Veterans Report - Week of December 26, 2011

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Veterans Report - Week of December 26, 2011

Lejeuene Resident Receives Disability A former Camp Lejeune Marine "has a medley of maladies, many of which he believes can be traced to his exposure to contaminated drinking water during the 13 years he spent on base." A letter mailed in October from the Department of Veterans Affairs has granted him 100-percent disability for colon cancer and 20 percent for bladder cancer Lawson's time at Lejeune as a connection. His cancers could have been caused by the base the drinking water supply, which was contaminated with the organic solvents and/or by being exposed to leaking gas "at a warehouse building in the Hadnot Point Industrial Area." For more information on the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, visit the Marine Corps' (https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater/) Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water webpage. For more veteran-related news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Get College Credit for Military Service Applying your military experience credits could save you as much as $600 and 5 months on a typical 3-credit college course. In most cases, you will use ACE recommended credits 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 for the school that meets your specific requirements. The first step to claiming the credits you have earned is to request a transcript from your military service. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... rience.htm) Get More information on how to gain college credit for military experience. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... rience.htm) (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Compare schools to find the one that meets your specific requirements.

Combat Call Center Available The Combat Call Center is a confidential hotline staffed by combat veterans -- and their spouses -- from all eras. Veterans and their loved ones can call to talk about their military experience and readjustment to civilian life. Learn more on the (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HBs7lcd ... ideo_title) YouTube website. For military videos covering all topics, from combat-intense situations to features on servicemembers and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/video) Military.com Video Center.

Deal of the Week: Fitness Equipment Smooth Fitness is offering a 10% off discount to all Military Personnel. You can call (888) 211-1611 and all Military Members can get 10% off, Free Shipping and Free in room placement plus a free treadmill or elliptical mat. Military ID number is needed for all orders to verify service. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get this deal. (http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) See all military discounts.

Hiring of Veterans Increases The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reports that the federal government hired the highest percentage of veterans in more than 20 years during the past fiscal year. According to preliminary figures released by the OPM, veterans represented 28.5 percent of total federal hires in fiscal 2011. Meanwhile, Labor Department statistics from early December show the unemployment rate for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars stands "stands at 11.1 percent. For more information, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... -high.html) this Military.com article.

DoD Priority Job Placement for Vets Civilian employees adversely affected by actions such as transfer of function or base realignment and closure may be eligible for assistance through the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program (PPP). Depending on the situation, the program provides mandatory placement, matching eligible well-qualified employees to vacant positions throughout the DOD. For a PPP placement to occur, the registrant matched against a job vacancy must be well qualified for the position and certified by the current supervisor. For more information about the priority placement program and other personnel issues, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website or the Office of Personnel Management website at (http://www.opm.gov/) www.opm.gov. 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.

Warning About Operation Walk America The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' (VDACS) Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) has cautioned the public that an organization by the name "Veteran's Miracle Network" of Stafford, Virginia, has solicited contributions from Virginia citizens for allegedly charitable purposes. The organization might also go by the names "Project Foot" and "Operation Walk America." As of December 14, 2011, and after multiple requests by VDACS, this organization has not filed registration documents as required by law. Contributors are cautioned that their contributions to this organization or its affiliates may be used for non-charitable purposes. For more information, visit the (http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/rele ... work.shtml) VDACS website. For more veteran-related news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

The Best Jobs of 2011 Careercast.com has announced the top 200 Jobs in the country based on environment, income, outlook, physical demands, and stress. Here's a list of the best: Software Engineer, Mathematician, Actuary, Statistician, Computer Systems Analyst. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the rest of the list along with the average salaries for these top jobs.

(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Military Friendly Jobs on Military.com.

Get $1M Coverage for Just $41 a Month Navy Mutual's Flex Term plan has no war clauses, no terrorism clauses, no aviation restrictions, and no travel restrictions. Give your family $1 Million protection for only $41 a Month without hassles. Don?t need that much coverage? Create your own plan today. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=vr1205.nl) Get started now.

VA Loan Rate and Facts for 2012 A VA Home Loan allows 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. In 2012 lenders will continue to limit maximum VA Loans to $417,000. You can buy or refinance with the VA Loan. Now is a great time to use your benefits. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Lenders Today.

Get Your 2012 Military Pay Chart The White House Budget includes a proposed 1.6 percent across-the-board pay raise for 2012. This raise is .2% percent more than the 2011 military pay increase and is among the smallest increases since 1962. (http://www.military.com/military/benefi ... Pay,00.htm) See the 2012 Proposed 1.6% Raise.

No Veteran Dies Alone A program at the Fresno VA Medical Center called "No Veteran Dies Alone" ensures veterans at the () end of their lives receive the care and dignity they deserve. Read more about it on the (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-5 ... ies-alone/) CBS News website. For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Report Looks at VA Reforms A new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found that acquisition oversight reforms begun two years ago at the Veterans Health Administration have not been effective. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) agreed with the Inspector General, which "recommended that VA and VHA acquisition management improve oversight of Veterans Information Management Service contracts and develop effective tools to manage those contracts" for purchasing at 150 healthcare facilities. The report is available on the (http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-10-01767-27.pdf) Office of Inspector General website. For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Navy Purple Heart Policy Update The U.S. Navy recently updated its policies concerning the awarding of the Purple Heart. Sailors and Marines may be now awarded the Purple Heart for certain mild traumatic brain injuries that were caused by enemy action. If they suffered a loss of consciousness, or had to be given the disposition of 'not fit for full duty' by a medical officer for a period greater than 48 hours after a concussive event, they may qualify for the Purple Heart. Purple Hearts awarded for MTBI will continue to meet the historical standards of severity applied to all types of wounds. For more information, read (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/r ... N11079.txt) ALNAV 079/11. For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

New VA Health Services Webpage VA's Health Services Research & Development Service recently launched a webpage designed for the veteran community. The (http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_veterans/) new webpage offers features describing health services research into critical topics such as women's health and PTSD. Visitors can also read about current research news and also watch videos featuring VA health services investigators talking about their work. To learn more about VA's Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D), visit VA's HSR&D webpage at (http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/ href=) www.hsrd.research.va.gov/. For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

TSP Contribution Limits to Increase The 2012 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions has increased from $16,500 to $17,000 for 2012. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. Military members can contribute any whole percentage up to 92 percent of basic pay, as long as the annual total does not exceed $17,000 for 2012. If contributing from basic pay, Airmen may also invest all or part of their bonuses, special pay, or incentive pay. For more information about TSP, visit the Thrift Savings Plan website at (http://www.tsp.gov/) www.tsp.gov. Click on "Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan" located under civilian or uniformed services TSP Forms and Publications. For more on TSP and other military pay benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Homeless Vet Population Decreasing The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have announced that homelessness among veterans has dropped nearly 12 percent in the last year. Read more about it on the (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/5488/ho ... last-year/) Department of Veterans Affairs VAntage Point Blog. For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Benefits for the Involuntarily Separated Any member of the Armed Forces involuntarily separated under other than adverse conditions from active duty through Dec. 31, 2012 may continue to use commissary and exchange privileges for a two-year period beginning on the date of the member's involuntary separation. The Navy will forward separating Sailors' information to the Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS) for issuance of a Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card. For more information about ERB and other transition benefits, visit the (http://www.npc.navy.mil/boards/ERB/) NPC ERB Web Page, contact the NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672). For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Vet Home Buying Program in Illinois Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has announced a program aimed at helping veterans and active duty military members purchase homes by providing $10,000 grants for down payment and closing costs. Qualified applicants also will be able to lock in low-interest loans at 4 percent for a 30-year mortgage and receive an additional tax credit of up to $20,000 over that same time period. The Welcome Home Heroes application is free. For more information, visit the (http://www.ihda.org/homeowner/heroes.htm) Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) website. A list of lenders is available at the (http://www.ihda.org/homeowner/heroes.htm) IHDA website. For tips and guides on veteran home loans, and to connect with veteran-friendly loans, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) Military.com VA Loan Center.