Military Report - Week of June 16, 2014

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Military Report - Week of June 16, 2014

AF Key Spouse Program
The Air Force key spouse program is an official unit/family program overseen by commanders designed to enhance readiness and address the needs of all military families with special emphasis on support to families across the deployment cycle. The program helps to provide guidance and support in these areas: (1) increase awareness of installation/community resources; (2) identify and help resolve issues at lowest levels (providing info on programs, benefits and more); (3) prepare and support families during separations; (4) improve quality of life among unit families; (5) enhance family resilience; and (6) strengthens leadership's support team. For more information, view the (https://www.usafservices.com/LinkClick. ... tabid=1078) Key Spouse Reference Guide.
For more military family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Family Center.


New AF Eval Forms
The U.S. Air Force recently released new feedback forms for its comprehensive Air Force evaluation system. The Airman Comprehensive Assessment (ACA) is now available, for both officer and enlisted Airmen. The new AF Form 931 (airman basic through technical sergeant) and AF Form 932 (master sergeant through chief master sergeant) replace the current versions of the performance feedback forms. The AF Form 724 will replace the current version of the officer performance feedback, aligning it with the current officer performance report. View the memo released by senior leadership (http://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/c ... er_ACA.pdf) online. Read (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 6-2406.pdf) AFI 36-2406. Click to download the following forms: (1) AF (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 140701.pdf) Form 931; and (2) AF (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 140701.pdf) Form 932. AF Form 724 is available on (http://www.e-publishing.af.mil) Air Force ePublishing -- search for AF724.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Inter-American Squadron Officer School
Active duty Air Force captains proficient in the Spanish language may be eligible to attend the Inter-American Squadron Officer School. Commander endorsed applications are due July 25. The course requires specific language proficiency levels and fitness standards, so interested captains should begin preparing now to make sure they have time to complete all the required documents and coordinate the application for their commanders' endorsements. Fiscal year 2015 class dates will be Oct. 9-Dec. 10, 2014; Feb. 17-April 15, 2015 and June 8-Aug. 5, 2015. For more information about developmental opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website. To review ISOS application procedures and eligibility criteria, select "search all components" from the drop down menu, enter "ISOS" in the search window and select PSDM 14-48.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


Navy Continues RAD Campaign
The Navy recently launched the second round of an ongoing initiative known as Reducing Administrative Distractions (RAD), meant to solicit feedback from Sailors and Navy civilians on how to focus their daily activities on "Warfighting First." Sailors and Navy civilians submitted more than 1,400 ideas. The second round of RAD started May 15, and leaders are urging personnel at all levels to contribute more new ideas. Participation is voluntary, and personnel can take part by creating an online account on the (https://navyrad.ideascale.com) IdeaScale website. First-time users will need to log on from a .mil email address, but once registered, can create a password to log on from home without a CAC. This year's RAD forum will remain open on the IdeaScale website until mid-July. To learn more about the program or create an account, visit the IdeaScale website.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AF Supplemental Enlisted Promotion List
Ninety-four enlisted Airmen were recently selected for promotion via the supplemental promotion process. 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. To see the list, visit the (https://www.my.af.mil) Air Force Portal and select the promotion news link, or visit (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers, enter "Active Duty: Enlisted Promotions Home Page" in the search window, select the page and scroll down to the supplemental promotion section.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Find Lenders Now to Use Your VA Loan
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(http://www.military.com/money/va-loans?ESRC=mrvr0616.nl) Interested in finding out more about the VA Loan?


VA Audit Finds More Secret Wait Lists
An audit by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found that more than 120,000 veterans are stuck in backlogs awaiting care at VA facilities across the nation. More than 57,000 veterans were waiting 90 days or more for an initial appointment while an additional 64,000 enrolled over the past 10 years have been unable to get appointments. Richard Griffin, the VA's acting inspector general, told a June 9 hearing of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee that his agency is investigating 69 of its medical facilities for suspected wrongdoing. A preliminary inspector general report released in late May found 1,700 veterans had been kept off the books at the Phoenix facility and said there were systemic problems of scheduling delays and manipulation of data across the health care system. That report from the VA inspector general is available (http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-14-02603-178.pdf) online. A final inspector general's report is expected to be completed this summer.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA Reform Bill Passes Senate
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) have introduced legislation to improve veterans' access to health care and address serious problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new legislation is titled the (http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/b ... l=63253261) Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014. The text of the bill is available (http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/ ... nline=file) online. A section-by-section summary of the bill is available for downloading at (http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/ ... nline=file) online.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Army Stress Reduction Study
Dr. Valerie Rice, chief, U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Human Research and Engineering Directorate Army Medical Department Field Element in San Antonio, Texas, has been using virtual worlds and peaceful real-life retreats for the last three years to conduct Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction research on behalf of the Army Study Program to explore whether mindfulness could be helpful to reduce stress for Soldiers or veterans facing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other psychological issues. So far, the team has seen the mindfulness methods used to lower blood pressure, reduce anger and increase calmness. About 36 percent of the study participants are active duty Soldiers and 64 percent are veterans. For questions about the study, reach Dr. Rice by e-mailing (mailto:public_affairs@arl.army.mil?subject=MINDFULNESS STUDY) public_affairs@arl.army.mil with MINDFULNESS STUDY in the subject line.
For more on mental health and stress in the military, including tips on how to overcome stress, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... d-wellness) Military.com Mental Health and Wellness page.


Fading VA Scandal Coverage Concerns Vets
Veterans have noticed that awareness and coverage of VA waitlist scandal is slipping. Veterans are also noting just how fickle the news cycle is and how short of an attention span the news media seems to have when it comes to VA accountability for veterans.
Read the full article on (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... age-fades/) The Military Advantage Blog.


New Navy Cybersecurity Operations Manual
Navy Cyber Forces has released the Cybersecurity Operations Manual (CSOM), which provides guidance on day-to-day "best practices" in cybersecurity operations. The manual accompanies the Navy Cyber Forces Commander's Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. The manual will continue to be updated with new revisions posted quarterly. Feedback is greatly encouraged and can be directed to the Navy Cyber Forces' N75. The CSOM is available for download for official use only (FOUO) at (https://usff.portal.navy.mil/sites/cyberfor/n7/n75/) the USFF portal under public documents. Note: CAC is required.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Some Navy Apps Temporarily Unavailable
Two large Navy-wide applications will be unavailable Saturday morning June 21. The outages will happen as systems transfer to and from their alternate Contingency of Operations Plan (COOP) location onboard the Naval Service Training Command in Great lakes, Ill. Applications which will be unavailable during the switchover June 21 include: (1) Corporate enterprise Training Activity Resource System (CeTARS) and (2) Corporate Automated Resource Information System (CARIS). These annual tests verify that the systems will function properly at the COOP location.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


ASI Can Save You Up to 60% in TRICARE Costs
The AMRA TRICARE Supplement saves money and time. The TRICARE Supplement Plan for individuals and families protects you when out-of- pocket health care expenses rise. (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... rvr0616.nl) Find out more.


USMC Reserve Officer Schools Board
The Marine Corps Academic Year 2015-16 Reserve Officer Professional Military Education (RPME) Board convenes September 22 to select attendees for full-length schools (FLS), staff-training courses and the Distance Education Program. Reserve officers are encouraged to apply; the deadline for applications is September 3, and final selections will be made by Reserve Affairs Personnel Management Branch. Mobilized officers are eligible to apply but must end current mobilization orders 15 days prior to start of FLS, if selected. Active reserve officers with the grade of lieutenant colonel, lieutenant colonel select, major, major select, captain and captain select, with two years-time on station and not having failed selection for promotion to the next higher grade, will be automatically screened for consideration to attend FLS. Officers applying for RPME must visit the (https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/application_noncac/) RPME application website.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


Last Navajo Code Talker Dies
Chester Nez, one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers, passed away June 4 at age 93. Using the Navajo language, the Navajo Code Talkers were a top-secret group who developed an unbreakable military communications code. They then then risked their lives on battlefields across the Pacific to send and decipher messages critical to America and its allies in World War II. For more information, including instructional materials, visit the (http://navajocodetalkers.org) Navaho Code Talkers website, the Naval (http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-2.htm) History and Heritage Command website, the (http://navajopeople.org/navajo-code-talker.htm) Navajo People website, the (https://www.cia.gov/news-information/fe ... e-talkers/) Central Intelligence Agency website, and (https://www.facebook.com/Our.Navajo.Code.Talkers) Our Navajo Code Talkers Facebook page.


TRICARE for Life Pilot Program
The new TRICARE For Life (TFL) Pharmacy Pilot requires TFL beneficiaries to move select maintenance medications to either TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or a military pharmacy, or pay the full price when they fill them at a retail pharmacy. To switch a prescription to Home Delivery, beneficiaries can call Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, at 1-877-882-3335. They can visit the Express Scripts website, (http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE) www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE, ask their provider to electronically prescribe directly to "Express Scripts Mail Pharmacy" or mail in a registration form and hard copy of their prescription. Beneficiaries who want to use a military pharmacy should first call their local military pharmacy to make sure their prescription is available. For more information, visit the TRICARE TFL Pharmacy Pilot webpage at (http://www.tricare.mil/tflpilot) www.tricare.mil/tflpilot.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


$400k Coverage for Only $26 a Month
Protection for less. Get $400,000 Coverage from only $26 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr0616.nl) Can your family afford their lifestyle if something happened to you?


AAFES Smart Car Giveaway
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is teaming up with Welch's/Sour Jacks to offer two military shoppers a chance to drive home a brand-new (https://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/1 ... 4/sizes/l/) Smart car. Through July 31, shoppers can enter the Promotion in Motion Smart Car Giveaway at Exchange locations worldwide. Authorized shoppers 18 years and older can enter the giveaway. No purchase is necessary, and the drawing will take place on or about Aug. 29.
For shopping discounts for military families and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/discount) Military.com Discount Center.


AF Museum Breaks Ground
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has broken ground on a new $35.4 million building that will house aircraft from the museum's Presidential, Research and Development (R&D) and Global Reach collection, as well as a new and expanded Space Gallery. The 224,000 square foot building, which is scheduled to open to the public in 2016, is being privately financed by the Air Force Museum Foundation. Included among the many benefits of the fourth building will be the relocation of the popular Presidential and R&D Gallery aircraft including SAM 26000 (Air Force One), which served eight presidents from President Kennedy to President Clinton, and the only remaining XB-70. The museum is free to the public and features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. For more information, visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force website at (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil) www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.


What Do You Think About Bergdahl's Release?
Military.com has launched a survey to find out what you think about the policy decisions leading up to the release of Bergdahl. (=) Take the short, 10-question survey to let your thoughts be known.


Virginia Eases Bar Exam Requirements
The Virginia Supreme Court has adopted a rule easing licensing requirements for attorneys who move to the Commonwealth and the National Capital Region with spouses in the military. Virginia state Rule 1A:8 allows these lawyers to practice in Virginia without taking the Commonwealth's bar exam while their spouse is on military assignment in Virginia or Washington, D.C., so long as they work under the supervision of a licensed Virginia attorney. They must also have passed a bar exam and be active with the bar association in at least one state. The rule will take effect July 1, 2014. The Military Spouse J.D. Network ( (http://www.msjdn.org) www.msjdn.org), an organization formed three years ago to advocate for eased licensing for lawyers who are military spouses, proposed the new rule.
For more military spouse-related news and guides, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse section.


DoD Behind on Digital Health Records
The Pentagon is developing a new multi-billion dollar electronic health record system that would leverage commercial technology to ensure health records can be shared with both private hospitals and the VA, Pentagon officials said. The DoD Healthcare Management System Modernization program, which began in January 2013, plans to create an electronic system and database that facilitate access to medical records for more than 9.6 million troops and their families.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... cords.html) Read more about this program on Military.com.


AF Test Pilot Applications Due
The 2014 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School selection board will convene Aug. 5-8 to consider candidates for July 2015 and January 2016 classes. Applications must reach Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Air, Space and Information Operations by June 23, 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The board will select applicants for fighter, multi-engine aircraft, helicopter and remotely piloted aircraft pilot, combat systems officer (including navigators, electronic warfare officers and weapons system officers) and military and civilian engineer opportunities. For more information about developmental opportunities other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website. To review test pilot school application instructions and eligibility criteria, select "search all components" from the drop down menu, enter "USAF Test Pilot School" in the search window and select PSDM 14-50.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


VA Releases Audit Results
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released the results from its nationwide audit along with patient access data for all medical centers. The results and information from the VA Access Audit is available on the (http://www.va.gov/health/access-audit.asp) Department of Veterans Affairs website. Acting VA Secretary Gibson has announced a series of additional actions in response to the audit findings and data, which are available (http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2552) online.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


TRICARE Appeals Take a Year
A report says that appealing a (ofollow) TRICARE decision can take as long as year. The report, which was sent to lawmakers on June 4 showed it takes an average of almost a year for TRICARE users who go through the entire appeals process to get a final ruling on whether the agency will pay for a non-emergency procedure or treatment which are ruled not medically necessary or against policy. According to the report, the 124 TRICARE users who appealed a coverage decision all the way to the final step -- a hearing -- between 2009 and 2013 received answers an average of about 346 days after their initial appeals.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014 ... -year.html) Read the full article on Military.com.


AF Retention Board Set to Cut 77%
Air Force commanders recently notified Airmen who met the service's Quality Force Review Board (QFRB) of the board's results. The QFRB reviewed more than 4,600 Airmen and determined that 77 percent would not be retained. Airmen who were selected for involuntary separation will receive transitional benefits including 180 days of medical care for themselves and family members, two years of commissary and base exchange privileges and relocation to their home of selection or record. They will also retain their post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits for themselves or their dependents if the benefits have been transferred. Retirement-eligible Airmen will receive their normal retirement benefits, or adjusted benefits for early retirements if applicable. All Airmen will attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Sponsored Discount: Military Save Extra 10 Percent on PCs and Tablets
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Bills to Enable Vets to Seek Non-VA Care
Despite warnings that sending thousands more VA patients into the private sector for healthcare needs could backfire if not carefully coordinated and properly resourced, both the House and Senate passed bills which require VA to offer non-VA care to enrolled veterans who cannot get an appointment within VA wait time goals.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... vate-care/) Read the full story on the Military Update.
(http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... d=63250116) Let your elected officials know how you feel about this bill.


Weigh-in on Your Future Pay and Benefits
The commission tasked by President Barack Obama and Congress to modernize military compensation and benefits programs is seeking input from servicemembers on their preferences. To obtain these preferences, the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission will survey a number of active-duty, National Guard and reserve servicemembers during the next few months, with plans to survey retired servicemembers as well. The survey will ask participants to value individual elements of their compensation package in relation to each other. People can also provide input on the commission's public website, (http://www.mcrmc.gov) www.mcrmc.gov, and written comments may be mailed to the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, Post Office Box 13170, Arlington, VA 22209.
For more on military pay and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay) Military.com Pay section.


The VA Healthcare Crisis: What's Next?
As the VA healthcare "wait list" controversy continues to unfold, we take a look at what options veterans may expect to see in the near future, and how the crisis will impact veteran healthcare moving forward. Tune in as military.com benefits expert Terry Howell offers his thoughts on the latest (http://podcasts.military.com/2014/06/va ... pdate.html) Military.com Military Benefits podcast.


No One Can Market You Like You!
Looking for a job? You can learn to create your own effective self-marketing campaign. In recent discussions Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) had with companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500, many themes emerged that could help you better market yourself.
Learn more about these themes at MOAA: (http://www.moaa.org/MRTheBasics) www.moaa.org/MRTheBasics


Get Hired: Companies Looking for Veterans
Get inspired to work at one of the many veteran employment companies featured on Military.com. These companies are offering the information you need to make important decisions around your civilian job search. The information highlighted on their individual employer profile pages will help you get the answers you need before you hit apply. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... rvr0616.nl) See all the employers looking for vets.