retraining and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


The Truth About Lightning
Over the last 20 years, the United States averaged 51 annual lightning strike fatalities. Most people that are struck by lightning live but may suffer from long term injury or disability. Only 25 percent of U.S. lightning fatalities are associated with tornado or severe weather storm warnings. However, if you cannot hear thunder, you are probably safe. The only places safe from lightning injury are inside large buildings with grounded wiring and plumbing or inside a metal-topped vehicle. Indoor injuries and deaths that do occur usually involve using a landline telephone or other appliance at the time of the lightning strike. For lightning safety tips, visit the (http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/) National Weather Safety Lightning Safety webpage and the (http://www.weather.com/life/safety/thun ... 2011-10-07) Weather.com Lightning Safety Tips webpage.
For more home-related tips and guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... -your-home) Military.com Money section.


TRICARE Requires Proof
After Sept. 1, 2012, TRICARE beneficiaries must send proof of payment with all overseas medical claims, including claims for care received when traveling overseas. Overseas Active Duty Dental Program claims also require proof of payment if the servicemember pays a provider directly. Beneficiaries who pay an overseas provider directly should indicate this and the amount paid at the top of the medical claim form to ensure the claim is processed quickly and correctly. Claim forms can be downloaded from the TRICARE Forms webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/forms) www.tricare.mil/forms. For questions about this policy, contact the appropriate overseas regional call center and select option 2 for claims. For contact information, visit the TRICARE Contacts webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/contacts) www.tricare.mil/contacts. For more information about proof-of-payment requirements, visit the TRICARE Proof of Payment for Overseas Claims webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/proofofpayment) www.tricare.mil/proofofpayment.
For more on TRICARE, including guides to all TRICARE options, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


New Battleship NC Adventure
The Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, N.C. is launching their newest custom adventure program, Behind the Hatch, a private adventure that allows you to explore the Battleship. Through the program, individuals or groups up to eight people can create their custom dream tour of the Battleship. The program fee is $125 per hour for up to 8 people; additional participants at $15 per hour each for a maximum of 12 people total. The fee does not include ship admission. Participants must be at least 12 years old. The tour program is available October through May and not on Sundays. Reservations are required at least one month in advance and depend upon staff availability. For more information, visit the Battleship North Carolina website at (http://www.battleshipnc.com) www.battleshipnc.com or (http://Facebook.com/ncbb55) Facebook.com/ncbb55 and (http://Twitter.com/battleshipnc) Twitter.com/battleshipnc.


Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs Hispanic Heritage Month is observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2012. With a national theme of "Diversity United, Building America's Future Today," the observance celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The U.S. military will be commemorating Hispanic American Heritage Month through programs, exhibits, publications, and participation in military and community events. For more information, visit the (http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/) National Hispanic Heritage Month website, the (http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/S ... ances.aspx) Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion observances web page, the (http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases ... -ff19.html) U.S. Census website, and the (http://www.army.mil/hispanicamericans/e ... about.html) Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Army webpage.


No More 'Taps' in New York State
Stars and Stripes reports that because of budget cuts, New York State as of Oct. 1 will no longer hire musicians to play "Taps" on trumpets or bugles at the more than 300 military funerals per month staffed by New York's Military Forces Honor Guard units. Federal funding pays for a three-member funeral detail to attend military funerals: two active-duty National Guard troops and a bugler. The funding cuts only apply to the bugler. To attempt to find a live bugler for funerals, visit the (http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/) Bugles Across America website.
For more on burial benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial) Military.com Memorial and Burial section.


Warrior Family Symposium This Week
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the National Defense Industrial Association will host the 2012 Warrior-Family Symposium to honor wounded heroes and their families. The event will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This year's WFS will focus on increasing awareness of our Wounded Warriors' needs and the enhancement and refinement of programs and services that benefit them and their families. For more information, visit the 2012 Warrior-Family Symposium website at (http://www.warriorfamilysymposium.com/) www.warriorfamilysymposium.com.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Colleges Support Student Veterans
This fall, hundreds of thousands of student Veterans are heading back to school, and universities are responding by offering more services and support. To learn more, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/7962/co ... -veterans/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


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


10 Car Safety Features You Must Have
It's a scary scenario that occurs daily on American highways: You take your eyes off the road to adjust the air conditioner or change the radio station, unaware of the traffic jam up ahead. By the time you look up, it's too late to stop. Or is it? (http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos/ ... ESRC=mr.nl) Find out which high-tech features you should look for when shopping for a new vehicle.


New Battleship Tour for Groups
The Battleship North Carolina's Professional Military Education (PME) Program in Wilmington, N.C. offers interested military groups and NJROTC a three-hour program consisting of rotating small groups through a series of presentations and shipboard exploration. The PME program is offered weekdays, October through May and must be scheduled four to six weeks in advance. A minimum of 15 participants are required with a maximum of 48 participants. Fee is $15 per person and does not include ship admission. Confirmation requires pre-payment and a signed contract. Cancellations must be received 48 hours in advance for a full refund, less than 48 hour cancellation receives no refund. For more information, visit the Battleship North Carolina website at (http://www.battleshipnc.com) www.battleshipnc.com or (http://Facebook.com/ncbb55) Facebook.com/ncbb55 and (http://Twitter.com/battleshipnc) Twitter.com/battleshipnc.


AF Recovering Airmen Mentorship Program
The Recovering Airmen Mentorship Program (RAMP) connects wounded, injured or ill Airmen who are well along in their recovery with those who are just beginning the journey. The RAMP provides each recovering Airman with a personal wingman they can reach out to for help and understanding, and can also benefit spouses by pairing them with spouse mentors. Recovering Airmen interested in getting involved as a mentor and Airmen on the road to recovery, who just want to talk to someone who has "been there," can contact their regional care coordinator or the Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care office at 210-395-7121or DSN 969-7121. For more information about wounded warrior programs and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Servicemembers Overdue for Vaccine
Active duty personnel are currently due or overdue for a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis, or Tdap, vaccine according to their Individual Medical Readiness reports. The pertussis component in the vaccine is commonly known as "whooping cough." As of October 2011, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines recommend that adults and adolescents without record of a previous Tdap should receive a Tdap irrespective of the date of their last tetanus vaccine. This population also includes women in late 2nd trimester or 3rd trimester of pregnancy, as well as patients over the age of 64 who will come into contact with an infant. For more information, visit the (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/com ... T/tdap.htm) CDC Combined Tdap Vaccine website.
For more on military medical benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


AF Initializes New E-Board System
The Air Force selection board process recently began using an electronic record scoring system for line for the Air Force captains and major and lieutenant colonel medical service corps boards. The electronic Board Operations Support System (eBOSS) allows board members to score digital personnel records. Multiple board members will also be able to access the same records at the same time to make the board process more efficient. Officials will implement eBOSS incrementally as interfaces are developed for existing promotion and vectoring systems. For more information about the selection board process and other personnel programs, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


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 -- (http://www.amazon.com/The-Military-Adva ... 1591143934) Pay, TRICARE, VA Loans, GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, Transition, Family Benefits and More.


TRICARE on Preparing for Emergencies
September is National Preparedness Month. TRICARE urges beneficiaries to stay prepared for tropical storms, hurricanes, and other emergencies. In the case of evacuations, the TRICARE pharmacy program may authorize early refills for prescriptions. The TRICARE disaster information page at (http://www.tricare.mil/disasterinfo) www.tricare.mil/disasterinfo offers updated with TRICARE announcements along with handy lists of what people may need to access health care. Contact numbers for health care support can be found at the TRICARE Contacts webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/contacts) www.tricare.mil/contacts. Information and tips on disaster preparedness can be found at the Department of Homeland Security website at (http://www.ready.gov) www.ready.gov while the National Hurricane Center offers the latest news at (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) www.nhc.noaa.gov.
For more on TRICARE, including guides to all TRICARE options, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


Pay Charts: How Much Could You Make?
The President signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act into law that includes an across-the-board 1.6 percent pay increase for 2012. View the (http://www.military.com/military/benefi ... RC=mrvr.nl) 2012 Military Pay Charts to see what you'd make with a promotion or at your next duty station.
Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Benefits Section to get information on TRICARE, Pay, BAH, VA Benefits, Veteran Benefits and more.


$300k Protection Starting at $22 a Month
Give Your family the gift of financial security. Get $300k protection for as low as $22 a Month. Because (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=mr.nl) tomorrow is never guaranteed.


Army Newspaper Goes Online
The U.S. Army Japan's official command information publication, the Rising Sun newspaper, is becoming an online-exclusive news site. The Sept. 20 issue will be the final printed edition of the "Rising Sun," after which all news and feature content from throughout U.S. Army Japan and its tenant units will be hosted at the new Rising Sun webpage at (http://www.army.mil/RisingSun) www.army.mil/RisingSun on the Army's official website. The new webpage is already live and features links to more than a dozen of the most recent articles and videos produced by journalists and broadcasters assigned to Honshu and Okinawa. The intent is for the Rising Sun page to become the new go-to source for informative, engaging and timely news on the Army in Japan. For more information, visit the Army's Home in the Land of the Rising Sun webpage at (http://www.army.mil/RisingSun) www.army.mil/RisingSun.
For Army news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


DoD Issues New Travel Policy
Beginning October 1, 2012, any travel authorization that includes air travel must be approved and ticketed at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled flight departure to avoid airline reservations from being cancelled. Under the new policy, if an Authorizing Official (AO) does not approve an authorization within 72 hours of departure, the airline reservation will be cancelled and the traveler will arrive at the airport without a ticket or a reservation in the airline's system. This applies to all City Pair and non-contract government flights that are either booked through DTS or through a Commercial Travel Office (CTO). If airline reservations are cancelled, a traveler will be notified via email or phone by their Commercial Travel Office. For more information, visit the (http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/142387) General Services Administration website to read the FAQs.
For more military travel guides and discounts, visit the (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home) Military.com Travel Center.


Navy Innovators Guide
The Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) has published "The Innovator's Guide" to the Navy's junior leaders facilitate the transformation of good ideas into real warfighting capabilities. The guide provides advice on how to identify and define problems that need solving, proven techniques for finding creative solutions, and how to move these ideas through a large organization to drive towards implementation. The Innovator's Guide is available on the (https://www.nwdc.navy.mil/default.aspx) Navy Warfare Development Command website. Videos and transcripts from NWDC's Maritime Innovation Symposium and Junior Leader Innovation Symposium are also available at the website.
For Navy news updates, 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.


Army, Navy Suicide Prevention Awareness
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the Army and Navy are using the month as a launch pad to focus on their ongoing suicide prevention efforts. Resources will be available all month to guide discussion on stress navigation and suicide prevention concepts. Tools and resources are available on the Navy Personnel Command Suicide Prevention webpage at (http://www.suicide.navy.mil) www.suicide.navy.mil, the (http://www.navynavstress.com) NavyNavStress.com website, and the (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/iss ... 2011-09-06) Army Stand-To! Website. For immediate assistance, servicemembers and family members can contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline/Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Report Looks at Combat Stress
Research from the Netherlands as found that stress from combat changes activity in soldiers' brains, compromising their ability to focus attention. In the study, Dutch veterans who served with NATO in Afghanistan showed declines in working memory and their capacity to sustain attention in tests done about a month and a half after they arrived home. The structural changes mostly disappeared 18 months after the soldiers ended active duty. The abstract of the study are reported in the (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/ ... 9.abstract) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


TRICARE/Walgreens Update
Although Express Scripts and Walgreens have reached a new network agreement for participation in one of Express Scripts networks, TRICARE has decided that Walgreens will remain designated as a non-network pharmacy provider for TRICARE beneficiaries. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ricare-rx/) Read more in the Military Advantage Blog.