Military Report - Week of November 04, 2013

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Military Report - Week of November 04, 2013

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AAFES to Open Doors Early for Thanksgiving
Army and Air Force Exchange customers will not have to wait long to start their holiday shopping as Exchange doors open at 4 a.m. in the United States the day after Thanksgiving. Stores in the Pacific region will open at 7 a.m. while European Exchanges will welcome shoppers at 8 a.m. Authorized shoppers can get a head start on special promotions, updated throughout the holiday season, by visiting the Exchange's (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeS ... Flyer.aspx) "Sale Flyers" page.
For more discounts for military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


New Navy History Book
The Naval History and Heritage Command has announced the hardcopy and electronic publication of their newest book, "You Cannot Surge Trust." The book, which details the combined naval operations of the Royal Australian Navy, Canadian Navy, Royal Navy, and United States Navy, 1991-2003, compiles the work of several authors. The authors offer a view of national navies operating together in the Gulf War and off the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as East Timor, and Afghanistan. The book is available at the Naval History and Heritage Command website at
(http://www.history.navy.mil/nhc6.htm#recent) www.history.navy.mil/nhc6.htm#recent.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


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AF Bands, Thunderbirds Resume Ops
The Air Force is implementing a coordinated plan to resume public outreach and community engagements at a reduced capacity. Two popular, high-visibility programs, the Thunderbirds and Wings of Blue aerial demonstration teams, will return with full seasons. However, the Air Force will not resume a public flyover program across the country, nor will there be Air Force static display aircraft at civilian air shows. Funeral flyovers are not affected by this plan. Other Air Force assets expected to continue limited activity include Air Force bands. For more information on activities available, including performance schedules, visit the Air Force Bands Program website at (http://www.bands.af.mil/) www.bands.af.mil/ and the Air Force Thunderbirds website at (http://www.afthunderbirds.com/site/) www.afthunderbirds.com/site/.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.


Transitioning? Create Your Plan
The Transition Center now features a personalized Transition Action Plan for those leaving the military, those retiring from a career in the military and National Guard and Reserve personnel. The (http://www.military.com/military-transi ... rvr1104.nl) Transition Action Plan tool guides the servicemember using a timeline that recommends specific steps to take at certain key points; whether they are leaving the service in a few months or a few years.


AF Makes 'God Clause' Optional
After reviewing the cadet Honor Oath, the Air Force's Academy has decided to make the final clause optional. The last clause reads "so help me God." Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson says "Here at the Academy, we work to build a culture of dignity and respect, and that respect includes the ability of our cadets, Airmen and civilian Airmen to freely practice and exercise their religious preference -- or not. So in the spirit of respect, cadets may or may not choose to finish the Honor Oath with 'so help me God'." (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... -oath.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


Free White Tail Magazine Subscription
Western Whitetail Magazine, the leading authority for Western White-tailed deer hunting, is proud to offer all military members (past and present) a free subscription to their digital magazine. WTM covers whitetail deer hunting from Mexico to Canada and from the far Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. The free subscription offer is WTM's way of saying thank you for your service, which ensures the freedom all hunters enjoy. To subscribe, visit the (http://eepurl.com/H2hb9) White Tail Magazine website for more details.
For more military-related book news and reviews, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.


Budget Uncertainty Plagues DoD
In the aftermath of the government shutdown, senior Pentagon leadership expressed frustration over growing budget uncertainty and lamented the possibility that Congress may fail to stave off another year of sequester cuts.
Read the rest of the article at (http://www.moaa.org/MRBudgetUncertainty/) Military Officers Association of America.


Retiree COLA Set for 2014
Based on the 2013 Consumer Price Index, military retirees and annuitants will get a 1.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment in their January 2014 retiree checks.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -for-2014/) Get more details on COLA on the Military Advantage blog.


AF Changes Records Appeal Process
Airmen who fail their fitness assessment now may appeal to their wing commanders rather than submit an appeal to the Air Force Board for Corrections of Military Records. The appeal process change is one of several updates to (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 6-2905.pdf) Air Force Instruction 36-2905, Air Force Fitness Program, that went into effect Oct. 21. In addition, the AFI reintroduces the body mass index measurement for Airmen who fail the abdominal circumference component, changes to the walk test, and adjusts the required score for Airmen who are assessed on only one fitness component. For detailed instructions on appealing a fitness assessment score and information about other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Deployment Tips: Children
Creating family memories before the servicemember departs on deployment may add to the hectic pace leading up to deployment, but it is well worth the effort. For some tips on what you can do to have special times with your children before you leave, see (http://www.military.com/deployment/pre- ... ldren.html) this article.


Veterans Day 2013
How will you be honoring our veterans this coming Veterans Day? Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and across the country VA and Veterans organizations will hold events. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at (http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/) www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/ to find Veterans Day activities near you and educational materials. You can also visit the (http://www.military.com/veterans-day) Military.com Veterans Day for Veterans Day discounts and guides.


AF 2014 Selection Board Schedule
The Air Force Selection Board Secretariat has released the calendar year 2014 selection board schedule. The schedule includes dates for senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant evaluation boards, active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve officer promotion boards, special selection boards and a command screening board. The schedule has been posted on the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website -- enter "PSDM 13-104" in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AAFES Homeward Bound Contest
In the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's latest contest, a picture and 50 words could be worth $10,000. From Nov. 1-Dec. 31, authorized shoppers can enter the (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/10 ... 4/sizes/l/) "Homeward Bound" contest by submitting a picture or video of a military welcome home experience, along with a 50-word or less description, for a shot at the $10,000 Exchange gift card grand prize. The "Homeward Bound" contest is open to all authorized Exchange shoppers 18 years or older. Complete rules and entry instructions can be found at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/homewardbound) www.shopmyexchange.com/homewardbound.
For more discounts for military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


Navy Begins CFC Campaign
The U.S. Navy Center for Service Support (CSS) announced today that it will officially begin its Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donation season Nov. 6. Created in the 1960s by President John F. Kennedy, the program was designed to give federal employees a chance to donate to a variety of charities once per year without constant solicitation by individual organizations. Sailors or civilians can contribute by filling out a pledge card designating the donation to be made over a 12-month paycheck allotment or with a one-time donation by cash or check. If they choose to do an allotment, that amount is deducted during a 12-month period. People who want to donate to the CFC need look no further than within their own commands. For more information, visit the Combined Federal Campaign website at (http://www.cfctoday.org/_root/) www.cfctoday.org/_root/.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Deal of the Week: Special Holiday Rates at IHG Army Hotels
This holiday season, IHG Army Hotels wants to thank servicemembers and family members for your sacrifices. So whether you're in the Army or visiting a family member, you can enjoy all of the perks of staying right on post. (http://www.ihg.com/armyhotels/hotels/us ... lidaypromo) Take advantage of this special offer.


Stamps to Honor Medal of Honor Recipients
The U.S. Postal Service will issue special Medal of Honor stamps on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. According to the postal service, the stamps will be introduced in a new format, the prestige folio. Each "Medal of Honor: World War II" prestige folio contains 20 forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current first-class stamp. For more details, visit the (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/st ... ients.html) Military.com Veterans Day section.


Veterans Virtual Career Fair
Help move your career to the next level and find your next job at this virtual event. (http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.co ... rvr1104.nl) Register now to complete your profile, which can be used to connect with employers when the fair begins.


USNI Book Looks at Anti-Access Warfare
The latest Naval Institute Press book, Anti-Access Warfare: Countering A2/AD Strategies, by Sam Tangredi, is the first book to examine the concept of anti-access and area denial warfare, providing a definitive introduction to both conceptual theories and historical examples of this strategy. Also referred to by the acronym "A2/AD," anti-access warfare has been identified in American strategic planning as the most likely strategy to be employed by the People's Republic of China or by the Islamic Republic of Iran in any future conflict with the United States. While previous studies of the subject have emphasized the effects on the joint force and, air forces in particular, this important new study advances the understanding of sea power by identifying the naval roots of the development of the anti-access concept. Rather than arguing against the reliance on maritime forces--presumably because they are no longer survivable--Tangredi maintains that history argues that maritime capabilities are key to countering anti-access operations. (http://www.usni.org/store/books/forthco ... ss-warfare) Read more about this book at the Naval Institute Press website.
For more military-related book news and reviews, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.


Airmen Can Get Locked Out of AF Network
Individuals who inappropriately store and transmit Personally Identifiable Information (PII) over the Air Force Network will now have their accounts locked in response to the violation. Beginning Oct. 24, the Air Force began locking out the AFNET account of individuals who were found to be inappropriately transmitting PII data via the AFNET. PII is any information about an individual that can be used directly, or in connection with other data, to identify, contact or locate that person. These new actions are in addition to, and do not circumvent or replace, the normal Privacy Act notification process which is already in place throughout the Air Force. (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 33-332.pdf) Air Force Instruction 33-332 governs the PII breach reporting process as well as the consequences for PII violations. Additional information on protecting PII can be found of the Air Force Portal under the Cyber Threats and Information tab as well as at the (http://dpclo.defense.gov/privacy/) Defense Privacy and Civil Liberties Office website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


DoD Directs New Cyber Protections
The Secretary of Defense recently directed that DOD organizations take additional steps to ensure unclassified controlled technical information is protected from cyber intrusions. The offices of the undersecretaries of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, policy, intelligence, and the DOD chief information officer work together to develop any necessary changes to policy, guidance and rulemaking activities to improve the protection of unclassified controlled technical information that resides on or passes through defense contractor systems or networks.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Tuition Assistance Denied Due to Timing
The recent shutdown of the U.S. government has led to disapproval of some Sailors' requests for Tuition Assistance (TA). No fiscal year 2014 funds were available to approve TA requests during the Oct. 1-16 government shutdown. The Navy follows guidance from (http://www.dodmou.com/Files/DODI%201322 ... 202012.pdf) Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1322.25, which states that servicemembers are required to request and receive approval for TA funding before the official date a course begins. The DoD instruction does not allow funding to be awarded retroactively, so TA requests for classes starting before Oct. 17 that were not authorized prior to the Oct. 1 shutdown will not be funded. Sailors who want additional information can visit the (https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/ta_payments.aspx) Navy College website, and contact their servicing Navy College Office, or the Virtual Education Center at vec@navy.mil; DSN: 492-4684 or toll free: 1-877-838-1659.


AF Officers Selected for Squadron Command
More than 80 Air Force officers from five medical career fields have been selected for squadron command. Candidates who are not on the selection list will remain eligible for additional vacancies as they occur. To see the commander selection list, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, and search for "PSDM 13-102." For more information about command opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Releases F-16 Accident Report
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa officials released the results of their investigation into the Jan. 28 crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon over the Adriatic Sea, resulting in the death of the pilot on board. The investigation found clear and convincing evidence that the pilot suffered symptoms of spatial disorientation, due to a combination of factors. An executive summary and full narrative of the report is available on the (http://usaf.aib.law.af.mil/) Air Force Legal Operations Agency Claims and Tort Litigation website. The full report is available by submitting a Freedom of Information Act request. An electronic request may be submitted through the (http://www.foia.af.mil) Air Force Freedom of Information Act website.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... ation.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


IAVA National Veterans Day Events
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America invites all Post-9/11 vets, as well as family members, to march in one of several Veterans Day parades throughout the country. IAVA sponsored Veterans Day parades and events held in New York City, San Diego, Dallas, DC, Berkeley, San Antonio, and Milwaukee, to name just a few. Join IAVA in unity and support of our country's veterans - visit IAVA's (http://iava.org/vetsday2013) 2013 Veterans Day website to find an event near you.
You can also visit the (http://www.military.com/veterans-day) Military.com Veterans Day for Veterans Day discounts and guides.


Navy Aligns PASS Pay and Personnel
The Navy Pay and Personnel Administrative Support System (PASS) Program and Navy Pay and Personnel Services are now under the umbrella of Navy Personnel Command (NPC). The transfer unifies the policies, processes and execution of pay and personnel services across the Fleet. With this transition, the PASS Program, Personnel Support Detachments (PSDs) and Customer Service Detachments (CSDs) are now operating under the authority of the NPC Pay and Personnel Management Department. The change means NPC has embraced 66 PSDs and CSDs across the world and gained approximately 2,300 employees. The organizational realignment of the PASS Program, PSDs and CSDs should be transparent to customers.
For more on military pay benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits section.


New Navy Social Media Websites
The U.S. Navy's All Hands Magazine officially launched its Facebook and Twitter pages Nov. 1. The magazine's Facebook and Twitter pages will contain official Navy messages from top leadership, stories from the fleet, stories produced in house, and policy information important to Sailors and their families. You can visit and 'like' the All Hands Facebook page by following (https://www.facebook.com/AllHandsMagazine) the link. You can follow All Hands Magazine by going to www.twitter.com and following @AllHandsMagazine.
To follow the latest military news and happenings on Facebook, visit the (https://www.facebook.com/Militarydotcom?fref=ts) Military.com Facebook page.


Navy Holiday Stress Campaign
With the holiday season approaching, Navy officials announced the launch of its annual holiday stress navigation campaign Nov. 1. This year's campaign, "Thrive During the Holidays," will provide Sailors and families proactive resources to get ahead of holiday chaos while focusing on building resilience for the New Year. The "Thrive During the Holidays" campaign will continue through early January 2014. News releases can be found on Navy Operational Stress Control's blog at (http://www.navynavstress.com) www.navynavstress.com and the Navy Suicide Prevention website at (http://www.suicide.navy.mil) www.suicide.navy.mil . Follow Navy Operational Stress Control on Twitter and Facebook @NavStress for the latest updates to help you and your family "Thrive During the Holidays."
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Dealing with Network Outages
Many Internet-based applications that support personnel actions associated with Navy Personnel Command (NPC) continue to experience downtime while the Navy works to enhance its network reliability and security. These actions include BUPERS Online (BOL) access and applications for selection boards, record maintenance, retirements and fleet reserve processing among others. Workarounds for some BOL applications are in place while the enhancements are ongoing. Sailors should be aware that restoration of some applications could take until the end of the calendar year. Sailors and commands accustomed to spending only a few moments on a personnel task will need to allow more time. Those impacted by these system outages may contact the NPC Customer Service Center (CSC) at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672) or CSCemail@navy.mil for hands-on assistance.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Senate Bill Would Expand VA Eligibility
In its written testimony submitted Oct. 30 to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, The American Legion expressed support for draft legislation sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., that would "expand and enhance eligibility for health care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs." Sanders' bill would take into account the varying income levels among counties in any given state, and also establish new statewide income thresholds, in determining veterans' eligibility for VA health care. The bill further stipulates that all required modifications for implementation of the new income criteria must be completed within five years of enactment. For more details, see (http://military.com/benefits/veteran-be ... ility.html) this article.


Military Homeownership Explained
Are you buying, selling or just trying to maintain your home? Learn about the different benefits from renting to owning your own home and how a VA loan can impact you. (http://www.military.com/money/home-owne ... rvr1104.nl) Read more.


Exchanges Baby Photo Contest
Military moms will definitely want to enter the Army & Air Force Exchange Service's latest contest. The "Mom and Baby Photo" sweepstakes will award a 14K 1/10 ct. t.w. diamond Juno Lucina pendant in white gold (retail value $329) to the top ten best photos of mother and baby. From Nov. 1-14, authorized shoppers 18 years and older can enter by submitting a photo of mom and baby to (mailto:patriotfamily@aafes.com) patriotfamily@aafes.com with "Mom and Baby Photo Sweepstakes" in the subject line. Complete details can be found at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily) www.shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily. Sweepstakes winners will be announced on or about Nov. 15.
For more discounts for military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies
Celebrate Veterans this Veterans day with lots of discounts and free offers. (http://www.military.com/veterans-day/?ESRC=mrvr1104.nl) Explore our Veterans Day center to find deals, slideshows, and more.