Military Report - Week of April 22, 2013

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Military Report - Week of April 22, 2013

Military Benefits and Transition Guide
The 2013 Military Advantage is packed with updated benefit information and helpful tips to ease your transition as well as take advantage of your existing benefits like, Pay, TRICARE, VA Health Care, VA Loans, GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, Veterans Benefits, Spouse and Family Programs, and More. (http://www.amazon.com/Military-Advantag ... +Advantage) Get your copy today.


Navy Equal Opportunity Database
The Navy Equal Opportunity (EO) Office has created the first centralized database within the Navy to track military Equal Opportunity formal and informal complaints. The Military Equal Opportunity Network (MEONet) at (http://www.navymeo.net) www.navymeo.net is a standalone online web-based program that standardizes, tracks and reports administrative actions associated with the primary duties of Equal Opportunity Advisors and Command Managed Equal Opportunity Program Managers. Equal Opportunity Advisor and Equal Opportunity Program Manager accounts for MEONet will be created by the Navy EO Office. For more information on Navy Equal Opportunity, visit the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/s ... fault.aspx) Navy Personnel Command website.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Secretary's Sequester Warnings
With members of Congress continuing to express concern about the impact of sequestration on the military, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus told the House Armed Services Committee on April 16, 2013 that the Navy and Marine Corps will be able to meet their current and future missions only with proper resourcing. Gen. James. F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, suggested that at some point, such cuts could undercut the rationale for having the Marine Corps, which is on a path to shrink from just over 202,000 Marines to 182,100. Statements from witnesses at the hearing are available on the (http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cf ... a7592015c9) House Armed Services Committee website.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


GI Bill Update: Transferability Rules
The Army announced a change to the service obligation requirements for Post-9/11 GI Bill transferability that will require those with over 20 years of service to obligate to an additional four years if they wish to transfer their benefits. Under DoD policy, servicemembers in the retirement window were initially grandfathered, but the four-year requirement waiver has been gradually phased out. But, the change is not just an Army policy; all the services are planning to sunset the retirement waiver by Aug 1, 2013. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... cy-update/) Read the Military Advantage Blog to get all the details.


Navy CPOs to Review Advancement Exams
Active duty Navy chief petty officers (E7-E9) are being sought to participate in the 2013 Advancement Examination Readiness Reviews (AERR). Depending on the number of ratings covered, AERR panels are one to two weeks in length and held throughout the year. Participants will receive temporary additional duty (TAD) orders from their parent command. Nominations to attend an AERR must be endorsed. Additional information, including the latest AERR schedule and application details, can be found in NAVADMIN 095-13 on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/r ... N2013.aspx) Navy Personnel Command website. Application forms and additional requirements are available on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/r ... N2013.aspx) Navy Advancement Center website. Application forms and additional requirements are available on the (https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/career ... mentcenter) Navy Advancement Center website. The AERR point of contact is Peter Pappas at (850) 452-1001, option 3, ext. 2203, DSN 922.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


TRICARE and Immunizations
Children and adults still get diseases that are preventable with vaccines. TRICARE beneficiaries are covered for age-appropriate, CDC-recommended vaccines. TRICARE's expanded retail pharmacy vaccine program lets beneficiaries to get covered vaccines ( (http://www.tricare.mil/vaccines) www.tricare.mil/vaccines) at participating network pharmacies at no cost. Beneficiaries can find a participating network pharmacy online at (http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy) www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy or by calling 1-877-363-1303. Beneficiaries can also get vaccines from any TRICARE-authorized provider, but copayments or cost shares apply for office visits. For more information on TRICARE's coverage of vaccines, visit the TRICARE immunizations webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/immunizations) www.tricare.mil/immunizations.
For guides to all TRICARE benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


VA Loan Entitlement
Know what your VA Loan entitlement means to you today. Most eligible borrowers start with enough VA loan entitlement to finance a home of up to $417,000. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Learn the calculation needed to compute your entitlement depending on location.


Pinkerton Is Hiring Veterans
Pinkerton Government Services, Inc. has more than 4,000 security officers, allowing us to provide thousands of quality security solutions. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Featured Discount: Military Gear
Up to 50% off lifestyle, outdoor & tactical gear. Shop premium brands on GovX.com at prices not available to the public. (https://www.govx.com/milcom?gxweba=mili ... ortapril13) Shop over 10,000 products!


FRA Pushes Congress for Full Pay Raises
The Fleet Reserve Association spoke before the Senate Armed Services' Personnel Subcommittee, sharing the concerns about the impact sequestration and other budget cuts will have on active duty personnel and military retirees. FRA voiced strong support for military pay raises that reflect the full Employment Cost Index (ECI) that would garner a 1.8-percent increase for FY 2014, rather than the reduced increase (one percent) proposed in the Administration's FY 2014 budget. To read FRA's full statement, visit (http://www.fra.org/testimony) www.fra.org/testimony.
For more updates on military pay and other benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage Blog.


AF Looks at Proposed 2014 Budget
Upon release of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2014 budget here April 10, the services' senior leaders said the shadow of sequestration in 2013 and on-going fiscal uncertainty will affect critical programs and objectives for years to come. According to Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, the FY14 operation and maintenance budget request funds flying operations, space operations, cyber operations, intelligence, logistics, nuclear deterrence, search and rescue and special operations activities. More information on the budget proposals for all services is available on the Department of Defense (http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2013/0413_budget/) FY 2014 Budget Proposal webpage. Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined (http://www.defense.gov/news/2014budget.pdf) online. For more information and to view the entire FY 2014 budget proposal, visit (http://www.budget.mil) www.budget.mil and download the "FY 2014 Budget Request Overview Book." Budget-related transcripts are available at (http://www.defense.gov/transcripts) www.defense.gov/transcripts.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Restarts Tuition Assistance
The Air Force has officially restarted military tuition assistance, effective immediately. Congress called for the MTA program to continue in the current fiscal year. U8i7As a result of the restart, the program will resume the same benefits as before. Airmen are eligible for up to $4,500 per fiscal year and a maximum of $250 per semester hour or quarter hour equivalent to cover tuition and allowable fees. Military tuition assistance is not available retroactively to cover courses taken and paid for using any other funding source during the suspension of military tuition assistance.
For more guides and updates on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


AF Reserve Celebrates Anniversary
The Air Force Reserve recently celebrated 65 years of historic service on April 14, 2013. President Harry S. Truman signed legislation on April 14, 1948, establishing the modern-day Air Force Reserve. This came seven months after Truman established the fledgling U.S. Air Force as a separate service from the Army in the aftermath of World War II. The Air Force Reserve consists of officers, enlisted and civil servants who are tasked by law to fill the needs of the armed forces whenever more units and people are required than are in the Regular Air Force. More than 860,000 people make up the Ready, Standby, Retired and Active Duty Retired Reserve. For more information on the history of the Air Force Reserve, visit the Air Force Reserve Command History webpage at (http://www.afrc.af.mil/library/history/) www.afrc.af.mil/library/history/.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


TRICARE and New Emergency Centers
TRICARE beneficiaries may have noticed new kinds of "Emergency Centers" popping up in their area. Free-standing emergency rooms (ER) that are not affiliated with a hospital may not be TRICARE-authorized, which can leave a beneficiary stuck with a big bill. Beneficiaries need to "know before you go." Check a free-standing ER's TRICARE status -- before emergency care is needed. Beneficiaries can check if a provider is TRICARE-authorized by calling their regional contractor. Contact information for regional contractors is available on the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil/contactus) www.tricare.mil/contactus. All TRICARE network providers are also searchable at (http://www.tricare.mil/findaprovider) www.tricare.mil/findaprovider. Learn more about emergency care under TRICARE on the TRICARE Emergency Care webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/emergency) www.tricare.mil/emergency.
For guides to all TRICARE benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


Dress for Success for Your Civilian Life
Mens Warehouse offers a free guide on how to determine what to look for in a suit. Giving tips on jacket length or the difference between double down and double breasted find out what suit is (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... RC=mrvr.nl) the right fit for you today.


TRICARE Rx Co-Pays to Climb
Defense officials have a 10-year plan to boost co-payments on military family members and retirees who use TRICARE retail and mail order pharmacies. For example, the current $17 co-pay collected at retail outlets for 30-day prescriptions of brand name drugs found on the military formulary would double to $26 on Oct. 1. The retail co-pay then would be increased by $2 every October through 2017 and possibly for five years longer because budget document refers to a 10-year phase-in plan.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/0 ... ecade.html) Read the full Military Update article on Military.com to learn more about the DoD's plan.


A Guide to Long-Term Care
In response to the needs of the growing number of aging veterans, VA has developed an online (http://www.va.gov/geriatrics/guide) Guide to Long Term Care, which includes decision aids -- the Shared Decision Making Worksheet for Veterans and the Caregiver Self-Assessment -- to help veterans and their family members consider long term care options. The Guide was developed by a team of health educators and geriatric specialists and reviewed by older veterans and their caregivers. VA social workers are already using the Guide and decision aids to help Veterans make more informed decisions about long term care. The Guide to Long Term Care is available on the VA website at (http://www.va.gov/geriatrics/guide) www.va.gov/geriatrics/guide.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


AF Every Dollar Counts Campaign
With budgets shrinking, Air Force leaders are calling on Airmen to share their best money-saving ideas through the Every Dollar Counts campaign. In the wake of sequestration, the initiative marks a cultural shift that empowers Airmen to find and recommend areas for savings that may be used to support readiness needs. Beginning May 1, Airmen can submit their cost-reducing ideas via the Airmen Powered by Innovation websites while at home, the office or on their smartphone. Links to those sites will be released soon. Both uniformed and civilian Air Force members can participate in the month-long open call for ideas and share their creative and efficient ways to save money and time. Airmen should submit their ideas regardless of the idea's potential savings.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Financial Planning for Sailors
With tax season at a close, now is a good time for Sailors to review their personal finances and set goals for the future. Here are some tips for creating a financial plan and setting goals: (1) develop a budget: (2) start an allotment -- decide how much to save and increase it with each promotion; (3) pay off debt; (4) plan for retirement -- contribute to a Traditional or Roth IRA throughout the year for increased savings; (5) know your credit report -- obtain a free credit report annually from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and verify, update, or dispute entries at (http://www.annualcreditreport.com) www.annualcreditreport.com. Seek assistance if needed -- become educated and do not hesitate to ask for help. For more information, contact your command financial specialist (CFS) or local Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC).
For more guides and tips on personal finance, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money Center.


Navy Memorial Honors Military Women
The United States Navy Memorial recently hosted the official kick-off of the Year of Military Women during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This is the first time the Navy Memorial will be honoring not only Navy women, but also the women who have, and still serve in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Senior leaders from each of the services, and members of congress attended the event and were able to get the first look at the collection of original uniforms worn by pioneering World War I Yeoman (F) and female Marines. Celebrations of the Year of Military Women will continue throughout the year and will include book signings, golf tournaments and symposiums. For more information visit the U.S. Navy Memorial website at www.navymemorial.org, or the Year of Military Women Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/YearofMilitaryWomen) www.facebook.com/YearofMilitaryWomen.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Secretary Discusses 2014 Budget
Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley presented his service's fiscal 2014 $114.1 billion baseline budget request to the House Armed Services Committee on April 12, 2013 and shared some of the fiscal challenges the Air Force has faced. Anticipating challenges due to sequestration, Donley said the Air Force took steps to cut back normal operations, including a civilian hiring freeze, canceling non-mission critical official travel and conferences and reducing major command and combatant command budgets by approximately 10 percent. Donley also noted the potential furlough of the Air Force's civilian work force would be "potentially devastating" to morale and would slow productivity. A webcast of the April 12, 2013 hearing is available on the (http://armedservices.granicus.com/ViewP ... ?view_id=2) House Armed Services Committee website in the Archived Webcasts section.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Is SGLI Enough? Get $100k Extra Coverage from $7 a Month
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Attend the Military.com Spouse Experience
Be a part of an event presented by military spouses for military spouses. Don't miss out on the Spouse Experience coming to Texas and Virginia April 26th and May 7th. The Military.com Spouse Experience has interactive group discussions on real-life topics plus giveaways/drawings (http://spousebuzz.com/military-spouse-e ... RC=mrvr.nl) and more!


New "Drone" Medal Eliminated
The Secretary of Defense has eliminated the Distinguished Warfare Medal. Instead, the military will recognize servicemembers who directly affect combat operations without being present through distinguishing devices that will be affixed to already existing awards. The undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness will develop the award criteria. The distinguishing devices can be affixed to awards at different levels, so, once written, the criteria for the awards will reflect that. The Department of Defense announced the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal Feb. 13, 2013, but Members of veterans' service organizations and others objected to the new medal.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... medal.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


Troops to Teachers
Placing veterans in the nation's classrooms to serve again is the goal for the Troops to Teachers program. The purpose of the Department of Defense program is to help eligible current and former military personnel begin new careers as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed. In addition to counseling and referral, state Troops to Teachers representatives help applicants identify teacher certification requirements for the state they wish to teach, programs leading to certification and employment opportunities in their state. Other state representatives will reach out to servicemembers earlier while they are still on active-duty and identify education requirements so that interested servicemembers may begin working toward their teaching certifications before leaving the service, enabling a smoother transition into teaching. Servicemembers can learn more about Troops to Teachers and locate a state representative at (http://www.proudtoserveagain.com) www.proudtoserveagain.com.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


How to Choose the Perfect Diamond
Expert Advice from Blue Nile. This is one of life's most important purchases and we want to you to be empowered by your decision. (http://www.military.com/ecomm/articles/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


2014 Thunderbird Selectees
The commander of Air Combat Command has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2014 demonstration season. A list of the officers is available on the (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344415) U.S. Air Force website. The team is still reviewing applications for the position of Thunderbird 9, the team's flight surgeon. The 12 officer positions on the team are two-year tours of duty. The year 2014 will mark the Thunderbirds' 61st season as the Air Force's premier jet demonstration team. From mid-March till mid-November, the team travels around the country and abroad. For more information, visit the (http://www.afthunderbirds.com/site) United States Air Force Thunderbirds website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.