Veterans Report - Week of November 03, 2014

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Veterans Report - Week of November 03, 2014

Military.com Free Spouse Experience: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans
This 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. (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-militar ... 3386576611) Register today.


Top Seven Jobs for Retirees
Investopedia recently did some research and came up with seven top jobs for retirees: (1) consulting--if you don't want to break into a new field, you might be able to leverage all the experience you gained in your old one; (2) craftsman--if you do not need to earn a large income and enjoy making unique items, those making hand-made items can enjoy modest success; (3) entrepreneurship--start a new business; (4) art--plenty of artists who enjoy success as teachers or by selling their creations online; (5) working online; (6) retail sales--it does not pay the best, but it will keep you active and among plenty of people; and (7) teaching--there are plenty of teaching positions available to retired individuals including tutoring, part-time positions, and daycare work. For more information, read (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... irees.html) this Military.com article.


$1 Million Coverage from $41 a Month
Protection for less. Get $1,000,000 coverage from less than $1.50 a day. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr1103.nl) Could your family survive if something happened to you?


Interviewing Tips
Interviewing is a two-way street. The company interviews you for a job while you interview the company to determine if you want to work there. Here are some tips: (1) bring questions. Inquire about the company, the position, the culture and more; (2) respond to interviewers' questions with poise, clarity and substance, but demonstrate your interest by coming prepared; (3) Ask about performance requirements. What do they expect, and what could you do to exceed those expectations; (4) engage your interviewers. Ask what they like best about their jobs, which can give you valuable information; (5) ask for the job--this is so simple but rarely done; and (6) if the interviewer is not ready to make an offer, ask what is preventing it.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


VA is Critical to Medicine and Vets
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDonald wrote an op-ed column that recently appeared in the Baltimore Sun newspaper. The column is entitled 'VA is Critical to Medicine and Vets.' The column is available on the (http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2650) VA website.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Veterans Day: Discounts and Freebies
The following is a list of Veterans Day discounts on restaurants, goods, services and events for 2014. Please check back frequently as the list is updated. (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/ve ... rvr1103.nl) Click here for a list of discounts.


Survey: NMAA Wants Your Opinion
Your opinion matters. Take a quick survey to help NMAA improve their product offerings and better serve the military community. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QSQ9Y67) Take the survey.


VA Home Loans Reach Milestone
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced recently that has guaranteed 21 million home loans since the Home Loan Guaranty program was established in 1944. VA's Home Loan Program provides housing-related benefits and services to make home ownership possible and affordable for eligible Veterans, service members and surviving spouses, who want to buy, build, repair or adapt a home. Nearly 90 percent of all VA loans are made with no down payment. During FY 2014, the program also approved 1,253 grants to seriously disabled Veterans for the purchase, modification, or construction of a home specially adapted to meet their individual housing needs. Veterans may obtain a certificate of eligibility for a VA-guaranteed home loan through the joint Department of Defense-VA web portal eBenefits at (http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/) www.ebenefits.va.gov, or by contacting their lender. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) For more information, visit Military.com.


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. (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... =vr1103.nl) Learn more.


User Fees Waived on Veterans Day
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will waive day use fees for veterans, active and reserve-component service members, and their families at the more than 2,200 Corps of Engineers-operated recreation areas nationwide on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage. To discover a USACE recreation site nearest you, visit the (http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm) USACE Corps Lakes Gateway.
For more Veterans Day discounts and freebies for military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/ve ... ounts.html) Veterans Day discount section on Military.com.


Mailing Dates in Europe Set
The 2014 holiday season mailing dates for postal customers assigned to the European theater have been set. The dates are: (1) Space Available Mail (SAM) -- 26 Nov 14; (2) Parcel Airlift (PAL) - 3 Dec 14; (3) First Class/Priority Mail - 10 Dec 14; and (4) Priority Mail Express - 17 Dec 14. These dates are for mail originating in Europe and destined to locations in the United States. Mail originating in the U.S. and sent to European APO/FPO/DPO addresses use similar mailing dates. Customers can avoid long lines at the post office when they mail early and can take advantage of using the cheaper, although slower, space available mail service military post offices offer in Europe. For more information, visit the (http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/main.htm) Military Postal Services Agency (MPSA) website.


Commissaries Respond to Drop in Sales
Commissary sales fell by 4.3 percent in FY 2014. The drop was due in part to commissaries closing for six days during a government shutdown last fall and continued debate over cutting the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) budget. In response DeCA will launch a "Value Brand" program this November. Shelves worldwide will be stocked with 350 brand name goods priced to match or to fall below prices of generic or "private label" products being sold by commercial grocers outside the gate.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -and-more/) Read the latest Military Update to learn more about DeCA's plan to enhance sales in 2015.


VA Telehealth Services
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that its national telehealth programs served more than 690,000 veterans during fiscal 2014. That total represents approximately 12 percent of the overall veteran population enrolled for VA healthcare, and accounted for more than 2 million telehealth visits. Of that number, approximately 55 percent were veterans living in rural areas with limited access to VA healthcare. Currently, there are more than 44 clinical specialties offered to veterans through VA's telehealth programs. TeleAudiology program helps veterans with hearing loss. For more information about VA's telehealth program, visit the VA Telehealth Services website at (http://www.telehealth.va.gov/) www.telehealth.va.gov.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


$0 Down VA Loan Benefit -- Don't Waste It
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 ... rvr1103.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr1103.nl) Want more information about this great benefit?


Free Meal at Applebee's
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military can choose a dish from Applebee's free Thank You Meal menu that includes some of Applebee's signature and favorite items. Guests will need to provide proof of service, which includes the following: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, current leave and earnings statement, veterans organization card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, citation or commendation. Offer is valid for dine-in only.
For more Veterans Day discounts and freebies for military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/ve ... ounts.html) Veterans Day discount section on Military.com.


Women Veterans Report
The veterans' organization Disabled American Veterans recently released a report on women veterans. The research reveals that America's nearly 300,000 women veterans are put at risk by a system designed for and dominated by male veterans. The report paints a compelling picture of federal agencies and community service providers that consistently fail to understand that women are impacted by military service and deployment differently than men. The report is available on the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) website at (http://www.dav.org/women-veterans-study/) www.dav.org/women-veterans-study.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


New White Paper on Vet Reintegration Available
A new white paper by the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chairman's Office of Reintegration communicates the need for a national structure -- characterized by functional cooperation, cross sector collaboration, and an integrated network -- to establish a "no-wrong-door capacity" that allows our country to effectively reintegrate our veterans and their families. The white paper, entitled 'After the Sea of Goodwill: A Collective Approach to Veteran Reintegration,' is available in (http://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents ... odwill.pdf) .PDF format.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Army Sets Ebola Quarantine
Army leaders have directed that Soldiers returning from Ebola-response efforts in West Africa go to a 21-day "quarantine-like program." The quarantine decision affects Soldiers returning from West Africa under the command of Maj. Gen. Darryl Williams, commander, U.S. Army Africa. The quarantine involves daily monitoring and assessment. The Soldiers have access to exercise, recreation, good food and communications with friends and family -- just not direct contact for the 21-day period. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will make a decision on whether or not to implement this force-wide.
For more family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Spouse Channel article.


Warrior Care Month
November is Warrior Care Month. This is a time where the military community reaffirms their commitment to the best recovery and reintegration for the nation's wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and the professionals who support them. The theme for this year's joint observance is "Show of Strength." For more information, visit the Department of Defense Warrior Care Month website at (http://www.defense.gov/home/features/20 ... rriorcare/) www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/1014_warriorcare, the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command website at (http://www.wtc.army.mil/wtc/warrior_car ... _2014.html) www.wtc.army.mil/wtc/warrior_care_month_2014.html and the Air Force Wounded Warrior website at (http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/) www.woundedwarrior.af.mil. For information about the Navy Wounded Warrior Program (NWW), call 1-855-NAVY WWP/1-855-628-9997, visit the Navy Wounded Warrior/Safe Harbor website at (http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil) safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil or email (mailto:navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil) navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil. For information on the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) call toll-free (877) 393-9058, or overseas DSN: (312) 221-9113.
For more news on wounded warriors and related programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warrior section.


Tips for Older Job-seeking Vets
Are you 45, 50, 60 or older? Here are ways to keep your age from having a negative effect on your job search: (1) do not include all of your work experience. A resume is not an autobiographical essay of your entire work life, but a document that showcases the most recent and most significant highlights of your career. Put them in a short section -- a paragraph or a few bullet points -- at the end of your "work experience" section; (2) do not date your education. A resume is not an application; you will be able to share that info at a later time; and (3) do not include personal information and objectives. Including personal information will instantly age you in the reader's eye. Include an e-mail address where the reader can ask for more information.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Retirees -- Save up to 66% on Tricare Costs
Save on the out of pocket costs that TRICARE doesn't cover. (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... rvr1103.nl) Save now.


Apply for Jobs at PMA USA
At Performance Matters Associates (PMAUSA), we believe in helping people grow from a position of strength--and that means both our customers and our agents. By delivering the services and products that help American families, our agents earn more than a living. They earn the trust and respect of those customers--and they experience the personal rewards of making a difference in those customers' lives. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =vr1103.nl) Learn more.


Fall Stand Down in Tennessee
Operation Stand Down Tennessee will hold its 22nd Annual Fall Stand Down event on Wednesday, Nov. 19, providing coordinated, comprehensive services to Tennessee's homeless veterans. The event will take place at Greater Bethel AME Church at 1300 South St., Nashville, from 8 a.m. To 4 p.m. Services are only for men and women veterans and will help with housing assistance, veterans' benefits, employment, healthcare, food stamps, legal, barber, clothing and other social service agency assistance.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Sears' 'Invite A Veteran to Work Day'
Sears has announced that the company will host its second annual "Invite A Veteran to Work Day" on Friday, Nov. 7 at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Sears will honor the men and women of the armed forces, provide a rare behind-the-scenes look inside the company's operations, and share best practices on transitioning into the civilian workforce and preparing themselves for a career with the retailer. The eight-hour event will feature sessions on veteran transition strategies; workshops on LinkedIn, resume development and interviewing; and interviews for pre-screened registrants. Attendance is limited to 300 people. For more information and to register, visit the Military Talent Community on the Sears website at (http://www.searsholdings.com/careers/ve ... litary.php.) www.searsholdings.com/careers/veteran/l ... litary.php. Sears currently employs more than 30,000 veteran associates nationwide.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.