Veterans Report - Week of May 14, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of May 14, 2012

Play Military Trivia, Win an iPod
Think you know military history and trivia? Test your knowledge with the Military.com Trivia Challenge. 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.


National Military Appreciation Month
May is National Military Appreciation Month when U.S. Citizens are encouraged to honor the current and former members of the armed forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace. The theme of this year's commemoration is 'Resiliency - honoring the perseverance of Soldiers, Family members, Civilians and Veterans since the birth of our Nation.' For more information, visit the (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/iss ... 2012-05-03) U.S. Army's Stand-To! website and the (http://www.nmam.org/) National Military Appreciation Month website. For more on Military Appreciation Month events, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-appreciation-month) Military.com National Military Appreciation Month site.


WWII Veteran Honored
Stars and Stripes reports that World War II veteran Bea Abrams Cohen was recently recognized at a California state Capitol celebration during Women's Military History Week, which honored the achievements of women in the armed forces. At 102, Mrs. Cohen is believed to be California's oldest female veteran, according to the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Cohen became legally blind in 1990, but that did not slow her down. She continues to do upholstery, one of her favorite pastimes. Read more about Mrs. Cohen in (http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/at ... s-1.175926) Stars and Stripes.
For more military history resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


VA Eliminates Co-Payment
The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer charge veterans a co-payment when they receive care in their homes from VA health professionals using video conferencing. This change will primarily benefit veterans with limited mobility, such as spinal cord injury patients. Whenever medically appropriate, VA will make the home the preferred place of care for veterans to ensure timely and convenient access to VA services. Home telehealth does not replace the need for nursing home care or for traditional noninstitutional care programs. However, it enhances the ability for many veterans to better understand and manage chronic diseases. For more information about telehealth, visit VA's (http://www.telehealth.va.gov/) Telehealth webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Seeks Comments
At the direction of the President, VA and other federal agencies have drafted policies to foster a culture of transparency, integrity, and ethical behavior and to protect researchers from inappropriate influence in the development and application of scientific and technological findings. Read the draft policy and comment on the VA Draft Scientific Integrity Policy webpage at (http://www.va.gov/health/scint.asp) http://www.va.gov/health/scint.asp.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Free Admission to Theme Parks
All year long, any member of active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman will receive free admission to all Anheuser-Busch parks across the country through the Here's to the Heroes program. This includes 3 Sea World parks, 4 Busch Gardens parks and Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. You must register, which can be done at the park entrance or online ahead of time at the Anheuser-Busch (http://www.herosalute.com/cavatx/overview.html) Here's to the Heroes website. Up to three dependents may accompany the servicemember. For more information and an overview of the program, visit the Anheuser-Busch (http://www.herosalute.com/cavatx/overview.html) Here's to the Heroes website.
(http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) View all Military Discounts at the Military.com Discount Center.


Five Hot Jobs for Ex-Military Personnel
The US military is arguably the best-trained workforce in the world, and personnel who leave military service have skills that translate to virtually any career. Take a look at five popular jobs that give the men and women who've served our country an opportunity to make a difference and move up -- Information Technology Specialist, Police Officer, Math or Science Teacher, Entrepreneur & Civilian Public Service. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get the full story on Military.com.
Employers are looking for Military Experience -- (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search and apply for jobs today.


Vet Grants in Illinois
The (http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Pages/default.aspx) Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) has announced $263,633 in grants from Veterans' Cash scratch-off lottery ticket sales to help eight non-profits deliver specialized programs and services for Illinois' veterans. The brainchild of Governor Pat Quinn, Veterans Cash has funded programs for veterans throughout Illinois since 2006. Proceeds from ticket sales are deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, making it the first Illinois Lottery ticket for which 100 percent of net proceeds are dedicated to support Illinois veterans. On a quarterly basis, IDVA's Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help address PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care and disability benefits. To apply for a grant, please download an application at (http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/progr ... -cash.aspx) the Veterans Cash website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Featured Job: UnitedHealth Group
Now Hiring Military Professionals. Come see the greater difference you can be making at UnitedHealth Group. (http://careers.unitedhealthgroup.com/Wh ... enterprise) Apply Today.


Firearms Illegal at VA Facilities
The Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding everyone that possession of firearms is illegal, under Federal law, at all VA facilities and properties. This applies even to those individuals who have a State-issued permit to carry a concealed firearm. Persons found in possession of a firearm on Federal property are subject to arrest, citation, and confiscation of their firearms. So, please ensure that you leave your firearm at home, and properly stored, when you visit any of our VA facilities or properties.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Understand Your Military Pay
With basic pay and 70 types of special pays and allowances, including BAH, military pay is customized to your situation. Changes in pay grade, duty status, your military occupation, duty station, or deployment status can have an impact on your pay. (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... RC=mrvr.nl) See 2012 Pay Charts, Flight Pay, Basic Housing Allowances, Advance Pay Enlisted Breakouts and more.


Watch Military Videos
Visit the Military Life Video Channel to see real life military moments caught on tape -- tributes, reunions, music videos, humor, and more. (http://www.military.com/video/military- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Watch Now.


Army May Tighten Tattoo, Grooming Regs
The U.S. Army is considering tightening its rules on hair, tattoos, and makeup. The pending changes include: (1) shorter sideburns; (2) Soldiers must be clean shaven on and off duty, even during leave; (3) women's fingernail length will not exceed a quarter of an inch; (4) soldiers will not eat, drink, smoke, or talk on cellphones while walking; (5) Army Combat Uniforms will not be commercially pressed; (6) hair grooming standards will become more restrictive; (7) no visible body piercings will be allowed; (8) no dental ornamentation or gold teeth will be authorized, and (9) men will be authorized to carry a black umbrella with the Army Service Uniform. The pending changes are part of a comprehensive review of (http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r670_1.pdf) Army Regulation 670-1.
For more Army news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Memorial Day Parade
The 2012 National Memorial Day Parade Presented by Boeing will include the very first special public tribute in the nation's capital to the Iraq War generation. All Iraq veterans and active duty military are encouraged to participate in honor the sacrifices of their fallen comrades. The Parade will take place Monday, May 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC. Veterans of Iraq from around the country are invited to participate in the only major public parade in their honor in Washington and, more importantly, in honor of those who did not come home. For more details, see this (http://www.military.com/memorial-day/co ... arade.html) Military.com article.


House Committee Dumps TRICARE Fee Hikes
Last week the House Armed Services Committee completed the 2013 defense bill mark-up. The HASC version would increase some TRICARE pharmacy co-pays, but it does not include the DoD plan to tier enrollment TRICARE Prime fees. The HASC budget proposal will now go to the full house for a vote. The House is expected to pass the bill next week, but it stands little chance of passing as written in the Senate.
Read the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... fee-hikes/) Military Advantage to learn more.


VA Home Loan FAQ
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. What if I've used a VA Home Loan Before? You can have previously-used entitlement "restored" one time only in order to purchase another home with a VA loan if the borrower has paid off the prior loan but still owns the property, and wants to use his 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.


Report on Fort Detrick Available
A report on the outdoor testing of herbicides at Fort Detrick during the 1940's through 1960's is now available for downloading in .PDF format from a link in the Hot Topics box on the (http://www.detrick.army.mil/index.cfm) Fort Detrick, Maryland website. The report " (http://www.detrick.army.mil/responsible ... rt2012.pdf) ASR Findings for Testing of 2,4,5-T and Other Herbicide" estimates the amount of 2,4,5-T, one of the main components of Agent Orange, used during documented field tests on the installation between 1944 and 1968 was approximately 9,879 grams or 21.7 pounds. Based on a 1971 U.S. Department of Agriculture report "Restricting the Use of 2,4,5-T: Costs to Domestic Users", the annual average farm use of 2, 4, 5-T in 1969 was 48 pounds per 100-acre farm.
For more news and community information for military bases around the country, visit the (http://www.military.com/base-guide/) Military.com Base Guides.


Vow to Hire Heroes Act
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor are working together to get veterans who are unemployed into training and back into the workforce with the help of services and financial assistance. Learn more about the (http://benefits.va.gov/vow/index.htm) Veterans Retraining Assistance Program at VA's (http://benefits.va.gov/vow/index.htm) Vow to Hire Heroes Act 2011 webpage.
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.


Featured Employer: Chevron
Chevron is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Chevron Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, translate your military skills and network with other veterans. The Chevron team has the technology to take on big challenges, the integrity to do it responsibly and the drive to keep moving forward. Right now we?re hiring Facility Engineers, Petroleum Engineers, Drilling and Completion Engineers, Pipeline Operator / Maintenance, Production Operations and More. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Chevron Talent Portal.


New Economic Program in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. will put $150,000 into a new fund aimed at seeding start-up companies run by military veterans and helping them to hit the ground running. The fund will be managed by (http://www.jsonline.com/business/boot-c ... 88423.html) Veteran Entrepreneurial Transfer Inc. (known as VETransfer), a Milwaukee nonprofit group formed a little more than a year ago with a two-year, $3.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The investment will make Wisconsin the first state to launch such a seed fund to support veteran-owned businesses. For more information, visit (https://vetransfer.org/) VETransfer.org.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Brain Trauma and Vets
The case of a 27-year-old Marine Corps veteran with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.) has been documented in a peer-reviewed medical journal. C.T.E. is a degenerative condition best-known for affecting boxers, football players and other athletes who endure repeated blows to the head. The Marine was the first Iraq veteran found to have C.T.E. The findings raise a critical question: Could blasts from bombs or grenades have a catastrophic impact similar to those of repeated concussions in sports, and could the rash of suicides among young veterans be a result? An abstract of the landmark article in the journal Neurosurgical Focus is available on the (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22044102) PubMed website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


$100k of Protection for $6.80 a Month
What if you could give your family peace of mind that comes knowing you're protected by life insurance without hidden clauses or fine print? Get 100k worth of coverage for only $6.80 a month. Keep your family protected. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=vr.nl) Contact Navy Mutual Today.


Easier Way to Order a Medallion
The National Cemetery Administration has introduced a (http://www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA40-1330M.pdf) new application to request a medallion--making it easier for the public to order. The medallion is affixed to an existing headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a Veteran. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) Headstones, Markers, and Medallions webpage at (http://www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp) http://www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Grants for Job Training
The U.S. Department of Labor is making available approximately $12 million in grants through the Veterans' Workforce Investment Program to provide job training and skills development services that will help approximately 6,000 veterans succeed in civilian careers. The department will award at least 10 grants in 10 states on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit -- including faith-based and community --organizations. The solicitation for grant applications is available at the Grants.gov website at the (http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/vwip/main.htm) Department of Labor website. More information about the Department of Labor's unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found at the Department of Labor VETS webpage at (http://www.dol.gov/vets/) www.dol.gov/vets/.
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.


Deal of the Week: Military Discounts
Visit the Military.com Discounts Channel to find hundreds of discounts for servicemembers, reservists, guard, veterans, retirees and their families -- travel, clothing, trucks, electronics, fitness and more. (http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Browse discounts now.