Military Report - Week of May 19, 2014

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Military Report - Week of May 19, 2014

AF RIF Board to Convene
The Air Force will convene a fiscal year 2015 force management reduction in force board Oct. 1, 2014, to evaluate some captains and majors for continued retention. Airmen eligible to meet the board include line of the Air Force and medical service corps captains in year groups 2006 through 2008; line of the Air Force majors in year groups 2001 through 2003; and medical service corps, dental corps, and medical corps majors in year groups 2000 through 2007 in specified AFSCs, unless specifically excluded. The board will also consider LAF-judge advocate officers in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 captain year groups. For more information about the RIF board, visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers at (https://mypers.af.mil/) https://mypers.af.mil. Select "search all components" from the drop down menu, enter "Force Management" and select the officer force management program link.


Sailors Encouraged to Apply for STA-21
The Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program, which provides an opportunity for qualified Sailors to receive college educations and Navy commissions, is soliciting applications for fiscal year 2015. Application packages must be postmarked on or before the July 1. The following target options and core are open for application for the FY-15 selection board: Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), Surface Warfare/Information Professional (SWO/IP), Surface Warfare/Oceanography (SWO/OCEANO), Nuclear, Special Warfare (SEAL), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Naval Flight Officer (NFO), Pilot, Civil Engineering Corps (CEC), and Nurse Corps. Questions concerning this program should be directed to command career counselors or to the NSTC Officer Development directorate at (850) 452-9563. For more information, visit the STA-21 program website at (https://www.sta-21.navy.mil) https://www.sta-21.navy.mil.


New Law to Protect Job-Seeking Vets
Indiana Governor Mike Pence has signed a military employment anti-discrimination bill into law -- the first of its kind in the country. The bill makes it illegal for an employer to refuse to hire an applicant because of their status as a U.S. Military veteran, National Guard member or reservist. The new law also requires the Indiana Civil Rights Commission to address any alleged violations and the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs to distribute information notifying veterans of this practice. For more information, contact the (http://www.in.gov/dva/) Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs at 317-232-3910 or toll-free (in-state) 1-800-400-4520.


Save Up to 60% in TRICARE Costs
The AMRA TRICARE Supplement saves money and time. The TRICARE Supplement Plan for individuals and families protects you when out-of-pocket health care expenses rise. (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... mrvr0519.n) Find out more.


Troops May Opt-In for New Retirement Plan
Current military members and retirees are to be "grandfathered" from any retirement changes that the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission recommends to Congress next February. But, current members shouldn't let that dampen their interest in the commission's final recommendations, because any retirement reforms will likely include an "opt-in" feature. Many currently serving members will get the chance to choose to switch to a more modern, less generous retirement plan. Who would do that? If past behavior is a reliable guide, thousands will.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ment-plan/) Read this week's Military Update on the Military Advantage blog.


Participate in the National Memorial Day Parade Virtually
The National Memorial Day Parade is the largest Memorial Day event in the country taking place on Monday, May 26, 2014 in Washington, DC. Each year the parade welcomes more than 300,000 spectators and 4,000 participants to honor our military veterans, both past and present. To take part in the parade virtually, visit (http://www.virtualbootsontheground.com/) http://www.virtualbootsontheground.com.


Sponsored Discount: Nissan's Got Your Back with Exclusive Savings
You watch our back. Now we've got yours. Nissan is proud to provide eligible military personnel with the best savings program in the country. It's the same pricing we give our family & friends. (http://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/281443259;107545900;e) Read More.


Navy Debuts NeRD Device
The Navy Installations Command's Navy General Library Program has announced the release of the new Navy e-Reader device (NeRD). The NeRD is an essential component of the U.S. Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program. With its array of preloaded titles-all accessible through a single, portable device- the NeRD delivers e-book content to encourage leisure, entertainment, and promote professional growth. The NeRD augments the NGLP's range of library services, which includes web-based digital library access to servicemembers and their families at no charge. The Navy is making 385 devices at first, with more to follow, with five being sent to each submarine in the Navy to be shared among the crew. For more information regarding the Navy Library program visit the (http://www.navymwr.org/libraries/digital) Navy Libraries Digital website.


French Village Memorializes B-17 Crew
The people of Avord, France, dedicated a memorial May 8, 2014, honoring the crew of a U.S. B-17 Flying Fortress shot down during World War II. The B-17, nicknamed the Georgia Rebel II, crashed at about 12:00 p.m. April 28, 1944, on a mission bombing a Nazi German-occupied airfield, Avord Air Base, located in the middle of France. The dedication ceremony included a church service, wreath-laying ceremonies, an exhibition on the 1944 bombardments, and dinner. Family members from three of the crew members attended.
(http://www.military.com/video/search?vsk=B-17) Visit Military.com for more information on the B-17 Flying Fortress.


SGLI/VGLI too Much? $100k Protection: Only $7 a Month
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AF Regional Affairs Assignments
Region and language assignments were recently announced for the 58 Regional Affairs Strategists who were notified in January of their selection for regional affairs strategist duty. RAS is a force development initiative intended to create a cadre of officers with in-depth regional expertise, and is open to Airmen with 7-10 years of commissioned service. Language requirements vary. For more information about RAS duty, and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil/) https://mypers.af.mil. Select "search all components" from the drop down menu and enter "RAS" in the search window. To see the region and language assignment list, select PSDM 14-40.


Sesame Street on Tour
The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families tour was created to assist servicemembers and their families to help cope with challenges they encounter such as deployments, homecomings and moving. This year the tour plans to perform over 200 shows at 69 military bases in 32 states. For more information, including a tour schedule, visit the Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families webpage at (http://www.uso.org/sesame/) http://www.uso.org/sesame.


Naval History and Heritage Command
The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. Naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the Fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus. For more information, visit the NHHC website at (http://www.history.navy.mil) www.history.navy.mil.


New Online College Tool
To help servicemen and women efficiently navigate their college search, Milwaukee-based startup Home Front Alliance recently launched an online college matching and connection tool called The Edge CCT. According to its founder, the new college connection tool is the first of its kind built especially for the military. The Edge CCT consists of a database of more than 3,000 two- and four-year nonprofit colleges and universities across the country. Each school has its own profile page. From admissions information to campus services and undergraduate degree offerings, institution profiles give users a good first impression of school cultures and missions. To identify schools that match their interests and aspirations, individual users first create their own profile on The Edge CCT. For more information, visit The Edge CCT website at (https://www.theedgecct.com/) https://www.theedgecct.com.


Buy or Refi this Summer with Your VA Loan Benefit
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(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0519.nl) Interested in finding out more about the VA Loan?


9 Areas to Lose R&R Leave and Danger Pay
Department of Defense officials are urging servicemembers to fully understand the Rest and Recuperation Leave Program (R&R) when deploying to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations. Starting June 1, nine countries in the theater of operations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will not receive (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... r-pay.html) hostile fire/imminent danger pay. Thus, servicemembers who deploy on 365-day deployments or PCS to these nine countries after June 1 will no longer be eligible for the R&R program. USCENTCOM is developing options on how to best transition to an ordinary leave program. For more information, visit the Air Force Personnel Center website at (http://www.afpc.af.mil/) www.afpc.af.mil, or call AFPC's Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... r-pay.html) Learn more about Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay.


WH Urged to Create VA Commission
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, president of the (http://www.moaa.org/) Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) wrote to President Barack Obama, urgently recommending he establish an independent, high-level commission to examine the VA health care system for the nation's veterans in the 21st century. MOAA's request is in response to recent reports that a VA hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. was keeping two waiting lists for veterans seeking care. A 'secret' list allegedly was used to deny access to care for veterans so that overall numbers would look good. The list is alleged to have contributed to the untimely deaths of as many as 40 veterans. The VA Inspector General is investigating the charges.
(http://www.moaa.org/Main_Menu/Multimedi ... ssion.html) Read the full article on MOAA.


Air Guard Opens New SELMO Office
The Air National Guard recently unveiled its Senior Enlisted Leader Management Office (SELMO). The position of command chief master sergeant is assigned Air Force Specialty Code 9E000, and carries with it specific training requirements and a need for functional oversight. SELMO seeks to ensure that these administrative tasks are accomplished and Guardsmen are not prevented from pursuing development opportunities. Not only chiefs who will benefit from SELMO. All senior non-commissioned officers will see expanded opportunities open up for them.


Marine Corps MWR Survey
Top Marine Corps leaders are researching interests of Marines, family members, retirees and government civilians concerning fitness, sports, and other recreational pursuits that contribute to an individual's well-being. An online survey is being randomly sent to personnel asking what they find important to have on and around their military base and how well those needs are being met. Information obtained from this survey will provide framework for directing future resources for families. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SemperFitandRecreation) The Patron Needs Assessment can be accessed through June 1, 2014.


MOAA Counters Service Chiefs
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) asked the Military Officers Association of America to address a number of discrepancies between testimony provided by MOAA and the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a May 6 hearing. This week MOAA responded to the committee and addressed three key areas.
See MOAA's response at: (http://www.moaa.org/MRCountersServiceChiefs) www.moaa.org/MRCountersServiceChiefs.


Novo Nordisk Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Novo Nordisk. As a global healthcare company they can provide endless opportunity and a career path that lets you choose where you want to be. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... =mr0519.nl) Read More.


Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season?
June marks the start of Hurricane Season in the Atlantic Ocean. Are you prepared? Personnel should have a number of things ready to go in case of an emergency, especially one that may require evacuation like a hurricane. Individuals and family members should have a firm plan in place of where to go, what to do, and what to take if they need to evacuate during a hurricane. Emergency kits should include enough food and water to last several days, necessary medications, and other items such as maps, tools, flashlights, and a first aid kit. Evacuees should also stay informed of up-to-date information regarding road and base closures, unsafe traveling conditions, and weather warnings. For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the (http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane) Red Cross Hurricane webpage, the (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php) National Hurricane Center Hurricane Preparedness webpage, the (http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes) Ready.gov website, or the (http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurr ... pplies.asp) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.


Exclusive AAFES Sales Notifications
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is making it easier than ever for shoppers to exercise their Exchange benefit via the Internet. The Exchange's Buddy List enables military shoppers to be among the first to find out about exclusive savings, promotions, events and special offers at their local Exchange. The weekly Buddy List delivers emails about worldwide and local promotions to approximately 233,000 authorized Exchange shoppers. Customers interested in receiving these messages can sign up at their local Exchange or (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeStores/buddy.htm) AAFES online.


Navy Early Out Opportunity
The Navy is reinstating the Enlisted Early Transition Program (EETP), which allows eligible Sailors in targeted ratings to apply for a voluntary early separation up to 24 months prior to their End of Obligated Service as Extended (EAOS). The new version of the program is ongoing and quota-controlled. Early separation will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Available quotas are identified by rating, paygrade, year group and Navy Enlisted Classification. A list is available at the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/e ... /eetp.aspx) BUPERS website. Quotas will be reviewed periodically and updated as required. For more information, contact the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-800-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) or at (mailto:uasknpc@navy.mil) uasknpc@navy.mil.


AF Personnel News Service
For accurate, up to date news on Air Force personnel programs such as force management, retirements, education and development opportunities, special duty assignments, civilian careers and more, look to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) public web, social media and news service. To subscribe to AFPC news service: (1) go to (http://www.afpc.af.mil) www.afpc.af.mil, (2) on the right hand side under "Subscribe to AF Personnel Center News" enter your email and click "Go"; (3) confirm your email address, (4) choose how you want updates delivered to you, and (5) set up a password to protect your subscription preferences (optional). You can also follow AFPC news on Facebook at "Air Force Life and Careers" or Twitter at "AFCareers".


American Legion PTSD/TBI Symposium
Continuing its efforts to raise awareness about servicemembers and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), The American Legion will conduct a symposium in June focusing on both injuries, as well as conventional and alternative treatments for each. The symposium, "Advancing Treatment and Care for Veterans with TBI and PTSD," will take place June 24 at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in Washington, D.C. Attendees of the symposium would include The American Legion's TBI/PTSD Committee, American Legion national and department leadership from the area, members of Congress, and researchers, clinicians and policy makers from both VA and DoD.


Best Prices in the Industry for the Military
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Steps Taken to Address VA Firestorm
The top official for veterans' health care resigned Friday, as the Obama administration and Congress begin to respond to a growing political firestorm over allegations of treatment delays and falsified records at veterans' hospitals nationwide. The House has scheduled a vote for Wednesday on legislation that would give Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki greater authority to fire or demote senior executives and administrators at the agency and its 152 medical Centers.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... storm.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


DARPA Seeking AF Candidates
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, is seeking eight motivated, creative officers for the fiscal year 2015 Service Chiefs Program (SCP). Officers must be major-selects, majors, lieutenant colonel-selects or lieutenant colonels to apply for the three-month program, slated to begin in September. Application packages are due to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) officer developmental education branch by May 31. For more information, including complete eligibility requirements and application instruction, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil/) https://mypers.af.mil. Select "search all components" from the search drop down menu and enter "DARPA" in the search window. Select PSDM 14-41.


TRICARE Mental Health Benefit
TRICARE covers mental/behavioral health care that is medically or psychologically necessary. There are many different types of outpatient and inpatient mental/behavioral health care, and the coverage varies by the type of care. For more information about TRICARE's behavioral health benefit, visit the TRICARE Mental Health webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth) www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth.


TRICARE and Early Childhood Development
According to the National Institutes of Health, your child will have more pediatric well-child visits when they are younger and developing the fastest. Health care providers will record your child's height, weight, and in some visits, hearing, vision, and other screening tests. These "other" tests examine whether your child is meeting normal growth and developmental milestones for their age. TRICARE covers visits, immunizations and vision screenings for beneficiaries from birth to age six as part of well-child care. For more information about this benefit, visit the TRICARE Well Child webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/well-child) www.tricare.mil/well-child. For a list of developmental milestones, visit the National Institute of Health's website to view the (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 002002.htm) Developmental Milestone Record.


Keflavik Air Base Reunion 2014
Attention all service members and veterans who served at Naval Air Station Keflavik; the good people of Iceland will be hosting a reunion in your honor at NASKEF on September 4 - 7, 2014. The event will include tours of the local area and former air station and a gala/dinner. There is also an optional brunch to be held at the world famous 'Blue Lagoon.' The registration fee is $25 and the reunion/gala dinner is $60. Local tours, trips, hotels, and rental cars can be booked through www.keflanding.com or request more information through (mailto:info@keflanding.com) info@keflanding.com

Housing Allowance for Reserve Marines
Reserve Marines called to active duty in support of contingency operations or activated for reasons other than training are now eligible for basic allowance for housing (BHA) or overseas housing allowance (OHA) during their tour. If a Reserve Marine receives permanent change of station orders authorizing a household goods transportation, their BAH or OHA is based on the new permanent duty station. However, if the Marine is called or ordered to active duty and a PCS order is not issued, the BAH or OHA rate is based on the primary residence location, reflected as the Marine's mailing address. A Reserve Marine can only have one primary residence at any given time.
Check out the (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... rates.html) 2014 BAH tables, or (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... calculator) Military Pay and Allowance Calculator on Military.com.