Military Report - Week of May 06, 2013

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Military Report - Week of May 06, 2013

New NETC Human Resources Center
The brand new Naval Education and Training Command's Human Resources Office, located at Building 680 on Naval Air Station Pensacola, will serve more than 4,500 civilians enterprise-wide. Previously, HRO services for NETC and its activities were handled by five different Navy Human Resources Service Centers around the country. This new organization will provide better customer service through specific, command-focused HR teams and better partnerships with customers.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Exchanges Sponsor Contest
With the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's Patriot Family "Just Say Treat" contest, a pet picture and 50 words could be worth $300. The Patriot Pet "Just Say Treat" photo/pet contest launched recently at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) www.shopmyexchange.com and the (http://www.facebook.com/aafes.bx.px) Exchange Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/AAFES.BX.PX) https://www.facebook.com/AAFES.BX.PX. Shoppers need only to submit a photo of their pet (or pets) along with a 50-word or less description for a chance to win a $300 Exchange gift card. For more information and links to enter the Patriot Pet "Just Say Treat" contest, visit the Shop My Exchange Patriot Family Connection webpage at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/patriotfamily/) shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily or visit the Exchange Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/aafes.bx.px) www.facebook.com/aafes.bx.px.
For more discounts for military families, servicemembers and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


Support Tools for Military Families
Being a military child poses unique challenges -- deployments that take parents away for months at a time; frequent moves that involve changing schools and leaving friends behind; and parents returning home with combat-related injuries. If you are a servicemember with children, the following webpage contains a good list of resources to help you help them cope with whatever military life might bring their way: Support Tools for (http://www.dcoe.health.mil/blog/13-04-2 ... _Kids.aspx) Military Families, Military Kids.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Federal Mobile Apps Gallery
Visit the (http://apps.usa.gov/) USA.gov Mobile Apps Gallery to find government apps and mobile websites. You can search for apps by category (Education, Health, Business, etc.) or by platform (Android, Apple, Blackberry, etc.). Currently, all the apps featured in the gallery are free, though charges from your mobile phone carrier may apply. Here are a few of the apps you will find: (1) (http://apps.usa.gov/tornado-app.shtml) Tornado for local tornado warnings; (2) (http://apps.usa.gov/cdc-mobile-app.shtml) CDC Mobile App for timely health information; (3) (http://apps.usa.gov/smart-traveler.shtml) Smart Traveler for official country information; (4) (http://apps.usa.gov/nci-quitpal-app.shtml) NCI QuitPal to help you stop smoking; and (5) (http://apps.usa.gov/nps-national-mall.shtml) NPS National Mall to explore sites around Washington, DC.
For more on military-related apps, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/best-apps) Military.com App page.


Military Gear Discount
Up to 50% off lifestyle, outdoor & tactical gear. Shop premium brands on GovX.com at prices not available to the public. (https://www.govx.com/milcom?gxweba=mili ... ortapril13) Shop over 10,000 products!


Navy Med Corps Fights Tuberculosis
The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) has concluded that prevention and control of tuberculosis can be accomplished more efficiently through a limited and more targeted testing program. A key prevention strategy laid out in the Navy Medicine instruction, released Feb. 21, is prompt detection and treatment of tuberculosis. The revised testing approach requires annual exposure risk screening during the Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) and subsequent testing only in those servicemembers determined to be at high risk of infection with tuberculosis. This approach ultimately reduces the chances for "false positives" when administering and interpreting the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). For more information, read (http://www.med.navy.mil/directives/Exte ... 224.8B.pdf) BUMED Instruction 6224.8B.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New Phase for myPay
The Spring 2013 myPay release will affect all users and be phased in over the next five months, beginning May 11. It requires users to change their passwords every 60 days using stronger 15- to 30-character passwords. Beginning in May, groups of users will be required to establish new passwords when they attempt to access their accounts. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) expects it will take four months before all users have updated their passwords. DFAS plans to send email alerts 10 days before expiration of a user's password. Customers logging into myPay using DOD computer access cards or a similarly encrypted federal identification card will not be required to enter a password to log in to myPay. More information on the myPay Spring 2013 release and the new password requirements is available at the (http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/mypayinfo.html) DFAS website.
For more updates on military pay and other benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/) Military Advantage Blog.


Navy Lodges Offer Free Wi-Fi
The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has announced that all 40 of its Navy Lodges worldwide now offer free Wi-If to guests. Guests can now access the free Wi-If in their rooms as well as the common areas within the Navy Lodge. Navy Lodges offer family suites and oversized guest rooms that feature a kitchenette complete with microwave and utensils, cable TV with premium channels and DVD player. Guests also have in-room coffee and breakfast in the lobby. Most Navy Lodges also accept cats and dogs up to 50 pounds. To make a reservation at a Navy Lodge, call 800-628-9466 (800-NAVY-INN), 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit the Navy Lodge website at www.navy-lodge.com. For other military lodging options, visit the DoD Lodging website at (http://www.dodlodging.com) www.dodlodging.com.
For more on military lodging options and travel, visit the (http://www.military.com/Travel/Home/0,13396,,00.htm) Military.com Travel Center.


Exchange Features Pet Contest
With the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's Patriot Family "Just Say Treat" contest, a pet picture and 50 words could be worth $300. The contest has been launched at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com) www.shopmyexchange.com and the (http://www.facebook.com/aafes.bx.px) Exchange Facebook page. Shoppers need only to submit a photo of their pet (or pets) along with a 50-word or less description for a shot at a $300 Exchange gift card. For more information and links to enter the Patriot Pet "Just Say Treat" contest, go to (http://shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily) shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily or visit the Exchange Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/aafes.bx.px) www.facebook.com/aafes.bx.px.
For more news and features on pets, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty/pet-corner) Military.com Pet Corner.


Time to Apply for USAF Advanced Degrees
Air Force officers considering 2014 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs have a narrow application window, which is currently open. In addition, mobility pilot, intelligence, space, missile, weather, cyber operations, munitions and missile maintenance, logistics readiness, security forces, civil engineer, personnel, chaplain, scientific/research, developmental engineering, acquisition, contracting, finance and special investigations career field officers may be able to apply for one or more developmental programs. Applications can also be made for instructor pipeline programs. For more information and complete application instructions, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPERS site and enter "AAD/SPEED" in the search window.
For more guides and updates on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


Senior Leaders Testify on Sequestration
Senior military leaders recently testified about the current state of military personnel programs before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee. A myriad of topics was discussed including sexual assault response programs, suicide rates and the effects sequestration is having on personnel programs within the military. Witness statements and an archived webcast of the April 24, 2013 hearing are available on the (http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/he ... e271012875) U.S. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee webpage.
For the latest on sequestration and other military-related news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Are you ready for homeownership?
Military members receiving change of station orders may be eligible for VA loans to purchase homes near their new military bases. Find out how to become a homeowner today with your (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity- ... RC=mrvr.nl) VA home loan benefit.


DoD Shifts Control of E-Record Project
After five years and an estimated $1 billion Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has decided to take control of the E-Records project away from defense health officials. A congressional source confirmed that DoD oversight for developing an interoperable electronic health records is now under Frank Kendall, under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/0 ... oject.html) Read Tom Philpott's Military Update for the complete story.


New Tech Training and Certification Plan
First Lady Michelle Obama today unveiled the new Information Technology Training and Certification Partnership to put thousands of servicemembers to work with industry-recognized IT certifications in hand before they leave the military. Obama, who made the announcement at the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing at the White House, said a public-private partnership will offer the Certification program. The program is expected to garner more than 1.8 million jobs by 2020. Industry leaders that will help support the initiative are Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corp., Oracle, CompTIA NetApp, Hewlett-Packard, Futures, Global Knowledge, Gogo Training and SANS Institute and Global Information assurance Certification. For more information and to read the First Lady's remarks, visit the (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... d-licensin) White House website and see (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... -vets.html) this Military.com article.


Self-Referral Can Help Sailors
Self-referral is the best option for seeking help for alcohol abuse. When Sailors get help via self-referral or through the help of their command, neither results in any disciplinary action. A self-referral is initiated by a Sailor who desires counseling or treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse. To qualify as a valid self-referral, there can be no credible evidence that an alcohol-related incident has already occurred. For example, you cannot initiate a self-referral after you've been arrested for DUI/DWI to avoid disciplinary action. Qualified self-referral agents include: (1) DAPA; (2) commanding officer, XO, OIC, or CMDCM/Chief of the Boat (COB); (3) Navy drug and alcohol counselor (or intern); (4) DoD medical personnel (including LIP); (5) chaplain and (6) Fleet and Family Support Center counselor. For more information on how you can support the Navy's efforts to encourage responsible drinking among Sailors, visit the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention website at (http://www.nadap.navy.mil) www.nadap.navy.mil.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


AAFES Rewards Good Grades
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is rewarding military students in grades 1-12 who maintain a "B" or better average with the "You Made the Grade" program. The program has rewards schoolchildren around the world with a coupon booklet listing a multitude of free products and discounted offers. Students can receive a "You Made the Grade" booklet by simply presenting a valid military ID and proof of an overall "B" average at their local Exchange store. Those eligible may receive one coupon booklet and submit one drawing entry each qualifying report card. For more information, visit a nearby Exchange store. Each store's contact information, including store hours, is available through the "Exchange Stores" link at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com) www.shopmyexchange.com.
For more discounts for military families, servicemembers and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


Navy CPO Selection Board Confirmation
Sailors who submitted a board package to the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) Active Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selection Board can now confirm its receipt at Navy Personnel Command (NPC) by clicking on the "Selection Board Status" link on www.npc.navy.mil. The selection board will review the Official Military Personal File (OMPF) of all candidates. If documents are missing from a candidate's OMPF, they may submit those documents, along with a cover letter to the selection board president, to be reviewed by the board. Packages submitted to the active-duty CPO board must be received by the NPC Customer Service Center (CSC) by May 28. Packages must include a cover letter and each document in their package must include the member's full social security number. For more information, visit the (http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/B ... fault.aspx) NPC Selection Boards Web Page or call the NPC CSC at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Free Veterans Virtual Career Fair
Help move your career to the next level and find your next job at this virtual career fair for just veterans. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.com/) Communicate and engage with exhibitors and attendees in a collaborative virtual environment.


$400k Protection From $26 a Month
Get $400k protection for as little as $26 a month. Find quality family coverage for less than SGLI. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get covered today.


Chevron Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with a company that can provide endless opportunity and a (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) career path that lets you choose where you want to be.


National Memorial Day Parade Scheduled
The 2013 National Memorial Day Parade is set for Monday, May 27 at 2 PM along Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. In addition to the many hundreds of veterans and active duty personnel, this year's event will feature country star Trace Adkins, wounded warrior and Dancing with the Stars winner JR Martinez, actors Gary Sinise & Joe Mantegna, Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan, and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. For more details on the parade and how to volunteer, visit the (http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com) National Memorial Day Parade website. For more updates and content on Memorial Day, visit the (http://www.military.com/memorial-day) Military.com Memorial Day page.


Get the 2013 VA Loan Guide
Understand the VA Loan benefit you've earned by downloading the free Miliary.com VA Loan Guide. The PDF guide walks you through the benefits of a VA Loan, eligibility, how to refinance, what forms you'll need, and more. (http://www.military.com/va-loan-guide/i ... rvr0506.nl) Download your free PDF now.
Ready to use your VA Loan?
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2013 Navy September Advancement Exams
The Navy has announced guidance for the administration of the Cycle 220 September 2013 E4-E6 Advancement Exam. Due to the current budget shortfalls, Sailors with an expired or expiring security clearance are still considered to be in access and may participate in the exam cycle. Commands pending deployment and deployed ships and Sailors who are unable to take the exams during the scheduled dates may order exams six months early. The examination answer sheet form has been updated to reflect the newly-structured 175 question examination format. Additional information regarding this cycle will be posted on the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/c ... ement.aspx) Navy Personnel Command Enlisted Career Admin webpage.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


American Legion's May Career Fairs
Throughout May, The American Legion will team with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Military.com and RecruitMilitary to bring job fairs to a variety of locations in an effort to connect veterans, servicemembers and their families with potential employers. There are dozens of Hire Our Heroes hiring fairs planned for Veterans across the country. There are also employment workshops now available in conjunction with many of the hiring fairs. These workshops are designed to help veterans and military spouses and include resume writing, interview skills, and one-on-one mentoring. For more information and listings of upcoming career fairs nationwide, visit the (http://www.legion.org/careers/jobfairs) American Legion website and the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... fairs.html) Military.com Job Fairs page.


Deploying or Returning Home? Get Tips - the Deployment Center
If you have a family, the single most important thing to think about when it comes to deployment is ensuring that (http://www.military.com/deployment/chec ... RC=mrvr.nl) they're well taken care of while you're away.


Save Big: Military Discounts in May
Servicemembers and families are being honored during Military Appreciation Month with a variety of discounts -- Guitar Center, National Parks Passes, Carnival Cruises, Disney and More. (http://www.military.com/military-apprec ... rvr0506.nl) View a complete list and save big this month.


Life Insurance Benefit Changes
Servicemembers married to other servicemembers are no longer automatically enrolled in the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program. Spouses must now opt into the program by filling out the proper forms and submitting those for processing. Forms are available at all military finance offices. Servicemembers should check their leave and earnings statements to ensure they are enrolled or not and that they are paying the correct premiums. There are no changes for personnel who were auto-enrolled before Jan. 2, nor are there changes for military members married to civilian spouses. For more information, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website and search for article number "25004" or "FSGLI."
For more tips and guides on life insurance, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/insurance) Military.com Insurance Center.
(http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ad&ESRC=mrvr.nl) Ready for Life Insurance Coverage?


Walmart Pledging to Hire Veterans
Walmart has announced it will offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first twelve months off active duty, and projects it will hire and train more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years. A goal of a 30-day hiring process for veterans seeking direct job placement has been set, and the program will start at the end of May. For more details, see (http://jobsforveterans.military.com/192 ... -veterans/) this Military.com article.


DoD's New TAP GPS Program
A senior DOD official told the House Armed Services' Subcommittee on Military Personnel April 24 that the Department of Defense (DoD), in concert with the military services and interagency partners, is successfully implementing the department's revamped Transition Assistance Program. The new TAP, now in its second phase of use, is known as the (http://www.military.com/military-transi ... rview.html) DOD Transition Assistance Program: Goals, Plans and Success, or TAP GPS. The core of the redesigned TAP establishes the new career readiness standards, extends the transition preparation through the entire span of servicemembers' careers, and provides counseling to develop their individual transition plan. DoD is putting into place the Military Life Cycle Transition model by the end of fiscal year 2014. A video of the April 24 committee hearing is available on the (http://armedservices.granicus.com/Media ... lip_id=211) House Armed Services Subcommittee website.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.