Military Report - Week of June 24, 2013

[boardman]

Military Report - Week of June 24, 2013

Deal of the Week: Boost Mobile - Get 10% Off
More $ in your pocket! Boost Mobile. Be Heard. Get an additional 10% off of any Boost Mobile phone until 6/30/2013. (http://www.boostmobile.com/) Click here and use Promo Code: 4OURTROOPS.


Navy Offers Savings Guide
The U.S. Navy's updated "Keep What You've Earned" guide for planning summer safety splash events is now available at the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) webpage at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/s ... ault2.aspx) www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/ ... ault2.aspx. The biggest addition in the update is the "Send Off" event where multiple Navy Commands remind Sailors of the importance of responsible use of alcohol to stay on track with their careers. NADAP encourages all commands to download the "Keep What You've Earned" guide and host a responsible drinking event this summer. For more information, you can access materials and resources from NADAP's "Keep What You've Earned" campaign on the NADAP webpage at (http://www.nadap.navy.mil/) www.nadap.navy.mil.


DoD Brain Tissue Repository
The Department of Defense established the world's first brain tissue repository to help researchers understand the underlying mechanisms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in servicemembers. The new repository is part of a military health care system initiative to bring all the resources it can to better understand how to prevent, diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries. Defense Department researchers will look at the brain tissue samples to characterize the neuropathologic features of TBI in servicemembers. For further information on donation to the brain tissue repository for traumatic brain injury, (mailto:CNRM-TBI@usuhs.edu) email the repository team or call 855-DON-8TBI (855-366-8824).


New Exhibit at the Navy Museum
A new exhibit, "1813 Don't Give Up the Ship" opened at the National Museum of the United States Navy at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. The exhibit features ships' and Sailors' armament as well as posters describing the aide that the Navy rendered the U.S. Army during the Great Lakes battles two centuries ago. The new exhibit centers on that support the Navy gave the Army position and the soldiers who were drafted to fight. Once the museum takes down the exhibition it may never come back because a lot of the armaments are on loan, mostly from private collectors. For more information on the new exhibit, visit the National Museum of the United States Navy website at (http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org8-1.htm) www.history.navy.mil/branches/org8-1.htm or the (https://www.facebook.com/1813DontGiveUpTheShipExhibit) 1813 Don't Give Up the Ship Facebook page.


SeaWorld, Busch Gardens & More Free for Military
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment salutes those who serve through their "Waves of Honor" program. Active duty, Reservists, and National Guardsman (and three direct dependents) can obtain one free admission to any one of the amusements parks: SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, and Adventure Island in 2013. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal- ... rvr0624.nl) Click here to learn more.


AF Lifts Stop Movement Order
The Air Force has released details of the service's plan to fully integrate women into previously closed career fields. The Air Force plans to open the remaining seven career fields by Jan. 1, 2016. These include combat rescue officer; special tactics officer; special operations weather officer; enlisted combat controller; enlisted tactical air command and control party; enlisted pararescue and enlisted special operations weather. The service will validate occupational fitness standards for every career field. Once the standards are validated, the Air Force will notify Congress of its intent to open these skills to women and begin recruiting into these skills. Recruiting is expected to begin Oct., 2015.
(http://www.military.com) Get more News and Benefits information from Military.com.


Prudential Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Prudential. As a global diversified technology and industrial leader they can provide endless opportunity and a career path that lets you choose where you want to be. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Navy Museums Closed on Mondays
To absorb reductions resulting from the announced federal furlough, the U.S. Navy will close the museums it operates one day a week beginning the week of July 8 until further notice. The Navy has made the list of the museums that will be closing on Mondays (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=74817) available online. The Naval Museum Northwest (Puget Sound Naval Museum, Bremerton, Wash.) will alter their schedule by closing on Fridays. The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), which operates the Navy's museums, will close on Mondays during the furlough as well. Before planning to visit, please check museum hours before arriving. For more information and to access the Navy museum websites, visit the (http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/index.html) Naval History and Heritage Command website.


AAFES Salute to Clean Sweepstakes
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service will award gift cards to 15 lucky shoppers during the Unilever "Salute to Clean" sweepstakes. Each winner will be awarded a $1,000 gift card, redeemable at any Exchange location worldwide or online at www.shopmyexchange.com. Customers can fill out and drop off entry forms at any Exchange location through July 11. To find an Exchange location near you, visit (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeStores) www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeStores. No purchase is required to enter. Entrants must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license.


Search over 40,000 Units on Military.com
Connect with your past or present Military Unit on Military.com. Post Messages, find old friends, see Unit History & Photos and more. (http://www.military.com/HomePage/UnitPa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Search over 40,000 Units.


Navy Tool Celebrates Anniversary
As the Navy's Housing Early Application Tool (HEAT) celebrates its first anniversary, Navy Housing is already working on upgrades to be implemented over the next several years. HEAT is the online tool for servicemembers and their families to request housing information and begin the military family housing application process. Heat is a convenient way to contact Housing Service Centers (HSCs) to collect valuable housing and local community information that may be important in making Permanent Change of Station (PCS) decisions. Servicemembers and their families can begin their housing search online and to contact their next HSC using the HEAT website at (http://www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT) www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT.


Some Commissaries to Remain Open
Thirty-seven military commissaries in Europe and the Pacific will remain open with local national employees while U.S. Civilian employees are affected by furloughs. Most Defense Department civilian employees will be off work for up to 11 unpaid furlough days from July 8 to Sept. 30. Because of international agreements, local national employees are exempt from furlough. (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123352937) A list of the commissaries that will remain open is available. Because the budget situation is fluid, DeCA officials said, plans for the furlough period are subject to change. Commissary customers can quickly find out about any changes to their local store's operating schedule by going to the Commisaries.com website at (http://www.commissaries.com) www.commissaries.com, clicking on the "Locations" tab, then "Alphabetical Listing," finding their store and clicking on "Local Store Information."


Help for Homeowners Event June 28 in Columbia, SC
The U.S. Department of Treasury is putting on a Help for Homeowners Event to connect financially struggling military families with mortgage companies and HUD-approved housing experts. Participants will meet one-on-one with mortgage professionals to talk through their specific situations. The event is Friday, June 28th from 1pm to 8pm at the Columbia Convection Center in Columbia, SC. Parking is free. (http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get ... fault.aspx) Get more information.


$500k Coverage: As Little As $2 a Day
Protect your family's future. Get $500k life insurance coverage for about $2 a day. Protection for servicemembers, retirees and their families. Don't wait. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =mr0624.nl) Get protection today.


New AF Professional Development Guide
The new Air Force Professional Development Guide, or PDG, AFPAM 36-2241, is now available at (http://www.e-publishing.af.mil) www.e-publishing.af.mil. Printed guides will be distributed to all promotion-eligible active duty Airmen in the grades of E-4 through E-8 and airmen first class with at least two years in service beginning in early fall. Effective date of the new guide is Oct. 1, 2013. Master sergeants testing this December will be the first examinees to use the guide to prepare for promotion testing. Airmen can access PDG study tools on the Airman Advancement Division's website at (http://pdg.af.edu) http://pdg.af.edu. New interactive exercises will be posted monthly on the site to enhance Airmen's knowledge of the PDG.


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 ... rvr0624.nl) Download your free PDF now.


Identity Theft Prevention
Here are some tips to protect military personnel and retirees from identity theft: (1) safeguard vulnerable information like Social Security numbers, passwords, and account numbers in properly secured containers; (2) never recite sensitive information over the phone or send it in an e-mail; (3) sensitive data like ATM and account pin numbers and passwords should be memorized instead of written down; (4) select passwords that offer strong protections against identity theft; (5) use paper shredders to destroy documents; (6) diligently monitor credit reports; (7) keep receipts of purchases and regularly check them against billing statements; and (8) remain in contact with creditors and contact them if bills are not arriving as they should. If identity theft does occur, the FTC offers guidance on its Identity Theft webpage at (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/fe ... tity-theft) www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0 ... tity-theft.


June is PTSD Awareness Month
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Month. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD website at (http://www.PTSD.va.gov) www.PTSD.va.gov to learn more about PTSD and explore the options for PTSD treatment and coping with symptoms. Also read the Ten Steps to Raise PTSD Awareness on the (http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-aware ... reness.asp) National Center for PTSD website.


Planning a Wedding? Wedding Day Gift Guide
This is your celebration, and there are many details all wrapped up into a few memorable hours. (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Maintaining Operational Security
Releasing too much information can in fact aid the enemy and put many lives in danger. Here are some tips to maintain operational security (OPSEC): (1) servicemembers and their families should refrain from sharing troop movements, upcoming VIP visits, returning Soldiers flight times, results of military operations, descriptions of overseas bases and other similar information; (2) personal identifiable information and shred important documents; (3) Encrypt e-mails that contain sensitive information; (4) departing and returning flight times, flight numbers, number of personnel on board is sensitive information--do not publish to organizations without a need to know; and (5) apply OPSEC principles when using social media. For more information, speak with your organization's OPSEC officer. Family members can find more valuable tips at the (http://www.slideshare.net/DepartmentofD ... r-families) Department of Defense OPSEC for Families webpage.


Improved Navy Career Navigator
With the introduction of Career Navigator, Sailors have improved opportunities to stay Navy. Sailors who desire to reenlist can now request approval 13 months prior to the end of their enlistment, or operative extension if they extended service. In return, most Sailors will receive a reenlistment quota on the first look. Also, Sailors can check manning levels in their rating by viewing community health slides published monthly in the Enlisted Community Management section of the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/e ... fault.aspx) Navy Personnel Command website. To review a community health slide, visit the (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/e ... fault.aspx) Enlisted Community Management section of the NPC website, then select the community followed by specific rating in the left column.


2013 Military Pay Calculator
Calculate your military pay on Military.com to see how much you'll make at your next duty station, what your next promotion is worth, and find out how much your longevity increase will be. (http://www.military.com/apps/reg/milita ... RC=mrvr.nl) Calculate your gross monthly income by rank, location or duty.


Navy NRTC Back Online
Following a site maintenance outage that lasted longer than anticipated, the (https://www.courses.netc.navy.mil/) Navy's Non-Resident Training Course (NRTC) website is now back online. Several Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) websites and applications were offline for updates and maintenance starting June 3. The site upgrades are completed and the websites are back online. Personnel that were adversely impacted by the NRTC down time (7-18 June) should contact the help desk at 1-877-264-8583 or (mailto:NRTC@navy.mil) NRTC@navy.mil for individual assistance on a case by case basis.


TRICARE and State of Emergency in Colorado
Due to the Black Forest, Royal Gorge and Klickus wildfires, the Governor of Colorado has issued a State of Emergency in the Colorado counties of El Paso, Fremont, and Huerfano. TRICARE beneficiaries who live in these counties can obtain emergency prescription refills through July 11, 2013. To obtain an emergency refill, take your prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. To find a network pharmacy call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 or search the (http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy/) network pharmacy locator at the TRICARE Pharmacy Program website at (http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy/) www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy/. If possible, visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled.


CCME - Crossroads in Military Education
The Council of College and Military Educators announced the theme for their 2014 CCME Professional Development Symposium in Savannah, Georgia will be "Crossroads in Military Education: Looking Backward, Moving Forward." Next year's theme will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the original GI Bill which was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in June of 1944. The 2014 CCME Symposium will be held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, February 10-13.
(http://www.ccmeonline.org/) Learn more about CCME and their 2014 Symposium.


Advice on Providing Long-Term Care
When you think of caregiving, odds are you think of the courageous families who care for our wounded warriors. But, some servicemembers themselves may one day face the challenge of another type of caregiving: helping a family member who is aging, sick, or has a disability and needs full-time care. Holly Petraeus from the Office of Servicemember Affairs recently offered advice to help you prepare for the financial and emotional strain that this responsibility.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... aring-for/) Read Holly Petraeus' full article on the Military Advantage Blog.