Veterans Report - Week of November 11, 2013

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Veterans Report - Week of November 11, 2013

Agent Orange - Diabetes Connection
November is American Diabetes Month. Are you a Veteran with diabetes mellitus type 2 who was exposed to Agent Orange during service? You may be eligible for VA benefits. Healthy eating habits and exercise can help prevent diabetes. Learn more. Visit the (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange) Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange webpage to find out more about Agent Orange and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.


Tenth Anniversary of My HealtheVet
My HealtheVet is celebrating 10 years online! Veterans get online for prescriptions, messages and appointments and more. For more information, visit the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... theVet.asp) Veterans Health Administration webpage.


VA's Prosthetic Appliance Service
In 1945, the Department of Veterans Affairs Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program was created to provide quality artificial limbs to wounded Veterans. The purpose? To develop a system through which artificial limbs of the highest quality, as well as other prosthetic appliances, would be provided to disabled Veterans. In FY 2013, the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) PSAS provided 15.9 million medical items and services to 2.9 million Veterans (about 48% of all Veterans who accessed care in the VA healthcare system). PSAS works closely with VA clinical staffs at medical centers and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics nationally to provide veterans access to the latest, technologically advanced artificial limbs, medical devices, and services needed to meet medical and rehabilitative needs. For more information, visit (http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/) VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) website.


Bankers Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Bankers. As a global diversified technology and industrial 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 ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Monster.com Releases Talent Index
Monster.com, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities, today released its annual Veterans Talent Index revealing important differences between male and female veterans. Female veterans are a growing segment of the workforce in the United States, and the report shows trends, which indicate female veterans have a greater lack of confidence in their military skills and experience compared to their male counterparts. For more information, read the complete report from at (http://www.about-monster.com/content/ve ... lent-index) Monster's comprehensive November 2013 Veterans Talent Index and the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... -2012.html) article on the Military.com website. To learn more about hiring veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Veterans Employment Center.


A Vet's Life: One Frame at a Time
Air Force veteran Stacy Pearsall was a combat photographer before sustaining a combat injury in Iraq. She was also the only female to be twice-named the NPPA Military Photographer of the Year. Stacy began the Veterans Portrait Project to make Americans and the world aware of our military, its values, and the service it provides to the world. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... vets-life/) Watch Stacy's Story.


National Native Heritage Month
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month will be observed Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. The 2013 national theme, Guiding Our Destiny with Heritage and Traditions, encourages the nation to reflect and celebrate the cultures, histories and traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii. Despite the fact that American Indians did not become citizens until 1924, their legacy of military service dates back to the American Revolutionary War when George Washington began enlisting them for the Army, Navy and Marines. For more information, including educational materials, visit the (http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/) Library of Congress website, the (http://www.history.navy.mil/Special%20H ... -index.htm) Naval History and Heritage Command website, the (http://www.bia.gov/DocumentLibrary/HeritageMonth/) U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs website, and the (http://www.alaskanativeheritagemonth.com/) Alaskan Native Heritage Month website.


Female Vets Less Confident in Job Hunt
A report by Monster Worldwide, Inc. revealed important differences between male and female veterans. Female veterans are a growing segment of the workforce in the United States, and the report shows trends, which indicate female veterans have a greater lack of confidence in their military skills and experience compared to their male counterparts. While the statistics for female veterans shows a growing percentage in the veteran pool, the female veterans' Career Confidence Index shows a gap compared to their male counterparts. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... -hunt.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


Is Your Family Protected? Get $300k from less than $1 a Day
VGLI too much? Protect your family for less. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr1111.nl) Get $300k life insurance coverage from less than $1 a day.


Protecting Yourself from the Flu
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers steps people can take on their own to prevent the spread of germs which can lead to the flu: (1) avoid close contact with people who are sick; (2) stay at home when sick; (3) cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; (4) wash hands often with soap and water; (5) avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth; and (6) get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. To learn more about flu basics, treatment and prevention visit the (http://www.cdc.gov/flu) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Seasonal Influenza (Flu) webpage. Get more information on TRICARE coverage and where to get shots from the (http://www.tricare.mil/flu) TRICARE Flu Resources webpage.


Featured Deal: Carnival - Up to $400 Off + Ship Credits
(https://www.satovacations.com/content.a ... =svnov2013) Savings up to $400 per stateroom off Fun Select rates for eligible military personnel.


Featured Deal: Special Holiday Rates at IHG Army Hotels
This holiday season, IHG Army Hotels wants to thank you for your sacrifice with (http://www.ihg.com/armyhotels/hotels/us ... lidaypromo) reduced holiday rates.


States Must Comply With Same-Sex Policy
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently directed the chief of the National Guard Bureau to meet with the adjutants general of nine states to resolve the issue of those states denying ID cards to same-sex spouses at National Guard facilities. Last month, DoD began providing same-sex spouse benefits for military members and eligible civilian employees. Hagel said the denial of ID cards at National Guard facilities unnecessarily forces couples to travel to federal facilities. Another official noted that nine states -- Indiana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia -- are denying equal access for same-sex spouses and are violating DoD and service-level policies for administering same-sex couple and family benefits. Pentagon officials issued a communication noting the system was updated and that ID cards to same-sex spouses were to be issued by all ID card processing stations starting Sept. 3.


Kennedy on Veterans Day
The Public Broadcasting Service presents a two-part profile of President John F. Kennedy on the American Experience on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013 at 9 p.m., Eastern Time. The two-hour program presents begins with President Kennedy's early years, detailing the health challenges he faced; his heroism after his PT boat was hit by an enemy destroyer during World War II; and his first run for Congress. The 1960 presidential race is also covered. For more information, visit the (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/) American Experience website. Please check your local television listings for exact date and time.


VA Meets Mental Health Goal
The Department of Veterans Affairs has hired 815 Peer Specialists and Peer Apprentices, exceeding the hiring goal set in President Obama's Aug. 31, 2012 Executive Order aimed at improving access to mental health services for Veterans, servicemembers and military families. On June 3, VA announced the department met another goal established by the Executive Order by hiring 1,600 additional mental health professionals. Peer Specialists and Peer Support Apprentices are Veterans who have successfully dealt with their own mental health recovery for a minimum of one year. To learn more about current VA Peer to Peer job opportunities visit the (http://www.vacareers.va.gov/peer-to-peer/) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. Veterans and their families interested in learning more about the mental health services provided by VA can visit (http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov) VA's Mental Health website.


Jewelry and Accessory Gift Guide
Shopping for a gift can be tricky if you're living the military lifestyle and especially if you're giving a gift to someone deployed. Factors like shipping and convenience are key aspects in the decision-making process. (http://www.military.com/ecomm/articles/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Hagel Says Pay Cuts Needed
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned that troops and their families will be asked to sacrifice on pay and benefits to preserve readiness in an era of tighter budgets. Hagel listed politically-charged changes to compensation and personnel policy as one of his top six priorities in reforming the military following the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as the department gears up to meet new challenges. (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... eeded.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


Military Family Appreciation Month
An annual proclamation marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation will honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation's servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/military-family ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


A Shining Moment in Vietnam War History
The USNI book, The Lucky Few, tells the story of the USS Kirk's role during the evacuation of American embassy in 1975. The Kirk took part in the rescue of not only the remnants of the South Vietnamese fleet, but also dealt with the 32,000 refugees on board those ships. The epic story of USS Kirk and her success in providing humanitarian assistance under unimaginable circumstances reflects one of America's few shining moments during this military withdrawal. (http://www.usni.org/store/books/forthcoming/lucky-few) Read more about The Lucky Few at the US Naval Institute website.


Free Online Mental Health Assessment
Military Pathways offers a free, anonymous mental health self-assessment online for veterans, active and retired service personnel and their families, (http://www.steptohealing.org) www.steptohealing.org. Check on symptoms of depression, PTSD or alcohol abuse. Although the screening cannot provide a diagnosis, it can help determine if you should see a health professional. It also provides resources on where to get help.


Veterans Bonus in South Dakota
South Dakota offers a bonus to members of the Armed Forces who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding their period of active duty and who served on active duty during one or more of the following periods: (1) Aug. 2, 1990 to March 3, 1991; (2) March 4, 1990 to Dec. 31, 1992, with exceptions; (3) Jan. 1, 1993 to Sept. 10, 2001, with exceptions; (4) Sept. 11, 2001 to a date yet to be determined. Also, Veterans with qualifying service before Dec 31, 1992 and after Jan 1, 1993 may receive two separate bonuses of up to $500.00 each. Veterans may apply through the nearest County or Tribal Veterans Service Officer. Those living outside of South Dakota may apply by e-mail at (mailto:john.fette@state.sd.us) john.fette@state.sd.us. Be sure to include military branch and dates of service. Veterans may also request an application and instructions by calling 605-773-7251.


Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies
Check out a (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/ve ... RC=mrvr.nl) list of Veterans Day discounts on goods, services and dining that have been announced for 2013.