Veterans Report - Week of September 10, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of September 10, 2012

Comparing the Care of Men and Women Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued two reports. The Comparing the Care of Men and Women Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs report released by VA's Office of Informatics and Analytics (OIA) indicates progress by VA in improving gender disparities in six performance measures specific to VA. The second report, Gender Differences in Performance Measures, VHA 2008-2011, identifies best practices for eliminating gender gaps based on success in VA networks. Both reports can be downloaded from VA's Women Veterans Health Care website at (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov) www.womenshealth.va.gov. For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, visit VA's Women Veterans webpage at (http://www.va.gov/womenvet) www.va.gov/womenvet and VA's Women Veterans Health Care website 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.


New GI Bill Payment Rates Announced
Each year in October, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) payment rates increase to meet the growing cost of education. This )ctober the MGIB full-time student payment rate will increased to $1,564 a month for the 2013 fiscal year (2012-2013 School Year). Eligible veterans and servicemembers could receive as much $56,304 in cash benefits over 36 months. This new monthly payment rate applies to all MGIB users no matter when they became elgible for or began using the Montgomery GI Bill.


Employer Spotlight: Bankers Hiring Vets
Bankers is hiring veterans and transitioning servicemembers. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/bankers/) Visit the Bankers Veteran Talent Portal to apply for jobs, read success stories, and learn more about a career with Bankers. With over 200 Branch Sales offices across the country, Bankers Life and Casualty has more than 4,800 agents who live and work in the communities they serve. At (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/bankers/) Bankers, we offer more than just a job; we offer a challenging and rewarding sales career! Successful Agents come from all backgrounds, are supported by nationally recognized training, and operate with a level of service unmatched in the insurance industry since 1879.


New Battleship NC Adventure
The Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, N.C. is launching their newest custom adventure program, Behind the Hatch, a private adventure that allows you to explore the Battleship. Through the program, individuals or groups up to eight people can create their custom dream tour of the Battleship. The program fee is $125 per hour for up to 8 people; additional participants at $15 per hour each for a maximum of 12 people total. The fee does not include ship admission. Participants must be at least 12 years old. The tour program is available October through May and not on Sundays. Reservations are required at least one month in advance and depend upon staff availability. For more information, visit the Battleship North Carolina website at (http://www.battleshipnc.com) www.battleshipnc.com or (http://Facebook.com/ncbb55) Facebook.com/ncbb55 and (http://Twitter.com/battleshipnc) Twitter.com/battleshipnc.


Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs Hispanic Heritage Month is observed Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2012. With a national theme of "Diversity United, Building America's Future Today," the observance celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The U.S. military will be commemorating Hispanic American Heritage Month through programs, exhibits, publications, and participation in military and community events. For more information, visit the (http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/) National Hispanic Heritage Month website, the (http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/S ... ances.aspx) Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion observances web page, the (http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases ... -ff19.html) U.S. Census website, and the (http://www.army.mil/hispanicamericans/e ... about.html) Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Army webpage.


Women Veterans Conference in Missouri
The Women Veterans Conference, set for Sept. 14 in Warrensburg, Missouri, will focus on women in the military and women veterans and will feature guest speakers and informational booth vendors. Speakers will focus on several issues, including women's health care through the VA and counseling issues. The conference will start at 9 a.m. Sept. 14, in the Sandra Temple Elliott Ballroom of the Elliott Union at the University of Central Missouri. For more information, contact Amy Bennett at 816-387-2841.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Warrior Family Symposium This Week
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the National Defense Industrial Association will host the 2012 Warrior-Family Symposium to honor wounded heroes and their families. The event will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This year's WFS will focus on increasing awareness of our Wounded Warriors' needs and the enhancement and refinement of programs and services that benefit them and their families. For more information, visit the 2012 Warrior-Family Symposium website at (http://www.warriorfamilysymposium.com/) www.warriorfamilysymposium.com.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


No More 'Taps' in New York State
Stars and Stripes reports that because of budget cuts, New York State as of Oct. 1 will no longer hire musicians to play "Taps" on trumpets or bugles at the more than 300 military funerals per month staffed by New York's Military Forces Honor Guard units. Federal funding pays for a three-member funeral detail to attend military funerals: two active-duty National Guard troops and a bugler. The funding cuts only apply to the bugler. To attempt to find a live bugler for funerals, visit the (http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/) Bugles Across America website.
For more on burial benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial) Military.com Memorial and Burial section.


Possible Holdup in Payments in Ohio, West Virginia
Stars and Stripes reports that Ohio officials asked college and university presidents yesterday to keep their military-veteran students enrolled while the federal Department of Veterans Affairs resolves a possible delay with GI Bill benefit payments. The fear is that the schools might drop the students for not paying tuition. It is not clear how many, if any, of those students in Ohio had lost their enrollment. The problem was caused by electronic records for some Ohio and West Virginia student veterans being were temporarily lost during a transfer between Department of Veterans Affairs offices in Buffalo, N.Y., and St. Louis.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Colleges Support Student Veterans
This fall, hundreds of thousands of student Veterans are heading back to school, and universities are responding by offering more services and support. To learn more, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/7962/co ... -veterans/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Are You Eligible for a VA Home Loan?
In order to obtain a VA home loan, you must first fill out VA Form 26-1880, the request for your Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate is issued only through the Veterans Administration, and is the first step towards applying for your loan. Veterans, active duty, guard or reserve, and military spouses potentially qualify for this certificate. Keep in mind that the Certificate of Eligibility, while necessary, only allows an eligible individual to apply for a home loan; it does not guarantee a loan approval. Eligibility for the Certificate is based on an individual's (or a spouse's) military service. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get specifics on Military.com.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Find Lenders ready to help you use your VA Home Loan


Veteran Benefits Explained
In addition to the pensions and benefits to which you may be entitled because of both public and private employment, you may also be eligible for certain benefits based on your military service. Visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... ESRC=vr.nl) Veteran Benefit section to get a full summary and what you need to know about your benefits -- Major Veteran Benefits Programs, PTSD Support, Important Documents, Eligibility, Applications, and more.


New Battleship Tour for Groups
The Battleship North Carolina's Professional Military Education (PME) Program in Wilmington, N.C. offers interested military groups and NJROTC a three-hour program consisting of rotating small groups through a series of presentations and shipboard exploration. The PME program is offered weekdays, October through May and must be scheduled four to six weeks in advance. A minimum of 15 participants are required with a maximum of 48 participants. Fee is $15 per person and does not include ship admission. Confirmation requires pre-payment and a signed contract. Cancellations must be received 48 hours in advance for a full refund, less than 48 hour cancellation receives no refund. For more information, visit the Battleship North Carolina website at (http://www.battleshipnc.com) www.battleshipnc.com or (http://Facebook.com/ncbb55) Facebook.com/ncbb55 and (http://Twitter.com/battleshipnc) Twitter.com/battleshipnc.


New VA Clinic for Montana
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently selected the contractor to build a new community-based outpatient clinic in Billings, Mont. The project includes 52,141 square feet of space for specialty services for Veterans, including primary care, mental health, specialty care, laboratory, pharmacy, outpatient surgery, dental, audiology, radiology, physical therapy, and vision. Space is also allocated for Veterans Benefits Administration offices. The clinic will annually provide outpatient services for 11,000 Veterans in eastern Montana.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Get Your Military Benefit Guide
The 2012 Military Advantage Benefit Guide Book is packed with updated benefit information. Find answers to all your benefit questions -- (http://www.amazon.com/The-Military-Adva ... 1591143934) Pay, TRICARE, VA Loans, GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, Transition, Family Benefits and More.


Exhibit Seeks Veteran Artists
Veteran artists across the United States with a passion for painting or printmaking are encouraged to submit their work for consideration in a special all veteran art exhibit. The Veteran Artist Program (VAP) is now accepting submissions until October 30th, 2012. VAP will be curating this year-long exhibit as part of the ongoing Patriotic Series at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Artwork in this first ever veteran-specific gallery event will be seen by thousands of government employees, dignitaries and visitors on a daily basis. To apply, visit the Veteran Artist Program website at (http://www.veteranartistprogram.org/submissions) www.veteranartistprogram.org/submissions and fill out the submission form.


$400k Coverage As Low As $1.50 a Day
Your family deserves the best coverage. Get $400,000 coverage for about $1.50 a day. Secure your family's future, because (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr.nl) tomorrow is never guaranteed.


President Obama Issues Order to VA
Stars and Stripes reports that President Barack Obama has signed (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... ns-service) an executive order directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health services and suicide prevention efforts. In the order, President Obama is instructing the VA to ensure that any veteran with suicidal thoughts is seen by a mental health professional within 24 hours -- a standard already set for the VA, but which the department often fails to meet. The executive order is available on the (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... ns-service) White House website. If you know a servicemember or veteran in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline/Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Blue Button Reaches Milestone
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that during the month of August the one millionth patient registered for Blue Button to access and download their Personal Health Record (PHR) information. The Blue Button enables patients to assemble and download personal health information into a single, portable file, which includes prescription history, the ability to review past appointments and medical history details, wellness reminders and emergency contact information. Because it is web-based, the information is available anywhere, any time. For more information on the Blue Button initiative, visit VA's Blue Button webpage at (http://www.va.gov/bluebutton/) www.va.gov/bluebutton/.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Play Military Trivia and Win an iPod
Think you know military history and trivia? Test your knowledge with our Military.com Trivia Challenge. Here's how you win: For each question you answer correctly you'll receive one point, and for each point you'll earn an electronic raffle ticket. At the end of the month we'll have a random drawing of all the tickets and pull out one to determine the winner. Play as little or as much as you'd like during the month, but the more questions you answer correctly, the greater your chances of winning. (http://www.military.com/Trivia/Home?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Play Now.


VA Expands Training
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has trained nearly 1,500 providers through its flagship National Women's Health Mini-Residency Program, one of many training opportunities for VA clinicians to sharpen their women's health skills. Several courses target physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners; other courses have sections geared toward wider audiences, including nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and psychologists. The courses supply providers with up-to-date information about important women's health topics. By 2020, VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population and 8 percent of VA patients. For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, visit VA's Women Veterans webpage at (http://www.va.gov/womenvet) www.va.gov/womenvet and VA's Women Veterans Health Care website 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.


VA Researchers Receive Award
Four Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers were recently among the 96 recipients of the 2011 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE is the highest honor conferred by the U.S. Government on federal researchers in the early stages of their careers. Established in 1996, the awards are given each year for "innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology" and a commitment to community service. VA, which has the largest integrated health care system in the country, also has one of the largest medical research programs. This year, approximately 3,400 researchers will work on more than 2,300 projects with nearly $1.9 billion in funding. For more information on VA Research, please visit the VHA Office of Research and Development website at (http://www.research.va.gov/) www.research.va.gov.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Report Looks at Combat Stress
Research from the Netherlands as found that stress from combat changes activity in soldiers' brains, compromising their ability to focus attention. In the study, Dutch veterans who served with NATO in Afghanistan showed declines in working memory and their capacity to sustain attention in tests done about a month and a half after they arrived home. The structural changes mostly disappeared 18 months after the soldiers ended active duty. The abstract of the study are reported in the (http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/ ... 9.abstract) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.