Military Report - Week of January 13, 2014

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Military Report - Week of January 13, 2014

Some Safe from Target Security Breach
Navy officials say Sailors and Marines who used their Navy Cash/Marine Cash(R) cards at any U.S. Target(R) stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, 2013, are not liable for any transactions that occur as a result of the unauthorized access to card data reported by Target(R) Corporation in December, 2013. Navy Cash/Marine Cash(R) cardholders affected by the breach are protected by the card networks and (http://www.cfpb.gov/) Regulation E, which sets rules, liabilities, and procedures for electronic funds transfers and establishes customer protections associated with using electronic funds transfers. Disbursing officers on ships with members impacted by the breach are being notified to issue new cards to affected cardholders. For questions regarding specific transactions, Sailors may contact: Navy Cash/Marine Cash(R), Transaction Services Unit, Tel: (866) 362-8922, Fax: (888) 344-3796, email: Navy (mailto:Cash@ezpaymt.com) Cash@ezpaymt.com.
For more on credit and money issues and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money Center.


Get $400,000 Coverage: Only $26 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 ... =mr0113.nl) $400,000 quality coverage from less than $1 a day.


Retirement Cut: Tell Us What You Think
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 funds the government for two years, but includes a provision that impacts working age retirees and fails to grandfather currently serving members who are planning a career in uniform. Specifically it cuts retirement pay by reducing the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for uniformed service retirees by one percentage point a year until age 62.
Take the Military Officers Association of America's (MOAA) short (http://www.moaa.org/MRSurveyRetirementCut) survey and tell us how you feel about this COLA-cutting provision.


Whitetail Magazine Free for Vets
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.


AF Concerned About Breaches
AFNet PII breaches are still a concern. More than one month after Air Force Space Command's implementation of lock-out procedures for individuals found to have inappropriately transmitted Personally Identifiable Information (PII), PII breaches still remain a significant issue. Users have multiple tools at their disposal to protect PII if encrypting e-mail is not feasible, but electronic transmission of sensitive PII is operationally required. (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 33-152.pdf) AFMAN 33-152, User Responsibilities and Guidance for Information Systems, requires special handling for PII data. AFNet users should contact their unit Privacy Manager as well as refer to (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 33-332.pdf) Air Force Instruction 33-332, The Air Force Privacy and Civil Liberties Program, for additional information on safeguarding PII.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Armed Services Blood Program
The Armed Services Blood Program is dedicated to ensuring that servicemembers who need blood can get it. The fighting overseas has consumed a lot of blood resources, and one injured servicemember may need 40 units of blood in order to get back home. The program also provides blood products for stateside servicemembers and family members. The Armed Services Blood Program has 21 blood centers in the United States and overseas. Blood donors must be 18 or older, in good health and free of any blood-borne infectious diseases. The armed services program accepts donations from servicemembers, family members, DOD civilians, contractors and veterans. The typical donation takes about 45 minutes. For more information, visit the (http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/) Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) website.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


CSC Committed to Hiring Veterans
Start your civilian career with CSC. As a business solutions 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 ... =mr0113.nl) Read More.


Navy Offers Health App
The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) has released of a smart phone application for the Navy Leader's Guide, an online handbook to help Navy leaders recognize and help Sailors displaying distressed behaviors. Primarily used by Sailors in supervisory roles to help them identify Sailors who may be in distress, the Navy Leader's Guide provides information on operational stress control, suicide prevention, mental health, medical issues, and common problems that junior Sailors face along with supportive interventions, resources, and strategies as well as guidance for leaders when they are assisting a distressed Sailor. The Navy Leader's Guide app is now available for download on iTunes and Google Play and can also be accessed from both the NMCPHC website at (http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Pages/Home.aspx) www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Pages/Home.aspx and the T2 website at (http://www.t2.health.mil/) www.t2.health.mil.
For more news and reviews of military-related apps, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/best-apps) Military.com App page.


Hire Our Heroes Offers Seminar
Current and transitioning veterans can register for a one-day employment workshop to help them transition to the civilian workforce and find a new career. The workshop will be held Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Boulder Crest Retreat, 18370 Bluemont Village Lane, Bluemont,VA 20135, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To register for the workshop, visit (http://bit.ly/1hkB1C1) this site. This workshop is limited in size to 24 participants in order to give each of our veterans the attention they deserve. Additional workshops are planned throughout 2014. For more information, visit the (http://hireourheroes.org/ai1ec_event/hi ... IWpge.dpbs) Hire Our Heroes, Veterans Career Path Seminar webpage.
For complete listings of veteran job fairs around the country, see the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... fairs.html) Military.com Upcoming Job Fairs page.


Online Resources Help Improve Travel
Here are some websites with helpful travel information: (1) check weather forecasts at (http://www.weather.gov/) www.weather.gov/, (2) flight delay information at (http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp) www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp, (3) packing tips at (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information ... ine-faster) www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/how-ge ... ine-faster, (4) download the My TSA mobile app at (http://apps.usa.gov/tsa-app.shtml) apps.usa.gov/tsa-app.shtml, (5) passport information at (http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html) travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, (6) download the Smart Traveler app at (http://apps.usa.gov/smart-traveler.shtml) apps.usa.gov/smart-traveler.shtml, (7) resolve problems with air travel at (http://www.usa.gov/topics/travel/air/re ... lems.shtml) www.usa.gov/topics/travel/air/resolve-problems.shtml, (8) National Traffic and Road Closure Information at (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm) www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm, (9) gas mileage tips at (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml) www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml, (10) gas prices near you at (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprice ... ndex.shtml) www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/index.shtml, (10) scenic byways at (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/) www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/, and (11) train schedules, routes, and stations at (http://www.amtrak.com/home) www.amtrak.com/home.
For travel discounts for servicemembers, military families, and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


AF Quality Force Board to Convene
An Air Force quality force review board (QFRB) will convene May 5-16 to consider eligible Airmen for retention. The board will consider Airmen with fewer than 18 years, or with 20 years or more of service as of Sept. 30, 2014, who have specific negative reporting identifiers, reenlistment eligibility codes, assignment availability codes or grade status reasons. Airmen slated to meet the board may also submit a letter to the board to address any matter of record they believe merits consideration. Airmen who have 20 or more years of active service who are not selected for retention must retire by Oct. 1, 2014. For complete eligibility criteria, letter to the board instructions and other QFRB information, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website and enter PSDM 13-125 in the search window. For information about TERA, enter PSDM 13-127.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New NKO Online MK48 Machine Gun Course
The U. S. Navy's Center for Security (CENSECFOR) Forces has announced the newest edition to its long line of web-based training available through Navy Knowledge Online (NKO), the MK48 machine gun. For Sailors desiring to enroll and take advantage of this and other CENSECFOR online training, follow these steps: (1) log on to NKO ( (http://www.nko.navy.mil) www.nko.navy.mil); (2) from the NKO home screen, select "Navy e-Learning Online Courses" from the "Learning" drop down menu. This will redirect you to NETC's Learning Management System (LMS); (3) from the NETC LMS home screen, click the "Course Catalog" tab; (4) select "CENSECFOR" from the drop down menu and click "apply filter;" and (5) scroll through the CENSECFOR course listing and click "enroll" for the desired training. For more information about the Center for Security Forces, visit its websites at (http://www.navy.mil/local/csf) www.navy.mil/local/csf , (http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf) www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf, or on Facebook at (http://www.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ) www.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ.
For more Navy news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Seeks Nursing Applicants
Eligible active-duty enlisted Airmen interested in pursuing a nursing commission have until Feb. 28 to submit their intent to apply. The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program offers eligible members with an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing and an Air Force commission. Applicants must be able to complete their program within 24 months. Tuition and fees are limited to $15,000 per academic year. Application dates and deadlines are available (http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/t ... cants.aspx) online. For complete eligibility criteria and application instructions, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers website and enter "Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program" in the search window, or visit the (https://kx2.afms.mil/kj/kx1/AFNurseEducation) Air Force Medical Service Knowledge Exchange.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


DeCA to Collect, Recycle Plastic Bags
Stateside commissary customers will soon have an easy way to recycle plastic bags: Just bring them on your next trip to the commissary and use the new recycle bins. All stateside commissaries now have plastic bag recycling bins that customers can use to recycle any plastic bag, not just commissary bags. The bags will be combined with other plastic waste from the commissaries and shipped to recycling centers for processing. The agency's goal is to recycle 80 percent of all recyclable material generated in stores worldwide by the end of fiscal 2014. Overseas commissaries are not participating in the program because the agency does not issue recycling contracts overseas.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


AAFES' Operation Be Fit
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service continues to support the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Healthy Base Initiative through the Exchange's (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/BeFit/) Operation Be Fit program. The program offers healthier choices to authorized shoppers in the Exchange's Main Stores, Expresses, vending machines, food courts and school meal program. It also covers athletic apparel and workout equipment in an effort to promote a healthier mind and body. Throughout 2014, the Exchange will offer themed events at select locations. These themes will focus on developing healthy workout routines, preparing food, encouraging shoppers to enjoy the outdoors and overall healthy living.
For military-level fitness tips and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


Veteran Job Survey Wants Your Input
VetAdvisor(R) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) have launched a nationwide (http://retainingvets.org/) Veterans Job Retention Survey. The Veterans Job Retention Survey focuses on determining the reasons why veterans leave their initial post-military jobs. Because this data has not been previously captured, the survey will provide insight into how organizations can best structure their veteran-centric employee programs. All interested veterans and service members are encouraged to participate in the survey. For more details and to participate, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... nched.html) this Military.com article.


Record Number Sign-up for AF Marathon
The Air Force Marathon broke another record for the fourth year in a row. Nearly 6,000 runners registered Jan. 1 -- 1,000 more than the previous year. The 10K is already more than 50 percent full, and it is always the first race to sell out. The next price increase is set for April 2, but there may not be spots left by that time. The 2014 Air Force Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. The Sports & Fitness expo is Thursday, Sept. 18, and Friday, Sept. 19. The Breakfast of Champions is Friday, Sept. 19, from 8 to 10 a.m. The Gourmet Pasta Dinner is Friday evening, starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Air Force Marathon website at (http://www.usafmarathon.com) www.usafmarathon.com.
For military-level fitness tips and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


AF to Convene Early Retirement Board
The Air Force will convene an enhanced selective early retirement board (ESERB) June 16 to consider eligible officers for early retirement. Officers eligible for this board include active-duty biomedical sciences corps and medical services corps lieutenant colonels who have been once non-selected for promotion to the next higher grade, and active-duty, retirement-eligible line of the Air Force, LAF-judge advocate, chaplain, nurse corps, BSC and MSC majors. Eligible officers who do not want to meet the retention board can apply Jan. 14-May 16 for voluntary retirement. To review your records, go through the Portal or the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website to the Personnel Records Display Application on the secure applications site. For more information about ESERB, visit the myPers website. Enter PSDM 13-126 in the search window.
For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


B-1B Accident Report Released
A displaced fold-down baffle in the left overwing fairing of a B-1B Lancer led to a fuel leak and a series of detonations that disabled the aircraft prior to it crashing Aug. 19, 2013, near Broadus, Montana, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Dec. 30, 2013. According to the results of the investigation, at some time prior to pilot's initiation of the wing sweep, the left fold down baffle became detached at one or more points, preventing it from folding as the wing swept aft. For more information, read the (http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Di ... ancer.aspx) B-1B Lancer fact sheet and contact the Air Combat Command Public Affairs at (757) 764-5007 or e-mail (mailto:accpa.operations@us.af.mil) accpa.operations@us.af.mil.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Vet2Tech Scholarship Challenge
Vet2Tech has teamed up with Ignitor Labs to help five career driven veterans kick-off the New Year with a new job by paying for 100% of all tuition fees to Ignitor Labs CFESA: Basic Technician Training program ($1,495 value.) (http://vet2tech.org/techu247-announces- ... RC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


USTechVets.org Aims to Foster Veteran Employment
Veterans looking for a job in the technology sector can now turn to (http://ustechvets.org/) USTechVets.org, an online community designed to connect the one million service members who are transitioning back to civilian life to the tech companies that might hire them. In addition to job listings, the site features a military skills translator that helps veterans classify their military skills in terms that private sector employers will recognize. Employers will get free access to Monster's database of more than 800,000 veteran resumes. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... hvets.html) this Military.com article.


Military Spouses: Keep Your Life Insurance
Are you a military spouse? Do you have spousal coverage under Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance? Your coverage will end 120 days after any of the following events: (1) the date your servicemember spouse separates from service, (2) the date of divorce from your servicemember spouse, (3) the date of death of your servicemember spouse, (4) the date your servicemember spouse elects to end spousal FSGLI coverage, and (5) the date your servicemember spouse elects to end his/her own SGLI coverage. During the 120 days after one of the above events, you have the option of continuing your coverage without having to show proof of good health by converting it to an individual policy with a private insurance company. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/11513/m ... protection) VAntage Point Blog.
Need affordable coverage for your military family? (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rsp0113.nl) Get quality coverage for less.
For more insurance coverage tips and options, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/insurance ... nfo0113.nl) Military.com Insurance section.


Save With Credit by Exam
Save yourself both time and money by taking DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) and (CLEP) College Level Examination Program tests to help reduce the number of classes you may need for your degree program. You can earn college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on introductory-level college subject examinations. Just remember the first time you take a test, it is fully funded; if you fail the test, you will have to pay for any retesting on that subject. For more information, read (http://www.military.com/education/getti ... -exam.html) the article on the Military.com website.


Predator Drone Accident Report
An MQ-1B Predator turbocharger failure and wind gusts led to the crash of the aircraft at Jalalabad Air Base, Afghanistan, June 27, 2013, according to an Air Combat Command Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released January 6, 2014. The remotely piloted aircraft was deployed from the 432d Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. When the accident occurred, the Launch and Recovery Element crew from the 62d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was flying a classified surveillance mission out of Jalalabad Air Base, Afghanistan. The aircraft and one air-to-ground AGM-114 Hellfire missile were destroyed on impact. For more information, read the (http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Di ... dator.aspx) MQ-1B Predator Fact Sheet and contact Air Combat Command Public Affairs at (757) 764-5007 or e-mail (mailto:accpa.operations@us.af.mil) accpa.operations@us.af.mil.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Military Educational Opportunities
One of the largest monetary benefits of serving your country in the military is assistance with already-accumulated student loans and financial coverage for new educational endeavors. The amount of help you are eligible for varies widely, based on the type and length of service you have completed, or are in the midst of completing. (http://www.military.com/education/money ... rvice.html) This Military.com article offers a list of all of the educational opportunities offered through service in the United States military.


Imminent Danger Pay Areas Decreasing
The Department of Defense has announced changes in imminent danger pay (IDP) that will go into effect June 1, 2014. The imminent threat of physical harm to U.S. military personnel due to civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism or wartime conditions is significantly reduced in many countries, resulting in the discontinuation of imminent danger pay in those areas. A list of the areas that will no longer be designated as imminent danger areas for IDP purposes is available (http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/t ... r-pay.aspx) online. The IDP benefit provides troops in imminent danger areas about $7.50 per day up to the maximum monthly rate of $225.
For more military pay information, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay) Military.com Pay section.


TAP GPS Virtual Curriculum
Separating servicemembers can participate in the transition assistance program (TAP) online. TAP, now called Transition GPS-Goals, Plans and Success, is designed to help prepare separating and retiring members for life outside of the military. The virtual curriculum is part of a broader program redesign to better prepare servicemembers for success in their civilian life. Servicemembers can find links to the TAP GPS "Virtual Curriculum" on the (http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/) Department of Labor's Transition Assistance Program website. Learn more about developing a personal transition plan, translating military skills, preparing for the job-hunt, and get more information on the new Transition GPS program at the (http://www.military.com/military-transition/) Military.com Transition Center.


AAFES Bridal Catalog
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service's new (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/11 ... 5/sizes/l/) Bridal 2014 catalog offers a selection of diamond engagement rings, bridal sets, wedding bands and other jewelry. The 16-page catalog, offers diamonds in a variety of carat weights, shapes and colors, including black and aqua. The Bridal 2014 catalog is available at all main stores and online at (http://www.aafes.com/) shopmyexchange.com. Prices in this all-services catalog are valid through March 2, 2014, for any authorized exchange customer. Orders can be placed by mail, fax or phone. Toll-free orders can be placed from the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam at 800-527-2345.
For more discounts for servicemembers, military families, and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


TRICARE to Bill for Some Lab Fees
TRICARE beneficiaries soon will have to pay out of pocket for diagnostic genetic tests that the Defense Health Agency doesn't view as appropriate or medically necessary. According to a report by Tom Philpott, (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) TRICARE stopped reimbursing clinical laboratories for more than 100 different genetic or "molecular pathology" tests in January 2013. Philpott reports that beneficiaries haven't complained yet because the laboratories impacted are still providing the tests that physicians order at no charge. To date, labs have provided about $10 million worth of free tests to TRICARE users.
(http://www.military.com/benefits/2014/0 ... ients.html) Read the full article on Military.com.