Veterans Report - Week of March 19, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of March 19, 2012

VA Addresses GI Bill Backlog
According to the VA some veterans are experiencing delays in receiving their GI Bill benefits for the spring term. The VA points out that the issue is limited to only one of their regional processing offices and that they've surged additional staff and resources to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.
(http://military-education.military.com/ ... l-backlog/) Read the full article.


New Vet Program in Wyoming
Rural veterans in the Gillette, Powell, Worland, Evanston, Afton, Riverton, Casper and Rock Springs areas of Wyoming are now able to speak face-to-face with a veterans benefits counselor at the Sheridan VA Medical Center ( (http://www.Sheridan.va.gov) www.Sheridan.va.gov) without driving long distances. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is participating in a TeleBenefits program, which is exactly the same system as that proved to be successful providing health care to rural veterans. Veterans in Wyoming interested in participating in the TeleBenefits program can call their local clinic or medical center to make an appointment.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Top 15 High-paying Jobs for Vets
The 15 most common, well-paid and quickly growing professions veterans choose include: Management Consultant, IT Program Manager, Systems Analyst, FBI Agent, Field Service Engineer, Systems Engineer, IT Consultant, Intelligence Analyst, Helicopter Pilot, IT Network Engineer, Construction Project Manager, Technical Writer, Business Development Manager, IT Network Administrator, HVAC Service Technician, and Fireman. (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/489 ... RC=mrvr.nl) See Median Salaries and Projected Growth for each.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Career Opportunities in the above fields on Military.com (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl)


Korean War Vets Sought in North Carolina
The North Carolina state Division of Veterans Affairs is seeking Korean War veterans in North Carolina and their families to recognize during the 60th anniversary of the conflict. The project is part of the Department of Defense's "Year of the Korean War Veteran," which will begin in June. A certificate of appreciation can be obtained at the (http://www.doa.nc.gov/vets/KoreanWarForm.aspx) North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs website. No documentation is necessary. Also, the Department of Defense encourages Korean War veterans to share stories about their service with the Korean War Commemoration Committee's oral history project. Call 703-545-0522 or visit the Korean War 60th Anniversary website at (http://koreanwar.defense.gov) koreanwar.defense.gov for more information.


Deal of the Week: Lenovo Military Tough
PCs for DOers in the field, abroad or at home. Veterans, Military Personnel, & Family, (http://www.lenovo.com/militarycom) save up to 35% on Lenovo PCs including the award-winning ThinkPad.


Benefit Calculator: All Military Benefits
The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits information based on service and status. Find Federal Benefits, State Benefits, National Guard State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and More. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Your Benefits Now.
(http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Benefit Channel to access Pay Charts, TRICARE information, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Vet Benefits and More.


Land a Job at the Virtual Career Fair
Military.com and Monster are throwing a Virtual Career fair March 27th - 29th. It's free to join and you'll be able to communicate and engage with exhibitors and attendees in a collaborative virtual environment. Fast Track Your Military Experience to a Civilian Career. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... RC=mrvr.nl) Register for the event now.
View a full calendar of (http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Military Career Expos.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Veteran Career Center to search for jobs and get tips on your career and job search.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/) Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities.


Veterans Get Risky Painkillers
Stars and Stripes reports that a new study has found that recent U.S. War veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with physical pain are often prescribed Morphine and similar powerful painkillers. Subsequent suicides, other self-inflicted injuries, and drug and alcohol overdoses were all more common in veterans with PTSD who received these drugs. The Department of Veterans Affairs paid for the study, which is based on VA health care data. An abstract of the study is available on the (http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/307/9/940.short) Journal of the American Medical Association website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Sports Clinic Approaching
The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic will kick off March 25 in Snowmass Village, CO. Disabled Veterans will ski, play hockey, fish, and more. For more information, visit VA's National Disabled Sports Clinic webpage at (http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/wsc/index.asp) www.va.gov/opa/speceven/wsc/index.asp.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


AF Lifts Civilian Hiring Freeze
The Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) has announced the end of its command-wide hiring freeze. Effective immediately, centers throughout the command will be able to hire new employees in order to meet urgent mission requirements, but in some cases may remain under locally imposed hiring controls. The command would continue using voluntary methods to retain civilian employees who are currently in positions that have been identified as surplus, and impacted individuals will receive priority for open positions for which they qualify.
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Cancer Patients Do Well at VA Hospitals
A recent study has found that older men treated for cancer do as well or even better in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital than men covered by Medicare. Researchers said this may be a result of massive changes in the organization of the VHA that started in the mid-1990s, which made patient care more coordinated, strengthened preventive care and allowed medical mistakes to be spotted faster. An abstract of the study is available on the (http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2 ... 11.35.6758) Journal of Clinical Oncology website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Honors Women's History
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is observing Women's History Month in March by honoring women Veterans for their significant historical contributions and encouraging them to take advantage of the VA benefits they have earned. VA recently launched a "Stories of Service" video series at (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/) www.womenshealth.va.gov in which women veterans outline how they made VA benefits work for them. VA offers women Veterans employment services, education benefits, compensation for service-connected illnesses or injuries, and home loan guarantees, as well as high-quality, gender-specific health care. For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, please call 1-800-827-1000 or visit VA's Women Veterans webpage at (http://www.va.gov/womenvet/) www.va.gov/womenvet/ and VA's Women Veterans Health Care webpage at (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov) www.womenshealth.va.gov.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


House Examines National Cemetery System
The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs recently held an oversight hearing to examine the current state of our National Cemeteries. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has come under fire recently due to a series of audits revealing, to date, over 240 mismarked or unmarked graves and 8 veterans or their loved ones buried in the wrong place at 13 cemeteries nationwide. Statements from and a webcast of the hearing is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/%E2%8 ... s%E2%80%9D) U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VHA Stops Reverse Auctions
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has ordered its Veterans Health Administration contracting offices to stop using reverse auctions until further notice. As it stands, VA officials will review their policies on reverse auctions, looking specifically at how the auctions can support the "corporate doctrine of just-in-time delivery by VA prime vendors," according to a memo issued March 3, 2012. In a reverse auction, companies are bidding to sell their products to the government and competition for an agency's bid drives the price down. Acquisition officials at the Veterans Affairs Department are currently drafting a report for top VA officials on how the department has managed its use of reverse auctions.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


GI Bill 2.0: Online Living Stipend
Starting this fall, Post-9/11 GI Bill eligible veterans will be able to get a monthly living stipend without having to take traditional classroom courses. The stipend for online students will be significantly different from the traditional classroom student version. Online students will get half of the national average stipend (average Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with Dependents). For example a full-time student who is taking 100 percent of his or her classes online will get $673.50 a month, while a full-time student taking at least one classroom course will get the full stipend rate based on the specific location of the school. (http://www.military.com/education/conte ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get more information on Military.com.
Next Step: Compare online schools to find the one that best meets your needs. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Request information from schools now.


Space-A Eligibility May be Expanded
Under the current rules, Guard and Reserve members qualify for (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home/0,13396,,00.htm) Space-A travel. However, unlike active duty family members, dependents of the Guard or Reserve currently cannot fly Space-A. So-called, "Grey Area" retirees (retirement eligible members of the Guard and Reserve who are under 60 years old) are excluded from traveling OCONUS on Space-A. However, Congress is considering two new bills which could remove these limitations.
Read the full article on the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... igibility/) Military Advantage Blog.


Get Answers with the 2012 VA Loan Guide
Understand your VA Loan benefit 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 ... ESRC=vr.nl) Download your free PDF now.


House Looks Into VA Contracting Issues
The Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations (O&I) of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs recently held an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction contracting practices. The Subcommittee examined the proposed construction of the community based outpatient clinic in Savannah, Georgia as a case study of VA construction contracting practices nationwide. Statements from and a webcast of the hearing is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/va%E2 ... s-savannah) U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA's Latest Research on Pain Management
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) latest research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain management shows PTSD is a complex condition that cannot be treated solely by drugs. That is why VA research is trying to improve behavioral therapies and pain treatments. Read more at VA's VAntage Point Blog at (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/6060/pt ... -research/) www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/6060/ptsd-and- ... -research/