Veterans Report - Week of March 09, 2015

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Veterans Report - Week of March 09, 2015

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Free Car Registration in Arizona
Military veterans who are 100 percent disabled do not have to pay to register their vehicles with the State of Arizona. An estimated 10,000 people in Arizona are eligible for taking advantage of vehicle free registration. Also, qualifying veterans can also pass this benefit on to spouses when they pass away. For a list of Arizona State Benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... efits.html) Military.com website. For more information about any benefits, visit the Arizona (https://dvs.az.gov/) Department of Veterans Affairs website.


Trucking Industry to Hire Vets
The Truckload Carriers Association has that it has committed the trucking industry to hiring 50,000 veterans in the next four years. The program, Operation Heroes to Highways, will help fill much sought-after jobs in the trucking industry, such as drivers and technicians. Carriers can participate by dedicating a minimum number of future hires to veterans and making a pledge to that number in the next 30 days. To learn more or to make a hiring pledge, visit the (https://app.fastport.com/land/tca.aspx) Operation Heroes to Highways webpage.
For more veteran job news, listings and resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Use GI Bill for Business Loans?
A proposed change to the (http://www.military.com/education/gi-bill) post-9/11 G.I. Bill would allow veterans to use their education benefits as startup collateral to start their own businesses. Under the proposed legislation, a veteran could access their GI Bill funding for loan collateral. The program would include methods in which the veteran can receive mentorship and training to help the business succeed.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015 ... -loan.html) Read the full story on Military.com.


Proposed VA Health Care Changes
The non-profit organization Concerned Veterans for America has sponsored a study entitled "Fixing Veterans Health Care." The report advocates radical changes in the medical system for veterans, including a choice to receive subsidized private care and conversion of the Veterans Health Administration into a non-profit corporation rather than a government agency. For more information, visit the Concerned Veterans for America website at (http://cv4a.org/concerned-veterans-amer ... ce-report/) cv4a.org/concerned-veterans-america-releases-fixing-veterans-health-care-taskforce-report/ and download the report at (http://cv4a.org/veterans-health-care-report/) cv4a.org/veterans-health-care-report/.
For more on veteran health programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


More Vet Services in Kentucky
State and Federal officials have announced an effort to expand mental health services to veterans in western Kentucky. The initiative calls for the start of "telemental" health services out of the Joseph "Eddie" Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Center ( (http://veterans.ky.gov/nursinghomes/Pag ... /WKVC.aspx) veterans.ky.gov/nursinghomes/Pages/WKVC/WKVC.aspx) in Hanson. Telemental health offers mental health services by using videoconferencing. The Hanson Community Based Outpatient Clinic will provide telemental health services out of the Hanson state facility to veterans living in western Kentucky and the surrounding areas.
For more on veteran health programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


A Great Career is Waiting at AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen is driving innovative partnerships with global manufacturers, providers and pharmacies to improve product access and efficiency throughout the healthcare supply chain. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... ESRC=vr.nl) Learn more about careers at AmerisourceBergen.


Wounded: The Battle Back Home
The Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/)%20) has released a 12-part series of videos on the ongoing struggles veterans face. Entitled "Wounded: The Battle Back Home," the videos are available on (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKWYD7h ... h3lDWCTLFl) YouTube. First aired on MSNBC as part of its "Take the Hill" series, "Wounded: The Battle Back Home" was made available on Netflix in mid-February. The Wounded Warrior Project has 60,000 registered members and provides veterans services free-of-charge to members and their families. For more information on the organization, visit the Wounded Warrior Project website at (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
For more wounded warrior news, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) Military.com Wounded Warrior section.


See the USS Arizona
A December, 2014 post on the Warbird Information Exchange forum shows a series of historical photos of the famed ship from its 1915 construction to its post-Pearl Harbor status as a memorial. View the timeline photographs on the Warbird Information Exchange at (http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... af4fb31ca4) www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB ... af4fb31ca4.


It's Your Duty to Protect Your Family: $300k Coverage from $21 a Month
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Get the FAQs on VA Home Loans
We've answered 16 of the most frequently asked VA Loan Benefit questions. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) View them now to get a quick understanding of your benefit.
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5 Things You Don't Know About B-2 Bombers
Did you know a typical combat mission lasts more than 30 hours? (http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Watch the full video to learn more.


K9 Soldiers Matches Dogs with Wounded Warriors
The nonprofit organization K9 Soldiers, Inc. trains service dogs and matches them with wounded warriors. The organization provides ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant dogs to critically injured, returning warriors in need of a canine to help them with everyday challenges. For more information and to donate, visit the K9 Soldiers, Inc. website at (http://k9soldiers.org) k9soldiers.org.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Women's History Month
March is Women' History Month, which honors the hard work and contributions made by women in the past and present. Today, in the U.S. Military, there are not many jobs women cannot volunteer for. For more information about Women's History Month and the role of women in the U.S. military, visit the Library of Congress' Women's History Month website at (http://womenshistorymonth.gov) womenshistorymonth.gov, the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/o ... Month.aspx) www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/organiza ... Month.aspx, the Women in the U.S. Army webpage at (http://www.army.mil/women/) www.army.mil/women/, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force website at (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/resear ... ymonth.asp) www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/research/wome ... ymonth.asp, the Soldiers Magazine website at (http://soldiers.dodlive.mil/tag/womens-history-month/) soldiers.dodlive.mil/tag/womens-history-month/, the Women in Army History webpage at (http://www.history.army.mil/html/topics ... index.html) www.history.army.mil/html/topics/women/index.html, and the National Women's History Project website at (http://www.nwhp.org) www.nwhp.org.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Vietnam War Commemoration
The 50th Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program is a multi-year campaign that aims to thank and honor the veterans of the Vietnam War for their sacrifice and service and pay tribute to the contributions of their families. The program is designed for federal, state and local communities, veterans' organizations and other nongovernmental organizations to thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families. Commemorative Partners must commit to conduct at least two events each year during the period of 2015 - 2017 that will recognize, thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families. To apply, organizations will need to fill out an application and a Statement of Understanding. For more information on how to become a commemorative partner, visit the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration website at (http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/commemora ... r_program/) www.vietnamwar50th.com/commemorative_pa ... r_program/.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


VA Launches Free Anger Management Resource
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently created a free and confidential online course, Anger & Irritability Management (AIMS), to help Veterans and Servicemembers manage their tempers. This course was developed by behavioral experts and is based on extensive input from male and female Veterans who have served in the military across different time periods. It features videos and scenarios from real Veterans who had anger problems and have benefited from the tools in the course. AIMS is designed specifically to help Veterans and Servicemembers understand their personal anger "triggers" and learn skills for effective conflict resolution and communication. It allows them to develop their own personalized anger management plan to help them apply what they've learned in their everyday lives. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/2015/0 ... ourse.html) this Military.com article.


Be a 'Specialist' in Your Job Search
In today's competitive job market, specialists dominate. For military personnel transitioning into the private sector, being a specialist is a huge advantage. If a company is searching for an experienced aircraft maintenance engineer -- and that is precisely what you did in the military -- you can make it easy for them to identify you as a quality hire. Write a resume, business networking profile and cover letter that showcase your skills, credentials and more that are related to aircraft maintenance. Start your resume with the heading: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEER -- 8 Years' Experience. Someone looks at your resume and instantly knows who you are, and that is very important.
For more veteran job news, listings and resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Free Tax Preparation for Military
Tax season is here again. And while filing for tax returns can be tricky for the average family, it can get even more complicated for military families. Thankfully, military personnel and their families have access to a variety of tax preparation and filing services for free -- (http://www.military.com/discounts/free- ... RC=mrvr.nl) get the list.
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How to Write an Effective Resume
Here are tips to writing an effective resume: (1) start by putting the "easy" information at the bottom. This usually includes education, certifications, honors, awards, and affiliations; (2) put the oldest positions first -- you do not have to say much about them; (3) next, write recent job descriptions. Include more detail about responsibilities and achievements as they relate to your objectives; and (4) Finish by writing the all-important summary. Use this section to instantly communicate who you are and the value you bring.
For more veteran job news, listings and resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


American Legion Sponsors Scholarship
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship ensures that the children of parents who died while on active-duty military service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, achieve their dream of attending college. This includes legally adopted children or children of a spouse by a prior marriage. The renewable scholarship helps college students working toward an undergraduate degree, with the expense of tuition, books, room and board, and other supplies. If you or someone you know is eligible to apply for the Legacy Scholarship, download an application from the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/documents/samsung ... n_2015.pdf) www.legion.org/documents/samsung/Americ ... n_2015.pdf. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 15. For further questions, email (mailto:scholarships@legion.org) scholarships@legion.org.
For guides on military education benefits and tuition assistance, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


Senator Seeks to Fix VA Choice Card
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), new chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, promises to push for two critical changes to soften a restrictive 40-mile rule on user eligibility under the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -get-care/) VA Choice Card program. If Isakson succeeds, thousands more veterans would gain routine access to government-paid healthcare in the private sector. His challenge is that the changes sought could drive up health care costs for the Department of Veterans Affairs by billions of dollars annually.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... oice-card/) Read the latest Military Update to get the full story.


Visit a Veterans Benefit Center
The American Legion Veterans Benefits Centers (VBCs) help veterans enroll in VA health care, schedule VA medical appointments, file VA disability or pension benefits, and more. See more at (http://www.legion.org/serviceofficers/2 ... c-prepared) www.legion.org/serviceofficers/226310/a ... c-prepared. The American Legion Veterans Benefits Centers (VBCs) help veterans enroll in VA health care, schedule VA medical appointments, file VA disability or pension benefits, and more. If you are represented by an accredited service officer, consult with him or her about documents and other evidence you need to take to the event. You can find an American Legion service officer in your area on the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/serviceofficers) www.legion.org/serviceofficers. You may need to bring your DD214 or another discharge document depending on your period of service. You may also need marriage, birth and death certificates, and other official documentation depending on the type of action you plan to undertake while at the event.
For more on veteran health programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


The Legion's 2015 Legislative Agenda
A joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs met recently to hear the testimony of American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm. The hearing and question-and-answer session outlines the American Legion's legislative agenda. A video of the hearing is available on the UStream website at (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/59249293) www.ustream.tv/recorded/59249293. Witnesses at the hearing are listed on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website at (http://veterans.house.gov/hearing/joint ... egislati-0) veterans.house.gov/hearing/joint-hearing-of-the-house-and-senate-veterans-affairs-committees-to-receive-the-legislati-0.
For more news on legislation that affects service members and veterans, visit the (http://www.capwiz.com/military) Military.com Legislative Center.


Rising Cost of Care for Younger Veterans?
Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald told lawmakers last week that the department is on track to meet two lofty goals set by his predecessor: End the disability claims backlog and veteran homelessness. But McDonald, in testimony before the veterans' affairs panel of the House Appropriations Committee, offered a laundry list of figures and some projections indicating that whatever victories the VA may achieve in the next year or so, the pieces already are set for the making of another one. "The cost of fulfilling our obligations to veterans grows over time because veterans demand for service and (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) benefits continues to grow as wars end," he said. "While it's true that the total number of veterans is declining, the number of those seeking care and benefits is increasing dramatically."
For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015 ... erans.html) this Military.com article.