Veterans Report - Week of May 07, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of May 07, 2012

National Mental Health Month
May is National Mental Health Month. Commanders and the Army are educating Soldiers, Army civilians and family members about the Army's Behavioral Health (BH) resources and programs available. These services include theater combat and operational stress control, routine behavioral healthcare, periodic assessments, and suicide prevention programs. Chaplains, Military OneSource, and Family Morale Welfare Recreation Command also offer substantial support to Soldiers and families. For more information on resources related to mental health, visit the (http://www.behavioralhealth.army.mil/) Army Behavioral Health website, (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/) Military OneSource and (http://www.myarmyonesource.com/default.aspx) Army OneSource.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


FAQs on VA Home Loans
VA Home Loans allow qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment. There are also no monthly mortgage insurance premiums to pay, limitations on buyer's closing costs, and an appraisal that informs the buyer of the property value. For most loans on new houses, construction is inspected at appropriate stages and a 1-year warranty is required from the builder. VA also performs personal loan servicing and offers financial counseling to help veterans having temporary financial difficulties. Although there is no maximum VA loan, lenders generally limit the maximum VA loan to $417,000. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... ESRC=vr.nl) See a list of VA Loan FAQ on Military.com.
Use your VA Loan in 2012 to buy or refinance with no down payment. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find lenders today.


Benefit Calculator: Find Military Benefits
The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits information based on service and status. Find Federal Benefits, State Benefits, National Guard State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and More. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Your Benefits Now.
Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Benefit Channel to access Pay Charts, TRICARE information, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Vet Benefits and More.


Program Helps Soldiers Transition
The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) helps Soldiers transition from their military career to a civilian career. The mandatory Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshop helps Soldiers choose a career path and how to be successful by assisting Soldiers with tasks such as how to complete resumes, conduct job searches and interviews. Soldiers should pay particular attention to the Veterans Affairs briefing and understand their full entitlement. For more information, visit the (https://www.acap.army.mil/) Army Career and Alumni Program 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.


Study Looks at Protein, Stress
According to recent research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, a cellular protein called HDAC6 may provide a target for treating and preventing stress-linked disorders, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Glucocorticoids are natural steroids secreted by the body during stress. A small amount of these hormones helps with normal brain function, but their excess is a precipitating factor for stress-related disorders. An abstract of the study is (http://www.jneurosci.org/content/32/13/ ... 7a1b6af684) available on the Journal of Neuroscience website.


WH Demands Education Accountability
The White House has announced measures that will help curb the practices of some abusive schools, which target veterans for their education benefits. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/6548/wh ... education/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Don't Miss the MilBlog Conference
Join us for the 7th Annual MilBlog Conference, May 11-12, at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, VA. The Annual MilBlog Conference is the premier event of the year for the military blogging community, which is comprised of active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, military parents and military supporters. (http://milblogconference.milblogging.com/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Get more information and register today.


Air Advisor Memorial
On 27 April 2011, nine members of the NATO Air Training Command - Afghanistan (NATC-A) were killed in action while serving as advisors and mentors to the people of Afghanistan. Plans have been made to build an Air Advisor Memorial at the grounds of the Air Advisor Academy at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ. For more information and to donate, visit the (http://www.airadvisormemorial.org/home/Home.html) Air Advisor Memorial website.


Credit Tips If You're Unemployed
Recent studies show that over 60% of employers screen applicants' credit before finalizing employment. There are several legitimate reasons for this: employees in financial difficulty may be more likely to embezzle, may be more stressed and less productive at work, and poor credit management may reveal personality traits that would make you an irresponsible employee. If you're looking for a new job, this can put you in a Catch-22, particularly if you're unemployed. You need good credit to get a job, but you may be struggling with limited income. For a few tips to manage this situation, see (http://www.military.com/money/partner/p ... loyed.html) this Military.com article.


Basic Training: VA Loans Explained
After the end of World War II, President Roosevelt felt the need to provide returning service men and women with assistance in transitioning between "war life" and "home life." The VA Loan program provided returning servicemen and women the opportunity to buy a home. A VA Loan is a mortgage issued by approved lenders and guaranteed by the federal government. It allows eligible military service members and veterans to either refinance up to 100% of their home or purchase a new home with zero down. But what makes one eligible for a VA Loan? (http://www.military.com/money/partner/v ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read the full story on Military.com.


Deal of the Week: Mother's Day Gifts
Help Mom Play Favorites with Mother's Day Exclusives from Blue Nile. Save up to 25% on Jewelry! (http://www.bluenile.com/atransfer.jsp?sourceid=60006) Use Code MOMSDAY at Checkout.


Featured Job: Careers with the TSA
Make a world of difference to the traveling public and protect our nation's transportation infrastructure. (https://tsajobs.tsa.dhs.gov) Join our team and help TSA secure freedom of movement.


$300k Financial Security: $1 a Day
VGLI coverage isn't enough for your family's future. For as low as $1.00 a day, you can give your family $300,000 financial security, because tomorrow is never guaranteed. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=mr.nl) What would they do, if something happened to you?
In the Marines, Navy or Coast Guard and want more coverage? NMAA can cover you: $400,000 protection for as little as $31.20 a month. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=vr.nl) Get covered now.


GI Film Festival Lineup
The award-winning GI Film Festival (GIFF), the nation's military film festival, offers 42 film screenings, with movies representing every branch of the military and spanning five wars. The event will be held in Washington DC May 14 to 20. Exciting events have been scheduled for EVERY day at the festival. On Thursday May 17, GIFF will provide an advanced screening of Universal Pictures' BATTLESHIP, directed by Peter Berg. Actors from Lifetime's Army Wives will be on hand to receive "GI Family Award" on Military Spouse Appreciation Night, May 19. Get a 20% Military Discount by Entering MIL12 at Checkout. (https://gifilmfestival.webconnex.com/ti ... RC=mrvr.nl) See movie times, events and buy tickets.


Gen. Casey to Speak at Columbia
Ret. Gen. George W. Casey, the 36th U.S. Army chief of staff and the commanding general for Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2007, will be an honorary guest and give brief remarks at Columbia University School of General Studies graduation on May 13 at 9 a.m. in New York City. Casey's attendance is a way to honor the 41 U.S. military veterans graduating -- the largest number of undergraduate veterans to graduate from Columbia University since the period following World War II. Learn more about (http://www.gs.columbia.edu/news-press?a ... graduation) Columbia University and Gen. Casey.
For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


Disabled Veterans National Foundation
The Disabled Veterans National Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps men and women who come home with emotional and physical wounds after serving our country. The organization advocates on behalf of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Foundation is encouraging employers that hiring veterans with "invisible injuries" can provide both parties with great success. For more information, visit the Disabled Veterans National Foundation website at (http://www.dvnf.org/) www.dvnf.org/.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


New Airman Heritage Museum
The Lackland Gateway Heritage Foundation plans to modernize the USAF Airman Heritage Museum with a new facility to be located on what is becoming Lackland AFB's Heritage Campus. The site location has been approved and the project programming has begun with September, 2017 as the opening date for the new museum-learning center. The new 50,000 square-foot, two-story museum will replace the current 6,778 square-foot building and will offer modern, interactive technology-driven exhibits. For more information, visit the U.S. Air Force Airman Heritage Museum website at (http://www.myairmanmuseum.org/) www.myairmanmuseum.org.
For more military museum listings, visit the (http://www.military.com/Resources/Resou ... _guide.htm) Military.com Museum page.


Veterans Win Mojave Cross Battle
The state Veterans of Foreign Wars in California is preparing to take over a one-acre cross site in the Mojave National Preserve after the group reached a settlement in its long-running lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union. The settlement calls for the site at Sunrise Rock to be turned over to a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Barstow, California in exchange for five acres of donated land. That particular VFW chapter has since disbanded, so the state organization will assume control of the site. The settlement involves a lawsuit filed in 2001 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a retired park service employee who argued that the Christian religious symbol was unconstitutionally located on government land. For more information on the Mojave Cross, visit the (http://www.military.com/news/article/wa ... esert.html) Military.com website.


Stories by Veterans for Veterans
(http://maketheconnection.net/) Make the Connection is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) portal to the stories of veterans who have overcome the challenges that can occur after the military. Hear stories like yours, or browse the resource page to help start down your own path toward recovery at (http://www.va.gov/ext_redirect.asp?url= ... ction.net/) Make the Connection.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


VA Hiring Fair Coming in June
VA is hosting a free (http://vaforvets.va.gov/Pages/default.aspx) Veteran Hiring Fair in Detroit June 26-28. The event will coincide with the National Veterans Small Business Convention and offer career opportunities, workshops, and resume building. For more information, visit the (http://vaforvets.va.gov/Pages/default.aspx) VA for Vets website. Learn how one Vet's life changed after attending last year by reading VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/6543/th ... tops-here/) VAntage Point Blog.
For job fair listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


American Homecomings Website
The Times Herald newspaper in Montgomery County, PA has launched a new website, American Homecomings. The new website is a year-long, company-wide project that will chronicle the lives of returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The soldiers will share their experiences as they reintegrate into American society and shed light on the challenges they face upon returning from the battlefield. " (http://www.americanhomecomings.com/#timesherald) American Homecomings"will tell the stories of eight soldiers from around the country who represent a range of experiences. The project can also be tracked on Twitter at (http://twitter.com/AmerHomecomings) @AmerHomecomings, and on Facebook at (http://www.facebook.com/AmericanHomecomings) www.facebook.com/AmericanHomecomings.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Blue Nile: A Gift for Every Mom
For everything she does, show her how much you appreciate her with a gift of jewelry from Blue Nile. We've made it easy for you to find the perfect jewelry piece and choose gifts that the kids will love to give as well. (http://www.military.com/ecomm/articles/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) View the Top 20 Mother's Day Jewelry, Charm Bracelets and Gemstone Earrings.


View Current 2012 Military Pay Charts
The President signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act into law that includes an across-the-board 1.6 percent pay increase for 2012. (http://www.military.com/military/benefi ... RC=mrvr.nl) View the 2012 Military Pay Charts to see what you'd make with a promotion or at your next duty station.
(http://www.military.com/military/benefi ... RC=mrvr.nl)
Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Benefits Section to get information on TRICARE, Pay, BAH, VA Benefits, Veteran Benefits and more.