Military Report - Week of July 22, 2013

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Military Report - Week of July 22, 2013

The Right Life Insurance for the Military
Confused about life insurance -- whether you need it, what kind, how much and the like? So are a lot of people in the military. While the military provides you with Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage, (http://www.military.com/money/insurance ... mbers.html) that may not be enough for some people.
(http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ad&ESRC=mrad.nl) Find Affordable Insurance For Your Family Today.


New Training Required for Army NCOs
The Army will soon require NCOs to complete online training prior to promotion eligibility. Additionally, NCO schools will no longer be waived. Beginning Jan. 1, the Army will formally link completion of Structured Self Development, or SSD training, with professional military education courses for promotion eligibility. The changes are outlined in (http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/ad2013_15.pdf) Army Directive 2013-15, dated July 1, 2013. The directive states waivers for the Warrior Leader Course (WLC) will no longer allow sergeants to be considered for promotion. Soldiers who had been previously granted WLC waivers must graduate from the course no later than Sept. 30, 2014. Soldiers who are deployed when the changes go into effect, Jan. 1, will have up to 270 days after redeployment to complete the course. Reserve-component Soldiers will have up to 270 days after release from active duty to complete the WLC. For more information, read (http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/ad2013_15.pdf) Army Directive 2013-15.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


Vets Don't Need 20% Down: VA Loan Benefit
The VA home loan is available to servicemembers, veterans, and some surviving spouses. It can be used for a number of purposes. (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Deal of the Week: Save 15% on wireless. Enjoy BlackBerry smartphones.
Save 15% with your AT&T wireless service discount. (http://www.att.com/gov/bb10) Get a BlackBerry Z10 or BlackBerry Q10 smartphone and balance work and life from one device.


MCPON Hosts Chat Session
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens hosted an online All Hands Call on the Navy's Facebook page. More than 98,000 folks saw the Facebook chat session. Text of the chat session is available on (http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/07/15/ ... -facebook/) Navy Live and on the (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... nt_count=1) Navy's Facebook page.
To keep up with the military on social media, visit the (https://www.facebook.com/Militarydotcom) Military.com Facebook page.


Your Opinion Counts: Take a Quick Survey
We'd like to learn more about your VA home loan experience and opinions on behalf of Quicken Loans. It'll only take a short moment to tell us what you think!
(https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LPWNHC3) Take the survey here.


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 ... rvr0722.nl) Search over 40,000 Units.


Get $300k Quality Coverage: From $21 a Month
If something happened to you, would your family survive financially? Protect your family's future, get $300,000 life insurance coverage (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =mr0722.nl) from $21 a month.


AF Special Duty Requires Nomination
The selection process for 10 special duty positions now requires unit commander nomination and hiring authority certification. The process change implemented this month affects staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant positions in special duties selected. Enlisted developmental special duties now deemed developmental include career assistance advisor, military training instructor, military training leader, U.S. Air Force Academy military training NCO, Airman and Family Readiness Center NCO, first sergeant, USAF Honor Guard NCO, enlisted accessions recruiter and professional military education instructor. For more information about developmental duties and other career opportunities, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


MOAA Storms the Hill for Survivors
On July 24, 2013, nearly 100 surviving spouses -- including members of the MOAA Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee (AMAC) -- MOAA staff, and various surviving spouse groups "Stormed the Hill" to ask Congress to support legislation to repeal the SBP/DIC offset. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), champion of the SBP/DIC repeal bill (H.R. 32) in the House and Chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee opened the event and spoke of the unfairness of the (http://www.moaa.org/SBPDICoffset) SPB offset at a MOAA-hosted congressional breakfast.
(http://www.moaa.org/SBPDICoffset) Read the full MOAA article to learn more about why the SBP/DIC offset should be eliminated.


Webinar to Help Save Homes
Join the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 for the Alabama: State and Federal Foreclosure Prevention Solutions webinar. This webinar is intended for all Alabama housing industry professionals with an interest in helping struggling homeowners find solutions to their mortgage problems. The webinar will be available (https://mhaevents.webex.com/cmp0306ld/w ... =mhaevents) online. The call-in number is (877) 809-1556 and the access code is 18074100.
For more guides and tips on home buying, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/home-ownership) Military.com Money section.


AAFES Turns 118
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service celebrates a past, present and future of savings and service on July 25, the organization's 118th anniversary. In recognition of this historic milestone, the Exchange is offering two dining deals for authorized patrons. First, Express locations worldwide will be offering any size fountain drink or Gold Peak tea free from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 25. Also, Exchange Burger King locations will be serving Whoppers for only $1.18 with the purchase of a medium size or larger drink or fry on July 25 and 26., For more information, contact your local Exchange.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


Navy Center Launches New NKO Page
The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, recently launched a new and improved Aviation Maintenance Administration man (AZ) rating webpage on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO). The goal is to provide one-stop-shopping for all AZ informational needs by providing information AZ's need in one location, effectively eliminating the need for AZ's to visit multiple sites to find rate-related information. To access the page on NKO, click on the Organization & Communities tab at the top of the page and select the Navy Ratings option. A link to all NKO-sponsored rating pages will appear. The AZ NKO Web page link is listed on the Aviation Ratings menu, or the AZ page can be directly accessed at (https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/aviation/home/AZ) Navy Knowledge Online (NKO).
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


Your First Line of Consumer Defense
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is joining 26 other federal, state government, and non-profit organizations -- including the Department of Defense, the Federal Trade Commission and Military Saves -- to highlight free consumer protection resources for military members. These resources can help servicemembers, military families, and veterans guard themselves against consumer fraud and make better-informed decisions when managing and spending their money.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... r-defense/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.


Troops Offered New Video Service
TroopTree provides secure, private video mail for members of the military and their families to record, deliver, receive, and forever store their precious video messages - all for free. Visit the TroopTree website at (http://www.trooptree.com/) www.TroopTree.com to start sending messages back home - or to deployed loved ones, and quickly appreciate how time zone differences and unpredictable internet access do not matter anymore. For more information and featured thank you videos, visit the (http://www.trooptree.com/) TroopTree website.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


AAFES Restaurants Offer Discounts
Army and Air Force Exchange Service restaurants are offering discounts for Military Star TM Card holders. Until Sept. 21, every food or drink order made with a Military Star TM Card will be discounted by 20 percent -- a full 79 days of savings. Military StarTM Card users are also entitled to a year-round five-cent discount on Express fuel purchases. For information on the Military Star TM Card, visit ShopMyExchange.com at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com) www.shopmyexchange.com.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


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 ... rvr0722.nl) Download your free PDF now.
The GI Bill is worth $417,000 and doesn't require a down payment. You can use it to buy or streamline refinance. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr0722.nl) Find Lenders ready to help you use the VA Loan.


Commission Studies Air Force Structure
The "National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force" is planning to visit 13 Air Force locations through Sept. 25, 2013. A list of locations to be visited is available (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123355936) online. Appointed by the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act, the commission is reviewing the Air Force's structure to determine if and how it should be changed to meet future missions and funding challenges. The commission's report and recommendations are due to the President by Feb. 1, 2014.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


AF Global Horizons Study
The Air Force chief scientist, Dr. Mica Endsley, recently addressed members of the Air Force Association about the Global Horizons study, which looks into the near and long-term application of science and technology in the force. Endsley stressed the importance of the ever-changing environment in which the Air Force operates in, and how the global horizons study identifies these future changes. The Global Horizons study is available (http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document ... 03-024.pdf) online.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


Pinkerton Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with a company that 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 Wins Award for Film
The Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) and the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) recently won first place for their video, "Reproductive Health Awareness - Types of Contraception," as part of the 2012 Visual Information Production Awards (VIPA). The 26-minute film is intended for use in clinics, training centers, health fairs and all-hands training events to educate male and female Sailors and Marines about the complexities of family planning options, and discusses the relative effectiveness levels of 17 birth control options. The film is now available on the SHARP Toolbox DVD which can be ordered through NMCPHC at (mailto:sharp@nehc.mar.med.navy.mil) sharp@nehc.mar.med.navy.mil. For more information about NMCPHC family planning resources, visit the (http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/he ... ntion.aspx) NMCPHC Family Planning webpage.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


Zip Codes Required for Mobile Navy Units
Effective immediately, family, friends, and businesses sending mail to Navy mobile units must use a nine-digit ZIP code to ensure delivery. Every mobile unit-- ships, squadrons, detachments, etc. -- has a unique nine-digit ZIP code. The nine-digit ZIP code is required for all classes of mail. Mail not addressed correctly, including mail already en route, will be returned to the sender as undeliverable. Commanding officers will provide the correct ZIP codes to Sailors so they can notify their correspondents about the new address requirement.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Free IT Training for Vets
With more than 230,000 business clients, SAP's software applications aid companies and organizations in supporting growth, preventing loss, maintaining proper inventory levels and more. Over 74 percent of the world's GDP (gross domestic product) flows through SAP transactions. Veterans are invited to learn about SAP's Veterans to Work Program on the (http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/sustain ... terans.epx) SAP website. A phone interview with SAP's staffing partner firm follows the online application submission. If selected, the applicant is entitled to SAP training and proprietary certification free-of-charge and help in (job) placement within the SAP organization.
For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Every Airman Counts
In an effort to address the growing concern of sexual assault in the Air Force, the service has kicked off an initiative to give Airmen the capability for their voice to be clearly heard called "Every Airman Counts." To enable this dialogue, members from the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) office designed a blog to share ideas, collect suggestions, concerns, stories, and questions for Air Force leaders and SAPR officials. Airmen can view the blog and make posts by logging into the Air Force portal with their Defense Department Common Access Card, and clicking on the photo tab titled Every Airman Counts, or visit the (http://afsapr.dodlive.mil) Every Airman Counts Blog.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


New DoD Certification Program
Air Force Financial Managers are joining forces with their sister services to create a more effective training and certification program, which will allow Airmen in Financial Management to have a recognizable certification. The new Department of Defense Financial Manager Certification Program will affect nearly 10,000 Air Force active duty officers, enlisted and civilian financial managers. Airmen will be able to tailor their training to what they need using sources that are available in a DoD-wide library of FM courses located on FM Online. All DoD common access card holders can visit (https://fmonline.ousdc.osd.mil/default.aspx) FM Online for more information regarding the DoD Financial Management Certification Program.
For more on military education benefits and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.


'Rising Star' Seeks Garrisons
Army Entertainment is getting set to host another season of Operation Rising Star, a singing contest for Soldiers and military family members based on the American Idol format. Installations and garrisons interested in hosting 2013 Operation Rising Star events must apply by July 29. Local competitions will be contested in September or October. Operation Rising Star is open to active duty military, National Guard and Reserve personnel and their 18-and-older family members. Local winners and, in some cases, second-place finishers, will have a shot at becoming 2013 Operation Rising Star champion. For more information, visit the (http://www.armymwr.com/recleisure/promo ... _star.aspx) Operation Rising Star website.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.


Congress Seeks to Lock in VA Funding
Congress is considering 'The Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013' (HR 813). This bill would fulfill our nation's promise to help veterans readjust back into civilian life. The bill would do so by ensuring that VA services aren't affected by Washington's partisan budget wrangling, and that the care and benefits veterans have earned are delivered them with timeliness and predictability.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ing-first/) Read the full article on the Military Advantage Blog.


AF 2013 Sr. Officer Promotions
The 2013A Colonel Line of the Air Force-Judge Advocate and Lieutenant Colonel LAF/LAF-J Central Selection Boards selected 18 lieutenant colonels and 1,350 majors for promotion during the March board. To view the promotion list, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil, select "search all components," and enter "officer promotions" in the search window, or log on to the Air Force Portal. For more information about promotion opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News section.


Navy Drug Use Declines
The number of positive results for synthetic drug in urinalysis tests has decreased significantly since testing began in March 2012, according to data presented to Navy leaders by Navy Alcohol and Drug Prevention (NADAP) office. For the past year the NADAP office has focused on educating Sailors on the risks to their health, career, and family, of using synthetic drugs like spice and bath salts. Also during the past year, driving under the influence and alcohol-related incidents (AI) have continued to drop. In April 2013, the Navy launched "Keep What You've Earned" campaign to encourage responsible alcohol use. For more information about Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention or the Keep What You've Earned campaign, visit the NADAP website at (http://www.nadap.navy.mil) www.nadap.navy.mil.