Veterans Report - Week of September 17, 2012

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Veterans Report - Week of September 17, 2012

VA Benefits Safe from Budget Cuts
The White House released its 396-page report that details $54.7 billion in Defense Department cuts in 2013 if Congress cannot agree on a deficit reduction plan to avoid sequestration by Jan. 2. The report details the 9.4 percent cuts in Defense Department discretionary spending. As promised by President Obama, funding for military personnel accounts, including pay, will not be subject to sequester cuts. Department of Veterans Affairs funding has also received an exemption.
The White House did hedge in the report saying the estimates found in it are not final.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... on-report/) Read more on the Military Advantage Blog.
(http://www.capwiz.com/military/directory/congdir.tt) Let your elected officials know how you feel about the ?sequestration? related cuts.


Veterans Wanted: Careers with Parker Hannifin
Engineering YOUR Success: You were serious about your career in the military and now we are serious about engineering your success as the nation's most valued talent. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Explore working for a company who is the leader in motion and control technologies.


National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and it is a reminder that mental health does not have to be a battle waged on your own. Watch the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) new public service announcement, (http://www.va.gov/ext_redirect.asp?url= ... MiTS_4aafw) Side by Side. The Veterans Crisis Line, online chat and text messaging services offer free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to Veterans, their families and friends. Veterans or anyone concerned about a Veteran can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255 to receive support -- even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. For more information about VA's mental health resources, visit VA's Mental Health webpage at (http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/) www.mentalhealth.va.gov.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


Vet Benefit Calculator: What Do You Qualify For?
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.


'Taps' Kept in New York State
Stars and Stripes reports that a planned budget cut that would have eliminated the playing of taps live at military funerals on Long Island and across the state of New York has been scrapped after sparking political opposition. To fulfill its obligation to staff virtually all military funerals, the National Guard was preparing to expand its use of volunteers from veterans service agencies, who mostly perform taps using electronic bugles. The faux instruments play recorded music, using electronic inserts. The National Guard has no plans to expand the playing of taps live. For information on possibly finding a live bugler for a funeral, visit the Bugles Across America website at (http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/) www.buglesacrossamerica.org/.
For more on burial benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial) Military.com Memorial and Burial section.


GI Dogs Study in Nevada Seeks Vets
G.I. DOGS, a program of Nevada Humane Society dedicated to providing service dogs and pets for Nevada's military veterans, is conducting a clinical study that hopes to show that veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will show fewer signs of anxiety and an overall reduction in their PTSD symptoms after helping a rescue dog become a certified service dog. Veterans with diagnosed PTSD are being sought to participate in this free clinical study. Participants will work with former shelter dogs to qualify them as service dogs. For more details, please contact Alicia Adams at 775-328-1860. For more information on Nevada Humane Society's G.I. DOGS program, please call at 775-856-2000 ext. 323.
For more military-related pet stories and features, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/pet-corner) Military.com Pet Corner.


September Hiring Fairs
The US Chamber of Commerce is hosting Hiring Our Heroes fairs across the country, and nearly 40 are scheduled for September. Check out the schedule at VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/7972/hi ... e-country/) VAntage Point blog. For more job fair listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


What's a "Military-friendly" School?
If you are a servicemember or veteran looking to make use of your education benefits, how do you begin to navigate through the sea of university, college and technical school advertising rhetoric that claims a school is "military-friendly"? There are some obvious ways to determine if a school has the services to support veteran students, and distinguish themselves from the herd. For tips on how to find genuinely military-friendly programs, visit (http://www.military.com/education/findi ... chool.html) this Military.com article.


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.


Deal of the Week: GAF Roofs for Troops
Get money back from GAF when you install our new Lifetime Roofing System. Protect your home and your family for a lifetime* with quality GAF products.
(http://www.gaf.com/military) http://www.gaf.com/military


New Outreach in Florida
The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced a campaign to modernize its message with initiatives ranging from newspaper ads to smart-phone apps and a (http://www.floridavets.org/) redesigned website at FloridaVets.org (http://floridavets.org/) . The new mobile application, offered in the Android and Apple markets, will not only integrate with the website and offer veterans reminders and updates about services through push notifications, but also lead veterans to Employ Florida Vets, the state's veteran employment website, to help them find jobs. For more information, read (http://static-lobbytools.s3.amazonaws.c ... nefits.pdf) the press release from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and visit the (http://floridavets.org/) Florida Department of Veterans Affairs website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Navy Holiday Season Mailing Dates
The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division has announced mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25, delivery of holiday cards, letters, and packages. Customers should check with their local civilian or military post office for information on size restrictions and possible need for customs declaration forms. Also, certain mail restrictions apply and some items cannot be mailed. Examples are switchblade knives, pornography, controlled substances, and explosive or incendiary devices. If in doubt as to what can or cannot be sent through the mail, contact your local civilian or military post office. A listing of the holiday season mailing dates is available on the (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=69406) NAVSUP website.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Women Vets Stand Down in North Dakota
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System is hosting its first Women Veterans Stand Down on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sturgis Armory, at the corner of Junction Avenue and Main Street in Sturgis, South Dakota. The Women Veterans Stand Down is intended to serve homeless and low-income female veterans from the VA Black Hills catchment area. There is no charge for any of the services. Veterans who have not previously enrolled with the VA are requested to bring a copy of their military discharge papers, DD 214, to the Women Veterans Stand Down. For more information about the Women Veterans Stand Down, call Dianna Monahan at 605-347-2511 ext. 97247.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


$400k Coverage Less than $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 less than $1.50 a day. Or customize your own coverage for less. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ESRC=vr.nl) Get a free quote now.


VA Home Loan Tips
We've scoured the Internet to find useful tips for our members. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... ESRC=vr.nl) Linked here is a collection of useful, concise information regarding the Veterans Administration Home Loan.


Vets Get Education Help in Arizona
Veterans throughout northern Arizona who are looking for help to further their education beyond high school are encouraged to contact the Veterans Upward Bound TRIO program (VUB) at (http://www2.yc.edu/) Yavapai College, which is designed to motivate and assist veterans in developing academic and other skills needed for acceptance and success in college. Among the services offered to qualifying veterans are admissions counseling, academic refresher training, career planning and advising, access to employment resources, and referrals to VA benefits application counselors and various community assistance organizations. The program is free. For more information, contact the Yavapai College Veterans Upward Bound website at (http://www.yc.edu/v4content/veterans-upward-bound/) www.yc.edu/v4content/veterans-upward-bound/; visit the Veterans Upward Bound Resource Center at Yavapai College, 1100 E. Sheldon St., Building 1, Room 209 in Prescott, Arizona; or telephone (928) 717-7686.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Credit Tips: How Much Debt to Carry?
How much debt is acceptable to have? The answer depends on the type of debt you have and also how old you are. To illustrate, consider the following situations: paying 20% of your income to mortgage is much different than paying 20% to your credit card. And trying to pay off credit card debt when you're 30 is different than if you're 65, retired, and on a fixed income. For tips on how to evaluate your debt and whether you're in a good position, see (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... -have.html) this article on Military.com.


Join Us: SpouseBuzz Live Miramar, CA
Scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 10am to 2pm in San Diego, CA, SpouseBUZZ LIVE is a one-of-a-kind interactive event presented by military spouses for military spouses. Every year SpouseBUZZ LIVE brings together thousands of military spouses to extend support to the women and men on the homefront. The event is an opportunity for all military spouses to get together, learn from each other, share the joys and challenges of military life, and laugh at the inevitable and incredible "oops" moments that all milspouses have. In a fast-paced, on-your-feet, NO-Power-Point, win-a-prize workshop, the SpouseBuzz experts bring their best insider tips on the top four concerns of military spouses. (http://spousebuzzlivemiramar.eventbrite.com/) Register Today!


Military Suicide Bereavement Study
The University of Kentucky Military Suicide Bereavement Study is seeking family members of servicemembers and veterans who have died by suicide. Those who participate in the survey will answer questions to determine eligibility before the research team schedules a convenient time and location for the study, which takes about three hours to complete. The study does not have to be completed in a single sitting and all participants will receive $50 for their efforts. This study was funded by a grant was awarded from the Department of Defense's Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) to the University of Kentucky's College of Social Work. For more information about the Military Suicide Bereavement Research study, e-mail (javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(109,101,108,105,110,100,97,46,109,111,111,114,101,64,117,107,121,46,101,100,117)+'?')) melinda.moore@uky.edu or call (859) 257-0073.
For more links to support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse and Family Center.


House Passes New 'Stolen Valor' Act
Those who lie about military service or make false claims about receiving military medals with the intent of benefiting from those claims would be committing a crime under legislation passed by the House last week. The House's 410-3 vote on what is known as the Stolen Valor Act came less than three months after the Supreme Court struck down the original act on the grounds that it violated First Amendment free speech rights. The new bill attempts to get around the court ruling by making clear that it applies only in cases where people lie about a military record with the aim of obtaining payment or other benefits. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012 ... r-act.html) this Military.com article.


VA Says No Service Dogs
The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer pay for service dogs for veterans suffering only with post-traumatic-stress-disorder and other mental health disabilities. A 67-page, final draft of rules concerning veterans in need of service dogs was published today in the Federal Register and will become final in 30 days. In justifying its decision, the VA cited "nationally established" and "widely accepted" training protocols for sight, hearing and mobility-assistance dogs and the lack of similar training protocols for mental health service dogs. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012 ... erers.html) this Military.com article. For more military-related pet stories and features, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/pet-corner) Military.com Pet Corner.