Military Report - Week of June 10, 2013

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Military Report - Week of June 10, 2013

New Navy Online Career Navigator
The Navy is bringing together all enlisted career management policies, processes and multiple information technology systems under the umbrella of the Career Navigator program in order to provide Sailors with tools and information to plan and execute their career decisions. Beginning June 3, Sailors will receive results of reenlistment applications earlier and the process will align with orders negotiation. Sailors will also have more time to apply for orders through the Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID), in the Reenlistment Career Waypoint for active duty. To learn more about the Career Navigator program, Sailors may speak with their chain of command or call NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, (1-866-827-5672).


Navy Improves Global Weather Predictions
The Navy has adopted a new global weather forecasting model with the support of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The Naval Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) became fully operational this spring, and today serves as a cutting-edge prediction system for Navy planners who depend on reliable weather forecasts. The Navy's Fleet Numerical and Meteorology and Oceanography Center, which provides meteorological data to U.S. Forces, switched over to NAVGEM in March. It is being used to provide detailed, accurate global forecasts up to10 days out. The new system could inform Navy operations for years to come.


Top 10 Military Employers
Forbes, with a research assist from Payscale.com, analyzed companies that employ a large number of veterans and also have jobs available that match military skills and experience -- specifically, skilled labor positions. Top 10 include: Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Department of Defense, BAE Systems, CSC, CACI International and Boeing. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the full report on Military.com.
Security Clearance Wanted: Companies across the nation want your military skills and are paying top salaries for them. (http://content.military.com/newsletters ... rvr0610.nl) Search for Security Cleared Jobs on Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Jobs on Military.com with employers seeking military experience.


House Committee Balks at TRICARE Hikes
On June 5, the House Armed Services Committee voted on the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act mark up - their edited version of the bill to authorize funding the DoD in FY 2014. The full committee voted 59 - 2 to forward their marked up version of the NDAA to the House floor for a final vote. The HASC version omits the DoD proposed TRICARE fee hikes. The FY2014 NDAA now heads to the floor for House vote. Once the bill passes the full House the ball will be in the Senate's court.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... are-hikes/) Get more details on the Military Advantage Blog.


AAFES to Giveaway 60' Smart TV
Now through June 25, Army and Air Force Exchange Service online shoppers can enter to win a Sharp 60" 3-D LED Smart TV valued at $1199 by visiting the Exchange's Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/AAFES.BX.PX/ap ... 6087836710) https://www.facebook.com/AAFES.BX.PX/ap ... 6087836710 . Only one entry is allowed per person during the contest period. Also, shop online at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) www.shopmyexchange.com for savings on apparel, technology, home goods and more. Online purchases of $49 and above ? or paying with the MILITARY STAR(R) card ? always qualifies orders for free shipping.


AF Inter-American Squadron Opportunity
Air Force active-duty captains proficient in Spanish may be eligible to attend the Inter-American Squadron Officer School. Commander endorsed applications are due July 26, and interested Airmen are advised to start their applications early. Captains from any Air Force specialty code are eligible if they have between 4-7 years of total active federal commissioned service as of course start date, have the required Spanish language proficiency levels, and meet physical fitness standards. SOS completion by distance learning is also recommended. AFPC and IAAFA will host a webinar at (https://connect.dco.dod.mil/r13749722) https://connect.dco.dod.mil/r13749722 June 21, 9 a.m., to provide more information about the program. For more information about ISOS, visit the myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil/) https://mypers.af.mil and enter "PSDM 13-50" in the search window.


State Veteran's Benefits
Many states offer veterans benefits. These benefits may include educational grants and scholarships, special exemptions or discounts on fees and taxes, home loans, veteran's homes, free hunting and fishing privileges, and more.
Each state manages its own benefit programs. (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit Military.com to see a list of links to the websites for each of the individual states that offer veterans benefits.
Your VA Loan Benefit is worth $417,000 and can be used to buy a home with $0 down or to streamline refinance. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0610.nl) Search for lenders who can help you use your benefit.
(http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Benefits Channel to get straight forward info on Military Pay, TRICARE, GI Bill, VA Loans, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Veteran Health Care and More.


Spouses React to Attack on Benefits
A Washington Post article on the cost of military benefits has created a firestorm of comments on () spouse blogs all over the country. Many are asking if the reporter actually believes our servicemembers and military families are a liability to the American taxpayer and how can so many untruths can get printed in one of the nation's largest newspapers? A recent blog post on the Military Officers Association of America website pointed out that personnel costs are not overwhelming the budget; they remained at the same 30% ratio for the last 30 years. MOAA is encouraging our readers to join them in (http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=62483121) sending the correct facts to Congress.
Read the entire ' (http://moaablogs.org/spouse/2013/06/put ... -up-a-pen/) Put Down the Ketchup, Pick Up a Pen' post on MOAA's (http://moaablogs.org/spouse/) Making it in MilLife(r) Blog. And, Amy Bushatz ' (http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2013/06/an-o ... aters.html) Military Benefit Haters' article on the (http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2013/06/an-o ... aters.html) Spouse Buzz blog on (http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school) Military.com.


Navy Stresses Need for Sponsorship
As Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season is almost here, Navy Personnel Command (NPC) officials are reminding leadership of the importance of command sponsorship. Sponsors are volunteers who assist new arrivals before PCS and after reporting aboard as the Sailor become familiar with the new command and duty station. Sponsors help with check-in procedures and ensure Sailors and their families are familiar with local medical and dental treatment facilities, TRICARE, housing availability, temporary lodging, and local customs. Anyone wishing to become a sponsor should talk to their command sponsor coordinator and read OPNAVINST 1740.3C on the NPC website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil.


Reduced-Age Retirement for Guard, Reserve
More reserve-component Soldiers may now be eligible to receive retirement pay before 60, if they meet certain criteria. Soldiers can now count 90 days of their tour toward 90 days earlier retirement for each fiscal year deployed. The new categories include reserve-component Soldiers who are activated to respond to national emergencies and those in warrior transition units who were hurt while mobilized for such responses. Soldiers should check their mobilization orders or their DD-214 discharge paper and see if it lists any one of the following Title 10 or Title 32 U.S. Codes annotated: 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(h), 12302, 12304, 12305 or 12306. Soldiers can receive eligibility information by calling the Army's Human Resources Command at 502-613-8950.


Navy Announces Specialty Career Board
The U.S. Navy is accepting applications from eligible officers for the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY 14) Specialty Career Path (SCP) Program, which provides officers alternatives to the traditional command-at-sea-career path and supports demand for senior unrestricted line officer expertise in growing mission areas. The FY 14 SCP Selection Board will be held July 22 - 26 at Navy Personnel Command (NPC). Applications must be received at NPC no later than Friday, June 21. For more information, contact your detailer or visit the Navy Personnel Command's Specialty Career Path webpage at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/o ... fault.aspx) http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/o ... fault.aspx.


What Would You Make with a Promotion? Calculate Your Pay
Use the Military.com Pay Calculator to see what you'd make with a promotion or at your next duty station. (http://www.military.com/apps/reg/milita ... RC=mrvr.nl) Calculate by rank, location or duty.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... harts.html) View 2013 Pay Charts and BAH & COLA Information on Military.com.


Navy's New 21st Century Sailor Office
Effective June 1, Navy headquarters staff realigned in support of the establishment of 21st Century Sailor office. The office is responsible for the integration of the Navy's objectives for equal opportunity, Sailor personal and family readiness; physical readiness; substance abuse prevention; suicide prevention; sexual harassment and sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR), hazing prevention, and transition assistance. The 21st Century Sailor office was created through a realignment of existing Navy resources as part of the recommendations from Task Force Resilient. The realignment will be completed prior to January 2014. The Task Force Resilient report is available at (http://www.navy.mil/docs/TaskForceResil ... Report.pdf) http://www.navy.mil/docs/TaskForceResil ... Report.pdf.


Stolen Valor Act Becomes Law
On June 3, President Barack Obama signed into law The American Legion-backed Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which now makes it a "federal crime for an individual to fraudulently hold oneself out to be a recipient of any of several specified military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit." Violators could face up to a year in prison. The U.S. Supreme Court had overturned the original Stolen Valor Act of 2005, deeming it unconstitutional because it was, in the justices' opinion, too broad in scope and violated the right of free speech. A summary and the text of the Act are available on the Congress.gov website at (http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-con ... e-bill/258) http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-con ... e-bill/258.


Navy Benefits for Domestic Partners
According to a recent Navy News report, the Navy will begin training leadership and support elements to be ready to provide military benefits to same-sex domestic partners of servicemembers and their children. Domestic partners will be eligible for benefits in August August 31.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... x-couples/) Read the full story on the Military Advantage blog.


Navy Completes Virtual Education Survey
A recent online survey conducted by Navy Personnel Research, Studies and Technology (NPRST) indicate the Virtual Education Center (VEC) is providing a high level of service to the fleet. Open Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. Until 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the VEC is staffed by academic advisors who will answer questions and process requests pertaining to all facets of the Navy's voluntary education programs. For more information about the Virtual Education Center, visit the Navy College Program website at (https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/) https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/. For more information about the Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD), visit the CPPD webpage at (https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cppd/) https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cppd/.


Tips on Financing a College Education
The Department of Defense is encouraging parents and students to consider various strategies for financing college education. Here are some tips: Research scholarship and student aid opportunities early on, including use of the provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows servicemembers to transfer their benefit to family members. Resources such as the Military OneSource website and personal financial managers on installations offer information ideas on other resources, such as a tax-deferred savings account for higher learning colleges and vocational schools. Also, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website offers a "Know Before You Owe" webpage at (http://www.consumerfinance.gov/knowbeforeyouowe/) http://www.consumerfinance.gov/knowbeforeyouowe/ to help untangle student loan facts.
(http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school) Find other resources for paying for college ? visit the Military.com Education Center.


New AF Recruiting Campaign
The Air Force Recruiting Service is currently developing an ad campaign to teach young adults about cool career opportunities in the Air Force community, with the goal to inspire young people to join the Air Force. They also plan to demonstrate that the Air Force offers the same science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities as the private sector. Teenagers and students will be encouraged to pursue Air Force STEM careers. Much of the ad campaign will be housed on an interactive website where users can walk through a scenario about a current industry and Air Force-wide issue and attack the problem using creative thinking and problem solving skills. The new website will be launched this summer.


DoD Expands Safe Helpline
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced the launch of The Safe HelpRoom, which was created in response to Safe Helpline users who identified a need for peer support services. The new service allows victims of sexual assault to participate in group chat sessions to connect with and support one another in a moderated secure online environment at (https://safehelpline.org/) SafeHelpline.org. A moderator is also available. Safe HelpRoom sessions will begin immediately and are available twice weekly in two-hour sessions. The session schedule can be found at (https://safehelpline.org/) SafeHelpline.org . For more information regarding DoD SAPRO and DoD Safe Helpline/Safe HelpRoom, visit the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response website at (http://www.sapr.mil) http://www.sapr.mil.


Exchanges Change Airmen Uniforms
As the Air Force transitions from the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) to the Rip-Stop Airman Battle Uniform (RABU), the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) will no longer be able to order the ABU once the Defense Logistics Agency's stock is depleted and will sell only the RABU. While the ABUs will still be authorized for wear, they will not be carried in Exchange Military Clothing Stores. Military members can access the Exchange's Military Clothing Store at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) www.shopmyexchange.com by clicking "Military Clothing Store" under the Store Locator link at the bottom of the page or locate the nearest Military Clothing brick-and-mortar-location through the Store Locator link at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeStores/) http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeStores/.


Hertz Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with a company that can provide endless opportunity and a career path that lets you choose where you want to be. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... mrvr.nl%20) Read More.


Rent vs. Own with a VA Loan
Rock-bottom home prices and low interest rates help make owning a home with a VA loan more affordable than renting. (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... mrvr.nl%20) Read More.


$200k Protection: from $14 a Month
SGLI isn't enough. Get $200k additional coverage from $14 a month. Protect your family's future with affordable life insurance coverage. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =0610mr.nl) Get Low Cost Coverage Today.


New NPC Service Center E-mail Address
The Navy Personnel Command (NPC) Customer Service Center (CSC) has created an encrypted e-mail account at (mailto:CSCEMAIL@navy.mil) CSCEMAIL@navy.mil, which can be used for general inquiry questions and routine correspondence, such as record request inquiries, FITREP/EVAL (Fitness Report/Evaluation) questions, detailer and Career Management System-Interactive Detailing information, or any e-mail containing personally identifiable information (PII). The old e-mail account will be phased out. The e-mail account (mailto:CSCSELBOARD@navy.mil) CSCSELBOARD@navy.mil remains available to receive encrypted correspondence to selection boards. For more information, call 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672) or for the hearing impaired, dial 1-866-297-1971.


Some AF Civilians Exempt from Furloughs
The Air Force has announced that civilian employees whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the recent Oklahoma tornadoes will be "excepted" from administrative furlough. Air Force leaders made the decision to invoke Alternate Safe Haven Authorities, which prohibits furlough by law. The Department of Defense intends to start up to 11-days of civilian furloughs July 8 to address budget cuts forced by sequestration.


TRICARE Dental Program
Planning dental care treatment for the summer can be beneficial for both children and adults. Children will not miss school to go to checkups and long-term treatment plans can begin before school starts. The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is a voluntary, premium-based dental plan that offers comprehensive dental coverage for families of active duty servicemembers, families of active Guard and Reserve servicemembers and active Guard and Reserve servicemembers who are not covered by Transitional Assistance Management Program after serving on active duty service for more than 30 days. Many diagnostic and preventive services offered at no charge. For information about TDP eligibility, enrollment and costs, visit the TRICARE Dental webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/Dental.aspx) www.tricare.mil/dental or download the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit booklet.