Military Report - Week of April 01, 2013

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Military Report - Week of April 01, 2013

Bankers Committed to Hiring Veterans
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 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 (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) a level of service unmatched in the insurance industry since 1879.


Drugs to Kick Smoking Now Free by Mail
Smoking cessation drugs now are available at no charge through the TRICARE Mail Order Program for servicemembers, military family members and retirees under age 65 who want to kick this unhealthy habit. The free cessation drugs finally are available almost five years after Congress ordered them. The free medicines are part of a wider smoking cessation program that lawmakers told the Department of Defense to establish under provisions of the fiscal 2009 defense authorization act. The same law also directed (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) TRICARE to boost long-standing smoking cessation efforts with in-person counseling, access to print and web-based material on health effects of tobacco, and a 24-hour, toll-free "quit line" with counselors to assess readiness of smokers to quit and recommend ways to address their nicotine dependency. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... -most.html) this Military.com article.


Navy Training Policy for Assault Prevention
The U.S. Navy has announced that Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Fleet Training can also satisfy the FY-13 SAPR General Military Training (GMT) requirement for all ranks. The SAPR-F training was required for all E-6 and below personnel by March 31. E-7 and above personnel can also complete the annual GMT requirement by taking a modified version of the SAPR-F course. Commands are encouraged to complete SAPR-F training for E-7 and above during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Completion for GMT credit is required not later than the end of the fiscal year. For more information, visit the (http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/S ... INING.ASPX) Navy Personnel Command SAPR L/F) Training webpage or e-mail the SAPR Task Force at (mailto:SAPR_L_TaskForce@navy.mil) SAPR_L_TaskForce@navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


DoD Restoring Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance programs that aid hundreds of thousands of servicemembers in gaining college educations will be restored quickly with renewed funding from Congress, Defense Department officials said last week. George Little, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said DoD intends to implement the programs in the way they were before the suspension of new enrollments was ordered earlier this month to meet the cost-cutting demands of the legislative process known as sequester. An amendment attached to the continuing resolution passed by Congress last week and signed by President Obama Tuesday specifically directed DOD to restore the tuition programs and "We will comply with the law," Little said. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... vices.html) this Military.com article.


AF Personnel Data Upgrade
The Air Force has successfully upgraded and transferred the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center. The MilPDS upgrade took less time than anticipated, and efforts are well on their way to getting information updated in the system. Active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel agencies are working hand in hand with base force support squadrons and military personnel sections to update personnel data and transactions in MilPDS. Additional information will be provided once updates are complete. For more information about this and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


AF Developmental Education Applications
Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities. Officer applications are due to AFPC April 12, and civilian nominations are due May 1. Officers apply for developmental education using the AFPC secure web-based 3849 form, which is accessible via the Air Force Portal or the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website through April 4. For more information on civilian developmental education, visit (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers and scroll to the "Force Development" link on the left side of the page. For general information about civilian career opportunities, visit the Air Force Civilian Service website at (http://www.afciviliancareers.com) www.afciviliancareers.com. For information about other Air Force personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more on military education benefits and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Navy Sponsors Video Contest
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month Navy is seeking creative and tech savvy Sailors to promote an important message through a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Public Service Announcement (PSA) video contest. Videos should focus on one of the four Sexual Assault Awareness lines of efforts -- Education and awareness; prevention and intervention; victim advocacy and resiliency; or investigation. Sailors can submit individual and team videos by mail or by uploading to the FTP site through April 19. Contest rules and procedures are posted on the SARP website at (http://www.sapr.navy.mil) www.sapr.navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Offers Law Education
The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) has announced the requirements for the fiscal year 2014 (FY14) Law Education Program (LEP). Applicants must be Department of the Navy (DON) junior-grade officers (0-1 to 0-3) who have passed the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and have applied to at least one law school. Applicants must have from two to six years of active duty service. The deadline for applying to the FY-14 Law Education Program Selection Board is Sept. 27. For more information, visit the U.S. Navy JAG Corps Careers website at (http://www.jag.navy.mil/careers/careers ... s_lep.HTML) www.jag.navy.mil/careers/careers/opportunities_lep.HTML.
For more on military education benefits and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Spouses: Start Job Hunt Before Moving
As servicemembers start to receive their orders for summer moves, it is time for working spouses to update resumes, start networking for job opportunities and contact career counselors at their new locations. The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program on the Military OneSource website at (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/) www.militaryonesource.mil can be a valuable resource. Program counselors will assist spouses throughout their employment lifecycle whether it is finding a new opportunity or preparing for a job search. All active duty, National Guard and reserve spouses are eligible for the program. Military OneSource also has information on federal employment for military spouses, who receive a hiring preference from the government. Also, the Military Spouse E-mentor Program helps military spouses find others to network with their next duty station.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Military Child Education Coalition
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a nonprofit, worldwide organization that is designed to provide positive leadership and military child advocacy. The organization's work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation due to deployments and transition. The MCEC performs research, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and develops and publishes resources for all constituencies. MCEC also organizes its "Tell Me A Story" events," which empower children by using literature and children's own stories in a way that fosters resilience skills and strong peer and parent connections. For more information, visit the Military Child Education Coalition website at (http://www.militarychild.org/) www.militarychild.org.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Military Skills Translator: Civilian Jobs You Qualify For
Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities. Enter in your MOS, MOSC, Rating, or Designator and we'll give you a list of civilian skills and equivalent job openings. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate Your Skills and Apply for Jobs Now.


Furlough Days Cut, Exceptions in Works
More than 700,000 Defense Department civilian personnel will now be subject to 14 furlough days from June through September rather than 22, and several categories of workers will be excepted from the payless days off, senior Defense officials said Thursday. "We're still going through the exceptions" and no decisions have yet been made on how many workers will be eligible for exemptions from the furloughs, said a senior official who spoke on grounds of anonymity. The speculation had been that teachers, mental health workers and intelligence personnel might rate exceptions, but the official stressed repeatedly that "we have not made any final decisions on who will be exempted." For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... works.html) this Military.com article.


What Does Your Plate Look Like?
My Plate, designed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), illustrates dietary guidelines in a way consumers can understand. The website choosemyplate.gov at (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/) www.choosemyplate.gov has tips for building a healthy plate, cutting back on unhealthy foods, getting the right amount of calories and more. Also TRICARE supports good nutrition and healthy lifestyles through its Operation Live Well (OLW) campaign. The (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/olw) OLW website offers apps and widgets for meal planning, stress management, quitting smoking and more. For more healthy living tips and information, visit the (http://www.tricare.mil/HealthyLiving/) TRICARE Healthy Living webpage. For delicious, nutritious recipes, visit Kay's (https://www.commissaries.com/kays_kitchen.cfm) Kitchen on the Commissaries.com website.
For more fitness tips and workout programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


Troops Grapple With Housing Market
Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ballek thought the four-bedroom house bordered by sage bushes and mountain roads on the edge of Las Vegas was a good deal when he purchased it for his growing family in 2007. Nevada's skyrocketing home prices had dipped slightly that year, and the so-called experts all assured him he was getting in at the bottom of the market. (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read Full Article.


New Army Transition Assistance Team
Taking off the Army Combat Uniform and looking for a civilian career is particularly challenging. In an effort to help transitioning Soldiers, the U.S. Army Installation Management Command established a new headquarters team with a focus on bringing departing Soldiers and prospective employers together. The G3 Integration/Synchronization Team (G3 I/ST) serves as a liaison between potential employers and the transition service managers who directly help Soldiers at installations around the world as part of the Army Career and Alumni Program. The team coordinates the flow of information and communication to Soldiers through the existing transition programs at the garrisons. The team is also developing a centralized database that identifies companies with available jobs. Those looking to hire veterans should contact the G3 I/ST at (210) 466-0123.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Troops to Get Commercial Tickets for R&R Flights
Beginning in April, service members going on rest & recuperation leave will be issued commercial tickets to their leave destination, instead of seats on charter flights. Soldiers and others serving in U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, an area stretching from Egypt to Afghanistan, will have greater flexibility in traveling to their preferred destination on rest & recuperation, known as R&R, officials said. A pilot program actually began Jan. 15, offering some service members and DOD civilians commercial tickets when flying home from Kuwait on R&R. Previously, the only option was to fly charter air to Atlanta or Dallas from Kuwait, said Lt. Col. Dave Homza, chief, R&R Task Force, Army G-1. Now servicemembers will be issued individual commercial tickets to their approved leave destination, be it stateside or elsewhere in the world. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... ights.html) this Military.com article.


AF Command Position Process Begins
Development teams from various Air Force specialties will convene between May and September to consider eligible officers for 2014 squadron command, deputy maintenance and deputy mission support group commander positions. Suspense dates for statements of intent vary depending on position and career field. Interested officers should go to the myPers website and review Personnel Services Delivery Memorandum 13-20 for the DT schedules and SOI suspense dates. Grade criteria vary among the different specialties, so officers are encouraged to visit their respective career field web pages for details. For more information about these and other command opportunities and other personnel issues, visit (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers Enter "PSDM 13-20" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


State Licenses for Spouses
Efforts continue by the Department of Defense (DoD) to encourage states to allow spouses' professional licenses to transfer easily from state to state as military families move from one duty station to another. Three mechanisms are in place to expedite licenses: (1) the spouse can present her previous license to the new state for acceptance if the requirements for the occupation are "substantially equivalent"; (2) the new state can issue a temporary license so the spouse has an opportunity to fulfill the requirements of the state through education and training; and (3) expediting the state's process for military spouses to obtain a new license. Eligibility requirements and how to file are available online on state websites, and the Military OneSource website at (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/) www.militaryonesource.mil also has information on unemployment compensation.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Navy Announces Theme for Awareness Month
The Navy announced the 2013 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) theme of "Courage". Navy installations and commands around the world will be organizing activities to raise awareness of sexual assault throughout the month. Each week, the Navy will highlight a subtheme - courage to learn, courage to prevent, courage to intervene, courage to support and courage to commit. More information, including the Navy's guidance to focus efforts on awareness and prevention of sexual violence, is available on the Navy's SARP website at (http://www.sapr.navy.mil) www.sapr.navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Army Unveils Redesigned Website
The U. S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USAIREM) recently unveiled their redesigned institute website at (http://www.usariem.army.mil/) www.usariem.army.mil in an effort to combine multimedia information and products in one easily-accessible location. The home page now allows quick access to everything from official social networking sites to current and archived news stories. It also allows users to search for all Institute publications dating back to 1993. For more information, visit the USAIREM website at (http://www.usariem.army.mil/) www.usariem.army.mil.


Loyal Forces: Pet Photo Contest
The publishers of the book "Loyal Forces: The American Animals of World War II" are sponsoring a (http://www.facebook.com/WWIIMuseum/app_197602066931325) photo contest on Facebook, for which winners are receiving a copy of the book and a trip to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Through 160 photographs from the National World War II Museum collection, Loyal Forces captures the heroism of animals that aided the Allies as they fought to protect and sustain morale. To take part in the contest, visit the (http://www.facebook.com/WWIIMuseum/app_197602066931325) Facebook page and submit photos of your animal heroes. For more on pets and the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/pet-corner) Military.com Pet Corner.


Navy Board Coming
Nearly 18,000 Sailors are selection-board eligible for the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY-14) Active Chief Petty Officer Selection Board (Cycle 218). These board-eligible Sailors need to ensure their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is correct and up-to date-with the latest information. Sailors can review their OMPF online by selecting the "OMPF - My Record" link under the BUPERS Online (BOL) Application Menu Log available at (http://www.bol.navy.mil) www.bol.navy.mil. Candidates may submit any missing, new or additional information via a letter to the board, which can be submitted by postal mail or via encrypted e-mail to (mailto:cscselboard@navy.mil) cscselboard@navy.mil. For more information, visit the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil and click on the Selection Board tab.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Benefits of a VA Loan in Today's Market
One of the unique benefits afforded to military personnel is access to the Veterans Affairs Home Mortgage Loan program. This program offers tremendous mortgage benefits to active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. A VA home loan can be used for a number of purposes, including purchasing or building a new home, refinancing a current mortgage, repairing or improving your existing home, or installing home efficiency measures. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) See more benefits of a VA Loan in today's market.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Search for lenders ready to help you buy or refinance with a VA Loan.


TSA Allows Wounded Warriors Expedited Screening
The TSA is initiating a new policy change to expedite airport screening for wounded warriors. While veterans and servicemembers currently do not need to remove their shoes or boots at TSA checkpoints, this reform offers new benefits, including expedited screening, curb-to-gate service, and wounded Warriors not being required to remove shoes, light outerwear, jackets, or hats. For more details on the TSA changes, see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... ening.html) this Military.com article.


Navy Master Chief Holds Live Chat
(http://www.navy.mil/mcpon/index.asp) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael D. (http://www.navy.mil/mcpon/index.asp) Stevens joined (http://www.facebook.com/USNavy) U.S. Navy Facebook fans recently for a live chat. During the 45 minute conversation, MCPON was asked a number of questions about important topics such as CPO365, sequestration, tuition assistance and uniforms. If you missed the opportunity to chat with MCPON, you can catch up with the conversation on the (http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/03/22/ ... -facebook/) Navy Live website or follow him on (http://ow.ly/jiGRb) his official Facebook page.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Releases Fitness Videos
A series of three instructional videos for the Navy's physical readiness test were recently released. With just weeks left before the bi-annual Physical Readiness Test, the Navy is reminding Sailors that proper form while performing PRT exercises is an important aspect of the test. The videos show the proper techniques for both the curl-up and push-up PRT events. The videos also show the common mistakes Sailors make while performing the exercises, and are for both Sailor and command level reference. To view the proper way to do curl-ups, view the video at (http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18233) www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18233. For proper push-up techniques, view the video at (http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18234) www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18234. The Navy also has online guides to fitness, nutrition and injury prevention available on the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc) www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc.
For more fitness tips and workout programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


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2013 Military Pay Calculator
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