Veterans Report - Week of May 05, 2014
Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 11:55 am
Veterans Report - Week of May 05, 2014
Thinking About a Resume Refresh?
Can you really get a job by inserting puffy adjectives in front of all of the nouns? Of course not -- your interview and references carry far more weight. With MOAA's spring career fair approaching on May 13 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, this is a good time to begin thinking about refreshing your resume if you will be in the D.C. area. If not, join MOAA's Virtual Career Fair on May 21, 2014, 12-4 p.m. (EST).
Read the rest of the article at (http://www.moaa.org/MRResumeRefresh/) http://www.moaa.org/MRResumeRefresh/
Veteran Hiring Conference in May
If you're a wounded, ill, or injured Service Member or Veteran looking for a job, or an employer looking for qualified candidates, the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior and Veteran Hiring and Support Conference is the place to be May 28-29. The conference will take place in Raleigh, N.C., at the Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown. The first day, May 28, is employer-focused. Day two, May 29, features a career fair for employers to connect with Veterans and wounded warriors. Service Members and Veterans who are unable to attend for any reason can interview virtually. Soldiers and Veterans interested in attending the conference or career fair or interviewing should: contact their Warrior Transition Unit Transition Coordinator, contact their Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocate, call the AW2 Contact Center at 1-877-393-9058, visit the (http://www.navsea.navy.mil/WWemployment ... ation.aspx) Conference website, or learn more from the (http://www.wtc.army.mil/documents/facts ... _sheet.pdf) Warrior Transition Command's (WTC's) fact sheet for this conference.
TRICARE Cuts Rx Discounts for 400K
Starting this spring, more than 400,000 military retirees and senior dependents in the TRICARE for Life program will owe the full amount for certain prescription refills if they use a retail pharmacy rather than a military pharmacy or mail service. The change is part of a pilot program meant to help control the cost of military health care. (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... irees.html) Read the full article on Military.com.
Alabama GI Dependents Scholarship Update
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has announced major changes to its Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship program. The requirement that a veteran must have served during a wartime period or under extra-hazardous conditions has been eliminated. Beginning with the fall 2014 semester, dependents of eligible peacetime veterans may now qualify to participate in the program if all other qualifications are met. Dependents previously denied must reapply by Aug. 1, 2015. Also, beginning this fall, the program will cover only undergraduate level courses at the in-state tuition rate. For more information, contact your county veterans' service office in Alabama or visit the (http://www.va.state.al.us/gi_dep_scholarship.aspx) Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs website.
VA Response to Phoenix Health Care Issues
The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a statement regarding recent allegations of problems at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The VA statement is available at (http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2539) http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2539.
For background information, (http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/23/health/ve ... ?hpt=hp_t1) read the news article at CNN.com.
Rep. Miller on the Death of 40 Veterans
Representative Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has issued a statement following (http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/23/health/ve ... ?hpt=hp_t1) media reports that 40 veterans seeking care at the Phoenix VA Health Care System died while awaiting appointments for treatment and may have been placed on a secret waiting list. Representative Miller's statement is on the (http://veterans.house.gov/press-release ... iting-list) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse
Both Veterans and their family members face many changes when returning or leaving the military. Many of these changes can pose challenges that lead to alcohol abuse. Do you or someone in your family drink more than they should? Screening tests are available on My HealtheVet. A four-question (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal- ... ENING.HTML) alcohol screening tool can give you an answer in less than a minute. A slightly longer (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal- ... SSIST.HTML) questionnaire screens for abuse of alcohol and other substances, such as prescription and illegal drugs. Do not go it alone. All VA care locations offer first-time alcohol screening and intervention for Veterans. Veterans also have access to substance abuse treatment. For more information, visit the (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal- ... abuse.html) VA HealtheVet webpage.
Vets Sound Off on Sgt. Major's Remarks
In this week's edition of (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/c ... tts-forum/) Philpott's Forum, veterans respond to the controversial statements made by Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Micheal P. Barrett. The comments were made during congressional hearings on the administration's plans to reduce military pay and benefits. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ion-curbs/) Visit the Military Advantage Blog to find out what they had to say.
American Military Partners Association
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) is the nation's premier resource and support network for LGBT military spouses and their families. As a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for our modern military families. (http://www.MilitaryPartners.org) Read more.
Veteran and Military Crisis Line
Friends or loved ones in crisis may show signs that indicate that they are at risk of attempting or committing suicide. If you recognize that something is not right, make the call to the Veterans Crisis or Military Crisis line. During times of crisis, reach out and call. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. For more information, (http://www.army.mil/media/amp/?bcpid=69 ... 5399707001) watch the video on the U.S. Army website.
IVAR 25% Discount
(http://www.military.com/discounts/ivar- ... =vr0505.nl) 25% off ergonomic backpacks and free shipping for current and former military members.
New Veterans Employment Center
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have announced the launch of a new integrated employment tool to connect veterans and servicemembers with employers, and to help translate military skills into the civilian workforce. The Veterans Employment Center at (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs) https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs, an integrated, online tool connecting veterans, transitioning servicemembers and their spouses with both public and private-sector employers, is the result of an interagency effort to improve, simplify and consolidate the current array of employment resources for veterans. Additionally, this will provide one comprehensive database of resumes for employers. For a tutorial video on how to use the (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWfhI-eSoWk) Veterans Employment Center, visit the YouTube website.
Hearings on Phoenix VA Allegations
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, says that a Senate panel will hold a hearing on allegations of patient neglect at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix after the VA inspector general completes an independent investigation. In a letter to Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Sanders (I-Vt.) said he shares their concern about serious allegations involving the VA hospital in Phoenix. Sanders said he had urged the inspector general to expedite an investigation already underway in Phoenix. (http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/ ... nline=file) Senator Sanders' letter is available online.
6 Traits of Successful VA Homebuyers
The VA loan program has opened the doors of homeownership to millions of military members, veterans and their families since 1944. Millions more are eligible for this historic home loan benefit. But being eligible for a VA loan and ultimately securing one can be two different things. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... rvr0505.nl) Read more.
$500,000 Coverage: Less than $1.50 a Day
Protection for less. Get $500,000 in coverage from less than $1.50 a day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0505.nl) Could your family afford their lifestyle if something happened to you?
Mental First Aid for Veterans
The new website 'Mental Health First Aid for Veterans' gives family members and others the tools to recognize and respond to the warning signs of mental illness and addiction. The National Council for Behavioral Health, which sponsors the website, says 30 percent of the men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan require treatment for mental health issues. Yet, less than 50 percent of these veterans receive any treatment. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan. For more information, visit the (http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/ ... -military/) Military First Aid website at and scroll down to "FIND A COURSE" to search for upcoming training near you and links to mental health care organizations.
Never Pay PMI and $0 Down Payment
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0505.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
Want more info on your VA Loan Benefit? (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0505.nl) Read more.
House Panel Nixes Plan to Curb Benefits
The House armed services' subcommittee on military personnel has rejected Pentagon plans to slow increases in military housing allowances starting next year and raise TRICARE fees and ending TRICARE Prime. However, the subcommittee did not move to block a planned military pay cap which would mean a one percent raise versus 1.8 percent for January. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... fit-curbs/) Read Tom Philpott's Military Update to get the full story.
Transitioning to Personalized Care
The video ' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-waAbIsK ... tube_gdata) Excellence in Healthcare Patient Aligned Care Teams,' on YouTube shows how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is transforming from a traditional to a personalized, proactive, patient-driven model of care by using Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT's) as the drivers of transformation. The video tells the story of three Veterans, explaining how this new model of care has improved their health outcomes, well-being, and quality of life. The program also shows how their respective health care teams work, explaining what it takes to create a truly personalized, proactive, patient-driven model of care.
Bristol Myers Squibb Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Bristol Myers Squibb. As a business solutions 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 ... =vr0505.nl) Read More.
Thinking About a Resume Refresh?
Can you really get a job by inserting puffy adjectives in front of all of the nouns? Of course not -- your interview and references carry far more weight. With MOAA's spring career fair approaching on May 13 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, this is a good time to begin thinking about refreshing your resume if you will be in the D.C. area. If not, join MOAA's Virtual Career Fair on May 21, 2014, 12-4 p.m. (EST).
Read the rest of the article at (http://www.moaa.org/MRResumeRefresh/) http://www.moaa.org/MRResumeRefresh/
Veteran Hiring Conference in May
If you're a wounded, ill, or injured Service Member or Veteran looking for a job, or an employer looking for qualified candidates, the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior and Veteran Hiring and Support Conference is the place to be May 28-29. The conference will take place in Raleigh, N.C., at the Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown. The first day, May 28, is employer-focused. Day two, May 29, features a career fair for employers to connect with Veterans and wounded warriors. Service Members and Veterans who are unable to attend for any reason can interview virtually. Soldiers and Veterans interested in attending the conference or career fair or interviewing should: contact their Warrior Transition Unit Transition Coordinator, contact their Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocate, call the AW2 Contact Center at 1-877-393-9058, visit the (http://www.navsea.navy.mil/WWemployment ... ation.aspx) Conference website, or learn more from the (http://www.wtc.army.mil/documents/facts ... _sheet.pdf) Warrior Transition Command's (WTC's) fact sheet for this conference.
TRICARE Cuts Rx Discounts for 400K
Starting this spring, more than 400,000 military retirees and senior dependents in the TRICARE for Life program will owe the full amount for certain prescription refills if they use a retail pharmacy rather than a military pharmacy or mail service. The change is part of a pilot program meant to help control the cost of military health care. (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... irees.html) Read the full article on Military.com.
Alabama GI Dependents Scholarship Update
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has announced major changes to its Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship program. The requirement that a veteran must have served during a wartime period or under extra-hazardous conditions has been eliminated. Beginning with the fall 2014 semester, dependents of eligible peacetime veterans may now qualify to participate in the program if all other qualifications are met. Dependents previously denied must reapply by Aug. 1, 2015. Also, beginning this fall, the program will cover only undergraduate level courses at the in-state tuition rate. For more information, contact your county veterans' service office in Alabama or visit the (http://www.va.state.al.us/gi_dep_scholarship.aspx) Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs website.
VA Response to Phoenix Health Care Issues
The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a statement regarding recent allegations of problems at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The VA statement is available at (http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2539) http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2539.
For background information, (http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/23/health/ve ... ?hpt=hp_t1) read the news article at CNN.com.
Rep. Miller on the Death of 40 Veterans
Representative Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has issued a statement following (http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/23/health/ve ... ?hpt=hp_t1) media reports that 40 veterans seeking care at the Phoenix VA Health Care System died while awaiting appointments for treatment and may have been placed on a secret waiting list. Representative Miller's statement is on the (http://veterans.house.gov/press-release ... iting-list) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse
Both Veterans and their family members face many changes when returning or leaving the military. Many of these changes can pose challenges that lead to alcohol abuse. Do you or someone in your family drink more than they should? Screening tests are available on My HealtheVet. A four-question (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal- ... ENING.HTML) alcohol screening tool can give you an answer in less than a minute. A slightly longer (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal- ... SSIST.HTML) questionnaire screens for abuse of alcohol and other substances, such as prescription and illegal drugs. Do not go it alone. All VA care locations offer first-time alcohol screening and intervention for Veterans. Veterans also have access to substance abuse treatment. For more information, visit the (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal- ... abuse.html) VA HealtheVet webpage.
Vets Sound Off on Sgt. Major's Remarks
In this week's edition of (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/c ... tts-forum/) Philpott's Forum, veterans respond to the controversial statements made by Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Micheal P. Barrett. The comments were made during congressional hearings on the administration's plans to reduce military pay and benefits. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ion-curbs/) Visit the Military Advantage Blog to find out what they had to say.
American Military Partners Association
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) is the nation's premier resource and support network for LGBT military spouses and their families. As a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for our modern military families. (http://www.MilitaryPartners.org) Read more.
Veteran and Military Crisis Line
Friends or loved ones in crisis may show signs that indicate that they are at risk of attempting or committing suicide. If you recognize that something is not right, make the call to the Veterans Crisis or Military Crisis line. During times of crisis, reach out and call. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. For more information, (http://www.army.mil/media/amp/?bcpid=69 ... 5399707001) watch the video on the U.S. Army website.
IVAR 25% Discount
(http://www.military.com/discounts/ivar- ... =vr0505.nl) 25% off ergonomic backpacks and free shipping for current and former military members.
New Veterans Employment Center
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have announced the launch of a new integrated employment tool to connect veterans and servicemembers with employers, and to help translate military skills into the civilian workforce. The Veterans Employment Center at (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs) https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/jobs, an integrated, online tool connecting veterans, transitioning servicemembers and their spouses with both public and private-sector employers, is the result of an interagency effort to improve, simplify and consolidate the current array of employment resources for veterans. Additionally, this will provide one comprehensive database of resumes for employers. For a tutorial video on how to use the (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWfhI-eSoWk) Veterans Employment Center, visit the YouTube website.
Hearings on Phoenix VA Allegations
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, says that a Senate panel will hold a hearing on allegations of patient neglect at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix after the VA inspector general completes an independent investigation. In a letter to Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Sanders (I-Vt.) said he shares their concern about serious allegations involving the VA hospital in Phoenix. Sanders said he had urged the inspector general to expedite an investigation already underway in Phoenix. (http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/ ... nline=file) Senator Sanders' letter is available online.
6 Traits of Successful VA Homebuyers
The VA loan program has opened the doors of homeownership to millions of military members, veterans and their families since 1944. Millions more are eligible for this historic home loan benefit. But being eligible for a VA loan and ultimately securing one can be two different things. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... rvr0505.nl) Read more.
$500,000 Coverage: Less than $1.50 a Day
Protection for less. Get $500,000 in coverage from less than $1.50 a day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0505.nl) Could your family afford their lifestyle if something happened to you?
Mental First Aid for Veterans
The new website 'Mental Health First Aid for Veterans' gives family members and others the tools to recognize and respond to the warning signs of mental illness and addiction. The National Council for Behavioral Health, which sponsors the website, says 30 percent of the men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan require treatment for mental health issues. Yet, less than 50 percent of these veterans receive any treatment. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan. For more information, visit the (http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/ ... -military/) Military First Aid website at and scroll down to "FIND A COURSE" to search for upcoming training near you and links to mental health care organizations.
Never Pay PMI and $0 Down Payment
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0505.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
Want more info on your VA Loan Benefit? (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0505.nl) Read more.
House Panel Nixes Plan to Curb Benefits
The House armed services' subcommittee on military personnel has rejected Pentagon plans to slow increases in military housing allowances starting next year and raise TRICARE fees and ending TRICARE Prime. However, the subcommittee did not move to block a planned military pay cap which would mean a one percent raise versus 1.8 percent for January. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... fit-curbs/) Read Tom Philpott's Military Update to get the full story.
Transitioning to Personalized Care
The video ' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-waAbIsK ... tube_gdata) Excellence in Healthcare Patient Aligned Care Teams,' on YouTube shows how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is transforming from a traditional to a personalized, proactive, patient-driven model of care by using Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT's) as the drivers of transformation. The video tells the story of three Veterans, explaining how this new model of care has improved their health outcomes, well-being, and quality of life. The program also shows how their respective health care teams work, explaining what it takes to create a truly personalized, proactive, patient-driven model of care.
Bristol Myers Squibb Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Bristol Myers Squibb. As a business solutions 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 ... =vr0505.nl) Read More.