Military Report - Week of January 20, 2014

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Military Report - Week of January 20, 2014

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Navy Defensive Driving Course
Naval District Washington (NDW) will offer "Alive at 25," a defensive driving course created by the National Safety Council to help young drivers adopt safer driving practices. The course is for drivers ages 15 to 24. The course is also accepted for either the initial or annual training requirement for military personnel under the age of 26 in (http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/050 ... 00.12J.pdf) OPNAVINST 5100.12J. The dates of the course are (1) 12 Feb NSA Annapolis and (2) 13 Feb JBAB. Students may register at the Navy Motorcycle Rider Training Registration webpage at (http://www.navymotorcyclerider.com) www.navymotorcyclerider.com, click "Search/Enroll in Traffic Training," select "Traffic Safety" and "National Safety Council Alive at 25" from the drop down boxes, then search within NDW for February to enroll.
For more auto safety and maintenance tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos) Military.com Auto Center.


New Sesame Street Book for Military Kids
The Department of Defense and Sesame Street have unveiled a book and DVD to develop resilience in young children. The new book "Little Children, BIG Challenges" lets military children know that challenges are a part of life. Whether a child struggles with sitting quietly at the dinner table, or faces a bully at school, the beloved Sesame Street characters can help. Also, a free Sesame Street phone app was recently launched on relocating. The app "The Big Moving Adventure," is in the top-five of apps for children younger than 5 years old. For more information, visit the (http://www.sesameworkshop.org/press-roo ... hallenges/) Sesame Workshop and the (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-big ... d740679545) App Store on iTunes.
For more news and reviews of military-related apps, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/best-apps) Military.com App page.


AF Seeks Pararescue Airmen
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard pararescue Airmen may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty. Extended active duty tours will be limited to one, two or three years. The program is open to certified instructors in the grade of senior master sergeant and below. Experienced 7-level pararescue Airmen are preferred, and a 5-level is the minimum requirement. For guidance on preparing and submitting the application package, qualified AFR or ANG pararescue instructors can contact their servicing military personnel section. For more information about the recall and application procedures, visit (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers and enter "Limited Period Recall Program (1T2X1 Pararescue)" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Veterans Sought for Career Training
A new Maryland-based nonprofit is recruiting for post-9/11 veterans to join a world-class I.T. training and career placement program. Up to 20 training slots are available for a three-month course that begins in Potomac, Maryland on March 3. Applications are due by close of business on Friday, January 31. The course is open to post-9/11 veterans of US military service, as well as civilians who served in war zones and qualified spouses. Preference will be given to those who are recently returned from war zones and are seeking their first post-separation opportunity. For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit the NS2 Serves website at (http://www.NS2Serves.org) www.NS2Serves.org.
For more veteran job news, national job and job fair listings, and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


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AF Finalizing 2014 RIF Boards
Details for implementation of two fiscal 2014 officer force management programs announced in December are being finalized to allow Air Force officials to release eligibility criteria. Details regarding the reduction in force board, coupled with voluntary separation pay, and the force shaping board are expected to be released within the next two weeks. This still allows an eligible officer a three-month window to apply for voluntary separation programs. The application window for other force management programs already announced, such as officer and enlisted Temporary Early Retirement Authority and enlisted voluntary separation pay, remain the same. To see all available FY14 force management programs, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website and enter FY14 Force Management Program in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


The Air Force Online Library
The online Air Force library offers resources such as electronic books, audio books, digital magazines, music, movies and much more. To access the online Air Force library click on the library tab on the Air Force Portal's navigation bar at (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp . To register and access the online programs available on the online library, visit the Air Force Portal at (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp and click on the word "Library" in the navigation bar, or visit your installation library. For more information about Air Force libraries and other quality of life programs, visit the USAF Services website at (http://www.usafservices.com) www.usafservices.com or My Air Force Life at (http://www.myairforcelife.com/) www.myairforcelife.com. For information about 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.


Current Navy Tuition Assistance Policy
The U.S. Navy recently outlined its current tuition assistance (TA) policy. Sailors will no longer be able to start classes before their TA applications are approved. Tuition Assistance will continue to offer coverage on 100 percent of tuition costs, not to exceed $250 per semester hour. Sailors must be at their first command for a full year before applying. In return, Sailors should turn in their TA paperwork in with plenty of time to have it approved. For more information, visit the (https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ta_info.aspx) Navy College website.


New Law Brings UCMJ Changes
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed recently requires sweeping changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, particularly in cases of rape and sexual assault. "These are the most changes to the Manual for Courts-Martial that we've seen since a full committee studied it decades ago," said Lt. Col. John L. Kiel Jr., the policy branch chief at the Army's Criminal Law Division in the Office of the Judge Advocate General. Key provisions of the UCMJ that were rewritten under the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2014 -- signed Dec. 26, 2013, by President Barack Obama -- are Articles 32, 60, 120 and 125. Details on the changes to each article are available on the (http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsAr ... stice.aspx) Marine Corps website. Congress could make even more changes that address sexual assaults in the military as early as this month (January, 2014).
For other related news on sexual assault, visit (http://www.military.com/topics/sexual-assault) Military.com's sexual assault section.


AAFES Homeward Bound Contest
In 2014, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service will be hosting a yearlong (http://shop.aafes.com/shop/Info/Dynamic ... ewardBound) "Homeward Bound" campaign to honor those who serve. To kick off the year, shoppers can enter the (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/11 ... 5/sizes/l/) Ashley Furniture giveaway from, Jan. 10 --Feb. 6. Three winners will receive a room of furniture valued at $1,500 each. To enter, shoppers can "like" the Exchange on (https://www.facebook.com/AAFES.BX.PX) Facebook and follow the contest rules. In addition to the contest, Ashley furniture will take 15% off any in-store and online item during the contest period.
For more discounts for servicemembers, military families, and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


Prepare Now For Tax Season
Tax season is approaching and servicemembers should begin gathering documentation to file their 2013 taxes. Visit (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com and (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/pfm?content_id=268827) Military OneSource website for tax filing resources, and to learn what will be necessary to file. You can also access much of the same information by calling toll-free 800-342-9647. The program is designed to address the unique tax requirements and issues affecting military personnel and their families. Reserve component members are eligible for the free service regardless of their activation status, as are veterans within 180 days of being discharged, retired or separated. Tax preparers at Military OneSource will do short-form tax filing free of charge for servicemembers and their families. Installations also offer volunteer income tax assistance to servicemembers and their families.


AF Portraits in Courage
The latest edition of an annual collection of heroic Airmen stories is slated to be released the first week of February. Portraits in Courage was designed to tell Airmen's stories of courage, valor and heroism. The new Volume 8 will be published on the (http://static.dma.mil/usaf/courage/) Portraits in Courage website. There will also be a limited print edition. Prior to the public release on Feb. 5, the selected Airmen featured in the new edition will be notified through their chain of command. To view previous editions of Portraits in Courage, visit the (http://static.dma.mil/usaf/courage/) Portraits in Courage website at (http://static.dma.mil/usaf/courage/) http://static.dma.mil/usaf/courage/ (http://static.dma.mil/usaf/courage/) .
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Tips for Avoiding Landlord Hassles
There are several steps tenants can take to ensure tenancy is as dispute-free as possible: (1) before signing a lease, read it thoroughly and ask questions when needed. Never assume the landlord will allow tenants to do things not in the lease; (2) when reading the lease, look for military clauses that conform to the servicemembers' Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This clause protects military members from possibly forfeiting their security deposit and owing future rent upon receipt of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or Temporary Duty (TDY) orders during tenancy; (3) when making changes to the lease, ask the landlord to revise the lease or create an addendum; (4) when signing a lease, the military member's name must be on the lease to obtain full protection under SCRA; (5) during move-in and again when moving out, take photos of the property before bringing in furniture. Seek legal advice anytime you are concerned about a lease, or if a dispute arises during your tenancy.
For more tips on moving into a new home and PCS, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS section.


Efforts to Fix Retiree COLA
Congress passed a $1.1 trillion Continuing Resolution spending plan that would fund the government through September. It is expected that the Senate will do the same. The CR could protect disabled retirees and some surviving spouses from the one percent COLA reduction that was signed into law last year and is planned to go into effect next year.
The rollback of the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -retirees/) 1% COLA reduction will only provide relief for medical retirees (those retired under chapter 61) and surviving spouses who receive an annuity (SBP). (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -the-mark/) Read more on this subject.


TRICARE Ends Walk-in Services
TRICARE military health plan service centers will end administrative walk-in services in the U.S. on April 1. TRICARE service centers overseas are not affected. Customers who need the type of assistance that was being done in these walk-in service centers can quickly and efficiently receive help online or via phone. Beneficiaries can get more information and sign up for updates at the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil/tsc) www.tricare.mil/tsc.
For more on TRICARE benefits, visit Military.com's (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) TRICARE section.


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USAF Supplemental Promo List
One hundred enlisted Airmen have been selected for promotion via the supplemental promotion process. Airmen on the supplemental list tested outside of their required cycle because of an extended temporary duty assignment or deployment in support of a contingency. To see the list, visit the (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) Air Force Portal and select the promotion news link, or visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers, enter "Active Duty: Enlisted Promotions Home Page" in the search window, select the page and scroll down to the supplemental promotion section.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New Army OER System
Beginning April 1, officers from across the Army will be subject to a new officer evaluation report system (OER). The new system will increase rater accountability and reflect current Army leadership doctrine. One of the changes in the new system is the inclusion of three different forms, or "grade plates," with each being aimed a different subset of the officer corps. The company-grade plate will be used to evaluate company-grade officers, warrant officers and chief warrant officers two. The field-grade plate will be for field-grade officers and chief warrant officers three through five, while the strategic leader plate will include colonels and brigadier generals. Also, raters will now use check boxes marked "excels," "proficient," "capable" and "unsatisfactory." For more information on the new OER process, visit the U.S. Army Human Resources Command website at (http://www.hrc.army.mil) www.hrc.army.mil .
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AAFES Offers Hulu Plus
Servicemembers can now enjoy instant access to current hit TV shows like Modern Family, Sleepy Hollow, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and more with an exclusive discounted subscription to Hulu Plus through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. To get the Exchange's exclusive Hulu Plus offer and a 10% savings for the first year of service, authorized shoppers can subscribe through (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/hulu) www.shopmyexchange.com/hulu. In the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Guam, this program is available to on- and off-base subscribers. Hulu Plus is an online video subscription service that offers current hit TV shows, classic series, award-winning movies and more. For more information, contact your local exchange.
For more discounts for servicemembers, military families, and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


NEX Has Lowered Prices
The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has announced that it has lowered prices on nearly 240 everyday household items to better serve its Sailors and their families. Customers will see new lower prices on items such as laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softeners, paper towels and bath tissue. Customers can expect to see lower prices on additional household items in the future. To make it easier for customers to find the merchandise with the new lower prices, yellow "New Lower Price" stickers will be placed on the shelves next to the products. As always, if customers find a lower price on a product at another retailer, the NEX will match the price. For more information on the price matching policy, visit (http://www.mynavyexchange.com/command/c ... match.html) www.mynavyexchange.com/command/customer ... match.html or speak with an NEX associate.
For more discounts for servicemembers, military families, and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


New Electronic Toll Card in Japan
U.S. servicemembers and civilian status of forces agreement personnel stationed in Japan are now eligible to use the electronic toll collection (ETC) card program on toll roads in Japan. The ETC program provides a measure of convenience and savings based on location when compared to paying normal toll charges during peak commuting periods. Recently, a Japanese company made the ETC program available to SOFA personnel and their families. The new system has a secure, direct-billing process for a SOFA member's credit card.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.