Military Report - Week of April 15, 2013

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Military Report - Week of April 15, 2013

New Enrollment Fees for TRICARE Proposed
The White House's proposed budget includes an increase enrollment fees for retirees who select TRICARE Prime and new enrollment fees for TRICARE Standard/Extra and TRICARE for Life. The new enrollment fees would be indexed based on the retiree's military retirement pay. The TRICARE Prime enrollment fee for some retirees could reach maximum of $1226 by 2018 and would increase at a rate equal to the annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for military retired pay from that point forward. Check out the Military Advantage Blog to learn more.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... increases/) Check out the Military Advantage Blog to learn more.


Update on TRICARE Prime Rollback
Despite upcoming service area reductions, TRICARE Prime will remain a health care option for 97 percent of beneficiaries. The 3 percent difference, which comprises about 171,000 beneficiaries who mostly reside more than 40 miles from a military clinic or hospital, automatically will revert to the TRICARE Standard health care option Oct. 1. Those beneficiaries recently received a letter explaining their options, and they will receive a reminder letter in June or July. The TRICARE Prime Service Areas webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/PSA) www.tricare.mil/PSA and gives beneficiaries the most current details and the option to sign up for email updates. A ZIP code tool is available on the site to help beneficiaries determine if they live in an affected Prime service area. Those who wish to remain with TRICARE Prime may be able to re-enroll in TRICARE Prime by waiving theirr drive time standards. You will have to drive farther to get care and may find it more difficult to see your primary care manager (PCM). Seeing other doctors without a referral from your PCM could result in higher costs. (http://www.tricare.mil/PSA) Visit the TRICARE website to learn more.
For more on all TRICARE programs, visit (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com's TRICARE section.


Preparing For Deployment: Resources
The single most important thing to think about when it comes to deployment is ensuring that your family well taken care of while you're away. Cover all your bases before you are deployed to ensure your family has everything they need before you leave. Whether it's legal, financial, personal, family, or home-related, Military.com's (http://www.military.com/deployment/chec ... RC=mrvr.nl) Deployment Checklist can help you get organized in time for the deployment.


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AF Community Assessment Survey
The recently-launched 2013 Air Force Community Assessment Survey includes reservists, guardsmen and spouses. The assessment is designed to assist chaplains and people working in installation-level centers and programs. Topics covered in the survey include personal and family adjustment, individual and family adaptation, community well-being, deployment, resiliency, post-traumatic stress and help-seeking stigma. A notification letter including a link to the Web-based survey will be sent out to the work e-mail address of each servicemember selected to participate. Spouses will be sent a postcard in the mail with the Web link. Everyone selected is encouraged to participate to aid in the success in the project. The survey should take servicemember and spouse participants 30-45 minutes to complete. This survey is not to be confused with Chief of Staff Climate Survey, which was administered last Spring, 2012.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


AF Voluntary Separation Applications
Eligible Air Force officers and enlisted members have until Aug. 1 to submit their application for separation under the fiscal 2013 voluntary force management programs. Officer programs include time in grade waivers for eligible lieutenant colonels, limited active-duty service commitment waivers, Palace Chase transfers to the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve, and the 10 to 8 Commissioned Years of Service Waiver program. Enlisted voluntary programs, for those who are not in critical specialties, include limited active duty service commitment and time-in-grade waivers, waivers to enlistment contracts, and Palace Chase transfers to the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve. Applications, due Aug. 1, must be submitted via the virtual MPF. Full eligibility requirements and application procedures for officer and enlisted force management programs are available on (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers. Enter PSDM 13-09 in the search window for officer programs and PSDM 13-10 for enlisted programs.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Airmen Reminded to Review Personal Data
The upgrade of the Air Force's Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) has been completed. During the upgrade, some individual information in the virtual Record of Emergency Data could not be updated, including marital status and personal addresses. Airmen who have married, have a new address or experienced significant life changes in March should review their emergency contact information to ensure it is accurate. Updating can be done through vRED, which is accessible through virtual Military Personnel Flight. Airmen should also review and make appropriate changes to the unpaid pay and allowance recipient, death gratuity recipient, and person authorized to direct disposition fields to ensure they are accurate. For more information about the MilPDS conversion, emergency contact data and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil/) https://mypers.af.mil.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


DEERS to Streamline Records
A modification in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is expected to streamline personal records for better efficiency. Information will now be entered into DEERS in personnel offices, rather than identification card offices. Family members can continue to use the identification card office to change their vital information. Others will be referred to their personnel office when the change takes effect, expected to be by the end of this month. The change is expected to increase accuracy of records. People enrolled in DEERS should (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/) check their records to make sure their information is accurate and to report any errors they find to their personnel office.
For more on DEERS, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricar ... deers.html) Military.com DEERS page.


AF Airfield Ops Command Board
The Air Force airfield operations command candidate selection board will convene June 17 to select candidates for projected calendar year 2014 field grade squadron command vacancies. Candidates must be core airfield operations officers who are lieutenant colonels whose date of rank is no earlier than April 1, 2010, lieutenant colonel-selects, or majors in the promotion zone to lieutenant colonel in 2013. Majors and lieutenant colonels who are not in the promotion zone can apply for recruiting, combat communication/contingency response group and training squadron command opportunities. For complete eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, and enter "PSDM 13-24" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Fitness Launches Newsletter
Navy Fitness launched StayFit!, a fitness newsletter promoting fitness as fun for Sailors and their families, April 8. The newsletter will be monthly and includes a monthly workout. The workout will include a group of exercises that will focus on an area of fitness with a website link that will explain the workout. The newsletter also will highlight commands that exemplify taking fitness beyond the twice annual PRT and mandatory workout time. The newsletter will be available on the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil under the "Physical Readiness" tab. Commands interested in submitting material for the newsletter may do so by contacting the Navy Physical Readiness Office at (mailto:NavyPRT@navy.mil) NavyPRT@navy.mil.
For exercise and fitness programs and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


Navy Sponsoring Video Contest
Sailors still have time to take part in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Public Service Announcement (PSA) video contest, which gives creative Sailors the opportunity to promote the SAPR important message through a video message. Sailors can submit individual and team videos by mail or by uploading to the FTP site through April 19. Criteria for evaluating entries will include storytelling ability, originality, creativity and technical quality. The contest is open to active duty, Reserve and full-time-support Sailors. For more details, official contest rules and entry information read the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Public Service Announcement Video Contest Standard Operation Procedure, available on (http://www.sapr.navy.mil) www.sapr.navy.mil.
For more military-related videos in every category, visit the (http://www.military.com/video/) Military.com Video Center.


The Legion Supports GI Bill Fairness Act
Testifying before Congress on April 10, The American Legion stressed its support of pending House legislation that would make student veterans eligible for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities, regardless of their residency status. The Legion supports passage of the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... t-of-2013/) GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013 (H.R. 357), which would eliminate financial burdens that are now endured by about 40,000 nonresident student veterans. Since the Post-9/11 GI Bill only covers in-state tuition rates, veterans being charged out-of-state rates must make up the difference themselves. For more information, visit the (http://www.legion.org/education/214646/ ... tion-rates) American Legion website.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... t-of-2013/) Read more about the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act.


AF Cyberspace Board to Convene
Air Force cyberspace majors and lieutenant colonels will be considered for command when the cyberspace officers squadron command board convenes May 30. Eligible officers will be considered for projected calendar year 2014 vacancies and may also be considered for recruiting and training squadron command opportunities. Candidates must be core cyber, space and missile, scientist, intelligence, engineer or acquisition officers, and all non-cyber officers must be released from their career field before applying. Nominees must be majors or lieutenant colonels with a date of rank no earlier than April 1, 2009, or major-selects from the calendar year 2011 promotion board. For complete eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers website and enter "PSDM 13-28" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


DoD Releases Budget Proposal
President Barack Obama recently sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $526.6 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund defense programs in the base budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014. The budget proposal seeks further consolidation of defense infrastructure, institutes a study of possible efficiencies in military treatment facilities, and terminates and restructures lower-priority and poorly performing weapons programs. The budget also slows the growth of military pay and benefits. Highlights of the proposed Department of Defense (DoD) budget are outlined (http://www.defense.gov/news/2014budget.pdf) online. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request website at (http://www.budget.mil) www.budget.mil and download the "FY 2014 Budget Request Overview Book." Budget-related transcripts are available at the U.S. Department of Defense website at (http://www.defense.gov/transcripts) www.defense.gov/transcripts.
For more military-related news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


USAF Family Advocacy Program
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Department of Defense's Family Advocacy Program (FAP) provides those who need it with counseling. The FAP focuses on strengthening family resilience though visits and counseling with new military parents, as well as on educating young families about the stresses of parenting and what it takes to maintain healthy relationships especially when some members are deployed. The department has also created the New Parent Support Program, a voluntary home-visiting program aimed at helping parents-to-be or those with young children adapt to parenthood. Families wanting to learn more about programs designed to prevent abuse and those seeking counseling are urged to contact family centers on their base or installation or through the Military One Source website at (http://militaryonesource.mil) militaryonesource.mil.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


VA Loan Limits for High-Cost Counties
The VA loan guaranty program does not impose a maximum amount that an eligible veteran may borrow using a VA loan but limits the maximum guaranty amount to $417,000 for 2013. However, if you live in a high-cost county the maximum changes. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get a full chart to determine the VA's maximum guaranty in your county.
Next Step: (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Search for lenders ready to help you use your VA Loan Benefit.


Get Your List of 2013 Military Benefits
The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefit information based on your military service and status. Get a list of 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.


AF Testing New Fitness Resources
To help improve Total Force fitness levels, Air Force Personnel Center officials are fielding new fitness resources accessible online, in person or on DVD. These resources, including the Operational Fitness Program, Xtreme Wednesday Workouts, the Air Force Fitness DVDs and the Fitness on Request kiosks are available to all Total Force Airmen, retirees and families, through base Fitness and Sports Centers and unit physical training leaders. The Operational Fitness Program provides detailed exercise plans for individuals of all fitness levels and is easily accessible on (http://www.usafservices.com) www.usafservices.com. Xtreme Wednesday Workouts can be located on the Pentagon Channel website at (http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/) www.pentagonchannel.mil. For more information on these new fitness resources and other quality of life programs, visit the USAF Services website at (http://www.usafservices.com/) www.usafservices.com or MyAirForceLife.com at (http://www.myairforcelife.com/) www.myairforcelife.com. To set up a class, contact a local installation fitness center or unit physical training leader.
For exercise and fitness programs and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


Navy Exceptional Family Member Status
April is the Month of the Military Child, and it is a good time for Sailors to review their Exceptional Family Member (EFM) status. Families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program need to update their status every three years, 12 months prior to orders negotiation, or after a permanent change of station (PCS) move. The best course of action is to plan ahead as much as possible before a PCS move and work with NPC and medical care providers to determine proper geographic locations to support the individual EFM. New enrollment into EFMP is done through the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS). The exceptional family module is at the (HTTPS://navyfamily.navy.mil) Navy Family website. The NFAAS Navy Family Member's user guide is available, after login, under the help tab.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


National Vet Employment Summit Results
Monster.com, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities, and Military.com, the nation's largest military and veteran membership organization, today released a (http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=sm ... 0a13106cb6) report summarizing the top-line recommendations and discussions following the first National Veteran Employment Summit held in December 2012. The Summit brought together senior human resource professionals, military and government officials, academic leaders and military veterans to address the best practices for preparing, supporting, and connecting veterans to the organizations that want to hire them. The report highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every organization looking to implement a veteran hiring program. The report is available (http://media.newjobs.com/cms/static-con ... portLR.pdf) online.
For more veteran job news, as well as job listings and tips for starting your civilian career, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


VA Loan FAQ Videos
Questions regarding your VA Loan benefit? Are you eligible for a VA Loan? Do you know what fees you'll be charged? Find these answers and more with (http://www.military.com/homebuying/ifre ... RC=mrvr.nl) iFreedom's Video Library.


Navy Opens Detail Application Phase
The Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID) application phase is scheduled to begin April 11, and remain open until 5 a.m. April 23 for active-duty Sailors in their permanent change of station (PCS) orders negotiation window. CMS/ID is the web-based program enlisted Sailors use to review and apply for PCS orders nine to seven months from their projected rotation date (PRD). Sailors may access (https://www.cmsid.navy.mil) the site or from the CMS/ID link on the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


TRICARE Targets Tobacco
TRICARE has increased tobacco cessation aid for beneficiaries. Tobacco cessation medications and prescription medications now are available to TRICARE patients through military treatment facilities, pharmacies, and TRICARE's mail-order pharmacy program. TRICARE now offers Zyban and Chantix as well as a whole host of nicotine replacement therapies, including traditional patches, gums, lozenges, nasal spray and inhalers, which now are available through prescription at no cost to the TRICARE beneficiary. TRICARE also offers for tobacco users a 24/7 chat service via instant messaging, toll-free telephone coaching assistance available around the clock, and face-to-face counseling with a certified tobacco cessation counselor that can arranged through a primary care provider.
For more on all TRICARE programs, visit (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com's TRICARE section.


AF Convenes Intel Command Board
The Air Force calendar year 2014 intelligence squadron command board will convene in June to consider eligible officers for squadron command positions. The board will identify candidates to fill projected Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Space Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency and Special Operations Command 2014 vacancies. Candidates may also be selected for recruiting and training squadron command. Candidates must be lieutenant colonels with an April 1, 2009 or later date of rank, or majors selected for lieutenant colonel during the calendar year 12A promotion board. For complete eligibility requirements and nomination procedures, and information on other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website and enter "14N" or "PSDM 13-29" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy's Proposed 2014 Budget
The Department of the Navy released April 10 its proposed $155.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2014. This budget is part of the $525 billion defense budget President Barack Obama submitted to Congress on the same day. To view the proposed FY14 DoN budget documents, visit the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of the Navy (http://www.finance.hq.navy.mil/fmb/14pres/books.htm) Budget Materials website. To view the U.S. Navy Program Guide for 2013, visit the (http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/sea ... -npg13.pdf) Navy website. Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined (http://www.defense.gov/news/2014budget.pdf) online. For more information and to view the entire fiscal 2014 budget proposal, visit the U.S. Department of Defense (http://www.budget.mil) Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request website and download the "FY 2014 Budget Request Overview Book." To view budget-related transcripts, visit the (http://www.defense.gov/transcripts) U.S. Department of Defense website.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Parker Hannifin Hiring Veterans
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. For nearly a century, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. Parker partners with suppliers who share the beliefs of premier customer service, maintaining the highest quality standards, on-time delivery and a culture of continuous improvement. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Browse featured jobs.


2014 Vigilant Eagle Command Selections
The Air Force Vigilant Eagle operations squadron commanders selection board will convene here May 28 to identify candidates to fill specific projected calendar year 2014 space operations command vacancies. Vacancies are tentatively projected in Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Space Command/National Reconnaissance Office and National Air and Space Intelligence Center. VE14 candidates may be also selected to fill lieutenant colonel wing chief of safety positions or for recruiting and training squadron command. The selection board will consider core space operations, scientist, engineer and acquisition officers who meet all criteria. Candidates must be lieutenant colonels with April 1, 2010-Dec. 1, 2012 dates of rank, or lieutenant colonel-selects from the calendar year 2012 promotion board. For a list of complete eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit the myPers website and enter "PSDM 13-23" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Career Tools App
A new Career Tools Afloat (CTA) application is being installed aboard Navy surface and submarine platforms. The CTA provides a single gateway for Sailors to access selected career and personnel tools ashore and while operating in an environment disconnected from the Internet. These tools are Navy e-Learning (NeL) Afloat and its extensive catalog of online courses, the Electronic Training Jacket (ETJ) Afloat, and the Fleet Training Management and Planning System (FLTMPS) Afloat. CTA also lets users access the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) Web Afloat server. The CTA software is replacing Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) At Sea. For more information and user aids about CTA and Navy career tools go to visit the Navy Personnel Command website at (http://www.npc.navy.mil) www.npc.navy.mil -- under "NPC Quick Links", click "Career Toolbox." Or, contact the NTMPS Support Office toll-free at (866) 438-2898, option 1.
For more on military apps, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/best-apps) Military.com Apps section.


TRICARE's West Changes Increases Calls
On April 1, 2013, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans took over health care delivery in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Since then, UnitedHealthcare experienced a very high volume of phone calls to its customer service lines, and high use of its new web portal by both beneficiaries and providers. Many of the questions have dealt with how the contract transition affects beneficiaries, or sought information about health care benefits. Remember, even though there is a new regional health care contractor, the TRICARE benefit remains unchanged. For more information on the transition, visit TRICARE's Website Transition webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/westtransition) www.tricare.mil/westtransition.
For more on all TRICARE programs, visit (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com's TRICARE section.


VA's Proposed 2014 Budget
The President has proposed a $152.7 billion budget, a 10.2 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2013, that will support the Department of Veterans' Affairs' (VA's) goals to expand access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, and end homelessness among Veterans. The budget includes $66.5 billion in discretionary spending, largely for healthcare, and $86.1 billion for mandatory programs -- mostly disability compensation and pensions for Veterans. Highlights from the President's 2014 budget request for VA are available on the (http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressre ... fm?id=2433) VA website.
For more updates on veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.