Veterans Report - Week of February 13, 2012

[boardman]

Veterans Report - Week of February 13, 2012

VA Questioned About Contracting Violations
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials recently admitted to illegally purchasing pharmaceuticals for veterans off-contract through its Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor (PPV). At a recent hearing, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs cited numerous contracting laws that were broken by VA leadership and contracting officers, which it has been investigating for nearly a year. Statements by witnesses and a webcast of the hearing are available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/exami ... r-contract) House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA for Vets Helps Vets Find Work
The Department of Veterans Affairs' VA for Vets program provides an online "high-tech" and "high touch" approach to recruiting, hiring, and reintegrating veterans into civilian careers. VA for Vets offers an integrated military skills translator, career assessment tool, a resume builder, search engine and other career search tools. VA for Vets facilitates the reintegration, retention and hiring of veterans as employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For more information, visit the (http://vaforvets.va.gov/Pages/default.aspx) VA for Vets website.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Bracelet Finds Its Way Home
A silver Missing In Action bracelet has found its way to the mother of a Vietnam veteran. The bracelet with Capt. Fredrick Ransbottom stamped on it had been worn on the arm of Mary Milley for 39 years prior to her recent death. Mary's daughter Catherine brought it to the local American Legion post where another Vietnam veteran, Peter Gauthier, was able to find Capt. Ransbottom's mother. For more information on the history of MIA bracelets of the War in Vietnam, visit the (http://www.miafacts.org/bracelets.htm) MIA Facts Site and the (http://www.thewall-usa.com/bracelet.asp) The Wall USA.com website.
To keep up with the latest military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Applying ACE Credits
ACE was created in 1942 to recognize the educational value of military training and experience. Through ACE, you can take academic credit for most of the training you have received, including Basic Training. The ACE military evaluations program is funded by the DoD and coordinated through DANTES. In most cases, ACE recommended credits will be used to fulfill your free-elective requirements, but each college determines the number of credits they will accept, and how they will be applied toward your degree. In fact, some schools may even choose not to grant any credit for military experience. That is why it is critical to shop around to find the school that best fits your needs. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... ience.html) Get more information on ACE.
(http://edu.military.com/gibill/?lpid=cr ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Find schools that may offer college credit for military experience.


Play Military Trivia, Win an iPod
Test your knowledge with the Military.com Trivia Challenge. Think you know military history and trivia? Here's how you win: For each question you answer correctly you'll receive one point, and for each point you'll earn an electronic raffle ticket. At the end of the month we'll have a random drawing of all the tickets and pull out one to determine the winner. Play as little or as much as you'd like during the month, but the more questions you answer correctly, the greater your chances of winning. (http://www.military.com/Trivia/Home?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Play Now.
(http://www.military.com/Trivia/Home?ESRC=mrvr.nl)



VA Care Giver Program Anniversary
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently marked the one-year anniversary of the toll-free National VA Caregiver Support Line, 1-855-260-3274. The support line responders can also connect callers to VA's other support lines such as the VA Veteran Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255) and Coaching Into Care Line (1-888-823-7458) when these lines better meet the caller's needs. If a Caregiver or Veteran who calls the line needs additional guidance, a referral is made to their local Caregiver Support Coordinator, located at every VA medical center. VA also features its VA Caregiver Support webpage at (http://www.caregiver.va.gov/) www.caregiver.va.gov with general information on other Caregiver support programs available through VA and the community.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Top 10 Technology Jobs
The Chicago Tribune, based on industry growth projections from ComputerWorld, has assembled a top-10 list of fast-growing tech jobs which include: network architect, application developer, software engineer, web developer, information security specialist, database administrator, information systems manager, computer support specialist, and computer programmer. (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/506 ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get full job descriptions with average salaries for each of these professions.
(http://jobsforveterans.military.com/506 ... RC=mrvr.nl)
For more guides and tips on tech occupations, plus veteran-friendly listings for jobs, visit (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Veteran Job Search.


Disabled Vets: More VA Loan Benefits
Most vets with disabilities caused by injuries sustained in service will likely be eligible for a VA loan. Disabled veterans receive all the benefits VA home loans have to offer with a few advantages -- exemption from the VA funding fee and grants for special accessibility modifications. (http://stage.military.com/money/partner ... ESRC=vr.nl ) Get more information on Military.com.


VA Seeks Blood Donors
VA's () Million Veteran Program is seeking volunteers to build a blood sample bank in an effort to solve genetic mysteries. The program may help in the development of better treatments and preventive measures. Read more about the program on (http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-h ... 2812.story) The Baltimore Sun website. For more information, visit VA's (http://www.research.va.gov/mvp/default.cfm) Million Veteran Program webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA to Offer Paperless Enrollment
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partnered with the First Army at Camp Shelby, Miss., to launch a streamlined version of its online application for VA health benefits (VA Form 1010EZ) for servicemembers returning from deployment. VA will introduce it at 61 demobilization sites nationwide by early Spring, 2012. Quick enrollment is important for returning troops because recently discharged combat Veterans are eligible for five years of cost-free care and medications for conditions potentially related to combat service. For more information, Servicemembers may contact VA at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VA's health eligibility website at (http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits) www.va.gov/healthbenefits.
Read more about (http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,240935,00.html) VA's Paperless Enrollment.


$100k Protection for $6.50 a Month
AFBA offers low-cost life insurance with no war or terrorism exclusions and makes it affordable to keep your loved ones safe. Get $100k of coverage for as low as $6.50 a month. (http://www.military.com/finance/insuran ... ESRC=vr.nl) Contact AFBA today.


Deal of the Week: Travel Discounts
Visit the Travel Channel on Military.com to find exclusive military discounts offered by top airlines. Fares available to Active Duty, Active Reserve, National Guard, Air National Guard and all dependents. (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search Now.
(http://www.military.com/discounts?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See more military discounts listed on Military.com -- Banana Republic, Apple, Blue Nile, Lowes and More.


"CCME Cares" Event
This year the Council of College and Military Educators Annual Symposium theme is "Salute to Possibilities -- Paving the Way For Our Military Community." In the spirit of supporting the military, CCME has partnered with Operation Gratitude to have a "CCME Cares" event organizing over 1000 care packages to be sent to our deployed service members. The CCME Cares event will give attendees the opportunity to support our troops by donating items and/or by stopping by the CCME Cares event to help pack boxes of donated items to ship to the troops. If you would like to help, visit the Council of College and Military Educators in Orlando, Florida the week of February 13-16 at The Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.
Visit the (http://www.ccmeonline.org/annualsymposium) CCME website to learn more.


Vets Healthcare May Face Cuts
Congressional leaders are warning that sequestration of government programs is imminent. "Sequestration" is a congressionally mandated set of cuts that will go into effect later this year because the Joint Select Committee failed to find $1.2 trillion dollars in deficit reductions as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Rep. Miller (R-FL) is concerned that the budget cuts will hurt VA's ability to pay medical staff and purchase medical supplies needed to treat veterans -- essentially blocking veterans' access to VA healthcare services. Rep. Miller introduced the (http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... d=60993516) Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012 (H.R. 3895). If passed, the bill will exempt VA from the effects of the sequestration.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... estration/) Read more in the Military Advantage Blog.
Be Heard: (http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... d=60993516) Let your elected officials know how you feel about the impact sequestration will have on veterans' services.


Absentee Voting Options
Military members, their families and other Americans living outside the U.S. can register to vote and request an absentee ballot by downloading a federal postcard application on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at (http://www.fvap.gov/) www.fvap.gov/. A digital "wizard" on the website takes applicants through the process in about five minutes and provides a preprinted, stamped envelope for the application that must be signed and mailed back to the appropriate voting registrar. Servicemembers should update their address on the site every time they change duty stations and before deployment or upon their return. For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at (http://www.fvap.gov/) www.fvap.gov/.
To keep current with legislature that affects the military and contact government representatives, visit the (http://vote.military.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislative Center.


AF to Retire 286 Aircraft
The Air Force has announced proposed force structure changes that support the new DoD strategic guidance retiring 286 aircraft over the next five years. The new strategic guidance requires the joint force to be capable of fighting one large scale, combined arms campaign with sufficient combat power to also deny a second adversary, and de-emphasized large-scale, prolonged stability operations. The new strategic guidance is available (http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document ... 03-027.pdf) online.
To keep up with the latest military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


VA Focuses on Women's Health Care
Heart disease is the Number One cause of death for women and women veterans. VA's Women Veterans Health Care webpage contains tools and resources to help promote heart health for women. Learn about the connection between heart disease and high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, diabetes, and obesity on the Centers for Disease Control website at (http://www.cdc.gov/women/heart/) www.cdc.gov/women/heart/.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Military-Federal Survey: Your Opinion
Your opinion counts. Do you make purchase decisions for the military or a federal agency? Do you influence those decisions? If so, we'd value your input on a (http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p2058052042.aspx) quick survey.
(http://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p2058052042.aspx)



Sesame Street Connects
Through a partnership with the Department of Defense and Military OneSource, the Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, wants to help parents and children communicate with a program called "Talk, Listen, Connect," a bilingual educational outreach initiative designed for military families and their young children to share. Resources are available for parents consist of a bilingual (English/Spanish) multimedia kit with DVDs starring Muppets from Sesame Street, print materials and American Greeting postcards featuring Sesame Street characters for parents and their children to stay connected. The kit materials are available free (http://archive.sesameworkshop.org/tlc/) online, or on the (http://www.familiesnearandfar.org/) Military Families Near and Far website.
For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.