Veterans Report - Week of March 12, 2012

[boardman]

Veterans Report - Week of March 12, 2012

3 Keys for Writing a Federal Resume
It's a fact: 25.6 percent of total new hires across the federal government in FY 2010 were veterans. To join the federal job pool and polish up your resume, the first step is to use keywords that will get you noticed. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information on keywords and two other tips for resume writing.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/se ... RC.mrvr.nl) Search military-friendly Government jobs on Military.com.


5 Military Benefits that Pay for a Degree
As a servicemember or veteran you have several benefit options to help pay for a degree. You may be eligible for any or all of the following: Military Tuition Assistance, The GI Bill, Scholarships, State Tuition Assistance and Federal Loans and Grants. The trick is to know how, when and where to use them. View one of the guides below for more information.
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Active Duty Education Benefit User's Guide
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Reserve Education Benefits User's Guide
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) National Guard Education Benefits User's Guide
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Veterans Education Benefits User's Guide
(http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Spouse and Family Benefits Programs
Next Step: It's critical to find a school that meets your specific requirements as a servicemember or veteran. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for schools with VA-approved programs.


FAQs on VA Home Loans
Why get a VA loan over other types? Simply put, a VA Home Loan allows qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment. Even if you've used a VA loan before, you can have previously-used entitlement "restored" one time only in order to purchase another home with a VA loan if you've paid off the prior loan but still own the property, and want to use your entitlement to purchase a second home. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... RC=mrvr.nl) See more questions and answers on Military.com.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Connect with Lenders ready to help you purchase or refinance with your VA Loan.


Job Search Help: Connect With Veterans
Join the largest (http://benefits.military.com/vcn/search.do?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Veteran Career Network and get connected with over 1 million veterans. Find veterans working in companies, government agencies, career fields, industries or locations that interest you.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Veteran Career Center to Search Jobs and get Career Advice


Deal of the Week: Fun on Four Wheels
Tailgater? Family-focused? Outdoorsy type? There's an RV that's right for you, and with (http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;253079081;76724915;p) models starting at $6,000, it's more affordable than you think.


Training Can Improve Memory
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center have found that memory training can help when someone is forgetting where a common household object is kept. The memory-building strategy involves three steps. First, participants focused on a feature of the room that stood out and was close to the object. Then, they learned a short explanation for why the object was in that location. Finally, they created a mental picture to tie the information together. An abstract of the related journal article is available on the (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 6/abstract) website of the journal Hippocampus. For information about participating in the study, call 404-712-0936 or 404-712-4321.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


5 Tips for Investing Now, Relaxing Later
If you're planning for your future today, knowing how and where you should invest your money is of prime importance. SavvyMoney has come up with a five-step plan to help make your transition and your future more comfortable -- to read all five tips, visit (http://www.military.com/money/content/r ... later.html) this article on Military.com.


Fisher House in San Antonio
The South Texas Veterans Health Care System plans to open the first (http://www.fisherhouse.org/) Fisher House in San Antonio later this year. The Fisher House is a temporary home to family members of Veterans and military personnel receiving treatment at the facility. Learn more about the project (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/milita ... 383601.php) online. For more information on Fisher Houses, visit the (http://www.fisherhouse.org/) Fisher House Foundation website.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Vet Centers Offer a Great Resource
Vet Centers offer returning Veterans and their families an alternative to bustling VA hospitals?there are 300 centers across the country. The centers offer counseling, substance abuse and employment assessment, and resources. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20120227a.asp) Vet Centers webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Senate to VA: Answer the Phone!
Senators at a recent Senate hearing criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for not answering the phone when veterans seek information from the department's National Call Center. The VA National Call Center (800-827-1000) is supposed to serve as a clearinghouse for information about a range of veterans benefits. But, the telephone often goes unanswered or those answering often lack the right information. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said he routinely phones the National Call Center to check on it, and at times has been disappointed with the response.
For more details, see (http://valoan.military.com/685/va-natio ... -problems/) this post on Military.com.


Army Establishes Hotline
The Army Medical Command has a hotline available for soldiers and veterans who have been screened by forensic psychiatric teams since 2007 as part of the evaluation process for medical retirement. Soldiers and veterans with concerns about their diagnosis may call 800-984-8523. The forensic psychiatric team at the U.S. Army's Madigan Healthcare System at Tacoma, Washington (is under investigation into whether it properly evaluated soldiers previously treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Army Surgeon General has suspended the use of forensic evaluations during the conduct of medical evaluation boards.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


National Cemetery Update
The House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) held an oversight hearing to examine the current state of our (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... eries.html) National Cemeteries. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has come under fire recently due to a series of audits revealing, to date, over 240 mismarked or unmarked graves and 8 veterans or their loved ones buried in the wrong place at 13 cemeteries nationwide. Officials reviewed NCA's progress in mending the harm revealed by the national audit, as well as to review measures taken to ensure greater accountability. The committee was told that the new leadership at Arlington and the NCA are making significant strides in addressing the issues found during the recent audit.
(http://www.military.com/news/article/va ... rkers.html) Read the latest news on the National Cemeteries troubles.


Get the Best Deal on a Home Loan: 5 Steps
It's important to get the best deal when you want a loan. You may assume that a Realtor has the connections and expertise to get you the best deal and that may be true, but not necessarily. Sometimes, a Realtor has a vested interest in steering you to a particular bank, mortgage company or lender. And some shady lenders may make you feel that financing is way too hard for you to understand, but it isn't. (http://www.military.com/money/content/h ... RC=mrvr.nl) Try these five steps to assure you get the best deal anywhere, and rest easier knowing you've done your homework. 1. Make a list of lenders and start calling. 2. When you call say you need help. 3. Ask 5 questions. 5. Call back. (http://www.military.com/money/content/h ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the full story on Military.com.


Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month, and a commemorative poster can be downloaded from the (http://www.deomi.org/SpecialObservance/ ... m?CatID=10) Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute website. For more information on Women's History Month, including educational materials, visit the (http://www.military.com/Resources/Histo ... istory.htm) Military.com History Center, the (http://womenshistorymonth.gov/) Library of Congress website, the (http://www.nwhp.org/) National Women's History Project website, the (http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases ... -ff05.html) U.S. Census Bureau website, the (http://www.defense.gov/specials/womenshistory/) Department of Defense Women's History Month webpage, and the (http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history-month) History.com website.


New VA Clinic for Tampa
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a contract to build a new 106,000-square-foot primary care clinic for VA patients in Tampa, Fla. The project, scheduled for completion in 2014, calls for a two-story building with primary care services now provided by the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. The new clinic will provide primary care services for over 87,000 Veterans in Pasco, Polk, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Health Care Budget Threatened
Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, wrote that the reality of sequestration -- the congressionally mandated cuts that will automatically occur later this year due to the Joint Select Committee's failure to find $1.2 trillion dollars in deficit reductions -- is about hit home for veterans. "As it stands right now, sequestration of government programs is imminent." Miller's concern goes beyond the issue of how this will impact our national defense, Miller is worried that an ambiguity in the law could be used by the Office of Management and Budget to cut as much as two percent from the VA's Healthcare budget despite Congress' intent to protect VA from sequestration. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ksmanship/) Read the full article in the Military Advantage blog.


Troops May Soon Get Mortgage Relief
The President's plan will require the federal government to review thousands of servicemember held mortgages for illegal foreclosures and charges. As a result, eligible veterans and servicemembers could see a sizeable payback from the mortgage companies. Under the settlement certain mortgage companies must pay back at least $116,785 plus any home equity to military homeowners who lost their homes due to illegal foreclosure procedures. In addition, servicemembers who were charged more than 6 percent interest rate (the highest rate allowed under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) will be eligible to receive four times what they overpaid in interest. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ettlement/) Read the Military Advantage to learn more.


Preparing for Hurricane Season
The 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season will run June 1 - November 30, 2012. For information on how to prepare for hurricanes, visit the (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/) National Hurricane Center website, the (http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes) Ready.gov website, the (http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/ ... f0870aRCRD) American Red Cross website, the (http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/hurricane.html) Disaster Center website, the (http://www.mass.gov/czm/hurricanes.htm) Hurricane Preparedness Kit website, the (https://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/hurric ... dness.html) OSHA Preparedness webpage, and the (http://floridadisaster.org/) FloridaDisaster.org website, Be Prepared: Hurricane Prevention Guide (http://blog.allstate.com/be-prepared-hu ... ion-guide/).
For more tips on home ownership and maintenance, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/home-ownership) Military.com Money Center.


News Headlines Hurt Vets' Reputation
In an article titled, "The 'Dangerous' Veteran: An Inaccurate Media Narrative Takes Hold," VAntage Point blogger Kate Holt writes about the impact the media is having on veterans reputations and the efforts in a San Diego neighborhood to block VA from opening a residential treatment program for Vets with PTSD and mild TBI. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... eputation/) Read more in the Military Advantage blog.


Arts Festival in October
More than 3,000 veterans across the country have begun entering local competitions for the 2012 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, scheduled for Oct. 8-14 in Boston. The competition is open to veterans enrolled at a VA medical center, outpatient clinic, or who reside in a state veterans home. Veterans may submit an entry in creative writing, dance, drama or music categories with a veteran or group from another VA facility, but still must officially enter through their home VA facility. Specific division information, rules, and category descriptions are available in the 2012 competition handbook available on the Festival website at (http://www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov/) http://www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov or through local VA recreation therapy or voluntary service offices.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


The Medical Foster Home Option
The Veterans Health Administration offers an alternative to nursing homes called Medical Foster Homes. The (http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/arti ... CFRONTPAGE) Lansing State Journal recently wrote about two aging veterans who have forged familial bonds in the care of such a home. Read the article on the (http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/arti ... CFRONTPAGE) Lansing State Journal website. For more information, visit the (http://www.va.gov/geriatrics/medical_foster_home.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Foster Homes webpage.


Get $200k Coverage: Less than $1.00 a Day
Protect your family's future. Get $200k insurance coverage for less than $1.00 a day. AFBA offers affordable coverage plans. Want more coverage? (http://www.military.com/finance/insuran ... esrc=vr.nl) Customize your own plan now.


Claiming Tax Credit for Hiring Vets
A lot of small businesses may be finding that the new Veterans Job Tax Credit is difficult to claim because it requires a level of paperwork and tax knowledge that many small businesses do not have. Local Small Business Administration (SBA) offices may be able to help through their seminars on Federal income taxes. State and local offices of employment or business services may also be able to help. For more information on the tax credit, visit the (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/art ... 49,00.html) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. Find your local SBA Office at the (http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-list/2) Small Business Administration website. For a rundown of the credit and directions on how to apply for it, you can also visit (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... erans.html) this Military.com article.


Top Employers: Virtual Career Fair
Military.com and Monster are throwing a Virtual Career fair March 27th-29th. It's free to join and you'll be able to communicate and engage with exhibitors and attendees in a collaborative virtual environment. Fast Track Your Military Experience to a Civilian Career. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Register for the event now.
(http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) View a full calendar of Military Career Expos.
Visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Veteran Career Center to search for jobs and get tips on your career and job search.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/) Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities.


Free Military Career Expo at West Point
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's Office and Military.com will host a Career Expo at West Point on March 22, 2012, from 10AM-2PM at The Thayer Hotel, West Point, NY. The Senator's office is a co-sponsor for the event and will have constituent services representatives on site to provide information about benefits and programs to help job seeking veterans. (http://www.military.com/career-expo/201 ... ESRC=mr.nl) Sign up today!
(http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See the 2012 Military Career Expos Calendar
(http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=mrvr.nl)
Everyone is invited to attend a free Virtual Military Career Expo March 27th to 29th. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more info and register.
(http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl)


Overlapping Costs Government Billions
Two new reports from the Governmental Accounting Office (GAO) has found that the federal government is doing a poor job of coordinating its responsibilities in dozens of areas. The GAO said that the lack of a coordinated reporting system makes it difficult for the National Institutes of Health, Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs to track health research funded by other federal agencies meaning agencies may issue duplicative grants to different research projects on the same topic. Summaries of the reports are available on the (http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-342SP) GAO website and (http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-449T) here.