Military Report - Week of November 18, 2013

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Military Report - Week of November 18, 2013

AAFES Offers Holiday Toys
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is offering holiday savings with this year's in-store and online toy selections. The Exchange's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/10 ... 5/sizes/l/) "Special Delivery: Exchange Toys" shopping guide is available for pick up at nearby Exchanges featuring assorted coupons to stretch holiday giving, reducing costs $10-$15 off already low Exchange prices. Santa's helpers can shop in-store or online at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) shopmyexchange.com. Online purchases made with the Military Star Card get free shipping on orders of $49 or more. In-store shoppers can use the fee-free holiday layaway now through December 24th. Also, the Exchange's holiday extended price guarantee means you pay the lowest price. For more information, visit your local Exchange or the ShopMyExchange.com website at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) shopmyexchange.com.


Program for Separating Sailors
How does a Sailor jump to civilian life? The answer is with Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success), a five-day workshop that ensures Sailors are ready to make the transition to civilian life. The program is mandatory and provides a variety of pre-separation assistance for separating Sailors. Pre-separation assessment and counseling is mandatory. Sailors should also consider having a budget worked out and set post-military goals. Each Sailor develops an Individual Transition Plan and has that plan assessed during a capstone event, which occurs no less than 90 days prior to separation/retirement. For more information, visit the (http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/C ... s/TAP.aspx) Navy Personnel Command Transition Assistance website.


TRICARE and the Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is now in effect. For most TRICARE beneficiaries, the new law will not have any effect because they meet the minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. However, there are two groups of TRICARE beneficiaries who do not meet the minimum essential coverage requirement -- those getting care for line-of-duty only related conditions and direct care only beneficiaries. Beneficiaries and retirees not enrolled in any of these health care coverage plans, employer based plans, or Medicare must seek coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or visit the VA health care website at (http://www.va.gov/health/) http://www.va.gov.health for coverage options.
For more information, visit the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil) www.tricare.mil.


2013 USAF Captain Promotions
Nearly 3,200 Air Force first lieutenants were selected for promotion to captain during the 2013C Line of the Air Force Quarterly Captain Selection Process. To see the list, visit the (https://www.my.af.mil/) Air Force Portal at, or visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers. For more information about promotion opportunities and other personnel issues, visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers.


Exchanges Offer AT&T U-Verse
Exchange shoppers in the continental United States can now subscribe to AT&T's U-verse Internet, TV and Voice services directly through the Exchange and get a free $100 Gift Card with a bundle subscription. To get the Exchange special offer, shoppers must subscribe by going to (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/u-verse) www.shopmyexchange.com/u-verse. This website provides extensive information about the services and features available, as well as a means to check U-verse availability in their area Because of the way the service is provided, U-verse can only be provided to off-installation subscribers in locations where AT&T currently has service. Currently, U-verse service is available in 22 states. Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse services. For more information on AT&T U-verse, or to find out its availability, visit (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/u-verse) www.shopmyexchange.com/u-verse.


Transferring GI Bill Benefits
Servicemembers have the opportunity to transfer the benefit to immediate family members. Legally, GI Bill benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, giving activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as all other active duty members. These benefits include: (1) up to the full amount of tuition and fees for a state-operated college or university; (2) monthly housing allowance, which is based upon the location of the school; and (3) annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also provides work-study programs, tutorial assistance and license and certification test reimbursement. For more information, visit VA's GI Bill website at (http://www.gibill.va.gov/) http://www.gibill.va.gov/.
(http://www.military.com/education/gi-bi ... ility.html) Learn more about transferring GI Bill benefits.


Everything You Need to Prepare for Deployment
Deploying Soon? (http://www.military.com/deployment/?ESRC=mr.nl) Check out our deployment center to grab a financial checklist, learn about benefits and more.


Legion to Senate: Ratify Disabilities Treaty
American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger is calling on the Senate to ratify the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). An international disability treaty inspired by U.S. leadership in recognizing the rights of people with disabilities, the CRPD creates a framework for legislation and policies around the world to improve the lives of all people with disabilities, including millions of disabled American veterans who travel abroad. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was the model for the CRPD, and the treaty echoes its values of independence and respect for persons with disabilities, as well as reasonable accommodations. Tell your senator to support the treaty by (http://capwiz.com/legion/issues/alert/?alertid=62991381) clicking here.
For more on legislative issues that affect the military, and to contact your local representatives, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislative Center.


AF Portal Goes Mobile
Expected to launch by the end of 2013, the Global Combat Support System-Air Force (GCSS-AF) is rolling out a revamped (https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp) Air Force (AF) portal, which simplifies navigation, improves performance on low bandwidth connections and works from mobile devices. The redesign stemmed from a requirement to support users in bandwidth-constrained locations. Users will also notice that the AF Portal was reorganized and streamlined to make the system easier to use and navigate. Users will also be able to join groups and compile information then transfer it to other users before leaving a location, similar to a continuity binder.


Concerns About VA Med Center in Jackson
A Nov. 13 congressional hearing focused on a variety of serious, ongoing problems at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Jackson, Mississippi, including poor sterilization procedures, understaffing, misdiagnoses and poor management practices. "The VA facility in Jackson has failed in its responsibility to protect veterans who depend on it for their health care," said American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger. "When pieces of bone are still attached to surgical instruments that are being used on other patients, putting the lives of our veterans at risk, it is time to overhaul the entire hospital and remove -- not transfer -- the responsible parties." For more details, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/1 ... ckson.html) this article.


Transition Seminar at Quantico
Friday, November 22, 2013 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EST) Hire Our Heroes will be offering a seminar to help servicemembers prepare the transition to the civilian workforce. This two hour seminar will cover the 6 phases of the transition process: The Transition Checklist, Plan, Road-map Training, Mentorship and Execution. It will also help servicemembers understand where they are in the process and how to take the necessary steps to have a successful transition.
(https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-six-ph ... 9143262745) Reserve your FREE Ticket today. Invite a fellow service member


Navy Warrior Care Month
The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) designated November 2013 as Warrior Care Month, a joint-service event that recognizes wounded warriors -- as well as those who care for them -- while raising awareness of the resources available to service-members. One critical resource is Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) - Safe Harbor, the Navy's support program for seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailor and Coast Guardsmen. NWW non-medical care providers are located at major military treatment facilities. For more information, visit the Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor webpage at (http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil/) http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil or the Navy Safe Harbor Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/navysafeharbor) www.facebook.com/navysafeharbor. To learn more about Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor and other resources for wounded warriors, contact 855-NAVY WWP (855-628-9997) or (mailto:navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil) navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil.


AAFES Offer Savings at Thanksgiving
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is offering a harvest of savings before, during and after Black Friday, Nov. 28-Dec. 2. The bountiful savings begin at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) www.shopmyexchange.com on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. In-store, shoppers will find lots of savings in the stores Saturday and Sunday. Finally, Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, offers an array of online-only deals. All of the weekend's deals, including those for Europe and Pacific locations, can be seen starting Nov. 14 at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/) www.shopmyexchange.com by clicking "Exchange Stores" and then "Sales Flyers." Continuous price updates will be incorporated into the online version of the flyers to ensure pricing remains competitive throughout the five-day event. For more information, contact your local exchange.


$1 Million Family Protection: $41 a Month
Your family's future is important. Could your family survive financially if the unthinkable happened? Prepare your family with (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =mr1118.nl) $1,000,000 quality coverage from only $41 a month.


Veterans in Blue
Thirty-three stories of service and heroism at war are captured in the Air Force's recently released fourth volume of "Veterans in Blue." The new portrait-based displays join those presently hanging in the Pentagon. The stories, photos and video interviews are also available on the (http://www.af.mil/specials/veterans/index.html) Veterans in Blue, Volume IV website.


Discounts for Military Family Appreciation Month
Veterans Day may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean companies aren't appreciative of all that the military does. That's why they continue to offer discounts to military and their families throughout the month of November, which is designated as Military Family Appreciation Month. For the full list of discounts, see (http://www.military.com/military-family ... ESRC=mr.nl) this article.


Doolittle Raiders Honored
The Air Force hosted the famed Doolittle Tokyo Raiders' final toast to their fallen comrades during an invitation-only ceremony Nov. 9 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The ceremony was attended by three of the four living Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. On April 18, 1942, 80 men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. These men, led by Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. For more information, including instructional materials, read the (http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/D ... ittle.aspx) Air Force's biography of General James Harold Dolittle, view the video Voices of History: The (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsWNJmqM ... redirect=1) Doolittle Raiders on You Tube, and visit the (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/doolittle.asp) National Museum of the Air Force website.


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Dell invites you to (http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12309 ... 51-14?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]) take advantage of exclusive military discounts on Dell PCs, electronics and so much more.


Bristol Meyers Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with Bristol Meyers. As a global persified 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.


AF Promotes 232 Airmen
The Air Force Personnel Center has released the November enlisted supplemental promotion list, accessible on the Air Force Portal and on the myPers website, with 232 Airmen selected for promotion to the next grade. Airmen on the supplemental list tested outside of their required cycle because of an extended temporary duty assignment or deployment in support of a contingency, said promotion and testing representatives. To see the list, visit the (https://www.my.af.mil/) Air Force Portal at and select the promotion news link, or visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers and enter "18318" in the search window.


AF 2014 PhD Program Selectees
Three primary and three alternate program participants were selected for the 2014 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Captains Prestigious PhD Program. Officers selected for the program may pursue studies in history, political science, international relations, economics, philosophy, international business relations, international security studies, or political systems and theories. For more information about the annual program and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at (https://mypers.af.mil) https://mypers.af.mil.


CBO Lays Out Painful Budget Cut Options
The Congressional Budget Office released a report detailing more than 100 options for reducing federal budget deficits. Among these are capping military base pay below civilian rates, increasing TRICARE Prime and TFL fees, banning concurrent receipt, and tightening eligibility for VA compensation and "IU" benefits.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... t-options/) Read the Military Advantage to get more details.


One Million Benefit from GI Bill
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that 1 million Veterans, Servicemembers, and family members have benefited from the Post-9/11 GI Bill since the program's inception in August 2009. To date, the Veterans Benefits Administration, which administers the program, has distributed over $30 billion. In general, Veterans and Servicemembers who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001 are eligible. On average, VA processes the initial claims for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits in 23 days. For more information on VA education benefits, visit VA's GI Bill website at (http://www.gibill.va.gov/) http://www.gibill.va.gov/.
(http://www.military.com/education/gi-bi ... -bill.html) Learn more about all of your GI Bill and Tuition Assistance benefits.


Military Family Appreciation Month
Military Family Appreciation Month is observed every November to recognize and honor Army families for their contributions and sacrifices. Throughout the month of November, community leaders, businesses and garrisons are teaming up to recognize Army and military families through a variety of activities such as family fun nights, fun runs, discounts at Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities, sporting events and special recognitions during community activities. For more information, visit the (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive_201 ... id=standto) U.S. Army Stand-To! website, the (http://www.militaryfamily.org/feature-a ... month.html) National Military Family Association website at, and the (http://www.military.com/military-family ... tion-month) Military.com website.