Military Report - Week of July 21, 2014

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Military Report - Week of July 21, 2014

VGLI/SGLI Alternative: $100k Coverage Only $7 a Month
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Make Job Fairs Pay Off
If you take time to properly prepare for job fairs, they can be very beneficial to your overall job search strategy. Before attending the job fair, you should get a list of all employers attending. You should research the companies to gain a thorough understanding of their products and services. Then, choose the employers that interest you the most and make a checklist to use at the job fair. Make sure you have your job fair resume in order and plan to take many copies. Also, you may want to complete an application and take it with you -- it is much quicker to have information from it that you can copy at the fair than to spend time trying to remember phone numbers and addresses. Also, take several blue and black ink pens. Finally, make sure you are dressed appropriately. Wear a suit, groom yourself and take a portfolio with your information neatly organized. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... fairs.html) Military.com website.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Absentee Voting is Easy
The Federal Voting Assistance Program ( (http://www.fvap.gov/) www.fvap.gov) is a program in the Department of Defense that helps ensure military members and their families have the tools and resources to vote. Absentee ballots submitted in accordance with state laws are counted for every election. People can obtain the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot online if deployed or from their installation voting assistance officer if they did not receive their absentee ballot in time for elections. If Soldiers are registered to vote while deployed and they do not get their state ballot in time to vote (45 days prior to mid-term elections) from their location, they can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot found at (http://www.fvap.gov/) FVAP.gov. They must turn it in 30 days before the scheduled election. For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website or contact your installation voting assistance officer.
For more information on legislative issues that impact the military, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislative Center.


Video: 20 "Old-School" Aviation Accidents
You don't need a jet engine to make a plane crash dangerous -- even old-school biplanes suffered serious breakdowns. Check out our archived footage of twenty early aviation planes skidding off runways, flipping into the ocean, and making hard landings. (http://www.military.com/video/military- ... 881954001/) Click here to watch the videos on Military.com.


Business Program for Servicemembers
The Better Business Bureau offers a program for military members and their families called the BBB Military Line, which offers consumer protection and helps military members get educated on consumer issues. The website gives advice on which companies to stay away from for families who move around the country a lot. It also provides information on how to establish credit lines or establish credit or buy a car or home. The organization also takes complaints from active war areas like Afghanistan and Iraq. For more information, visit the (http://www.bbb.org/council/programs-ser ... tary-line/) BBB Military Line website.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Save Up to 66% in TRICARE Costs
The AMRA TRICARE Supplement saves money and time by covering doctor co-pays, (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... rvr0721.nl) prescriptions and more.


Naval Services Officers Symposium
The 2014 Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO) Eastern Region Leadership Symposium will be held on Sept. 9 at the Fort Belvoir Officer's Club, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. A total of 100 Navy-funded registrations for personnel in the National Capital Region are available and will be coordinated through the Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion (N134) and will require participation in pre-event and post-event surveys. To obtain a Navy-funded registration, contact Lt. Cmdr. Raul Rojas at (703) 604-5082/DSN 664 or via e-mail at (mailto:raul.rojas@navy.mil) raul.rojas@navy.mil or Lt. Kalen Kropa at (703) 604-5075/DSN 664 or via e-mail at (mailto:kalen.kropa@navy.mil) kalen.kropa@navy.mil. For more information, visit the ANSO website at (http://www.ansomil.org) www.ansomil.org.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Improved Transition Tools for Soldiers
On Oct. 1, Soldiers will begin to have a more defined plan for transitioning out of the Army with the implementation of the new Soldier Life Cycle. This three-phase career cycle prepares Soldiers from the beginning of their military service, until their transition to civilian life, with the resources needed to equip them with the employment skills, training, counseling and opportunities that will enhance their marketability after military service. Army Career and Alumni Program's mission remains the same, but its name is now Soldier for Life: Transition Assistance Program. For more information, visit the Soldier for Life website is (http://www.soldierforlife.army.mil) www.soldierforlife.army.mil. It features links to informational resources for active-duty, National Guard, Army Reserves, retired Soldiers and their families.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Sprint Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Sprint. As a business solutions leader 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 ... =mr0721.nl) Read More.


Army Med's New Education App
Army Medicine has just released its new Performance Triad application (v1.0). This app provides specific educational resources for squad leaders, Soldiers, spouses, civilians, healthcare workers, pre-retirees, and retirees on how to optimize their performance and enhance their health. For example, leaders can quickly get information on how to schedule sleep/rest cycles to maximize unit performance during field exercises. The Performance Triad app also provides leaders information about refueling after exercise to maintain performance over sustained operations. The Performance Triad app is available for free. You can download the app for iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and Windows phones by searching for "Performance Triad." Learn more about the Performance Triad on the (http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/performance-triad.aspx) Army Medicine Performance Triad webpage.
For more on military apps, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/best-apps) Military.com app section.


Navy Changes Unit Ball Cap Policy
The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) has announced a change to uniform regulations giving commanding officers discretion to authorize the wear of command ball caps with Navy Working Uniforms (NWU) Type I, II and III beginning Sept. 1. The change in wear rules for the ball caps, which will include Fleet leadership input, will be released in a NAVADMIN later this summer and will include occasion of wear rules. Sailors can provide feedback on uniforms to (mailto:umo_cmc@navy.mil) umo_cmc@navy.mil or (mailto:usnpeople@gmail.com) usnpeople@gmail.com. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... olicy.html) this Military.com article.


Army Tuition Assistance Opportunity
The U.S. Army's Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP) is a part-time, tuition assistance program available to both civilians and Army NCO populations. This year the Army has removed any civilian grade restriction on master's degree funding as well. The program funds tuition (within its program policy funding limits), and the students cover the cost of the books and materials. Students take and complete the courses during their off-duty time. Those who need ATAP to meet their certification requirement (degree or business hours) in the following acquisition career fields may have the certification requirement waived: Business - Cost Estimating, Contracting, Science and Technology Manager, Engineering, and Test and Evaluation. For more information, visit the (http://asc.army.mil/web/career-developm ... e-program/) ATAP web page.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


Commemorating WWI 100th Anniversary
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in Europe, the World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous will bring the excitement of early air power to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio Sept. 27-28. The event will feature vintage reproduction aircraft, period reenactors, precision flying in the skies, era automobiles, flying exhibitions by WWI radio-controlled aircraft, guest speakers, and a collector's show for WWI items. Gates will be open each day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EDT. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force webpage at (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/) www.nationalmuseum.af.mil or telephone the museum at (937) 255-3286.
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New AF Total Force Commissioning Process
The Air Force has announced the Total Force Commissioning Process, which will provide multiple career avenues for officers being commissioned through Air Force ROTC by offering cadets the chance to pursue opportunities in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard (ANG). Cadets graduating from July 10, 2014, through calendar year 2015 will be able to pursue opportunities in the Guard or Reserve or seek release from their active-duty service commitment July 14 through Sept. 15. Those who are not retained for active duty can choose to stay in the Individual Ready Reserve and pursue opportunities in the Air Force Reserve and ANG.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Reserve Development Board Results
The Air Reserve Personnel Center has announced selection results from the annual Enlisted Developmental Education Board. The board convened at the center, May 19 - 23 to match selected members to their respective schools. A list of those selected are available on (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/login/redirect/home/) MyPers and the (http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/shared/medi ... 09-040.pdf) Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) website. For more information, call the Total Force Service Center - Denver at DSN 665-0102 or (210) 565-0102.


Army Seeks CID Agent Candidates
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) recently launched a new centralized recruiting program, part of which features an online application process aimed at recruiting qualified Soldiers to become CID Special Agents. To start the online application process, Soldiers must access the Common Access Card-enabled recruiting portal through the CID website at (http://www.cid.army.mil) www.cid.army.mil, and click on the "Join CID" link. Currently, the online application process is only open to active-component Soldiers. After the application packet is complete, the closest CID office to the applicant's duty station will be notified to schedule a meeting with the Soldier and initiate the applicant's autobiography, medical screening request form, security clearance request and to conduct a required panel interview by current CID Special Agents. For more information on the new online recruiting process, contact the CID Recruiting Operations Cell at (mailto:USArmy.Join-CID@mail.mil) USArmy.Join-CID@mail.mil, or call 571-305-4348. For more information on Army CID, visit the Army CID website at (http://www.cid.army.mil) www.cid.army.mil.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Ohio Upgrades Job App
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services had launched an upgraded mobile app designed to bring more job and education information to veterans. The app upgrade, officially Version 1.3.0, expands availability of the app to Windows device users. It includes additional resources to veterans looking for work, assistance to student veterans, and news of interest to the veteran community. The app also enables a user to find each of Ohio's 88 county veteran service offices and provides directional information for VA facilities in the state. The app is available, at no cost, from the Windows, Google Play and iTunes stores, by searching the key words "Ohio veteran." The Ohio Department of Veterans Services website at (http://www.ohiovet.gov) www.ohiovet.gov contains a link to the stores. The app is compatible with Windows, Android and iOS devices. The app is also available as a (https://apps.dvs.ohio.gov/mobile/www/index.html) mobile website.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


DoD Redesigns Website
The Department of Defense is launching a new Defense.gov website ( (http://www.defense.gov/) www.defense.gov) in July. The redesign will improve visitor experience and better serve audiences by making it easier for visitors to find news and feature articles, videos and photos. Official DoD Facebook and Twitter feeds to allow visitors to see what's happening on social media. And, selected DoD blogs showcase different perspectives on topics important to the department. For more information, visit the Defense.gov website at (http://www.defense.gov/) www.defense.gov.
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


CMSAF: Importance of 'One Air Force'
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody released the latest installment of Roll Call, explaining to Airmen the importance of being "One Air Force" that encompasses active, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen. He explained changes coming to the structure of the Air Force, particularly in integrating the four components of Airmen. This month's Roll Call is available (http://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/r ... rForce.pdf) online.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


TRICARE for Guard, Reserve
The life of a guardsman or reservist has many cycles. You are TRICARE eligible on the date your orders are issued, or 180 days before you report to active duty; whichever is later. When you activate, you are eligible for the same health and dental benefits as active duty servicemembers. Guard and Reserve members should enroll in a TRICARE Prime option after arriving at their final duty station. When you are inactive, you may qualify for either Line of Duty (LOD) care, TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retiree Reserve. When you leave active duty, your health plan options are different depending on if you were called to active duty in support of a contingency operation. For more information, visit the TRICARE National Guard/Reserve Members and Families webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/reserve) http://www.tricare.mil/reserve.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


AF Staff Sgt Promotion List
The U.S. Air Force recently selected 9,403 senior airmen eligible for promotion to staff sergeant. Those selected for staff sergeant will be promoted according to their promotion sequence number beginning in September. Selections are tentative until the data verification process is complete. The list of selectees is available on the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, select "search all components" in the drop down menu and enter "Active Duty: Enlisted Promotions" in the search window. The list is also available on the (https://www.my.af.mil/) Air Force Portal. For more information about promotions and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Operation Proper Exit
Operation Proper Exit, sponsored by the Troops First Foundation, allows wounded warriors to return to the place where they were injured to help give them closure. One of the biggest concepts behind Proper Exit is to bring Soldiers to the region where they were injured, which allows a unique type of healing and closure for the Soldier that they would not have otherwise, and allow them to leave the war-zone on their own terms. For more information, visit the Troops First Foundation website at (http://www.troopsfirstfoundation.org/) www.troopsfirstfoundation.org.
For more wounded warrior news, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warrior page.


Some Fear Vets Flooding Private Care
The push by Congress to solve a health care wait-time crisis by granting access to private sector health care for those who face waits that exceed 30 days or who live more than 40 miles from a VA care facility is being slowed by concerns about the impact it could have on both VA and the private sector.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... vate-care/) Learn why some in Congress and the VA are concerned about sending Vets to private health care providers.


Army Harassment/Assault Response Training
The Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training is a key element in the Army's multifaceted prevention approach. The Army recently published a revised SHARP Annual Unit Refresher Training (URT) course. URT is comprised of small-group facilitated, interactive training and an online self-study course and exam. The curriculum addresses the basics such as what is considered sexual harassment and sexual assault, the Army's policy on those two offenses and the two types of sexual assault reporting options available to a victim-restricted and unrestricted, as well as victim rights. For more information, visit the (http://www.army.mil/sharp) Army SHARP webpage and the (http://www.preventsexualassault.army.mil/index.cfm) Army SHARP website. If you are a servicemember in crisis, call the Safe Helpline at (877) 995-5247.
For more news related to sexual assault and the military, see this (http://www.military.com/topics/sexual-assault) Military.com section.


Lock in Low Rates with Your VA Loan Benefit
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(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0721.nl) Find out more about the VA Loan Benefit.


Time Running Out for Ohio Vet Bonuses
Veterans who served in Iraq during the war only have a few months left to claim Ohio bonuses of up to $1,500, and state officials are expanding their efforts to reach potentially thousands of veterans who may miss out by not applying. Veterans who served within Iraq's borders from March 19, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2011, only have until year's end to file their applications. Others who have served in Afghanistan or elsewhere since Oct. 7, 2001, can continue to apply after Dec. 31 because no deadline has been set for that bonus period. Eligible veterans must have been Ohio residents when entering the service and applying for bonuses. They also must have served at least 90 days of active duty -- excluding training -- in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Ohio National Guard or reserves. For more information and to apply online, visit the (https://veteransbonus.ohio.gov/odvs_web ... tions.aspx) Ohio Department of Veterans Services website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Kansas CDL Policy Helps Vets
The Kansas Department of Revenue has announced a change in policy for military veterans. Under the policy, veterans with two years of safe driving experience driving a military vehicle will be able to waive a commercial driver's license skill test for comparable civilian vehicles for one year. In the past, the waiver extended for 90 days after a veteran returned from deployment. Returning veterans are only able to waive the driving portion of the license test. They must still pass a written test, have valid medical certification and have a valid commercial learner's permit. The American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators, the Department of Defense and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have developed the skills test waiver sample form, which is available on the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators website at (http://www.aamva.org/CDL-Program/) www.aamva.org/CDL-Program.
For more on transportation careers for veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/se ... ation-jobs) Military.com Transportation Jobs section.


Marines to Get New Boots
The Marine Corps will replace the Temperate Weather Marine Corps Combat Boot (MCCB) with the Hot Weather and Temperate Weather Rugged All-Terrain boot (RAT). Beginning in fiscal year 2015, the new boots will be issued to recruits and officer candidates. The RAT boots, according to the MARADMIN, have a longer useful life than the MCCBs and will show in the clothing allowance for each Marine. The allowance change will reflect the price difference and longer useful life of the RAT boot, decreasing the clothing allowance by $31.07 per active-duty enlisted Marine. The Marine Corps will outfit every Marine with the RAT boots by October 1, 2016. For more information, see (http://kitup.military.com/2014/07/marin ... boots.html) this article on the Kit Up website.