Military Report - Week of November 10, 2014

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Military Report - Week of November 10, 2014

Whistleblower Rights and Protections
Whistleblower disclosures can save lives as well as billions of taxpayer dollars. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking whistleblower complaints seriously. Learn more in VA's Whistleblower rights and protections webpage at (http://www.diversity.va.gov/whistleblower.aspx) www.diversity.va.gov/whistleblower.aspx.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Veterans Benefits by State
In many cases, a veteran's respective state of residence offers veterans assistance and rehabilitation programs and benefits. Many eligible veterans never realize that these programs exist and many do not have an idea of how to apply for the state-level benefits. Veterans can find their State Veteran's Benefits information on the Military.com website at (http://www.military.com/benefits) www.military.com/benefits. When applying for state benefits, it is important that the eligible veteran utilizes an accredited veterans service officer. Find an American Legion service officer on the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/serviceofficers) www.legion.org/serviceofficers. An Internet search for state veterans service administration will also yield a list of representatives or a point of contact.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


50th Anniversary of Vietnam War
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with Procter & Gamble, are (https://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/1 ... 4/sizes/l/) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War with an essay contest that provides Vietnam veterans and family members an opportunity to share memories of their local PX/BX experience overseas or back home during the Vietnam War. From now until Nov. 21, authorized Exchange customers 18 years or older can submit their essay of 300 words or less by email to (mailto:patriotfamily@aafes.com) patriotfamily@aafes.com. Entries must include full name (including middle initial), mailing address, email address and telephone number. Exchange gift cards totaling $4,000 will be awarded to four winners. For complete rules and details, visit the (https://www.shopmyexchange.com/patriot-family) Patriot Family Connection webpage.


Happy 239rd Birthday, Marine Corps
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet. This resolution established the Continental Marines and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. (http://www.military.com/marine-corps-bi ... rvr1110.nl) Read more about the Marine Corps' birthday.
(http://www.military.com/marine-corps-bi ... rvr1110.nl)


Find a Meaningful Career at Stericycle
Stericycle, Inc., is a global leader in critical and custom services for healthcare organizations and commercial businesses. Their solutions focus on solving complex regulatory requirements on behalf of our over 550,000 customers worldwide. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =mr1110.nl) Learn more.


Release Schedule for Tax Forms Set
The IRS Forms 1099-R for the 2014 tax year will become available online in mid-December when retirees and annuitants will be able to access their forms on myPay. Retirees and annuitants who have not created a myPay account, or rely on hard-copy versions of the 1099-R, may not receive their forms until mid-January. The 1099-R's are not automatically issued for deceased retirees and annuitants and must be requested. To make this request, or for more information regarding a 1099-R for a deceased retiree or annuitant, contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) using one of the methods described on the (http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/retiredmilitar ... rvice.html) DFAS website, or call 800-321-1080.
For more tax tips for the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com Tax Center.


Navy Conducts Housing Survey
Sailors living in Navy unaccompanied housing can provide feedback through the Navy's annual Resident Satisfaction Surveys (RSS). The RSS is an annual survey that residents will receive from their building managers to allow them to provide feedback on their Navy Housing experience. This year, service members living in unaccompanied housing may return their surveys either by mail or online. The surveys will be delivered to all service members living in government unaccompanied quarters by Nov. 14. For more information about Navy Housing programs or to find contact information for your local Navy Housing Service Center, visit the Navy Housing website at (http://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/housing.html) www.cnic.navy.mil/Housing.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Scholarships, Grants Available
The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is accepting applications for education grants and scholarships. The single online application opens the door to three education programs: (1) the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant, which offers need-based grants of at least $2,000 to dependent children of active, retired and deceased Air Force members; (2) $5,000 merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen; and (3) the supplemental loan program, which provides up to $1,000 per eligible student to help reimburse out-of-pocket education expenses. The deadline for applications is March 13, 2015; however, students are encouraged to apply early. For more information on eligibility for all of these programs and to access the application, visit the (http://www.afas.org/education-grants) AFAS website.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


Find Your Next Career at Chenega Corporation
Chenega is a premier Government and Commercial services provider to the security, healthcare, IT, environmental, military operations, construction, and tourism industries. They are known for their exceptional employees, fiscal strength, creativity and innovation, and for providing excellent cost and performance value to their customers and business partners. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =mr1110.nl) Learn more.


VA Health Care "Choice Cards" Mailed Out
The Department of Veterans Affairs has mailed its first medical "Choice Cards," with letters explaining how to use them, to 320,000 VA-enrolled veterans who reside more than 40 miles from any type of VA medical facility. By late November, another 370,000 vets, those facing waits longer than 30 days for VA appointments, will be the second group to get the cards.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... m-va-care/) Read the full Military Update post on the Military Advantage Blog.


Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. Native Americans have served in uniform for more than two centuries. According to Defense Department statistics, they have the highest per-capita commitment of any ethnic population to serve in the armed forces. For more information, including instructional materials, visit the (http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-1.htm) Naval History and Heritage Command website, the (http://www.history.army.mil/html/topics ... index.html) U.S. Army Center of American History website, and the (http://www.defense.gov/specials/nativea ... rrior.html) DoD American Indian Heritage Month webpage.


Veterans Day: Discounts and Freebies
The following is a list of Veterans Day discounts on restaurants, goods, services and events for 2014. (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/ve ... rvr1110.nl) Click here for a list of discounts.
(http://www.military.com/veterans-day/?ESRC=mrvr1110.nl) Click here to visit our Veterans Day Center.


AAFES Seeks Holiday Memories
Your holiday memories could be worth $1,000 in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's "Sweet Holiday Story" contest. From Oct. 31 - Dec. 25, authorized shoppers 18 years old or older can submit an essay of 500 words or less about one of their favorite holiday memories. The winning entry will receive a $1,000 Exchange gift card with second and third place receiving $500 and $300 gift cards, respectively. Essays can be sent to (mailto:patriotfamily@aafes.com) patriotfamily@aafes.com and will be judged on creativity and the ability to inspire. Complete rules and details can be found at the Patriot Family Connection webpage at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/patriot-family) www.shopmyexchange.com/patriot-family.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Military.com Discount Center.


TRICARE for National Guard, Reserve
TRICARE and Military OneSource are co-hosting a webinar to educate TRICARE beneficiaries about benefits available to National Guard and Reserve service members. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, from Noon - 1:00 p.m. EST. You can sign up (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/489579994) online, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited due to system capacity. For more information about TRICARE for Guard and Reserve members, visit the TRICARE National Guard/Reserve Members and Families webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/reserve) www.tricare.mil/reserve.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


AAFES 'Holiday Bill Is On Us' Contest
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is paying the MILITARY STAR(R) card balance of some lucky winners with their "Your Holiday Bill Is On Us" Sweepstakes. Through Dec. 31, shoppers will be automatically entered in the sweepstakes each time they use their MILITARY STAR(R) card to pay for purchases at any Army or Air Force Exchange location or on (https://www.shopmyexchange.com/) shopmyexchange.com. Each purchase counts as one entry. Three grand-prize winners will receive their MILITARY STAR(R) card bill paid in full up to $8,200. This sweepstakes offer applies only to the MILITARY STAR(R) card Gold line of credit.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Military.com Discount Center.


Navy Flight Pay Verification
The U.S. Navy has announced the verification process for conditional aviation career incentive pay (ACIP) and hazardous duty incentive pay for flying (HDIP-F). All recipients of conditional ACIP and HDIP-F are required to track their flight hours every month and report them to the ACIP program manager at Navy Personnel Command. Any officer who received a payment during fiscal year (FY) 2014 is required to provide total flight hours, by month, from Oct. 1, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2014. Submissions are due by Dec. 31, and if flight hours are not reported, the officer's entitlement will stop and the entire FY-14 entitlement will be forfeited. Commanding officers and other reporting seniors are responsible for verifying the accuracy and completeness of the flight hour verification letters, and will endorse them on command letterhead.
For more on military pays, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/) Military.com Pay section.


Dress White Alterations at NEX
Male officer and chief service dress white (SDW) coats can now be fitted with a single metal hook and eye closure at Navy Exchange (NEX) tailor shops that will improve the collar neck closure. This optional closure can replace the Velcro closure that is the standard closure for the uniform coat, which some wearers found did not provide the right fit and appearance, particularly after repeated wear and dry cleaning. The SDW coat hook and eye closure is optional and now available for alteration through the NEX at a cost of $13.50. The hook and eye closure is also available for purchase via the NEX Uniform Call Center (1-800-368-4088 / Fax 1-757-502-7532) and (mailto:USC_Customer_Service@NEXWEB.ORG) USC_Customer_Service@NEXWEB.ORG. 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 news on military uniforms, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/uniforms) Military.com Uniforms section.


Rates Have Dipped, Use Your VA Loan Now
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr1110.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
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Veterans Day Slideshow Tribute
"This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." - Elmer Davis. Learn about the history of Veterans Day through our Veterans Day slideshow.
(http://www.military.com/slideshows/vete ... rvr1110.nl) View the Veterans Day Slideshow


Sponsored Discount: Exclusive Offers on Sleep Number(R) Beds
Sleep Number is honoring our military with special offers reserved for our country's heroes. Offers end 11/16. (http://bs.serving-sys.com/BurstingPipe/ ... uID=0&ord=[timestamp]) Click for details.


Explore VA Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits that can improve the lives of veterans and their families. Some benefits may also be available to active-duty service members. Learn more on the Department of Veterans Affairs (http://explore.va.gov/) ExploreVA website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Don't Over-spend: Get $100k Coverage Only $7 a Month
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Apply for Naval Justice School
The Naval Justice School is currently accepting enrollment to the Senior Enlisted and the Senior Officer Leadership Courses. The Senior Enlisted Course is open to senior chiefs and master chiefs and available to chiefs on a space available basis. Requests for course quotas for chiefs and lieutenant commanders must be made through the (https://main.prod.cetars.training.navy.mil/cetars) Enterprise Naval Training Reservation System (ENTRS). For questions and system guidance call 850-452-1001 (DSN 922), option 1. Information on how to sign-up for the senior enlisted leadership course and the senior officer leadership course offered at various locations along with points-of-contact is available on the (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84247) U.S. Navy website.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


TAMP Health Care for Some Air Force Vets
The U.S. Air Force has announced adjustments to benefits for Airmen separated under the fiscal year 2014 Voluntary Separation Pay (VSP) program. A review of the law (10 USC 1175a) has determined that the Air Force is authorized to pay the transition assistance management program (TAMP) benefits to Airmen separated under VSP. TAMP provides Airmen with medical transition benefits for 180 days from an Airman's date of separation. In addition to the monetary incentive for those who elected the VSP option, permissive TDY, commissary, exchange and morale, welfare and recreation privileges are extended with an agreement to serve in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR). Specific instructions on implementation of the benefits will be provided soon to those affected.
For a customized military transition plan and more transition tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-transition) Military.com Transition Center.


Federal Benefits Book Updated
The Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents & Survivors handbook was recently updated -- adding 18 pages of new information. The book is available on the (http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp) Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Navy Tuition Assistance Requests Due
Sailors who plan to take college courses in December and January using Tuition Assistance (TA) should submit their requests now so they may be reviewed in time for class. Applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis and grouped by the term start date listed on the application. Sailors should submit TA applications a minimum of 30 days in advance of the term start date, even if enrollment in the course with the school is still pending. Sailors can visit the (https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/) Navy College Program website to get the latest Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED) information. For more information, Sailors can contact their servicing NCO or the VEC, or visit the Navy College Program website. Find the Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) on its (https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cppd/) website and newspage at (http://www.navy.mil/local/voledpao) www.navy.mil/local/voledpao; find CPPD on (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-f ... 0056459206) Facebook and on (https://twitter.com/CENPERSPROFDEV) Twitter.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


GAO Report Looks at 'Triple Dippers'
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, notes that over 59,000 military veterans were "triple dippers" last year. These individuals received benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, military retirement pay and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The total cost of the individuals receiving money from these three programs was approximately $3.5 billion. There were about 1.9 million Department of Defense (DOD) non-disability and disability retirees at the time the data was analyzed by GAO. The GAO report is available in .PDF format on the (http://gao.gov/assets/670/666267.pdf) U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


AF Enlisted Promotion System Update
This January, changes to the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) will continue with adjustments to the scoring model for promotions to technical sergeant and below. The weighted EPR points will increase to 250 points. The first EPR produced on the static close out date after an Airman becomes promotion eligible for the next higher grade will be the first weighted EPR used for WAPS points. Points will only come from the three most recent EPRs. Also Airmen must achieve a minimum score of 40 on each promotion examination (skills knowledge test and promotion fitness examination) with a minimum combined score from both examinations of 90 or higher. The new WAPS Scoring Model is available (http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/t ... ments.aspx) online. For more details, visit the Air Force Personnel Center website at (http://www.afpc.af.mil/) www.afpc.af.mil, or visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers. (https://mypers.af.mil/)
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.