Military Report - Week of September 01, 2014

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Military Report - Week of September 01, 2014

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Exchanges Unaffected by Security Breach
As has been widely reported, a data breach has affected 51 The UPS Store locations in 24 states -- or about 1 percent of stores. Customer data, including names, addresses and payment information, may have been exposed because of malware hacking from Jan. 20 to Aug. 11. Military shoppers who have made purchases or shipped packages at The UPS Store locations operated through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service have not been affected by this breach. The Exchange offers the UPS Store at 33 locations. Customer information was not compromised at The UPS Store's military locations.
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


AFFES 'Salad Wednesdays' Special
Army & Air Force Exchange Service restaurants are offering a special price to customers with "Salad Wednesdays." Every Wednesday, guests can take $2 off any salad priced $4 or more at participating Exchange direct-operated restaurants. Besides saving $2 on salads each Wednesday, customers who pay with their MILITARY STAR(R) card receive an additional 10 percent off at Exchange restaurants. Exchange restaurants are open to anyone -- whether military, civil service, contractor or visitor -- per (http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r215_8.pdf) Army Regulation 215-8 and Air Force Instruction 34-211 (I).
For more discounts for veterans and military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


Chart a New Course with American Commercial Lines
American Commercial Lines offers a multitude of career opportunities in which military veterans are able to transition their hard-earned experience and excel in an environment that encourages both career and personal growth. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =mr0901.nl) Learn more.


Military Members Save an Extra 10%* on Select PCs & Tablets
Because Dell appreciates everything you do for us, they would like to invite you to take advantage of exclusive military discounts on Dell PCs featuring 4th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) processors, electronics and so much more. (http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/12309 ... 551-0?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]) Whether you're at home or abroad, Soldiers save big with Dell.


New Shipboard NEXCOM Retail System
The Navy Exchange Service Command has announced that USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) are the first ships to receive the new afloat retail point-of-sale systems, Retail Operations Management version 3 (ROM 3) in its ships' stores. ROM 3 will provide ship stores with an updated system to order and receive merchandise from multiple vendors, track and manage inventory, record a range of financial transactions and perform in-depth reporting. Rom 3's point-of-sale module, similar to any retail store's cash register, provides the ability to scan barcodes, sell merchandise, print receipts and accept cash or NavyCash payments. This tool will eventually be installed onto all ships. The schedule for installations is based on ship schedules, ship availability, holiday and stand-down periods and available manpower.
For more discounts for veterans and military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.


Space-Track Website Expanded
The Department of Defense has announced additions to its space situational awareness program's Space-Track.org website. The release of new high-quality positional information on space debris of an unknown origin led to the additions. Most of the debris that is considered "objects of unknown origin" resulted from launches or space collisions, but has not been definitively identified by source. Many objects, ranging from at least the size of the human fist to as large as the international space station, which is slightly larger than a full-sized soccer field, continue to pose a collision threat in space. For more information, visit the (https://www.space-track.org/auth/login) Space-Track.org website (log-in required).
For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Marines to Increase Drug Screenings
Due to a policy change, Marines will undergo drug screenings more often and the screenings will be combined with alcohol testing. Ten percent of the active duty Marine population will now be selected [monthly and at random] through use of the Department of Defense Drug Testing Program Software to complete urinalysis testing and alcohol screening. Previously, the Alcohol Screening Program (ASP) required commanders to test 100 percent of the command population twice a year. Commands are expected to schedule testing events in a manner that is unpredictable and vary in time and location. The ASP will not be administered during sweeps, which means if commanders mandate the testing of 100 percent of their population, screening for alcohol is not required.
For more Marine Corps news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Air Reserve School Selection Results
The Air Reserve Personnel Center has announced selection results from the semi-annual CY14B Reserve School Selection Board. Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here announced selection results from the semi-annual CY14B Reserve School Selection Board. 379 officers were selected. A list of those selected is available (http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/shared/medi ... 19-048.pdf) online. For more information, call the Total Force Service Center - Denver at DSN 665-0102, 210-565-0102, or 800-525-0102.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Armed Services Blood Program
The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) provides quality blood products for service members, veterans and their families in both peace and war. As a joint operation among the military services, the ASBP has many components working together to collect, process, store, distribute and transfuse blood worldwide. The blood and blood products are used for patients of all ages for many reasons from cancer patients to those with battlefield injuries. Military members and their families depend on blood donors every day. To find out more about the ASBP, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on the ASBP website at (http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/Donors/donor_faq.aspx) www.militaryblood.dod.mil/Donors/donor_faq.aspx.
For more family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Spouse Channel.


AT&L Positions Can Earn Reserve Points
Air Force Reserve Component members who are military members of the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) Workforce and are assigned to designated AT&L positions are eligible to receive Reserve retirement points recommended by the Defense Acquisition University for DAU electronic-based distributed learning courses per DoDI 5000.66, E2.2.8. To request Reserve retirement participation credit for DAU distributed learning courses please submit DAU transcripts for courses completed as military members of the AT&L Workforce accompanied by a wing or equivalent commander memorandum or a memorandum signed by the commander's designated representative certifying military ATL status through (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers. When submitting your request, select your Component, Career Management Category, Type "DAU Points" in the Subject line then attach supporting documentation. For DAU course registration information, contact ACQ NOW Help Desk by email to (mailto:acqnow@us.af.mil) acqnow@us.af.mil or at 210-565-5900. For more information, call the Total Force Service Center - Denver at DSN 665-0102 or 210-565-0102.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Top 6 Interview Blunders
Civilian job interviews are high-pressure ordeals and can be extremely stressful. To make matters worse, there are a lot of ways you can blow them. We've come up with six of the most common ways interviews are ruined, and some of them might surprise you. Don't leave things to chance: make sure you have everything on lock down and you are as prepared as you can possibly be. For more, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... nders.html) this Military.com article.


TRICARE Isn't Enough - Save on Copays, Rx and More
Save on the out of pocket costs that TRICARE doesn't cover. (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... rvr0901.nl) Save now.


Navy Changes TA Policies
Effective immediately, commanding officers and officers-in-charge may approve waivers to the one-year requirement that Sailors must be on board their first permanent duty station (PDS) to be eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA). Sailors will be required to pay back funds they perform poorly in class. Also changing Oct. 1, only tuition directly related to the course of instruction -- and not including fees -- will be paid with TA funds. Fees no longer covered by TA include equipment, supplies, books/materials, exams, admissions, registration, fines and costs associated with distance learning. These changes align the Navy's policy with (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corr ... 32225p.pdf) Department of Defense Instruction 1322.25 for Voluntary Education (VOLED) Programs. For more information Sailors can contact their local Navy College Office, Virtual Education Center (VEC) or the (https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/) Navy College Program website.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


AF Innovative Businesses Opportunities
The Air Force is searching for innovative, technology-based small businesses to compete for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research and development contracts. During a September roadshow, Air Force SBIR/STTR program manager, David Sikora, will visit several western U.S. cities, meeting with small business owners and community leaders to discuss funding for high-risk projects that meet Air Force needs and Air Force assistance with transitioning or commercializing SBIR and STTR funded technology. The roadshow will take place September 22-26, visiting locations in Bozeman, Montana; Idaho Falls and Boise, Idaho; and Salt Lake City. For more information about the roadshow and the programs, including commercialization readiness assistance for existing contracts, visit the Air Force SBIR/STTR website at (http://www.afsbirsttr.com/Portal.aspx) www.afsbirsttr.com/Portal.aspx.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Retirement Planning for All Ages
It is important to plan for the future today, including knowing (http://www.military.com/money/retirement?ESRC=mr0901.nl) how and where you should invest your money to have a comfortable future.


Air Reserve Announces Promotions
The Air Reserve Personnel Center has announced results for the Calendar Year 2014 Air Force Reserve Line and Non Line Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Boards. 525 Citizen Airmen were selected for promotion. A complete list of Airmen selected for promotion is available (http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/shared/medi ... 19-046.pdf) online and also on the Air Reserve Officer Promotion page on (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers. Categories considered during these promotion boards are: Air Force Reserve Line, Dental Corps, Medical Corps, Nurse Corps, Medical Services Corps, Biomedical Sciences Corps, Chaplains and Line of the Air Force Judge Advocates. For more information, call the Total Force Service Center -- Denver at DSN 665-0102, 210-565-0102, or 800-525-0102.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


C130 Hercules' 60th Anniversary
On August 23, 1954 the YC-130 Hercules made its maiden flight at the Lockheed Martin plant in Burbank, California. The C-130 is still in production today, making it the longest running military aircraft production line in history. The C-130 is the most modified aircraft in the Air Force with multiple variants and hundreds of configurations. The latest version, the C130J, was introduced February of 1999. For more information on the C-130, visit the (http://www.military.com/equipment/c-130-hercules) Military.com Equipment Guide, the U.S. Air Force (http://archive.today/20121212212329/htt ... sp?fsID=92) C-130 Hercules Fact Sheet, the (http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_displ ... d=500&ct=1) C-130 U.S. Navy Fact File, the Naval Historical Center (http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/c130.htm) C-130 Hercules history page, and the (http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/hercules) airforce-technology.com website.


Navy Grad School Vouchers
Naval officers unable to pursue full-time graduate studies now have an additional education option with the FY-15 Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) program. Eligible naval officers have the opportunity to receive funded graduate education during off-duty hours. All required fees normally charged by the university relating directly to student application and enrollment are reimbursable. The GEV program is open to URL active-duty officers in pay grades O-3 through O-5, in designators 111X (Surface Warfare), 112X (Submarine Warfare), 113X (Special Warfare/SEAL), 114X (Special Operations), and 13XX (Naval Aviator/Naval Flight Officer). Some restrictions apply. For those with Program-specific GEV questions, call 850-473-6064, DSN: 753. For those not qualifying for the GEV program, educational assistance may be available through the Tuition Assistance program, G.I. Bill or other graduate education programs, as listed on the (https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/) Navy College website.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


American Legion to Get New Job-Portal
The American Legion has signed a memorandum of understanding with Military.com enabling Legion.org to feature a portal that will include Military.com's Military Skills Translator (MST) and other job-related services and tools provided by parent company Monster.com. The MST will tap into the Monster.com database of job openings. Also, a new American Legion landing page that will host the Military.com features is planned to launch at the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/) www.legion.org within the next 45 days. The landing page will also include a link to Military.com's Transition Center at (http://www.military.com/military-transition) www.military.com/military-transition, which provides services and information designed to help service members re-enter the civilian world. For more details, see (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... ortal.html) this article.


TRICARE and California Earthquake Emergency
Due to the recent earthquake in California, a state of emergency has been issued in the following three counties: Napa, Solano and Sonoma. Emergency prescription refill procedures are in place from August 24, 2014 through September 23, 2014. To obtain an emergency refill, take your prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. To find a network pharmacy, call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 or search the (http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy/) network pharmacy locator. If possible, visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled. If you use a retail chain, you can fill your prescription at another store in that chain. If your provider is available, he or she may call in a new prescription to any network pharmacy. You can request assistance at another pharmacy, but it is at that pharmacy's discretion to help you.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


Changes to Tuition Assistance
Military-wide changes to the military's Tuition Assistance program will require troops to pay back funds if they perform poorly in class beginning Aug. 28. Servicemembers taking undergraduate courses will have to achieve a grade of C or higher, and those taking graduate-level classes must obtain a grade of B or higher, or else they will be subject to "recoupment" and may have to pay out-of-pocket cash retroactively for the class's costs. These changes were enacted by Department of Defense. Servicemembers who receive an incomplete grade for a class will have to repay their TA money unless they convert the incomplete into a satisfactory grade. Tuition Assistance also no longer covers laboratory fees or other fees that come on top of tuition. Servicemembers may have to pay out of pocket for those fees. (http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/) Learn more about your education benefits.


Numbers of VA Claims Explodes
Although America's population of living veterans fell by almost five million, or 17 percent, from 2000 to 2013, the number of veterans drawing disability compensation climbed by 55 percent over that period. Surprisingly, the Congressional Budget Office's new report found that it has little to do with the influx of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... the-trend/) Read the full Military Update to learn more.


Upcoming Career Expos in September
The Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) hosts Career Expos nationwide, which serve all five branches and all ranks of the U.S. military, including veterans. Upcoming events include Phoenix, AZ on September 4, and Fort Hood, TX on September 9, Visit the (http://ncoacareerexpos.org/index.php/career-expos/) NCOA Career Expo website to receive a complete list of participating employers, view the schedule of upcoming events, and register for (http://ncoacareerexpos.org/index.php/career-expos/) NCOA Career Expos.
For veteran job fair listings, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Get $1 Million Family Security from $41 a Month
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Saving Lives: Honest Discussion About Suicide Prevention in the Military
Military.com is joining the Veterans Affairs Department, Department of Defense and Disabled American Veterans to reach spouses, coworkers, family members and military members with practical solutions and advice for preventing suicide among our service members. Submit your questions regarding mental health support 24 hours before the event on September 18 at 2:00pm ET (https://plus.google.com/events/cgmenc62 ... rvr0901.nl) here and (https://plus.google.com/events/cgmenc62 ... rvr0901.nl) RSVP to watch VA, DOD and mental health experts answer your questions live.