Veterans Report - Week of August 19, 2013

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Veterans Report - Week of August 19, 2013

Download Your Free VA Loan Guide
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VA Joins Research Consortium
The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) highlighted today the establishment of two joint research consortia, at a combined investment of $107 million to research the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) over a five-year period. The new consortium will attempt to develop the most effective diagnostic, prognostic, novel treatment, and rehabilitative strategies to treat acute PTSD and prevent chronic PTSD. For more information, read the Administration's (http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default ... 082013.pdf) new fact sheet on the National Research Action Plan for Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Servicemembers, and Military Families.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


A Look at 'Old Glory'
The practice of referring to the American flag as "Old Glory" was coined by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem, Massachusetts. As he was leaving on August 10, 1831 on one of his many voyages aboard the brig CHARLES DOGGETT some friends presented him with a beautiful flag of twenty-four stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze for the first time, he exclaimed "Old Glory!" He retired to Nashville in 1837, taking the treasured flag from his sea days with him. By the time the Civil War erupted, Rebels were determined to destroy his flag. But, Driver secretly sewed the banner inside a quilt to save it. Today, Driver is buried in the Nashville's historic City Cemetery, and Old Glory resides in the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. For more information on Old Glory, visit the (http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/cele ... dglory.pdf) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website and the (http://www.usflag.org/history/oldglorystory.html) USAFlag.org website.
For more on the history of the U.S. flag, visit (http://www.military.com/flag-day) Military.com's Flag Day page.


$200k Life Insurance Coverage: As Low as $14 a Month
Don't wait any longer to protect your family's future. Protection is quick and easy. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =vr0819.nl) Get $200k life insurance coverage starting at $14 a month.


Find Your VA Health Care Provider
The Veterans Health Administration is America's largest integrated health care system with (http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/divis ... asp?dnum=1) over 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.3 million veterans each year. Find your local VA medical center on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Locations webpage at (http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/divis ... asp?dnum=1) www.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Texas Riders Wanted for Escort
On Aug, 23, all American Legion Motorcycle Riders are invited to participate in an escorted ride leaving League City (Texas) Post 554 to arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. at the DeGeorge Veterans Center renovation at Union Station, 1418 Preston Street, Houston, Texas. The renovation, conducted by (http://rebuildingtogether.org/) Rebuilding Together and (https://www.sears.com/community/categor ... s-at-home/) Sears' Heroes at Home, will rebuild and revitalize the 100-year-old building to help improve the lives of the veterans living there. Riders will register and work alongside Legion family members.


VA Partners to Reduce Claims Backlog
The Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has announced a new partnership and pilot program aimed at reducing the claims backlog and making it easier for unrepresented veterans to receive assistance developing their claims for disability pay. ABA and LSC attorneys will provide free assistance to a targeted group of unrepresented veterans who request their help gathering and obtaining evidence required by law to support their disability claims. In the coming months, VA will identify eligible veterans to participate in the pilot program and send letters advising them of all their options for representation to help them advance their claims. The VA letter will inform veterans of a 1-800 hotline and website to connect them to an attorney who is willing to assist with their claim, free-of-charge. Veterans can learn more about disability benefits on the joint Department of Defense-VA (http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/) eBenefits web portal.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Locate Old Military Friends: 20+ Million Military Records
Use the Military.com Buddy Finder to reconnect with military buddies you've lost touch with. You can search over 20 million records by name, service or pay grade. (http://www.military.com/buddy-finder/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Locate your buddies now.


Veterans' Preference When Hiring
The Veterans' Preference Act is a United States federal law passed in 1944 that requires the federal government to favor returning war veterans when hiring new employees. Veterans' Preference means that when agencies use a numerical rating and ranking system to determine the best qualified applicants for a position, an additional 5 or 10 points are added to the numerical score of qualified preference eligible veterans. Veterans' preference does not guarantee veterans a job. To receive preference, a veteran must have been discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/se ... -jobs.html) Military.com website and see (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... oints.html) this article. More information can also be found at the (http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/vetspref/) U.S. Department of Labor website and the (http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/) FedsHireVets.gov website.


Iowa Vet Home Receives Grant
The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown is set to receive a grant of more than $600,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The grant will renovate the boilers and steam distribution system at the home. A similar grant of about $530,000 was announced last month for the home to update generators and build a transportation facility. The home is one of the three largest state-owned facilities in the country and serves over 600 veterans. For more information on the home, visit the Iowa Veterans Home website at (http://ivh.iowa.gov/) http://ivh.iowa.gov/.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


State Veteran's Benefits
Many states offer veterans benefits. These benefits may include educational grants and scholarships, special exemptions or discounts on fees and taxes, home loans, veteran's homes, free hunting and fishing privileges, and more.
Each state manages its own benefit programs. (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Visit Military.com to see a list of links to the websites for each of the individual states that offer veterans benefits.
Your VA Loan Benefit is worth $417,000 and can be used to buy a home with $0 down or to streamline refinance. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0819.nl) Search for lenders who can help you use your benefit.
Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military.com Benefits Channel to get straight forward info on Military Pay, TRICARE, GI Bill, VA Loans, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Veteran Health Care and More.


New IRS Rules for American Legion Posts
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now requires American Legion posts to maintain dates of service and character of service records for all members. Review the examination procedures for auditing veterans' organizations on the IRS website at (http://www.irs.gov/irm/part4/irm_04-076-026.html) www.irs.gov/irm/part4/irm_04-076-026.html. You will have to scroll past the table of contents to reach "Veterans' Organizations 4.76.26." The penalty for not having the required proof of eligibility is, apparently, $1,000 per day. Please note that references to social members do not apply to The American Legion because they are prohibited in the American Legion organization.


The Four Lies Potential Employers Tell
Monster.com asked some recruiting experts to name the biggest lies employers tell job applicants, so you can spot the untruths and be ready to deal with them. The first is "We'll keep you in mind for future opportunities." A potential employer may be keeping your resume on file. Just know that they are doing so in a gigantic filing cabinet where out of sight often means out of mind. For the rest of this list and tips on how to deal with these situations, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... cants.html) this Military.com article.


Illinois Military Impact Survey
Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon has announced that her office will launch an online survey for state residents to share views on issues facing towns near military bases or towns that are home to Illinois National Guard and reserve units. The survey comes as communities around the metro-east, Quad Cities and North Chicago areas in Illinois struggle with the economic impact of sequestration and potential cuts to military base budgets. The survey is available (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ILDefenseEconomySurvey) online and takes less than ten minutes to complete. The survey, which is being administered in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA), will close Friday, Sept. 6.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Preparing For Deployment: Checklist
If you have a family, the single most important thing to think about when it comes to deployment is ensuring that they're well taken care of while you're away. (http://www.military.com/deployment/chec ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Veterans Virtual Career Fair
Help move your career to the next level and find your next job at this virtual event. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.com/) Register now to complete your profile, which can be used to connect with employers when the fair begins.


History From a Former POW
Hear Chief Bill Tippins, a former Prisoner of War (POW) on the (http://www.washingtondc.va.gov/WASHINGT ... er_POW.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website as he tells the story of how he survived incredible odds and several escape attempts. When he was liberated by the Russians in April 1945, he weighed a little over 100 lbs.


A+E Networks 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.


Are Military Personnel and Healthcare Costs Skyrocketing?
Should servicemembers and veterans believe the word coming from Washington that skyrocketing personnel costs means lower pay and higher costs for healthcare? The Military Officers Association of America breaks down the issue and offers its opinion in (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... nel-costs/) this video.
For more updates on military and veteran benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage Blog.


Turn Old Phones Into Cash
Military shoppers who have an old cell phone or two lying around gathering dust can now trade them in for credit toward a Smart Phone upgrade at their local, in-store Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Exchange Mobile Center. A trade-in can result in instant credit toward the purchase of a new Smart Phone, accessory or even insurance for a new phone. The new program, "Trade-Up and Save," is available only at Exchange Mobile Center in-store locations in the continental United States. Experts at the Exchange Mobile Centers can assist shoppers in understanding features and plans. For more information, visit your local Exchange Mobile Center.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


Big or Small Company: Which Is Best for You?
For transitioning military members, right on the heels of the question "What do you want to do after the Service?" is the question "Should I work for a big company or a small one?" Both can be good, depending on what you are looking for. Find out which one would be best for you by reading the full article at (http://www.moaa.org/MRBigvsSmall/) Military Officers Association of America.


Study Looks at Alcoholism, PTSD
Despite fears that exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would worsen alcoholism, a new study found that doctors can safely treat both conditions at the same time. Researchers found that people with PTSD and alcoholism benefited the most from the simultaneous treatments to reduce alcohol cravings and lessen distress, compared to people on other treatment regimens. Part of the editorial accompany the article is available on the (http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.asp ... id=1724253) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) website and an abstract of the study is also available on the (http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.asp ... id=1724275) JAMA website.
For more resources on PTSD, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... rview.html) Military.com PTSD section.


Security Clearance Wanted: Get Hired Today
Top companies and government contractors actively hire and pay top salaries to Veterans with Security Clearance. Your skills and experience are in high demand. (http://content.military.com/newsletters ... rvr0819.nl) Visit Military.com to view job openings, get industry tips and more to make 2013 your best year yet.


Special Leave for Gay Marriage Travel
Defense Secretary Hagel announced that gay and lesbian members of the military who wish to marry now qualify for up to 10 days of uncharged leave to travel to a state where such marriages are legal. In addition, the DoD will begin granting full benefits to same-sex couples, including (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) TRICARE, (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... or-housing) housing allowances, (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... tence.html) subsistence allowances, and (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... wance.html) family separation allowances by Sept. 3.