Veterans Report - Week of April 02, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of April 02, 2012

Drawings of Proposed Museum Displayed
Stars and Stripes reports that the Army Historical Foundation, which is leading the efforts to build the National Museum of the U.S. Army, recently posted artist renderings of the estimated $300 million project on its (http://www.armyhistory.org/ahf.aspx?pgID=942&p=3.1.3.1) website. Construction should begin next year, and the new museum is scheduled to open in 2015. For more information, visit the (http://www.armyhistory.org/ahf.aspx?pgID=868) Army Historical Foundation website.
For more military museum listings, visit the (http://www.military.com/Resources/Resou ... _guide.htm) Military.com Museum page.


Military Warriors Support Foundation
The Military Warriors Support Foundation awards mortgage-free homes to wounded heroes injured during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The homes are for families who have severe and/or unique circumstances due to their injuries received while serving our country. In addition to the home, the families will receive 3 years of family and financial mentoring. For more information and to apply, visit the (http://militarywarriors.org/) Military Warriors Support Foundation website.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


VA to Offer Clergy Workshops
Members of the clergy in rural areas can sign up for free, one-day workshops offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to educate these community leaders about the concerns of veterans and how to contact local VA facilities to request information or assistance for Veterans. Workshops will run through June in rural parts of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Seating for the workshops is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information about dates and locations, visit (http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/ruralclergytraining) VA's Rural Clergy Training webpage or contact Jim Goalder at 1-800-872-9975.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Montana VA Under Review
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General has opened a formal review of the VA Montana Healthcare System. The federal review of VA Montana comes as Fort Harrison is under growing scrutiny from VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki due to concerns about the VA Montana Health Care System at Fort Harrison, Montana and its inability to hire in-patient psychiatrists. Catherine Gromek, congressional relations officer for the inspector general's office, could not discuss details of the review but said it is expected to be completed by midsummer.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


State Veteran's Benefits Directory
Each state manages its own benefit programs. The following is a list of links to the websites for each of the individual states that offer veterans benefits. Be sure to take advantage of the benefits you have earned by clicking on the link to your State Department of Veterans Affairs. (http://www.military.com/benefits/conten ... RC=mrvr.nl) See what benefits your state offers.
GI Bill Benefits are worth up to $52,500. Don't wait to use the benefits you've earned. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Find Schools with VA-approved Programs.


Learn Proper Flag Disposal
How people should honor the flag when it becomes worn, torn, faded and threadbare is not clear to many who fly it. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette, generally referred to as the Flag Code, clearly states that, "When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner." Many veterans service organizations collect worn flags for proper disposal. For more information on our flag, read the (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/chapter-1) Flag Code and visit the (http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shtml) American Flag Etiquette webpage.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Understand Your Military Pay
With basic pay and 70 types of special pays and allowances, including BAH, military pay is customized to your situation. Changes in pay grade, duty status, your military occupation, duty station, or deployment status can have an impact on your pay. (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... RC=mrvr.nl) See 2012 Pay Charts, Flight Pay, Basic Housing Allowances, Advance Pay Enlisted Breakouts and more.


Navy League Announces Expo
The Navy League of the United States is hosting the 47th Annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition April 16-18, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. More than 150 interactive exhibits, showcasing the latest in maritime, defense and energy technology, will be featured this year along with informative seminars. The exposition is free with advance registration and is open to active duty, Reserve and retired U.S. Military personnel, and U.S. Government employees. Commanding officers may issue orders for attendance at government expense. To register for this year's Exposition and view current schedules, visit the (http://seaairspace.org) Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition website.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


How Much Can I Save on a VA Home Loan?
Potential homebuyers who are eligible for a home loan through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should take advantage of the opportunity as a VA loan translates to significant savings. But exactly how much can a homeowner save with a VA loan? A VA home loan borrower who puts $0 down on a $150,000 loan that has a 1 percent interest rate reduction may save $115 in private mortgage insurance (PMI) and $209 a month. (http://valoan.military.com/773/save-va- ... ESRC=vr.nl) Read the full story on Military.com.


DoD Suspends Efforts in Korea
Stars and Stripes reports that the Department of Defense has suspended efforts to recover the remains of American servicemembers in North Korea because of that country's recent "unacceptable behavior." North Korean officials recently announced plans to launch a satellite next month, but U.S. And Japanese officials believe the country actually plans to test long-range missiles. For more information on the Department of Defense's ongoing efforts to identify and recover the 83,000 Americans who are missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War, visit (http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/) Defense Prisoner of War--Missing Personnel Office website.
To keep up with military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Top Cities for Job Growth and Raises
Anywhere there's fossil-fuel expansion, skilled workers are in short supply, so companies may have to raise pay to attract employees. NewGeography's top cities for job growth include five Texas towns: Fort Hood, El Paso, College Station, Midland, Austin, Bismark, New Orleans, Dubuque, Manhattan, Pascagoula and more. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/co ... rkets.html) Get a full list on Military.com.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Search for Veteran Friendly Jobs on Military.com.


U.S.S. Constitution Joins Navy Week
Sailors assigned to USS Constitution will participate in Phoenix Navy Week in Phoenix, March 26-30. This is the first of eight Navy Weeks Constitution Sailors are scheduled to participate in throughout 2012, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. The ship's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history. For more information, visit the (http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution) U.S.S. Constitution website or the (http://www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial) U.S.S. Constitution Facebook page. For more information on bicentennial of the War of 1812, visit the (http://www.ourflagwasstillthere.org/) Bicentennial of the War of 1812 website.
For more military history resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.


Internships for Wounded Warriors
Are you a wounded, ill or injured servicemember looking to increase your career readiness and use your time productively while you recover? Consider participating in an Operation Warfighter internship! To get an idea of how an internship could help you during your recovery and rehabilitation, read the story of one of the interns on the (http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/2012/03/ ... g-warrior/) DoD Warrior Care Blog. For more information about Federal internship opportunities, send an e-mail to (mailto:warriorcare@osd.mil) warriorcare@osd.mil.
For more military family resources and support programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Stop Loss Pay Deadline Extended
Servicemembers and veterans whose military service was involuntarily extended under the "Stop Loss" program between the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Sept. 30, 2009 now have until Oct. 21, .to apply for special retroactive pay. Eligible servicemembers or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service to receive $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status. To apply for the pay, or for more information on submission requirements and service-specific links, visit the (http://www.defense.gov/stoploss) Retroactive Stop Loss Special Page webpage.
To keep up with military benefits changes and issues, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/) Military Advantage blog.


$400k Coverage as Low as $1.50 a Day
How much are you paying for your VGLI? ASMBA offers veterans a better alternative to VGLI for less. You could provide $400k coverage for your loved ones for as low as $1.50 a day. Or customize your own coverage for less. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba/?ESRC=vr_txt.nl) Get a free quote now.

VA Expands Claims Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the release of 68 new forms that will help speed the processing of Veterans' disability compensation and pension claims. These disability benefits questionnaires (DBQs) guide physicians' reports of medical findings to be used by the VA. DBQ's can be found at VA's (http://benefits.va.gov/disabilityexams) Disability Benefits Questionnaires webpage. Veterans may file a claim online through the (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov) eBenefits website. Servicemembers may enroll in eBenefits using their Common Access Card at any time during their military service. Veterans may also enroll in eBenefits and obtain a Premium account in-person or online depending on their status.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Maryland Retirees Receive Erroneous Letter
Several military retirees in Maryland have received a letter that states that the taxpayers have improperly taken a retirement exclusion on their 2008 taxes. The letter also reports a balance due, which is usually several thousand dollars. According to one representative at the Comptroller's Office, many of these letters were sent to retirees who had, in fact, properly reported their retirement income on their 2008 Maryland Income Tax Return. If you receive such a letter, call the Comptroller of Maryland at 1-800-648-9638 before you submit payment to verify whether or not you improperly reported your retirement income in 2008. Do not submit payment until someone has reviewed your case.
For more on military retirement and retiree pay, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/retirement) Military.com Retirement Center.


A Benefit for Separating Sailors
Eligible Sailors separating due to the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) who have ten years of qualifying service before their separation date will be allowed to transfer their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to qualified dependents. ERB Sailors without ten years of qualifying service must affiliate with the Reserves and commit to serving four years as a drilling Reservist to transfer their benefits. For information on transferability, visit the (http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_ ... efits.html) Post 9/11 GI Bill website or call the NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC. Sailors can apply for transferability of benefits (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB) online.
For more information on military benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


California Veteran Honored
California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. recently met with 102 year-old WWII veteran Bea Cohen at the State Capitol in Sacramento, as part of celebrations honoring Women's Military History Week. Ms. Cohen is believed to be the oldest living female WWII veteran in California and one of the oldest in the country. Watch Ms. Cohen on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKbP7I_IB7o) YouTube, follow her on (http://www.facebook.com/AmericanWomenVe ... 9455295438) Facebook, and read (http://dl5.activatedirect.com/fs/distri ... 15a91111fc) Governor Brown's press release.
To keep up with military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Gulf War Study Seeking Volunteers
Researchers investigating whether acupuncture can be effective in treating Gulf War Syndrome are looking for thirty more veterans to participate in the study. About 120 veterans have taken part, undergoing acupuncture treatments to evaluate their effect on managing headaches, muscle soreness and other pain associated with the disorder. The 30 new volunteers must live in the Northeast and suffer from Gulf War Syndrome. Veterans can apply by calling 617-558-1788, extension 269.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Deal of the Week: Military Discounts
Visit the Military.com Discounts Channel to find hundreds of discounts for servicemembers, reservists, guard, veterans, retirees and their families -- travel, clothing, trucks, electronics, fitness and more. (http://www.military.com/discounts/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Browse discounts now.