Military Report - Week of September 09, 2013

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Military Report - Week of September 09, 2013

Navy Announces Holiday Mailing Dates
The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division has released its mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25 delivery of holiday cards, letters, and packages. The list of mail-by dates is available (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=76321) online. All classes of mail addressed to FPO/APO addresses must use the nine-digit ZIP code to ensure delivery. Check with your local post office to determine if Express Mail Military Service (EMMS), Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL), and Space Available Mail (SAM) services are available. Customers should check with their local civilian or military post office for information on size restrictions and possible need for customs declaration forms. Customers are advised that certain mail restrictions apply and some items cannot be mailed. Packages must not be mailed in boxes that have markings related to any type of hazardous material.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Staying Current With Vaccinations
People of all ages can protect their health by getting recommended vaccinations. Take a look at immunization schedules by age from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: (1) (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... child.html) Children (birth through age 6), (2) (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... -teen.html) Preteens and Teens (ages 7-18), and (3) (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... adult.html) Adults (ages 19 and older). Under the Affordable Care Act, (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... -benefits/) immunizations are a preventive service that will be covered by all plans within the (http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type ... rketplace/) Health Insurance Marketplace and by many other health insurance plans.
For more on health benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


TFL Retirees to Pay 80% of VA Health Care Costs
TRICARE for Life beneficiaries are being notified that as of October 1st, military retirees (over age 65) who receive care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility for non-service connected ailments will be required to pay the VA 80% of the TRICARE allowable charges. By law TRICARE, will only pay up to 20 percent. The remaining 80 percent is equal to the amount that Medicare would have paid if the beneficiary had used a Medicare certified provider. For more details, read this (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ealth-care) Military Advantage blog post.


Suicide Prevention Resources
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All servicemembers, their families and friends should be aware of the Military Crisis Line, an immediate source of help that is confidential and anonymous. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week toll-free at 1-800-273-8255. In addition to the crisis phone line, help also is available through the Military Crisis Line's website at (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ActiveDuty.aspx) http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ActiveDuty.aspx, with access to counselors in person and through online chats and text messaging. DOD's suicide outreach website at (http://www.suicideoutreach.org/) http://www.suicideoutreach.org/ has a family guide that offers steps to take when someone is in crisis. Throughout the month, resources will be released on the Navy Personnel Command's Suicide Prevention webpage at (http://www.suicide.navy.mil) www.suicide.navy.mil . The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also offers resources (http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/) online, and the (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net) Veterans Crisis Line is available at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, or send a text message to 838255.
For more suicide prevention news and topics, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/military-suicide) Military.com Suicide Prevention Month section.


State Farm Committed to Hiring Veterans
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Deal of the Week: MS Office Pro Plus 2013 for $9.95
MS Office Pro Plus 2013 for $9.95 -- (http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/547742/cd184633) available to active duty members.


Navy to Distribute Coveralls
U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) and U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) will distribute flame-resistant coveralls to the shipboard Sailors beginning early next year. The Flame Resistant Variant (FRV) coverall will combine the existing blue utility coverall design with the flame-resistant fabric of the repair locker coverall. Every Sailor afloat will be outfitted with the FRV. The coverall is expected to maintain performance properties, durability and appearance for typical deployments of six to nine months, with an optimal wear life of 18-24 months. The FRV coveralls will be replaced by each ship over time based on normal wear and tear. The Navy is using available fleet funding to pay for this organizational clothing.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Requires Passport, VISA
Air Force military personnel sections must now ensure Airmen and family members have the proper clearance documents in hand prior to final out-processing. Otherwise departure is not authorized. Military personnel sections, passport agents and servicemembers must ensure Passport and VISA requirements are initiated within 15 days after completing their initial assignment briefing. Airmen projected to PCS overseas who are unsure about their passport and VISA requirements must visit their local military personnel section's relocation technicians. For more information about entry requirements visit Airmen must visit their local military personnel section or visit the (https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil) Foreign Clearance page to review the Foreign Clearance Guide. For information about assignment opportunities and other personnel issues, 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.


DoD Issues Same-sex Spouse ID Cards
Same-sex spouses of Air Force military members, eligible civilian employees and military retirees may now be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System by their sponsors and get their dependent identification card. Following a June 26 Supreme Court decision finding Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, Defense Department officials announced the plan to extend benefits to same-sex spouses. Airmen are encouraged to use the (https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil) online appointment scheduler or contact their nearest military personnel section to make an appointment for DEERS enrollment and ID cards. For information about benefits available to spouses, visit the myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil) https://mypers.af.mil and enter "ID Cards," or "DEERS" in the search window.
For more updates on military benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage Blog.


Exchanges Offer New Catalog
Exchange shoppers can find a full line of quality mattresses, pillows and sleeping accessories in the new Sleep 2013 catalog. The 36-page catalog includes top brands such as Serta, Sealy, Beautyrest and Tempur-Pedic. The Sleep 2013 Catalog is available at all main stores and online at (http://www.aafes.com/) shopmyexchange.com. Prices in this all-services catalog are valid through Dec. 31, 2013, for any authorized exchange customer. Orders can be placed by mail, fax or phone. Toll-free orders can be placed from the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam at 800-527-2345.
For more discounts for servicemembers, veterans and military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Military.com Discount Center.


Tips for Starting Right on a New Job
You got the job. Congratulations. Now what's your plan for the first 90 days at the new company? Making a positive first impression is especially important in this situation. Here are a few things to consider when starting a new job outside the military, courtesy of the ( http://www.moaa.org/Mrstartingrightjob/ ) Military Officers Association of America.
For veteran job postings, tips and guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


DoD Creates Spouse Network
The Defense Department has broadened its reach to military spouses looking for jobs through its new Spouse Ambassador Network. The new network is a partnership that comprises 200 businesses that pledged to hire military spouses plus several participating organizations. The network helps to prepare military spouses for employment by partnership members, and also mentors military spouses for careers. The organizations that are part of the network offer online networking for military spouses to talk to other military spouses to find out about opportunities, education and entrepreneurial opportunities. For more information, visit the (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/MOS/f? ... ,272130,10) Military OneSource website, the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities webpage at (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/seco) www.militaryonesource.mil/seco, and the White House Joining Forces webpage at (http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces) www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces.
For more military spouse news, opinions and guides, visit (http://spousebuzz.com/) Spousebuzz.


Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Military.com strives to share important information to our active duty, veteran and family audience that can help save lives. (http://www.military.com/topics/military ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Marines Announce Foreign Language Changes
The Marine Corps recently announced several changes to its newly-renamed Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) program. The FLPB program offers additional pay of up to 1000 dollars a month based on ability to listen, speak and read in multiple languages. The amount of money a Marine receives varies on the language and level of proficiency. To now receive pay, a Marine must reach at least an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level two in two of the three tested areas, speaking, reading and listening in the selected language. Another change only requires retesting every two years instead of one for those who score an (ILR) level three in both areas. For more information on available language study programs, contact your unit family readiness officer.
For more on military benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Air Force Changes Tuition Assistance
Airmen applying for tuition assistance (TA) in fiscal 2014 will see several changes in both eligibility for and administration of the program. The application window for classes beginning on or after Oct. 1 will not open until Sept. 9 to allow for system updates. This program is applicable to Guard and Reserve only when they are activated. Airmen who apply for TA will be required to obtain supervisor approval for all requests. Requests for TA for foreign language courses will only be approved if they are part of a degree or are on the approved language shortage list. TA requests from Airmen who have unfavorable information files, failed/overdue physical fitness testing, received referral performance reports or are on a control roster will automatically be denied. The fundamental financial benefits of TA are unchanged. Airmen should contact their base education office for more details or for assistance in applying.
For more updates on tuition assistance and other military benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage Blog.


AF Announces Entertainment Competition
The Air Force "U Got Talent" program features base-level competitions held around the world in September and October. Competitions are open to all active-duty Air Force members, their spouses and dependent children between 3 and 18 years old. Participants will compete for the title of "Best talent in the Air Force" and a chance to win $1000, and can enter any of 11 solo, duet or group categories. Bases will submit videos of their first and second place winners in each category to the Services entertainment division to compete at the Air Force level. Check with your local base community or youth center for your base competition date, requirements and award prizes. For more information about quality of life programs, visit the (https://www.usafservices.com) USAF Services website.
For more entertainment-related military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.


Resources for Wounded Warrior Families
Stars and Stripes recently listed several resources for families of Wounded Warrior families. The list is available on the (http://www.stripes.com/blogs/spouse-cal ... s-1.238760) Stars and Stripes website.
For more news on wounded warriors and wounded warrior benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warrior section.


Video Library: VA Home Loan FAQ's Answered
Do you have questions about the VA Home Loan process? Find answers to common VA loan questions (http://www.military.com/homebuying/ifre ... RC=mrvr.nl) here!


Humanitarian Reassignments For Airmen
The Air Force Personnel Center works to keep Airmen close to home during emergencies involving immediate family members. Reasons that may qualify an Airman for a humanitarian reassignment or deferment (with the member remaining in an assignment) are varied and include, but are not limited to, the terminal illness of a family member or the sexual abuse of the member, member's spouse or child, or issues involving a serious financial impact such as the loss of property through fire or natural disaster. For eligibility criteria and additional information regarding humanitarian and EFMP programs, Airmen should review (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 6-2110.pdf) Air Force Instruction 36-2110, Assignments, Attachment 24 (humanitarian) and Attachment 25 (EFMP). For more information, see your military personnel section or (https://mypers.af.mil/) visit myPers.


New Health Video Contest
Health and Human Services (HHS) and Young Invincibles have announced the Healthy Young America video contest in an effort to inform young people about health insurance coverage and new options under the Affordable Care Act. People can submit entries and vote for their favorite videos at the Healthy Young America website at (http://www.healthyyoungamerica.org/) www.healthyyoungamerica.org . Young people can access a variety of online health care tools now, through (http://www.healthcare.gov/) HealthCare.gov, and count on in-person help to get answers to their questions to help them enroll October 1. Young people can also use (http://www.healthcare.gov/) HealthCare.gov to join web chats or call toll free 1-800-318-2596, to get help from a trained customer service representative.
For more on health insurance, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/insurance) Military.com Money section.


Three Vehicle Safety Tips
The four most common causes of fatal vehicle accidents are driving without a seat belt, falling asleep at the wheel, driving too fast for conditions, and drinking and driving. More than 100,000 people are killed or injured each year in crashes attributed to a driver asleep at the wheel or driving while severely drowsy. Some ways to prevent drowsy driving include: (1) getting plenty of good, quality sleep; (2) avoid driving between midnight and 6 a.m.; take a break every two hours; and, if possible, drive with someone else who is awake in the passenger seat; and (3) if signs of fatigue begin to show, drive to a well-lit area to take a short nap. For more tips, visit the Safercar.gov website at (http://www.safercar.gov/SummerDrivingTips) www.safercar.gov/SummerDrivingTips.
For more auto tips and DIY guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos) Military.com Auto Center.


Yogurt Warning Issued
The U.S. Air Force is prohibiting the consumption by Airmen of a Chobani yogurt called "Blueberry Power Chobani Flip" because it contains hemp seeds and walnuts that can be mixed into the yogurt. (http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/t ... ducts.aspx) Air Force Instruction 44-120, paragraph 1.1.5, as well as AFI 44-121, paragraph 3.2.2 prohibits military members from ingesting any product, regardless of manufacturer, that contains or is derived from hemp seed or hemp seed oil, which may contain varying levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient of marijuana which is detectable under the Air Force Drug Testing Program. A good practice is to read product labels prior to consumption to see whether the product contains hemp seed or hemp seed oil.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Offers Joint Spouse Assignments
Air Force military members with same-sex active duty spouses are now eligible for joint spouse assignment consideration and those with a civilian same-sex spouse are now eligible for command sponsorship consideration. Before Airmen can be considered for join spouse or command sponsorship, they must complete the marriage-related updates in the Military Personnel Data System and the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. In addition, members with same-sex dependent spouses may now elect command sponsorship after assignment notification. For more information about assignment selection processes, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website and enter "assignments" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New Jersey to Hold Special Election
The recent passing of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg has resulted in a vacancy to be filled by the voters of New Jersey in a Special General Election for U.S. Senate scheduled for October 16, 2013. Vote-by-mail applications will be available to voters 45 days prior to each special election. Voters who already applied to receive Mail-In Ballots automatically for the remainder of this calendar year, will also receive Mail-In Ballots automatically for this special election. Likewise, those voters who are scheduled to receive Mail-In Ballots automatically for each November General Election will automatically receive a Mail-In Ballot for the Special October General Election. For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at (http://www.fvap.gov/) www.fvap.gov or contact your base's voting assistance officer (VAO).
To keep up with legislative issues that affect you and contact your local representatives, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislative Center.


Navy Same-sex Benefit Updates
The U.S. Navy has released information on one of its blogs that tells you what you need to know about same-sex spouse benefits. That information is available on the (http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/09/04/ ... -benefits/) U.S. Navy's Live Blog. As the Department of Defense (DoD0 and the Navy determine overseas assignment eligibility in different countries for same-sex spouses, updates will be posted on Navy Personnel Command's (http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/S ... fault.aspx) DADT Post Repeal webpage.
For more updates on military benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage Blog.


Marine Corps Seeks Coat Input
Marine Corps Systems Command is conducting a (https://usmcsurveys.natick.army.mil/) survey to ask Marines what they think of a black all-weather coat, or AWC. The coat would replace the current pewter AWC. The survey will continue through Sept. 27. The survey is (https://usmcsurveys.natick.army.mil/) available online to Marines with a common access card. The survey will allow Marines to view photos of both the pewter and black all-weather coat with different uniforms. The information they provide will remain confidential. The survey consists of five demographics questions followed by four AWC survey questions and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
For more Marine Corps news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Offers New Career Program
The Career Intermission Pilot Program (CIPP) is a continuum of service initiative that allows Sailors to take a break from active duty without permanently separating. CIPP provides eligible servicemembers a one-time temporary transition from active duty to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) for one to three years to pursue personal or professional growth outside the service and seamlessly transition back to active duty. During their time in the IRR, participants retain their full medical and dental benefits. Participants will also receive a small monthly living stipend. Sailors should refer to (http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/010 ... 330.2B.pdf) OPNAVINST 1330.2B for rules, eligibility, and application procedures. The Marine Corps is also opening up a similar program through 2015.
For veteran job postings, tips and guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


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MOAA: Don't Cut Military Pay
Military Officers Association of America President VADM Norb Ryan (USN-Ret) created this video to explain why you should care about the .8% cut in the military pay raise. We hope you will watch, use the link to take action by telling your legislators (especially Senators) what you think, and share! After all, tying military pay raises to private sector growth cannot work to sustain the all-volunteer force unless it's sustained through good and bad budget times. For more, see (http://www.youtube.com/embed/I_YM2SK23_U?rel=0) this video from MOAA.
For more updates on military benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage Blog.