Military Report - Week of March 10, 2014

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Military Report - Week of March 10, 2014

Army Woman's Foundation Hall of Fame Awards
The Army Woman's Foundation 6th Annual Hall of Fame Awards takes place this month. (http://www.awfdn.org/?ESRC=mrvr0310.nl) Find out who is being honored.


Sailors Need to Verify Fitness Data
With the semiannual Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) upcoming, Navy Physical Readiness Program officials remind Sailors to verify their results in the Physical Readiness Information Management System (PRIMS). All commands are required to report their PFA data via PRIMS no later than 30 days after conducting the PFA in accordance with guidelines established in the Navy's Physical Readiness Program instruction, (http://www.navy-prt.com/files/6110.1J_- ... rogram.pdf) OPNAVINST 6110.1J. Each Sailor must have a record for both PFA cycles in the year. Sailors need to verify their data within 60 days so that any corrections can be made by the Command Fitness Leader at the command level. For more information in PRIMS and physical readiness, visit the Navy's (http://www.npc.navy.mil/support/21st_Ce ... ault2.aspx) physical readiness Web page.
For more fitness tips and plans, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/) Military.com Fitness Center.


State Farm 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 ... =mr0310.nl) Read More.


Wounded Warrior Games
Fifty Air Force wounded warriors from around the nation recently participated an introductory adapted sports camp at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Sponsored by the Air Force Wounded Warrior Adaptive Sports Program, the camp is the first of two introductory camps being held in 2014 as a qualifying event for the annual Warrior Games in September. The camp is not held to necessarily identify the most skilled athletes, but rather to introduce them to the healing potential that adaptive sports can provide. Adaptive athletic reconditioning - athletic activities that are modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals - are reported to be essential to the recuperation of wounded warriors. For more information on the wounded warrior program, visit the Air Force Wounded Warrior website at (http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil) www.woundedwarrior.af.mil.
For more wounded warrior news, visit (http://www.military.com/topics/wounded-warriors) the Military.com Wounded Warriors section.


Video: DoD's 2015 Budget Proposal Reviewed
Experts from MOAA, Military.com, IAVA, #KeepYourPromise and Coalition to Save Our Military Benefits were on hand to answer questions and address concerns about the proposed defense budget. In case you didn't get a chance to participate, you can see what happened (http://www.moaa.org/MRBudgetBattle) on MOAA's website.


AF Knowledge Ops AFSC Returns
A previous administrative career field will make its second debut across the Air Force in May 2014, providing support staff at all Air Force levels and eliminating a special duty echelon. Approximately 80 percent of Airmen currently assigned to the Knowledge Operations Management Air Force specialty code 3D0X1 will transition to the new 3A1X1 Administration AFSC; but will mostly continue their current daily responsibilities. This move will allow Airmen of all ranks and AFSCs to put more focus on their core mission as they rely on 3A personnel for support for administration, human resources, executive support, commander programs and notably, postal services. This career field will be a stand-alone specialty, meaning Airmen will capitalize on their training and experience throughout their entire career.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Hometown News Service
The Joint Hometown News Service (JHNS) recently launched a new online submission system, making it easier for servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians to publicize achievements such as promotions and decorations, to their local media outlets and social media. The new system will allow the JHNS team to release newly-submitted stories to the hometown newspapers the same day or within a week depending on the number of submissions. To fill out a hometown news release, visit the (https://jhns.release.dma.mil/public) JHNS webpage. After submission to the news outlets, individual servicemembers can expect to receive an email with information on which publications the news release was sent to and links to the published story.
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy's Latest 'Scrubbing In' Episode
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) has released the newest episode of its show "Scrubbing In." The goal of this episode is to showcase some of the training that helps keep Navy medical personnel ready to provide care in a variety of situations. The high-fidelity simulators featured in the show allow medical personnel to work in real-life type environments while at the same time allowing room for mistakes to be made because the whole goal is readiness and education. The episodes, which typically runs between seven and 11 minutes, also take viewers around the Navy Medicine enterprise to showcase what its medical personnel do each and every day. The Bioskills Simulation Training Center episode can be found on the YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0j_7gwp ... U0pyK67bUw) website. A previous episode focusing on Wounded Warrior Care is available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbE6PBTYTY) online.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Password Protected: Who Can Remember it All?
By now you've probably heard about the viral appeal from a father who longed to see his deceased son's memory video created by Facebook for the company's 10-year anniversary. Unfortunately, he couldn't see the video because (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... rvr0310.nl) he didn't have his son's passwords and his account had been locked.


New Veteran Job Newsletter
The American Legion's Career Center Newsletter aims to help veteran job-seekers who are either looking for employment or just testing the job market. Mailing out at the beginning of each month, the newsletter provides subscribers with a listing of veterans career fairs that are coming to every area of the country. The Career Center Newsletter also provides general job-search help with feature articles written by hiring experts. Subjects include resume-writing tips, ways to research an employer before an interview and nailing the ever-important "elevator pitch." For more details, see (http://www.legion.org/careers/218707/le ... u-find-job) this article.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


AF Adjusts Officer Promotion Rates
The Air Force has announced adjustments to the promotion opportunity and selective continuation process for the lieutenant colonel Line of the Air Force (LAF) and colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major Line of the Air Force-JAG (LAF-J) Central Selection Boards convening in March. The promotion opportunity for lieutenant colonel LAF will be set at 75%. The promotion opportunity for LAF-J for colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major will be 62%, 75%, and 85% respectively. Officers not offered selective continuation may be eligible for Temporary Early Retirement Authority if eligible. The mandatory date of separation will be approximately 9 months after the boards adjourn.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


DoD Plans to Overhaul TRICARE
The proposed 2015 defense budget seeks to overhaul the current TRICARE system and create a new "Consolidated" system -- essentially eliminating the three current programs (Prime, Extra and Standard), replacing them with a single system which would more closely resemble the Standard POS offering, but with some additional fees and premiums. According to the DoD's budget overview, the system would "leverage proven utilization management controls by building a shared commitment to health care while offering beneficiaries more flexibility and choices." A simpler system that would provide beneficiaries with "open access to providers and less complexity in their health plan."
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -overhaul/) Get the details on the Military Advantage Blog


Hearings on Military Pay
The top Air Force senior enlisted adviser recently testified during a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran's Affairs in Washington, D.C. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, as well as the other services' senior enlisted advisers answered questions from the committee and provided updates on quality of life issues within their respective service. The testimony focused on compensation and benefits and their impact on recruiting and retention. Written copies of testimonies presented at the hearing are available on the (http://appropriations.house.gov/calenda ... tID=370045) U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations website.
For more on military pay, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay) Military.com Pay section.


Career Path Seminar
Hire our Heroes is partnering with Boulder Crest Retreat and JP Morgan Chase to offer unemployed veterans the chance to attend the Boulder Crest Retreat Veterans Career Path Seminar. The seminar is a comprehensive, one-day program to help veterans navigate their transition to the civilian workforce. Current and transitioning veterans can register for this free seminar that will cover topics including conducting a successful employment search, effective translation of military skills for civilian employers, training for tough interview questions, navigating the web for the right job opportunities, and effectively using LinkedIn and social media in job searches. The seminar will be held on Saturday, March 15th from 8:00 a.m. ? 8:00 p.m. at Boulder Crest Retreat for Military & Veteran Wellness in Bluemont, Virginia. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided. Get more information at the (http://hireourheroes.org/ai1ec_event/hi ... r2xfV.dpbs) Hire Our Heroes website.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


New Psych Eval for AF Nuke Jobs
Changes are coming to the Air Force's program that is used to ensure personnel who perform nuclear-related duties are of sound mind and body on the job. The decades-old Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is used by all branches of service with duties tied to nuclear weapons to ensure personnel are reliable to perform nuclear-related responsibilities, and its standards apply on and off duty. Improvements included re-writing the Air Force manual on PRP (AFMAN 13-501) and eliminating the need for supplemental PRP guidance below the headquarters Air Force level. Also, it will clarify medical PRP guidance focused on ensuring members are physically and mentally fit for nuclear duty.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


New Army 'Valor 24' MoH Website
On March 18, President Barack Obama plans to award Medals of Honor to 24 Soldiers, living and deceased, who had served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. The Army.mil team, which is responsible for maintaining the Army's homepage and for designing its many specialized microsites, has built a new microsite at (http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/) www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/ to honor all 24 of those recipients. On the Valor 24 microsite, only three recipients are still living. This presented a challenge to the Army.mil team. The team had to hunt down unit histories, unit crests, and unit patches from all the units the Soldiers served in when they performed their valorous actions. This became particularly difficult for units that have long-since deactivated. For more information, visit the Valor (http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/) 24 microsite.
For more Army news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


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Survey to Help Vets Get Jobs
Monster and Military.com invite you to share your transition and job search experience. If you have recently left the military or plan to transition in the next year, please take 10 minutes to complete this survey. Your answers will be kept anonymous and used in aggregate to facilitate a better understanding of the veteran employment landscape. For your convenience, access to the survey will be available until Midnight Monday, March 10, 2014. Click here to participate in the (http://www.surveymeonline.com/vtiseeksp ... ng2014.htm) Veteran Employment Survey.
Survey results will be widely shared with Veterans, Employers and the media. If you would like to see the results, please visit (http://www.monsterveterans.com/) www.monsterveterans.com after May 21, 2014.


New Logo for Naval Heritage Command
The U.S. Navy's Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) has revealed the command's new logo, designed to represent its multifaceted mission. The new design incorporates elements of logos submitted to the command through its summer-long logo contest. NHHC's mission is to collect, preserve, protect, and make available the artifacts, documents, and art that embody our naval history and heritage for future generations. A drawing of the new NHHC logo is available on the (http://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=172272) U.S. Navy website. For information on the NHHC, visit the (http://www.history.navy.mil/) Naval History and Heritage Command website.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Develops New PQS for MC
The U. S. Navy's Center for Service Support has announced the development of new Personnel Qualification Standards for the mass communication specialist rating. The MC PQS was outdated and needed an addition of new qualifications due to the recent publication of the Occupational Standards. The electronic-only versions of the PQS booklets containing the new Personnel Qualification Standards will be available on (https://www.nko.navy.mil/) Navy Knowledge Online by the end of the year.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


ER or Urgent Care?
It can be hard to determine if you need to go to the emergency room, an emergency center, or if an urgent care center will do. Making the wrong choice will cost both time and money. Generally, if a condition is threatening to life, limb or eyesight, or causes the beneficiary to require relief from pain, it is considered an emergency and calls for a trip to the emergency room. Emergency departments affiliated with a hospital are most likely TRICARE-authorized providers. Beneficiaries can check if a provider is TRICARE-authorized by calling their regional contractor. Contact information for regional contractors is available on the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil/callus) www.tricare.mil/callus. Learn more about emergency care under TRICARE at the TRICARE Emergency Care webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/emergency) www.tricare.mil/emergency.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


$300k Family Protection: Only $21 a Month
Protection for less. Get $300,000 in coverage from only $21 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0310.nl) Can you family afford their lifestyle if something happened to you?


Service Member Consumer Complaints
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released a (http://www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201403 ... embers.pdf) snapshot of complaints received from service members, veterans, and their families, which includes the types and trends of military consumer complaints that the CFPB has handled since opening its doors in July 2011. The bureau has received complaints from all 50 states and from all branches and ranks of the military. Mortgages continue to top the cumulative volume of complaints handled to date. For more details, and to submit your own complaints and seek advice, see (http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... aints.html) this Military.com article.


AF Enlisted Retention Recommendations
Air Force commanders and senior raters of enlisted Airmen slated to meet the quality force review board in May or an enlisted retention board in June must complete an AF Form 3538E, "Enlisted Retention Recommendation Form", for each eligible Airman. Completed forms must be provided to Airmen and submitted to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) by April 4 for the QFRB and May 17 for the ERB. Information about the form and how to complete it is available in the personnel systems delivery memo on (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers. The form includes a job description section for duty title and key duties and responsibilities, which can be pulled from the last enlisted performance report, unless an Airman has changed jobs since the last report. Airmen slated to meet the ERB or QFRB can find more information about the program and the ERRF on the myPers website. Go to (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers and enter "FY14 Force Management Programs." Once on the FM page, scroll down to the enlisted only programs section and review the documents linked there.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Issues Social Media Warning
Airmen social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr may unknowingly jeopardize the safety of themselves, their family, their friends or fellow military members. It is easy to forget that unwanted eyes may be watching. Simple words can give the adversaries an indication of military activity. Demographic information off your profile can tell an adversary where you are and your base. Another danger is smart phones automatically geo-tagging pictures with data that can reveal exact locations of critical assets. Operational Security (OPSEC) applies to all activities that prepare, sustain or employ forces during all phases of operations. For more information, contact your unit OPSEC manager, refer to (https://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usaf/afi ... spcsup.pdf) Air Force Instruction 10-701, Operations Security (OPSEC), visit (http://www.defense.gov/socialmedia/) the Department of Defense Social Media Hub, and read the (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/12038/ ... _Guide.pdf) Social Media Guide online.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AAFES Spring Catalog
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is offering a new selection of name brand merchandise in its 36-page (http://aafes.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vafc14/i2/p1) Spring 2014 catalog. The Spring 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 April 30 for any authorized exchange customer, and Exchange purchases are always tax free. Online orders of $49 or more and orders placed with a Military Star(R) card qualify for free standard shipping. 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 military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


Military.com Benefits Podcast: TRICARE
The Military.com Benefits Podcast gives you the lowdown on changes in military benefits and how they affect your life. In this week's episode, benefits expert Terry Howell takes a closer look at the proposed 2015 TRICARE budget, which introduces some sweeping changes to the system. For more, see the (http://podcasts.military.com/2014/03/mi ... anges.html) Military.com Benefits Podcast page.


Vet Success Benefits Employers and Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program provides eligible veterans with the opportunity to obtain training and practical hands-on experience concurrently through the Special Employer Incentives program. The SEI program is for eligible veterans who face challenges in obtaining employment. Employers who hire veterans receive reimbursement of up to 50 percent of the veteran's salary during the SEI program, which typically lasts up to six months. For more information about the program, visit VA's Veterans Opportunity to Work webpage at (http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW) www.benefits.va.gov/VOW or the Vet Success website at (http://www.vetsuccess.gov/) www.vetsuccess.gov. To speak to a vocational rehabilitation and employment representative, visit your local VA regional office.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Online Navy Diver Salvage Course Updated
Following feedback from the fleet regarding the need for course updates, the Center for Explosive Ordnance and Diving (CENEODDIVE) in Panama City has announced the availability of the Navy Diver Salvage Course (NDSC) on Navy e-Learning. The updated NDSC has now been broken into four individual course modules: Navy Diver Salvage Fundamentals, Naval Architecture, Operations, and Scenarios. Information in the course modules are applied to real-world salvage operations. Users may access the new Navy Diver Salvage Course using the direct (https://www.aas.prod.nel.training.navy.mil) NeL link. This link will take you directly to the 'My Learning' and 'Course Catalog' tabs of the NeL learning management system after login.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Never Pay PMI and $0 Down Payment
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VA Responds to Allegations
You may have seen recent news coverage alleging the mishandling of patient records by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in 2008. Some media reports on this issue have been inaccurate. VA did not destroy patients' personal medical records in VA's electronic health record system, which has been in place since the 1990s. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/13160/v ... llegation/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Tax Return Preparation Help
If you need help preparing your tax return, learn about the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs: (1)the VITA Program: If you make $52,000 or less, IRS-certified volunteers can inform you about tax credits for which you may qualify, and prepare a basic tax return with electronic filing; and (2) the TCE Program: If you are 60 years of age or older, you may qualify for free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers who specialize in issues unique to seniors. Here are thousands of locations across the United States where you can get free tax help through the VITA and TCE programs. For more information, visit the (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax ... Volunteers) Internal Revenue Service website.
For more guides and tips for tax season, and other tax filing options, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com Tax Center.


DoD Mulls Military Retirement Changes
The Department of Defense is considering adopting a 401(k)-like retirement plan and other financial incentives for those who serve less than 20 years. The changes would largely preserve the existing system's pension-style, fixed-income pay, but at a reduced level. To offset the lowered lifetime value, the DoD would offer troops cash payments earlier in their careers, including a 401(k)-style benefit at six years of service, a retention bonus at 12 years of service, and a possible lump-sum "transition" bonus at 20 years of service. (http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... plans.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


Navy Unveils Nimitz's Diary
The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) recently unveiled the public online digitization project of Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz's 4,000 page operational diary, known as The Nimitz Graybook. Covering activities and correspondence of the Pacific Command from Dec. 7, 1941 to Aug. 31, 1945, the Graybook is a historical record of operations and planning in the Pacific during World War II and serves as a window into Nimitz's decision making process during the war. The Nimitz Graybook is available at (http://www.usnwc.edu/graybook) www.usnwc.edu/graybook.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


The Ready Reserves and SGLI
If you have recently been assigned to the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), your Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage will end 120 days after your assignment date. The IRR is generally composed of former active duty or reserve... military personnel who receive no pay and are not obligated to drill, conduct annual training, or participate in any military activities (except for periodic Muster activities) until ordered by Presidential Authority. The good news is you can get similar coverage through Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). But you must apply within 1 year and 120 days from the date you were assigned to the IRR. If you apply for VGLI within the first 240 days of your IRR assignment, then you can get VGLI without providing proof of good health--even if you have a serious injury or medical condition. For more information and to apply, visit the (http://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/apply-for-VGLI.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs Live Insurance webpage.
For more on SGLI and other life insurance options, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/insurance) Military.com Insurance section.


Sailors Encouraged to Use TA
The Center for Personal and Professional Development is asking Sailors to go ahead and submit their Navy Tuition Assistance requests. The expenditure rate for TA funding is currently below normal levels, which means there is more funding available than usual at this time of the year. The biggest reason for disapproval of TA requests is they are not received from the Sailor's command approver prior to the course start date, as required by DoD instruction. Also, often a Sailor may be missing some of the TA prerequisites such as current education counseling by a Navy College Office (NCO) or Virtual Education Center counselor, or an individual education plan or degree plan on file, or missing a grade from a past course.
(http://www.military.com/degree-finder/) Find a school that offers a degree program that fits your needs.