Military Report - Week of October 20, 2014

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Military Report - Week of October 20, 2014

Parks Offer Free Tickets
As Veterans Day approaches, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment(TM) is launching a special offer to honor all the men and women who have previously served as members of the U.S. Armed services. The "Waves of Honor" salute to veterans offers 50 percent off single-day admission to the SeaWorld(R) and Busch Gardens(R) Parks, and Sesame Place(R) for veterans, and as many as five guests. Qualified service members and veterans include active duty, retired, honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. Military. Tickets must be purchased by November 11 (Veterans Day), 2014 and redeemed by December 21, 2014. Qualified U.S. service members and veterans must purchase discounted tickets in advance or at participating military bases. Proof of service required. For more on this discount, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/seawo ... y-discount) Military.com Discount Center.


Buy or Refi with $0 Down, No PMI, and Low Rates
Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment. Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. (https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... rvr1020.nl) Use your VA Loan Benefit today.
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DynCorp International Is Hiring!
DynCorp International is a global government services provider supporting national security and foreign policy objectives around the world. Over the years, DynCorp International has been consistently recognized as a top veteran friendly business. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employe ... =mr1020.nl) Read more.


AF Seeks Flight Training Candidates
Eligible active duty Air Force officers interested in undergraduate flying training must apply by Dec. 19 to be considered by the UFT selection board for 2015/2016 training requirements in the pilot, remotely piloted aircraft, combat systems officer and air battle manager categories. Eligibility requirements include a date of birth after April 1, 1985 and a total active federal commissioned service date after April 1, 2010. In addition, applicants must have squadron commander (or equivalent) endorsement, and those selected for training must attend medical flight screening prior to entry into initial flight screening or RPA flight screening. For complete eligibility requirements, application instructions and waiver/exception to policy request guidance, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website. Select "search all components" from the drop down menu and enter "undergraduate flying training" in the search window.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Air Force TDY Changes
The Air Force recently started implementing two temporary duty policy changes that will impact travel reimbursements for Airmen. The first change, which took effect Oct. 1, made changes to the Joint Travel Regulations, Reimbursable and Incidental Expense Policy. The second will be a change in long-term TDY per diem expenses and take effect Nov. 1. Contiguous U.S. laundry expenses, tips to baggage handlers by uniformed members and ATM fees are now considered incidental expenses and are no longer reimbursable as separate miscellaneous expenses. The second policy change encourages travelers to take advantage of cost saving opportunities for long-term travel -- spending 31 days or more in a single location. The new regulation will also provide for a flat-rate per diem expense based upon length of stay. Further guidance will be forthcoming during the month of October to explain how these new procedures will be implemented. For more information on Defense travel, visit the Defense Travel Management Office website at (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/) www.defensetravel.dod.mil.
For more on military pays, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/) Military.com pay section.


Remember to Update DEERS
Make sure that your records in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) are up to date with your latest life events. This means you should keep all your personal information -- address, duty status, phone numbers, and email addresses -- up-to-date. Review DEERS as soon as possible whenever you move or experience one of the following life events; (1) activation, (2) deactivation, (3) separation or retirement, and (4) becoming Medicare eligible. Changing your contact information in DEERS is easy and can be done online at milConnect at (http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect) www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect, by fax or mail, or in person at the nearest uniformed services identification (ID) card office. You can find your nearest ID card offices online with the RAPIDS Site Locator at (http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/) www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl.
For more on DEERS, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricar ... deers.html) Military.com DEERS section.


TRICARE Meets ACA Requirements
Almost all TRICARE plan options meet Affordable Care Act requirements for minimum essential coverage (MEC); however, people who are losing TRICARE eligibility, or transitioning to a new type of TRICARE coverage, need to know their options so they avoid any penalties for not having minimum essential health coverage under the ACA. People who are eligible for premium-free TRICARE Standard as well as TRICARE for Life meet the act's MEC requirement. Those who are only eligible for premium-based coverage, like TRICARE Young Adult, TRICARE Retired Reserve and TRICARE Reserve Select, must purchase one of these options (or have other qualifying health coverage) in order to meet the MEC requirement. People who are losing TRICARE coverage are encouraged to explore additional health coverage options, including the Health Insurance Marketplace at (http://www.healthcare.gov) www.healthcare.gov. The " (http://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents.aspx) Life Events" section of the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents.aspx) www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents.aspx has more information on times in life when people might find themselves without TRICARE coverage.
For more on TRICARE, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.


Air Force Debuts New Service Medal
The Air Force has released nomination criteria for the new Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal. Service members may be awarded the new medal if they were assigned, deployed or mobilized to a wing, center or below in support of the nuclear enterprise for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days. Eligibility for the medal is retroactive to Dec. 27, 1991. Nominations for currently serving Airmen will be processed through their respective chain of command. Retired or separated Airmen and family members of deceased Airmen can submit a request submitted to the Air Force Personnel Center recognition section for validation. For more information and full eligibility criteria, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website. Guard, Reserve, retired and separated Airmen and their family members may contact the Air Reserve Personnel Center at 800-525-0102 for assistance.
For more on military medals, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/medals) Military.com Medals page.


Air Force to Host Hackathon
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is preparing to co-host LabHack, a 26-hour long coding competition which will task coding-savvy individuals, or "hackers," to creatively solve challenges that AFRL researchers face every day. This first 'Hackathon' will take place Oct. 25-26 at the Tec^Edge Innovation and Collaboration Center in Dayton, Ohio. Participants will be challenged to assist in solving real challenges related to sensor data, creating solutions that could directly impact the warfighter. A limited number of tickets remain for members of the public interested in attending the workshops without the commitment of joining a team. Registration for tickets is available via the LabHack website at (http://www.labhack.org/) www.labhack.org.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Cyber Security Month
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and Airmen and their families are reminded to remain vigilant when posting personal information on the Internet. You have to assume everyone is looking at what you are posting. According to Air Force Instruction 1-1, " (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... afi1-1.pdf) Air Force Standards", even having unknown followers could constitute relationships that may affect determinations in background investigations associated with security clearances. Take the following precautions: (1) set privacy settings on social media sites to restrict access to posts; (2) do not share information that you are not willing to share with the world; (3) do not post personal information; (4) disable locator functions on cell phones; (5) do not post travel plans and details of daily schedules; (6) be aware of open Wi-If hot spots; (7) do not publicize your association with military forces; and (8) be aware of unrecognized friends or followers on social networks.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Teach for America Wants Veterans
Teach For America, the nonprofit organization that sends recent college graduates and professionals to teaching positions at low-income schools, wants to enlist military veterans into its ranks. The organization helps its "corps members" earn teaching certifications in exchange for a two-year teaching commitment. Participants who go on to become TFA alumni have access to additional resources such as leadership training and job opportunities provided by TFA and its vast network of alumni. For more information, visit the (http://www.teachforamerica.org/our-orga ... initiative) Teach For America website.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


Save Up to 66% on TRICARE Costs
Save on the out of pocket costs that TRICARE doesn't cover. (http://offers.military.com/i/tricare/in ... rvr1020.nl) Save now.


AUSA: News and Video Highlights
Soldiers and defense industry officials gathered in Washington D.C. last week for the Association of the U.S. Army's 2014 Annual Meeting. In addition to displays of new technologies available to the Army, talk focused on the future of the Army given current budget woes, and the Army's ongoing role in global conflicts and humanitarian missions. For news and video highlights from the conference, visit (http://www.military.com/topics/ausa-ass ... tates-army) Military.com's AUSA page.


Military.com and "Fury"
"Fury," the new David Ayer movie about the 2nd Armored Division's mission behind enemy lines in World War II, is in theatres now, and Military.com was recently at Ft. Benning to interview Ayer, star Brad Pitt, and other members of the cast about recreating the raw combat of that era. For the complete interviews and more about the film, visit (http://undertheradar.military.com/2014/ ... t-benning/) Military.com's Under the Radar blog.


Military Career Fair in DC
A complimentary career fair for all officers, enlisted, active duty, retired, former and National Guard/Reserve servicemembers and their spouses and government employees will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (pre-career fair seminars begin at 8 a.m.) Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, 900 S. Orme St., Arlington, VA 22204. The career fair is hosted by the (http://www.moaa.org) Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
Contact (http://www.moaa.org) Military Officers Association of America for more details.


What is Continuing Resolution and Why is it Necessary?
The term "continuing resolution" is one that you hear more and more in recent years in conjunction with legislative news. Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has received questions about what the term means and why it has become a regular feature of the legislative process. Despite its ubiquity in modern times, the legislative procedure is not a new invention. Read more about it on MOAA's Battle of the Bilge blog: (http://www.moaa.org/MRCR) www.moaa.org/MRCR.


AAFES Shopping Spree Sweepstakes
Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppers will have a shot at winning a $500 shopping spree or a Yeti cooler this month courtesy of the Exchange and Pepsi. From October 17-31, authorized shoppers can enter at any Exchange store for the chance to win one of 10 $500 Exchange gift cards or one of 10 Yeti coolers valued at $400. Winners will be picked by random drawing on or around Nov. 28. No purchase is required to enter. Entrants must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license. To find an Exchange location near you, visit ShopMyExchange.com at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores) www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Military.com Discount Center.


Beware of Medicare Scammers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that some scammers claimed to be calling on behalf of the government to verify information for a new Medicare card or Medicare-related package. In fact, it was a ruse to get people's bank account information to make unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts. The callers said they needed to verify people's identities using information that included the consumers' bank account numbers. According to the FTC, the scammers told people that their information would not be used to debit their bank accounts and that there was no charge for their services. But the FTC alleges that was a lie as bank accounts were debited for $400 or more within a couple of months. Never give out your bank account information to someone who contacts you over the phone.
For more on credit and debt, and personal finance tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money section.


Navy Sr. Enlisted Selection Boards
The Navy is seeking senior enlisted Sailors to serve on Fiscal Year 2016 active-duty and Reserve master chief, senior chief, and chief petty officer selection boards. Deadline for member and recorder applications are: Reserve E-8/E-8, Dec. 5; active-duty E-9, Dec. 19; active-duty E-8, Jan. 29; Reserve E-7, Feb. 20, 2015; and active-duty E-7, March 27, 2015. Prior to submitting an application, applicants should review BUPERSINST (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/r ... BUPERSINST 1401.5B.pdf) 1401.5B, the supplemental guidance for U.S. Navy selection boards.
For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Navy Blue Holiday Season at NEX
Navy Exchanges (NEX) is recently began its third annual Navy Blue Holiday season. Customers will find a great selection of items in all price ranges. And, there is no sales tax for NEX shoppers. The NEX has partnered with its vendor community to give 1,000 customers a $100 NEX gift card. Customers can enter the drawing Oct. 8-Feb. 3, at their local NEX or at (http://www.mynavyexchange.com/) www.mynavyexchange.com. From Nov. 23-26, Sailors and Marines afloat will be able to take advantage of a unique sales event designed just for them and also sign up to win one of the $100 NEX Gift Cards. The NEX will also offer additional savings and promotions during the season.
For more discounts for military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Military.com Discount Center.


$300k Coverage: As Little as $21 a Month
Protection for less. Get $300k Coverage from as little as $21 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... rvr1020.nl) Could your family survive if something happened to you?


Register Now for the Free Spouse Experience Event at Fort Bragg
Join us for the free Military.com Spouse Experience event at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Thursday, October 30th from 10am to 2pm. This event is an opportunity for all military spouses to get together, learn from each other, share the joys and challenges of military life, and laugh at the inevitable and incredible "oops" moments that all milspouses have. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-milita ... rvr1020.nl) Register today.


Some Seek to Rename PTSD
Physicians Eugene Lipov, M.D. (developer of Stellate Ganglion Block for treatment of PTSD) and Frank Ochberg, M.D. Of East Lansing, Mich. agree that the word "disorder," when associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), completely misses the mark because the condition is medically and technically a biological phenomenon. In recent years, Dr. Ochberg has led a movement to drop "disorder" and replace it with "injury," essentially rebranding the acronym as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI). Dr. Lipov, along with U.S. military physicians at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, were able to demonstrate that a biologic effect of numbing the nerves in the neck via a sympathetic ganglion block treatment appears to reboot the brain to a pre-trauma state with a 72-percent success rate. The results were published in the October 2014 edition of (http://publications.amsus.org/doi/abs/1 ... D-14-00151) AMSUS, Military Medicine's International Journal.
For mental health guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/vetera ... d-wellness) Military.com Mental Health and Wellness section.


Army Sustainability Report
The U.S. Army recently released the Army Sustainability Report 2014. The report highlights progress in land management, operational energy, community partnerships, and programs that support the holistic health and well-being of people in the Army in Fiscal Years 2012-2013. Each section of the report addresses topics of note, reports progress against relevant sustainability metrics, and highlights successes. The Army Sustainability Report 2014 Annex contains a complete index to GRI sustainability metrics in tables with links to publicly-available Army sources. The report is available (http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/downloads/367149.pdf) online.
For more Army news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Sponsored Discount: Exclusive Offers on Sleep Number(R) Beds
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AF Supplemental Enlisted Promotions
The Air Force has selected 98 enlisted Airmen for promotion via the supplemental promotion process. The promotion list is available on the (https://www.my.af.mil) Air Force Portal (select the promotion news link) or visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, enter "Active Duty: Enlisted Promotions Home Page" in the search window, select the page and scroll down to the supplemental promotion section. For more information about promotions and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website.
How much pay would you make with a promotion? For more details, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... harts.html) Military.com's updated military pay charts.


What to do When Voc-Rehab Says No
The VA has taken a stronger stance on meeting veteran's needs, but some may continue to find the path to getting tuition approval difficult. There are some concrete ways to help get the help you need. Author and lawyer Ben Krause has developed four strategies to help. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... y-tuition/) Read Ben's latest column on the Military Advantage.


VA 'Choice Card': Uncertainties Swirl as Deadline Nears
Congress last August gave the Department of Veteran Affairs 90 days to issue medical "Choice Cards" to 9.1 million veterans enrolled in VA care. The tight deadline of Nov. 5 won't be met, say representatives of major veteran organizations who attend periodic VA briefings on plans for rollout of the Choice Card. The card will ensure veterans have access to private sector health care if they reside more than 40 miles from a VA clinic or hospital, or if they face unacceptable waits, usually longer than 30 days, to access VA healthcare. The simple guarantee, centerpiece of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, is not so simple to deliver, at least in 90 days. For more details, see (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... ine-nears/) this Military.com article.


Marines Postpone Uniform Changes
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos has decided against the proposed insignia modification that would have changed the enlisted rank worn on woodland utilities from black to brushed brass, and against the proposed requirement for all officers to own and wear the Sam Browne belt while in the dress blue uniform. The uniform board had sent out a survey to Marines on these proposed uniform changes. After reviewing the survey results, Amos made his decision not to change the current regulation. Currently there has not been a decision regarding the utility changeover dates. The decision is slated to be revisited in the future.
For more on Marine Corps and other military uniforms, check the (http://www.military.com/join-armed-forc ... guide.html) Military.com Uniform section.


Toys for Tots
The 2014 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program recently kicked off its annual campaign to collect new, unwrapped toys for the less fortunate children of local communities. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Those wishing to contribute can donate a toy valued at $15 or less in a local Toys for Tots bin. Since its inception in 1947, the Toys for Tots national campaign distributed 476 million toys to 223 million less fortunate children. For more information, and to find a drop-off bin in your area, visit the Toys for Tots website at (http://www.toysfortots.org/) www.toysfortots.org.
For more family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Spouse Channel article.


Military Child of the Year Awards
Operation Homefront is seeking nominations for the 2015 Military Child of the Year awards. Parents, grandparents, Scout leaders, teachers, counselors, priests, rabbis, imams, pastors and others can nominate a military child for the honor. Operation Homefront presents the award to an outstanding military child from each branch. The nominees must be the legal dependents of service members and be between 8 and 18 years old. They must be able to travel to Washington, D.C. to receive the award. Nominees selected as finalists must provide letters of recommendation and agree to a background check. Winners receive the award, a $5,000 cash prize and a laptop computer. Nominations close Dec. 12. For more information, visit the Military Child of the Year webpage at (http://www.militarychildoftheyear.org/) www.militarychildoftheyear.org.
For more family support resources, see this (http://www.military.com/spouse/military ... vices.html) Military.com Spouse Channel article.


New Study Looks at Transition
A newly-published survey entitled 'The State of the American Veteran: The Los Angeles County Veterans Study' breaks new ground in detailing the challenges of transitioning from military duty to civilian life. The study found that half the surveyed veterans reported a significant physical or mental health issue for which they are not receiving care, and 45.8 percent of post-9/11 veterans screened positive for depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). More than two-thirds of the veterans surveyed reported difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and not knowing where to go or whom to contact for help. The report is available (http://cir.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2 ... _FPpgs.pdf) online.
For more military transition tips, and to create a customized transition plan, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-transition) Military.com Transition Center.