Veterans Report - Week of January 06, 2014
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:55 pm
Veterans Report - Week of January 06, 2014
Ending Veteran Homelessness
Even one veteran without safe and stable housing is one too many. Get in touch with your local Veterans Service Organization to see how you can help homeless veterans. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/index.asp) www.va.gov/homeless/index.asp or call 1-877-4AID-VET, (1-877-424-3838).
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Searching for the DoD Budget Bottom Line
When it comes to numbers, sometimes the facts can be hard to find. In early November, the service chiefs, one after another, outlined to members of the House Armed Services Committee that rising personnel costs are unsustainable and now consume nearly half the DoD budget. Read the rest of the article at (http://www.moaa.org/MRDecBottomLine/) Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
VA Debuts New Website
The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled a brand new, open data website at (http://www.va.gov/data/) www.va.gov/data/ to give people an inside look at the agency. VA Open Data contains all non-sensitive, non-personal information such as lists of VA locations and lists of VA benefits, so that the public and particularly developers can integrate this information into the apps and into the services they are providing. The (http://www.va.gov/data/) VA Open Data website is the latest part of the government's overall (http://www.whitehouse.gov/open) Open Data Initiative, which mandates that government agencies make their data accessible and open online.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
VA Health Care Meets ACA Rules
If you are enrolled in VA health care, you don't need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards that began January 1, 2014. The health care law (Affordable Care Act) does not change VA health benefits or Veterans' out-of-pocket costs. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website at (http://www.va.gov/health/aca/index.asp) www.va.gov/health/aca/index.asp.
For more on veteran health benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
VA Loan Limits Are Up for 2014
Thinking about a zero down payment VA home mortgage in the New Year? See what the new loan limit is in your area. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.
Supportive Housing Program
Veterans seeking help with housing after being discharged from the military may be able to turn to a new program through the Department of (http://www.hud.gov) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the initiative called The Supportive Housing Program, veterans can get help arranging Section 8 rent vouchers and case management for vets who generally have been homeless for long stretches. The program costs the federal government $75 million a year and has provided more than 48,000 vouchers nationwide. For more information, visit the (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src ... s/hcv/vash) HUD website and the (http://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp) VA website or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Top Ten Health Resources for Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs has compiled its Top Ten Health Resources for Veterans in 2014. The list is available on the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... n-2014.asp) VA website.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
American Commercial Lines Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with American Commercial Lines. As a transportation and manufacturer leader they 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.
Gains in Military Pay and Benefits Stalled in 2013
As it came to a close, 2013 seemed to leave a kind of high water mark on the wall of more than a decade of steady, impressive gains to military and veterans' (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay) pay and benefits. Will those gains now begin to recede? We take a close look at the situation in (http://www.military.com/benefits/2014/0 ... -2013.html) this Military.com article.
Navy Testing for Synthetic Marijuana
As part of a new Department of Defense (DoD) policy, the Navy began testing for synthetic marijuana compounds during random urinalysis. Testing for synthetic marijuana compounds will now be randomly conducted on samples submitted to all drug screening laboratories, and positive results will subject members to disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The change will be largely transparent to the command, requiring no changes to the way they currently collect and ship urine samples for drug testing. For more information about Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP), visit the NADAP webpage at (http://www.nadap.navy.mil) www.nadap.navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.
NORAD's 'Track Santa' Sets Record
The North American Aerospace Defense Command's NORAD Tracks Santa Program exceeded its own records in the number of calls, emails and social media followers this year. The program, which began after a misprinted ad in a local paper in 1955, has more than 1,200 volunteers and NORAD staff answering queries on the location of Santa Claus as he circles the globe delivering presents. The volunteers in the 23-hour NTS operations center answered 117,371 calls from children looking for Santa Claus. The NORAD Track Santa (NTS) website at (http://www.noradsanta.org) www.noradsanta.org had 19.58 million unique visitors access the site from 234 countries and territories. For more information, visit the NORAD Track Santa website at (http://www.noradsanta.org/) www.noradsanta.org.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.
Explore VA
Explore the (http://www.va.gov/explore/index.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs, and learn what benefits you may be eligible for.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Top Navy Photos of 2013
The Navy has released its Top Ten Photos of 2013 on Flickr. View the photos at on (http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/12/30/ ... vy-flickr/) Navy Live.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center and see (http://www.military.com/slideshows/year ... -2013.html) Military.com's 2013 Year in Review slideshow.
Make the Connection
The New Year offers plenty of opportunities for joy, but for some, it is a source of loneliness, sadness and grief. Do not ignore it these feelings -- talk to someone about it, and know you are not alone. For more information, visit (http://maketheconnection.net/) maketheconnection.net and read the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... -Blues.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) article.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Channel.
Addressing Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a year-round challenge. Whether it be rooted in a past trauma or brought on by normal stressors in life, domestic violence is never OK. If you are a victim, seek help. Talk to a friend, seek assistance at a shelter, call a crisis line ? take action to protect yourself and your family members. Veterans in need of immediate assistance can call the crisis line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1 or visit the (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) Veterans Crisis Line website. Family members can also call to seek help for their Veteran family member/loved one. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/10667/d ... challenge/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Channel.
Protect Your Family in 2014 from Less than 1 a Day
Your family's future is important. Protect your family for less. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr0106.nl) Get $300k life insurance coverage from less than $1 a day.
The AF Year in Photographs
The 2013 Year in Photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This yearly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. Visit the (http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/t ... hotos.aspx) Air Force 2013 Year in Photos feature.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center and see (http://www.military.com/slideshows/year ... -2013.html) Military.com's 2013 Year in Review slideshow.
What Happens to Old Battleships?
Ever wondered what happens to enormous battleships once they been decommissioned? Better yet, would you believe that pack of shaving razors you picked up from your local drug store may have once been a piece of a battleship? Decommissioned ships are sold to scrappers, who do break up battleships and sell the pieces to the manufacturer. For more information, read (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/11893/y ... attleship/) VA's VAntage Point Blog and visit the (https://www.youtube.com/user/DeptVetAff ... ture=watch) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) YouTube page.
Ending Veteran Homelessness
Even one veteran without safe and stable housing is one too many. Get in touch with your local Veterans Service Organization to see how you can help homeless veterans. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless webpage at (http://www.va.gov/homeless/index.asp) www.va.gov/homeless/index.asp or call 1-877-4AID-VET, (1-877-424-3838).
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Searching for the DoD Budget Bottom Line
When it comes to numbers, sometimes the facts can be hard to find. In early November, the service chiefs, one after another, outlined to members of the House Armed Services Committee that rising personnel costs are unsustainable and now consume nearly half the DoD budget. Read the rest of the article at (http://www.moaa.org/MRDecBottomLine/) Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
VA Debuts New Website
The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled a brand new, open data website at (http://www.va.gov/data/) www.va.gov/data/ to give people an inside look at the agency. VA Open Data contains all non-sensitive, non-personal information such as lists of VA locations and lists of VA benefits, so that the public and particularly developers can integrate this information into the apps and into the services they are providing. The (http://www.va.gov/data/) VA Open Data website is the latest part of the government's overall (http://www.whitehouse.gov/open) Open Data Initiative, which mandates that government agencies make their data accessible and open online.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
VA Health Care Meets ACA Rules
If you are enrolled in VA health care, you don't need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards that began January 1, 2014. The health care law (Affordable Care Act) does not change VA health benefits or Veterans' out-of-pocket costs. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website at (http://www.va.gov/health/aca/index.asp) www.va.gov/health/aca/index.asp.
For more on veteran health benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
VA Loan Limits Are Up for 2014
Thinking about a zero down payment VA home mortgage in the New Year? See what the new loan limit is in your area. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.
Supportive Housing Program
Veterans seeking help with housing after being discharged from the military may be able to turn to a new program through the Department of (http://www.hud.gov) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the initiative called The Supportive Housing Program, veterans can get help arranging Section 8 rent vouchers and case management for vets who generally have been homeless for long stretches. The program costs the federal government $75 million a year and has provided more than 48,000 vouchers nationwide. For more information, visit the (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src ... s/hcv/vash) HUD website and the (http://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp) VA website or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Top Ten Health Resources for Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs has compiled its Top Ten Health Resources for Veterans in 2014. The list is available on the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... n-2014.asp) VA website.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
American Commercial Lines Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with American Commercial Lines. As a transportation and manufacturer leader they 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.
Gains in Military Pay and Benefits Stalled in 2013
As it came to a close, 2013 seemed to leave a kind of high water mark on the wall of more than a decade of steady, impressive gains to military and veterans' (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay) pay and benefits. Will those gains now begin to recede? We take a close look at the situation in (http://www.military.com/benefits/2014/0 ... -2013.html) this Military.com article.
Navy Testing for Synthetic Marijuana
As part of a new Department of Defense (DoD) policy, the Navy began testing for synthetic marijuana compounds during random urinalysis. Testing for synthetic marijuana compounds will now be randomly conducted on samples submitted to all drug screening laboratories, and positive results will subject members to disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The change will be largely transparent to the command, requiring no changes to the way they currently collect and ship urine samples for drug testing. For more information about Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP), visit the NADAP webpage at (http://www.nadap.navy.mil) www.nadap.navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.
NORAD's 'Track Santa' Sets Record
The North American Aerospace Defense Command's NORAD Tracks Santa Program exceeded its own records in the number of calls, emails and social media followers this year. The program, which began after a misprinted ad in a local paper in 1955, has more than 1,200 volunteers and NORAD staff answering queries on the location of Santa Claus as he circles the globe delivering presents. The volunteers in the 23-hour NTS operations center answered 117,371 calls from children looking for Santa Claus. The NORAD Track Santa (NTS) website at (http://www.noradsanta.org) www.noradsanta.org had 19.58 million unique visitors access the site from 234 countries and territories. For more information, visit the NORAD Track Santa website at (http://www.noradsanta.org/) www.noradsanta.org.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.
Explore VA
Explore the (http://www.va.gov/explore/index.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs, and learn what benefits you may be eligible for.
For more on veteran benefits programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Top Navy Photos of 2013
The Navy has released its Top Ten Photos of 2013 on Flickr. View the photos at on (http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/12/30/ ... vy-flickr/) Navy Live.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center and see (http://www.military.com/slideshows/year ... -2013.html) Military.com's 2013 Year in Review slideshow.
Make the Connection
The New Year offers plenty of opportunities for joy, but for some, it is a source of loneliness, sadness and grief. Do not ignore it these feelings -- talk to someone about it, and know you are not alone. For more information, visit (http://maketheconnection.net/) maketheconnection.net and read the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... -Blues.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) article.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Channel.
Addressing Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a year-round challenge. Whether it be rooted in a past trauma or brought on by normal stressors in life, domestic violence is never OK. If you are a victim, seek help. Talk to a friend, seek assistance at a shelter, call a crisis line ? take action to protect yourself and your family members. Veterans in need of immediate assistance can call the crisis line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1 or visit the (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) Veterans Crisis Line website. Family members can also call to seek help for their Veteran family member/loved one. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/10667/d ... challenge/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Channel.
Protect Your Family in 2014 from Less than 1 a Day
Your family's future is important. Protect your family for less. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr0106.nl) Get $300k life insurance coverage from less than $1 a day.
The AF Year in Photographs
The 2013 Year in Photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This yearly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. Visit the (http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/t ... hotos.aspx) Air Force 2013 Year in Photos feature.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center and see (http://www.military.com/slideshows/year ... -2013.html) Military.com's 2013 Year in Review slideshow.
What Happens to Old Battleships?
Ever wondered what happens to enormous battleships once they been decommissioned? Better yet, would you believe that pack of shaving razors you picked up from your local drug store may have once been a piece of a battleship? Decommissioned ships are sold to scrappers, who do break up battleships and sell the pieces to the manufacturer. For more information, read (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/11893/y ... attleship/) VA's VAntage Point Blog and visit the (https://www.youtube.com/user/DeptVetAff ... ture=watch) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) YouTube page.