Veterans Report - Week of July 22, 2013
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:03 pm
Veterans Report - Week of July 22, 2013
VA to Host Mental Health Summits
Over the next several weeks, each of the 152 VA medical centers across the country will host a mental health summit. The summits are intended to promote dialogue and more collaboration between VA's mental health services and private-sector, nonprofit, community and veterans service organizations. VA is encouraging service officers and veterans' organizations members to participate in summits at their closest VA medical center. A link to the Mental Health Summit website, with a list of summit dates and points of contact, is available at VA's (http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/) Mental Health webpage.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
The Right Life Insurance for the Military
Confused about life insurance -- whether you need it, what kind, how much and the like? So are a lot of people in the military. While the military provides you with Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage, (http://www.military.com/money/insurance ... mbers.html) that may not be enough for some people.
(http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ad&ESRC=mrad.nl) Find Affordable Insurance For Your Family Today.
VA to Expand Transportation
A new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative will provide new transportation services for veterans living in highly rural areas. VA began accepting applications this month for grants to help state Veterans Service Agencies and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) operate or contract for transportation services to transport veterans to VA medical centers and other facilities that provide VA care. A new regulation establishes the program that will administer these grants. Transportation will be provided at no cost to veterans. Many highly rural areas are found in the western and southwestern United States but at least half of the states have at least one highly rural area. For more information, see the (https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... gister.gov) Federal Register.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Vets Don't Need 20% Down: VA Loan Benefit
The VA home loan is available to servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. It can be used for a number of purposes. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Read More.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit score is that all-important three-digit number used by lenders to help them decide whether or not to lend you money and what your interest rate will be. That is why your day-to-day money moves can help or hurt your credit scores. Lenders look at (1) your track record of payments, (2) how much you owe, (3) how long you have had established credit, (4) whether you are taking on new credit, and (5) the types of open credit accounts you have. To improve your credit score, (1) pay all of your bills on time, every time; (2) keep your credit card balances low; and (3) only open new credit when necessary. For more credit score tips, visit the (http://www.experian.com/credit-educatio ... score.html) Experian.com website, the (http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumeri ... tscore.htm) Federal Reserve website, and the (http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/i ... score.aspx) BankRate.com website.
For more personal finance and credit tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money section.
Your Opinion Counts: Take a Quick Survey
We'd like to learn more about your VA home loan experience and opinions on behalf of Quicken Loans. It'll only take a short moment to tell us what you think!
(https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LPWNHC3) Take the survey here.
Search over 40,000 Units on Military.com
Connect with your past or present Military Unit on Military.com. Post Messages, find old friends, see Unit History & Photos and more. (http://www.military.com/HomePage/UnitPa ... rvr0722.nl) Search over 40,000 Units.
Get $300k Quality Coverage: From $21 a Month
If something happened to you, would your family survive financially? Protect your family's future, get $300,000 life insurance coverage (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr0722.nl) from $21 a month.
Congress Reviews eHealth Records Issues
The development of an Integrated Electronic Health Record (iEHR) was, once more, a front-and-center topic of interest during a recent joint hearing by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HCVA) and the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., HCVA chair, recalled that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have still not come up with "single, joint, common Integrated Electronic Health Record." In response to continued development problems, the House has included an amendment in the National Defense Authorization bill that directs VA and DoD to complete work on an iEHR by Oct. 1, 2016." Testimony from the hearing is available on the (http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cf ... 6fcf2d69c7) House Armed Services Committee website.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
MOAA Storms the Hill for Survivors
On July 24, 2013, nearly 100 surviving spouses -- including members of the MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC) -- MOAA staff, and various surviving spouse groups "Stormed the Hill" to ask Congress to support legislation to repeal the SBP/DIC offset. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), champion of the SBP/DIC repeal bill (H.R. 32) in the House and Chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee opened the event and spoke of the unfairness of the (http://www.moaa.org/SBPDICoffset) SPB offset at a MOAA-hosted congressional breakfast.
(http://www.moaa.org/SBPDICoffset) Read the full MOAA article to learn more about why the SBP/DIC offset should be eliminated.
Webinar to Help Save Homes
Join the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 for the Alabama: State and Federal Foreclosure Prevention Solutions webinar. This webinar is intended for all Alabama housing industry professionals with an interest in helping struggling homeowners find solutions to their mortgage problems. The webinar will be available (https://mhaevents.webex.com/cmp0306ld/w ... =mhaevents) online. The call-in number is (877) 809-1556 and the access code is 18074100.
For more guides and tips on home buying, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/home-ownership) Military.com Money section.
VA Announces Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the award of nearly $300 million in grants that will help approximately 120,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants have been awarded to 319 community agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, VA is awarding the grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that provide services to very low-income veteran families living in -- or transitioning to -- permanent housing. For more information, VA's Homeless webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless) www.va.gov/homeless and VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families program webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp) www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Track the VA Backlog Online
The House Committee on Veterans Affairs (HVAC) has launched Trials in Transparency, a new component on the HVAC website that will highlight one of the committee's top oversight challenges: getting timely information from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials. Trials in Transparency will keep a running record of outstanding information requests made to VA by both Democrat and Republican members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. VA is currently sitting on nearly 100 requests for information made by the Committee, some dating back more than a year. The pace with which VA is returning requests -- and in some cases not returning them -- is considered by the Committee a major impediment to its basic oversight responsibilities. For more information, visit the (http://veterans.house.gov/transparency) Trials in Transparency webpage.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Your First Line of Consumer Defense
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is joining 26 other federal, state government, and non-profit organizations -- including the Department of Defense, the Federal Trade Commission and Military Saves -- to highlight free consumer protection resources for military members. These resources can help servicemembers, military families, and veterans guard themselves against consumer fraud and make better-informed decisions when managing and spending their money.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... r-defense/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.
Troops Offered New Video Service
TroopTree provides secure, private video mail for members of the military and their families to record, deliver, receive, and forever store their precious video messages - all for free. Visit the TroopTree website at (http://www.trooptree.com/) www.TroopTree.com to start sending messages back home - or to deployed loved ones, and quickly appreciate how time zone differences and unpredictable internet access do not matter anymore. For more information and featured thank you videos, visit the (http://www.trooptree.com/) TroopTree website.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.
Creating a Winning Resume
If you have just left active duty, your resume may seem rather thin because you have not really done any homework on yourself. For starters, make sure you have a copy of all your evaluations. Stack them up and ensure that there are no gaps in service. If there is something you accomplished during one time period that did not continue through your entire tour, make sure you highlight it in your resume. Next, review your evaluations for relevant bragging points, and list those accomplishments on your resume. Also, be sure to look over your collateral duties. Are there any that relate to the job you want to do? Finally, look over your awards and list them with other accomplishments. For more tips, visit the (http://www.careerhelp.umn.edu/PDFs/Resu ... terans.pdf) University of Minnesota website, the (http://www.blogs.va.gov/vacareers/793/r ... -veterans/) VA Careers Blog, the (http://vaforvets.va.gov/veterans/resour ... 062012.pdf) VA for Vets website, VA's (http://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/veteranresources.asp) Veterans Employment Toolkit webpage, and the (http://military.careerperfect.com/?src=dhtml_cartab) Military.com website.
Three Key Tips for Job Fairs
Here is a key tactic that most that most job-seekers overlook when attending a job or career fair: Stop at every table! One mistake we all make on occasion is to generalize. For example, people assume that health-care companies are only hiring health-care workers, or that insurance companies only need agents. So when they encounter these tables or displays, they typically say nothing and keep moving. Also, sell yourself! Be an extrovert and your own agent! Finally, your mission is fact-finding and networking. By spending time at each table, one learns to overcome stereotypes that lead to erroneous assumptions. For more information on upcoming job fairs, visit the (https://events.recruitmilitary.com/) Recruit Military website, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (http://www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes) Hiring Our Heroes webpage and the (http://www.military.com/career-expo/) Military.com website.
Time to Register for Legacy Run
Motorcycle riders wanting to sign up (https://www.legion.org/riders/registration) online for the 2013 American Legion Legacy Run, sponsored by USAA, have until Aug. 9 to do so. The Legacy Run raises money for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships for the children of U.S. servicemembers killed while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The American Legion Legacy Run is open to all licensed motorcyclists with machines (motorcycles, scooters, trikes, Spyders, etc.) of 750cc displacement and above. Riders and passengers must be 18 years of age or older and in good enough physical condition for a multiday, multistate motorcycle run. DOT-approved helmets are mandatory wear at all times during the Legacy Run.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.
Get the 2013 VA Loan Guide
Understand the VA Loan benefit you've earned by downloading the free Miliary.com VA Loan Guide. The PDF guide walks you through the benefits of a VA Loan, eligibility, how to refinance, what forms you'll need, and more. (http://www.military.com/va-loan-guide/i ... rvr0722.nl) Download your free PDF now.
The GI Bill is worth $417,000 and doesn't require a down payment. You can use it to buy or streamline refinance. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0722.nl) Find Lenders ready to help you use the VA Loan.
Commission Studies Air Force Structure
The "National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force" is planning to visit 13 Air Force locations through Sept. 25, 2013. A list of locations to be visited is available (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123355936) online. Appointed by the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act, the commission is reviewing the Air Force's structure to determine if and how it should be changed to meet future missions and funding challenges. The commission's report and recommendations are due to the President by Feb. 1, 2014.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.
VA Converting Claims into Digital Files
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that over 30 percent of the current disability claims inventory is now digital and accessible to claim raters in VA's electronic claims processing system, which is being fielded at all 56 Regional Offices across the country. This effort is a part of transforming outdated paper processing into an electronic system that is delivering disability claims decisions for veterans more quickly. In addition, all incoming paper claims are transformed into digital records for electronic processing using VA's new claims processing software and electronic repository. With the Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP), a new paper claim that is received at a regional office is recorded in VA's electronic claims processing system and shipped to one of three document conversion locations to be scanned and converted into digital images. The document images, which are made keyword searchable in the conversion, are placed into a VBMS electronic folder for use by the VA employees who work the veteran's claim. For more on veteran claims, visit eBenefits at (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/) www.ebenefits.va.gov.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Pinkerton Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with a company that 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.
Deal of the Week: Dell Salutes You. Save up to 30%.
(http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/1230 ... ACHEBUSTER]) Military members get exclusive savings up to 30% off top Dell PCs, including Alienware gaming systems. Those who serve deserve technology they trust.
Congress Seeks to Lock in VA Funding
Congress is considering 'The Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013' (HR 813). This bill would fulfill our nation's promise to help veterans readjust back into civilian life. The bill would do so by ensuring that VA services aren't affected by Washington's partisan budget wrangling, and that the care and benefits veterans have earned are delivered them with timeliness and predictability.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ing-first/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.
Free IT Training for Vets
With more than 230,000 business clients, SAP's software applications aid companies and organizations in supporting growth, preventing loss, maintaining proper inventory levels and more. Over 74 percent of the world's GDP (gross domestic product) flows through SAP transactions. Veterans are invited to learn about SAP's Veterans to Work Program on the (http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/sustain ... terans.epx) SAP website. A phone interview with SAP's staffing partner firm follows the online application submission. If selected, the applicant is entitled to SAP training and proprietary certification free-of-charge and help in (job) placement within the SAP organization.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.
VA to Host Mental Health Summits
Over the next several weeks, each of the 152 VA medical centers across the country will host a mental health summit. The summits are intended to promote dialogue and more collaboration between VA's mental health services and private-sector, nonprofit, community and veterans service organizations. VA is encouraging service officers and veterans' organizations members to participate in summits at their closest VA medical center. A link to the Mental Health Summit website, with a list of summit dates and points of contact, is available at VA's (http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/) Mental Health webpage.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
The Right Life Insurance for the Military
Confused about life insurance -- whether you need it, what kind, how much and the like? So are a lot of people in the military. While the military provides you with Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage, (http://www.military.com/money/insurance ... mbers.html) that may not be enough for some people.
(http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ad&ESRC=mrad.nl) Find Affordable Insurance For Your Family Today.
VA to Expand Transportation
A new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative will provide new transportation services for veterans living in highly rural areas. VA began accepting applications this month for grants to help state Veterans Service Agencies and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) operate or contract for transportation services to transport veterans to VA medical centers and other facilities that provide VA care. A new regulation establishes the program that will administer these grants. Transportation will be provided at no cost to veterans. Many highly rural areas are found in the western and southwestern United States but at least half of the states have at least one highly rural area. For more information, see the (https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... gister.gov) Federal Register.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Vets Don't Need 20% Down: VA Loan Benefit
The VA home loan is available to servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. It can be used for a number of purposes. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Read More.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit score is that all-important three-digit number used by lenders to help them decide whether or not to lend you money and what your interest rate will be. That is why your day-to-day money moves can help or hurt your credit scores. Lenders look at (1) your track record of payments, (2) how much you owe, (3) how long you have had established credit, (4) whether you are taking on new credit, and (5) the types of open credit accounts you have. To improve your credit score, (1) pay all of your bills on time, every time; (2) keep your credit card balances low; and (3) only open new credit when necessary. For more credit score tips, visit the (http://www.experian.com/credit-educatio ... score.html) Experian.com website, the (http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumeri ... tscore.htm) Federal Reserve website, and the (http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/i ... score.aspx) BankRate.com website.
For more personal finance and credit tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money section.
Your Opinion Counts: Take a Quick Survey
We'd like to learn more about your VA home loan experience and opinions on behalf of Quicken Loans. It'll only take a short moment to tell us what you think!
(https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LPWNHC3) Take the survey here.
Search over 40,000 Units on Military.com
Connect with your past or present Military Unit on Military.com. Post Messages, find old friends, see Unit History & Photos and more. (http://www.military.com/HomePage/UnitPa ... rvr0722.nl) Search over 40,000 Units.
Get $300k Quality Coverage: From $21 a Month
If something happened to you, would your family survive financially? Protect your family's future, get $300,000 life insurance coverage (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr0722.nl) from $21 a month.
Congress Reviews eHealth Records Issues
The development of an Integrated Electronic Health Record (iEHR) was, once more, a front-and-center topic of interest during a recent joint hearing by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HCVA) and the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., HCVA chair, recalled that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have still not come up with "single, joint, common Integrated Electronic Health Record." In response to continued development problems, the House has included an amendment in the National Defense Authorization bill that directs VA and DoD to complete work on an iEHR by Oct. 1, 2016." Testimony from the hearing is available on the (http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cf ... 6fcf2d69c7) House Armed Services Committee website.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
MOAA Storms the Hill for Survivors
On July 24, 2013, nearly 100 surviving spouses -- including members of the MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC) -- MOAA staff, and various surviving spouse groups "Stormed the Hill" to ask Congress to support legislation to repeal the SBP/DIC offset. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), champion of the SBP/DIC repeal bill (H.R. 32) in the House and Chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee opened the event and spoke of the unfairness of the (http://www.moaa.org/SBPDICoffset) SPB offset at a MOAA-hosted congressional breakfast.
(http://www.moaa.org/SBPDICoffset) Read the full MOAA article to learn more about why the SBP/DIC offset should be eliminated.
Webinar to Help Save Homes
Join the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 for the Alabama: State and Federal Foreclosure Prevention Solutions webinar. This webinar is intended for all Alabama housing industry professionals with an interest in helping struggling homeowners find solutions to their mortgage problems. The webinar will be available (https://mhaevents.webex.com/cmp0306ld/w ... =mhaevents) online. The call-in number is (877) 809-1556 and the access code is 18074100.
For more guides and tips on home buying, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/home-ownership) Military.com Money section.
VA Announces Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the award of nearly $300 million in grants that will help approximately 120,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants have been awarded to 319 community agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, VA is awarding the grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that provide services to very low-income veteran families living in -- or transitioning to -- permanent housing. For more information, VA's Homeless webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless) www.va.gov/homeless and VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families program webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp) www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Track the VA Backlog Online
The House Committee on Veterans Affairs (HVAC) has launched Trials in Transparency, a new component on the HVAC website that will highlight one of the committee's top oversight challenges: getting timely information from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials. Trials in Transparency will keep a running record of outstanding information requests made to VA by both Democrat and Republican members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. VA is currently sitting on nearly 100 requests for information made by the Committee, some dating back more than a year. The pace with which VA is returning requests -- and in some cases not returning them -- is considered by the Committee a major impediment to its basic oversight responsibilities. For more information, visit the (http://veterans.house.gov/transparency) Trials in Transparency webpage.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Your First Line of Consumer Defense
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is joining 26 other federal, state government, and non-profit organizations -- including the Department of Defense, the Federal Trade Commission and Military Saves -- to highlight free consumer protection resources for military members. These resources can help servicemembers, military families, and veterans guard themselves against consumer fraud and make better-informed decisions when managing and spending their money.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... r-defense/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.
Troops Offered New Video Service
TroopTree provides secure, private video mail for members of the military and their families to record, deliver, receive, and forever store their precious video messages - all for free. Visit the TroopTree website at (http://www.trooptree.com/) www.TroopTree.com to start sending messages back home - or to deployed loved ones, and quickly appreciate how time zone differences and unpredictable internet access do not matter anymore. For more information and featured thank you videos, visit the (http://www.trooptree.com/) TroopTree website.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.
Creating a Winning Resume
If you have just left active duty, your resume may seem rather thin because you have not really done any homework on yourself. For starters, make sure you have a copy of all your evaluations. Stack them up and ensure that there are no gaps in service. If there is something you accomplished during one time period that did not continue through your entire tour, make sure you highlight it in your resume. Next, review your evaluations for relevant bragging points, and list those accomplishments on your resume. Also, be sure to look over your collateral duties. Are there any that relate to the job you want to do? Finally, look over your awards and list them with other accomplishments. For more tips, visit the (http://www.careerhelp.umn.edu/PDFs/Resu ... terans.pdf) University of Minnesota website, the (http://www.blogs.va.gov/vacareers/793/r ... -veterans/) VA Careers Blog, the (http://vaforvets.va.gov/veterans/resour ... 062012.pdf) VA for Vets website, VA's (http://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/veteranresources.asp) Veterans Employment Toolkit webpage, and the (http://military.careerperfect.com/?src=dhtml_cartab) Military.com website.
Three Key Tips for Job Fairs
Here is a key tactic that most that most job-seekers overlook when attending a job or career fair: Stop at every table! One mistake we all make on occasion is to generalize. For example, people assume that health-care companies are only hiring health-care workers, or that insurance companies only need agents. So when they encounter these tables or displays, they typically say nothing and keep moving. Also, sell yourself! Be an extrovert and your own agent! Finally, your mission is fact-finding and networking. By spending time at each table, one learns to overcome stereotypes that lead to erroneous assumptions. For more information on upcoming job fairs, visit the (https://events.recruitmilitary.com/) Recruit Military website, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (http://www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes) Hiring Our Heroes webpage and the (http://www.military.com/career-expo/) Military.com website.
Time to Register for Legacy Run
Motorcycle riders wanting to sign up (https://www.legion.org/riders/registration) online for the 2013 American Legion Legacy Run, sponsored by USAA, have until Aug. 9 to do so. The Legacy Run raises money for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships for the children of U.S. servicemembers killed while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The American Legion Legacy Run is open to all licensed motorcyclists with machines (motorcycles, scooters, trikes, Spyders, etc.) of 750cc displacement and above. Riders and passengers must be 18 years of age or older and in good enough physical condition for a multiday, multistate motorcycle run. DOT-approved helmets are mandatory wear at all times during the Legacy Run.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.
Get the 2013 VA Loan Guide
Understand the VA Loan benefit you've earned by downloading the free Miliary.com VA Loan Guide. The PDF guide walks you through the benefits of a VA Loan, eligibility, how to refinance, what forms you'll need, and more. (http://www.military.com/va-loan-guide/i ... rvr0722.nl) Download your free PDF now.
The GI Bill is worth $417,000 and doesn't require a down payment. You can use it to buy or streamline refinance. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0722.nl) Find Lenders ready to help you use the VA Loan.
Commission Studies Air Force Structure
The "National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force" is planning to visit 13 Air Force locations through Sept. 25, 2013. A list of locations to be visited is available (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123355936) online. Appointed by the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act, the commission is reviewing the Air Force's structure to determine if and how it should be changed to meet future missions and funding challenges. The commission's report and recommendations are due to the President by Feb. 1, 2014.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.
VA Converting Claims into Digital Files
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that over 30 percent of the current disability claims inventory is now digital and accessible to claim raters in VA's electronic claims processing system, which is being fielded at all 56 Regional Offices across the country. This effort is a part of transforming outdated paper processing into an electronic system that is delivering disability claims decisions for veterans more quickly. In addition, all incoming paper claims are transformed into digital records for electronic processing using VA's new claims processing software and electronic repository. With the Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP), a new paper claim that is received at a regional office is recorded in VA's electronic claims processing system and shipped to one of three document conversion locations to be scanned and converted into digital images. The document images, which are made keyword searchable in the conversion, are placed into a VBMS electronic folder for use by the VA employees who work the veteran's claim. For more on veteran claims, visit eBenefits at (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/) www.ebenefits.va.gov.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Pinkerton Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with a company that 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.
Deal of the Week: Dell Salutes You. Save up to 30%.
(http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/1230 ... ACHEBUSTER]) Military members get exclusive savings up to 30% off top Dell PCs, including Alienware gaming systems. Those who serve deserve technology they trust.
Congress Seeks to Lock in VA Funding
Congress is considering 'The Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013' (HR 813). This bill would fulfill our nation's promise to help veterans readjust back into civilian life. The bill would do so by ensuring that VA services aren't affected by Washington's partisan budget wrangling, and that the care and benefits veterans have earned are delivered them with timeliness and predictability.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ing-first/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.
Free IT Training for Vets
With more than 230,000 business clients, SAP's software applications aid companies and organizations in supporting growth, preventing loss, maintaining proper inventory levels and more. Over 74 percent of the world's GDP (gross domestic product) flows through SAP transactions. Veterans are invited to learn about SAP's Veterans to Work Program on the (http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/sustain ... terans.epx) SAP website. A phone interview with SAP's staffing partner firm follows the online application submission. If selected, the applicant is entitled to SAP training and proprietary certification free-of-charge and help in (job) placement within the SAP organization.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.