Veterans Report - Week of April 01, 2013

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Veterans Report - Week of April 01, 2013

Helping Veterans Find Employment
One of VA's most crucial responsibilities is to help prepare veterans to enter the workforce after their service. The (http://www.military.com/media/education ... gibill.pdf) Post-9/11 GI Bill is a vital tool to help vets prepare for new careers, and the (http://www.military.com/education/gi-bi ... -bill.html) VRAP initiative has helped unemployed vets learn new trades for high-demand jobs. Read about VA's work to help veterans find employment on VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/9036/sh ... mployment/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Bankers Committed to Hiring Veterans
With over 200 Branch Sales offices across the country, Bankers Life and Casualty has more than 4,800 agents who live and work in the communities they serve. At Bankers, we offer more than just a job; we offer a challenging and rewarding sales career! Successful Agents come from all backgrounds, are supported by nationally recognized training, and operate with (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) a level of service unmatched in the insurance industry since 1879.


A Look at Multiple Sclerosis
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking stronger understanding of multiple sclerosis, its impact on Veterans and effective treatments to help manage multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. To that end, VA's Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence have a webpage at (http://www.va.gov/ms/) www.va.gov/ms where you can keep up with this latest developments and treatments. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society at (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx) www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx provides servicemembers and veterans affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) support by funding research, advocacy, professional education, programs and services.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


How Many Vietnam Veterans Are Still Alive?
The approximate percentage of Vietnam-era veterans who are still alive in 2013 is 75; (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showt ... ay-is-what) some online estimates from websites suggest that the number is much lower. In reality, the death rate for Vietnam-era veterans in recent years has been comparable to or lower than that of other men in their age group, (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/veterans/default1a.htm) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the men with the age distribution of Vietnam-era veterans who were alive in 2000, about 12 percent had died by 2010, with about 1.5 percent of the survivors projected to die each year since then. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/veterans/default1a.htm) www.cdc.gov/nceh/veterans/default1a.htm.


Gulf War Veterans Show Abnormalities
A new imaging (http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0058493) study has found that Gulf War veterans have what appear to be unique structural changes in the wiring of their brains. This fits with the (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1 ... eport.html) scientific consensus that Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) is a physical condition rather than a psychosomatic one and should be treated with painkilling drugs instead of counseling. The images indicate that in GWS, these nerve bundles break down and may have trouble forming connections, a phenomenon that has not been associated with any other illness. This suggests that the brain circuitry, rather than any specific brain area, is disrupted in people with the condition. The study is available (http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0058493) online.


Medicaid Expansion Will Benefit Veterans
A new analysis suggests that veterans stand to benefit substantially from President Obama's healthcare law, particularly in states that choose to expand their Medicaid programs. Researchers with the Urban Institute report that as many as 40 percent of uninsured U.S. veterans would be eligible for healthcare under the law's insurance exchanges or its expanded Medicaid program. There are currently about 1.3 million uninsured veterans, the report said, but fewer than half of those who would qualify under broader Medicaid eligibility live in states that will accept the expansion. The report is available at the (http://www.rwjf.org/en/research-publica ... mbers.html) Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website.


DoD Restoring Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance programs that aid hundreds of thousands of servicemembers in gaining college educations will be restored quickly with renewed funding from Congress, Defense Department officials said last week. George Little, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said DoD intends to implement the programs in the way they were before the suspension of new enrollments was ordered earlier this month to meet the cost-cutting demands of the legislative process known as sequester. An amendment attached to the continuing resolution passed by Congress last week and signed by President Obama Tuesday specifically directed DOD to restore the tuition programs and "We will comply with the law," Little said. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... vices.html) this Military.com article.


American Legion: Still Relevant
The American Legion has responded to a recent New York Times story claiming that America's largest wartime veterans organization is "fighting for relevancy." The Legion notes that approximately 250,000 veterans a year join for the first time, and the percentage of eligible veterans who have become members is trending upward (over 14.5 percent nationally). The Legion emphasizes that you do not have to be a member to get assistance from a service officer, participate in a job fair or even receive cash grants from the Legion's Temporary Financial Assistance program which aids struggling military and veteran families with children at home. For more details, see (http://www.legion.org/media/214417/amer ... -relevancy) this American Legion article.


Career Advice: Meet Your New Uniform
What to look for in a Suit: Welcome home! As you join the rank and file of civilian life, one of your first moves will be to refresh those suits you mothballed when you enlisted. Or, if you joined the services out of high school, you'll start building a business wardrobe for the first time. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Military Child Education Coalition
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a nonprofit, worldwide organization that is designed to provide positive leadership and military child advocacy. The organization's work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation due to deployments and transition. The MCEC performs research, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and develops and publishes resources for all constituencies. MCEC also organizes its "Tell Me A Story" events," which empower children by using literature and children's own stories in a way that fosters resilience skills and strong peer and parent connections. For more information, visit the Military Child Education Coalition website at (http://www.militarychild.org/) www.militarychild.org.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


University Offers Free Tuition
Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina is offering free tuition to active-duty military personnel. The school made the offer because of the military's suspension of tuition assistance for soldiers. Active-duty military can apply for free tuition for four classes that start in May. The university said it will increase class size to accommodate all active-duty students who want to register. The free tuition period ends July 15, 2013. For more information, prospective students may call the Methodist University Fort Bragg Office at (910) 436-3624 or email (mailto:bragg@methodist.edu) bragg@methodist.edu. The Fort Bragg office is in the Base Training Education Center at 4520 Knox Street and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


VA Honors Women's History Month
In honor of Women's History Month in March, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a new Face Behind the File episode called Women on the Wing. The 22-minute documentary chronicles the Women Airforce Service Pilots or "WASP" program, which was founded during World War II by pioneering woman aviator Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran. The WASP flew non-combat missions in the U.S. so that their male colleagues could fly combat missions overseas. The documentary is featured at the (http://www.womensmemorial.org/) Women in Military Service for America Museum at Arlington National Cemetery throughout the month of March. Outlets for broadcast and DVD distribution include (http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1) VA medical centers, the Pentagon Channel, and the (http://www.va.gov/womenvet/) Center for Women Veterans. The video can be viewed on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoNZ4-FkJcE) YouTube.


Military Skills Translator: Civilian Jobs You Qualify For
Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities. Enter in your MOS, MOSC, Rating, or Designator and we'll give you a list of civilian skills and equivalent job openings. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate Your Skills and Apply for Jobs Now.


Troops Grapple With Housing Market
Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ballek thought the four-bedroom house bordered by sage bushes and mountain roads on the edge of Las Vegas was a good deal when he purchased it for his growing family in 2007. Nevada's skyrocketing home prices had dipped slightly that year, and the so-called experts all assured him he was getting in at the bottom of the market. (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read Full Article.


$300k Family Protection From $20 a Month
Protect your family for less. Get $300k life insurance protection for as little as $20 a month. Need more coverage? (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =vr0401.nl) Find personalized coverage today.


Loyal Forces: Pet Photo Contest
The publishers of the book "Loyal Forces: The American Animals of World War II" are sponsoring a (http://www.facebook.com/WWIIMuseum/app_197602066931325) photo contest on Facebook, for which winners are receiving a copy of the book and a trip to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Through 160 photographs from the National World War II Museum collection, Loyal Forces captures the heroism of animals that aided the Allies as they fought to protect and sustain morale. To take part in the contest, visit the (http://www.facebook.com/WWIIMuseum/app_197602066931325) Facebook page and submit photos of your animal heroes. For more on pets and the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/pet-corner) Military.com Pet Corner.


Benefits of a VA Loan in Today's Market
One of the unique benefits afforded to military personnel is access to the Veterans Affairs Home Mortgage Loan program. This program offers tremendous mortgage benefits to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. A VA home loan can be used for a number of purposes, including purchasing or building a new home, refinancing a current mortgage, repairing or improving your existing home, or installing home efficiency measures. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) See more benefits of a VA Loan in today's market.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Search for lenders ready to help you buy or refinance with a VA Loan.


TSA Allows Wounded Warriors Expedited Screening
The TSA is initiating a new policy change to expedite airport screening for wounded warriors. While veterans and servicemembers currently do not need to remove their shoes or boots at TSA checkpoints, this reform offers new benefits, including expedited screening, curb-to-gate service, and wounded Warriors not being required to remove shoes, light outerwear, jackets, or hats. For more details on the TSA changes, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... ening.html) this Military.com article.


The Latest Veteran Job Data
Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris has issued a following statement on the recent release of 2012 veterans' employment data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Secretary's full statement is available on the (http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets ... 130529.htm) Department of Labor VETS website. The report is available on the (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/vet.nr0.htm) Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Looking at the VA Claims Backlog
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, there has been a lot of discussion recently about the compensation claims backlog and what the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is doing about it. Read about the backlog from VA's Under Secretary for Benefits on VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8995/ba ... s-backlog/) VAntage Point Blog.


VA Reconsidering Decision
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is taking a second look at his department's decision to cancel the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Western New York and promises to get back to Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., by week's end. The games, which had been expected to draw nearly 1,000 veterans and pump $2.2 million into the local economy, were abruptly called off last week, just 10 weeks before their start, by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, citing potential financial concerns. Many of the participants are Vietnam veterans.
For more military benefits news updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.