Military Report: Print & Post: Week of February 23, 2015

[RV_]

Print & Post: Week of February 23, 2015

 

Navy Reserve to Celebrate 100th Birthday

In 2015 the U.S. Navy Reserve will be 100 years old. First created in response to the outbreak of World War I, legislation for the creation of the Naval Reserve Force was passed on March 3, 1915. Since that time, reservists have served in every major war in which the United States has fought. As of December 2014, 107,687 reservists were serving as either the Selected Reserve (SELRES), or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Sailors. On any particular day, 25 percent of the Navy Reserve is delivering global operational support to the fleet and combat forces. For more information, visit the Navy Personnel Command Selected Reserves (SELRES) webpage at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/community/selres/Pages/default2.aspx) www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/community/selres/Pages/default2.aspx or the Navy Personnel Command Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) webpage at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/reservepersonnelmgmt/IRR/Pages/default2.aspx) www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/reservepersonnelmgmt/IRR/Pages/default2.aspx.

For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.

 

Coalition Hires Veterans

The 100,000 Jobs Mission has announced that its coalition of private companies has collectively hired more than 217,000 U.S. veterans through 2014 and is now committed to hire another 100,000 veterans for a total of 300,000. The 100,000 Jobs Mission was founded in 2011 by 11 companies that pledged to hire at least 100,000 veterans by 2020. The coalition reports its hiring results quarterly and shares best practices for hiring and retaining veterans in their organizations. Many of these can be found on its 100,000 Jobs Mission website at (http://www.jobsmission.com) jobsmission.com. Since the coalition's establishment, membership has grown to 184 companies that represent nearly every industry in the U.S. economy. For more information, visit the (https://www.veteranjobsmission.com/?jp_cmp=rb/jobsmission/off/na/multiple) 100,000 Jobs Mission website.

For more veteran job tips, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

 

MVP Helps Vet Find Housing

The Military Veteran Project provides transitional housing for veterans and their families and comprehensive support services. The vision of MVP is to empower veterans with lasting results and reintegrate them into the community. The organization offers comprehensive support services including outreach and assessment, emergency services and case management. Over 2,000 active duty service members, veterans, wounded warriors and families have received assistance from MVP. For more information, visit the Military Veteran Project website at (http://www.militaryveteranproject.org/) www.militaryveteranproject.org.

For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.

 

Military Crisis Line

Active, Reserve or National Guard service members in crisis or service members who are in need of urgent help can call "The Military Crisis Line," a confidential support line that's accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Veterans can also call. The service is free. Qualified responders from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff the Military Crisis Line, many of whom have served in the military. A Military Crisis Line responder can provide support any time of the day. Call, toll free, 1-800-273-8255, and press 1. For more information, visit the Visit Veterans Crisis Line website at (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net) www.veteranscrisisline.net.

For more veteran and family support resources, see (http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/family-support-services.html) this Military.com Spouse Channel article.

 

AF Offers FitFamily

To help Airmen and their families lose weight, get in shape and eat healthier, the Air Force offers the Air Force FitFamily initiative. To enroll in the program, families can log on to the USAF FitFamily website at (http://www.USAFFitFamily.com) www.USAFFitFamily.com and click on 'Register My Family.' Once enrolled, the system will email a password to each family member's address. The Air Force FitFamily website includes health and fitness articles, recipes and tips to help families become more active together. Families can register on 'My Goal Tracker,' earn points and achieve levels for participating in family fun activities, sports and fitness events and making healthy eating selections. For more information about the FitFamily or Living Fit programs visit the USAF. To find out about other quality of life programs, visit MyAirForceLife.com at (http://www.myairforcelife.com) www.myairforcelife.com.

For more fitness advice and workouts, visit the (http://www.military.com/military-fitness/ask-stew/tactical-fitness-with-stew-smith-developing-strong-core-muscles) Military.com Fitness Center.

 

Navy Seeks Female Submariners

The U.S. Navy submarine force is now open to female enlisted Sailors from E-1 to E-8. Enlisted females who complete a non-nuclear rating conversion will attend Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) in Groton, Connecticut, prior to arriving aboard their ship. BESS provides screening of future submariners in adaptability and reliability and prepares Sailors to pursue submarine qualifications aboard an operational submarine. For more information about enlisted females in submarines, visit the Navy Personnel Command Enlisted Women in Submarines webpage at (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/community/submarine/Pages/EnlistedWomeninSubmarines.aspx) http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/community/submarine/Pages/EnlistedWomeninSubmarines.aspx.

 

Vet2Tech Helping Vets Get Tech Jobs

Vet2Tech is a non-profit organization helping military veterans find employment in manufacturing and technical service careers. With the help of Military.com, Vet2Tech was able to train and employ numerous veterans this past year. For more info about how Vet2Tech helps veterans, visit the Vet2Tech website at (http://www.vet2tech.org/) www.Vet2Tech.org. Veterans interested in employment opportunities in either the manufacturing or technical service industries, please send your resume and cover letter to (mailto:resumes@vet2tech.org) resumes@vet2tech.org. Employers in the manufacturing and technical service industries interested in hiring veteran candidates, please send job descriptions and employment criteria to (mailto:jobs@vet2tech.org) jobs@vet2tech.org.

For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

 

Pick Your Cuts: Tricare Changes

Among the many budget cut proposals that have popped up this year, the one that would have the biggest day-to-day impact on the lives of everyone -- active duty families, Guard and Reserve users and retirees -- is changes to Tricare. But what will the changes be? We're taking a poll on what you would pick for your cuts if you could. Pick your option and see how others have responded in (http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2015/02/poll-choose-your-own-tricare-cuts.html) the poll.

 

Navy Offers Cyber-Sec Training

The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command's (SPAWAR) Reserve Program provides free cyber security training across the globe. The SPAWAR Reserves has developed a five-day training event to provide that hands-on training VMware training for ships that have received or will soon receive the Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise System (CANES). Commands that will receive a CANES upgrade in the near future should contact Dennis Stewart at (mailto:dennis.b.stewart1@navy.mil) dennis.b.stewart1@navy.mil to learn more or schedule training. For more information on SPAWAR, visit the SPAWAR website at (http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pages/default.aspx) www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pages/default.aspx, the SPAWAR Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/spaceandnavalwarfaresystemscommand) www.facebook.com/spaceandnavalwarfaresystemscommand , the (https://twitter.com/SPAWARHQ) SPAWAR Twitter page, the (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwk7Z4r7ZuL_jhZV2tAVzmg) SPAWAR Syscom YouTube webpage, and the Team (https://www.flickr.com/photos/teamspawar/) SPAWAR Flickr webpage.

For more Navy news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.

Health Service Conference in NC

A free, half-day conference, "Access to Culturally Competent Health Services: Serving Military Veterans from a Holistic Perspective" will be held Feb. 24, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the University of North Carolina--Charlotte's (http://cone.uncc.edu/) Cone University Center, McKnight Hall. Register online at (http://health.uncc.edu/webform/veteran-health-rsvp) health.uncc.edu/webform/veteran-health-RSVP. Representatives of federal, state and local organizations will attend. Keynote speaker Marianne Mathewson Chapman -- an advanced registered nurse practitioner, retired major general for the Army National Guard and a former deputy surgeon general in the Army National Guard -- will address military culture, health needs and holistic services. For more information, visit the (https://campusevents.uncc.edu/access-culturally-competent-health-services-serving-military-veterans-holistic-perspective) UNC-Charlotte website.

For more on veteran health care, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care) Military.com Veteran Health Care page.

 

PepsiCo Hiring Veterans

PepsiCo has a long legacy of military hiring and remains committed to veteran hiring across all lines of business and roles. The company believes in providing opportunity for military hires, not just in the name of service, but because they help the business win. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/pepsico/index.html) Search and apply now.

 

Protect Your Online Privacy

Here are several ways to protect your privacy while on the Internet: (1) Set privacy settings on social media sites to restrict access to posts; click (http://airforcelive.dodlive.mil/files/2014/10/FB-privacy-settings-2014.PDF) here for a detailed how-to guide on how to secure your Facebook profile; (2) do not share information that you are not willing to share with the world; (3) do not post personal information such as your home address or phone number; (4) disable location-based social networking, or geotagging, on all social media platforms; (5) avoid posting work or personal schedules and travel itineraries; (6) be aware of open Wi-If hot spots in public areas; (7) do not publicize your association with military forces; and (8) be cautious when accepting friend requests. If you have concerns, alert the social media platform's help center and your local Operations Security (OPSEC) manager for assistance.

For more military news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.

 

AF Promotes 443 More Enlisted

The Air Force selected 443 enlisted Airmen for promotion via the supplemental promotion process. 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, select "Search All Components" from the drop down menu and 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 other personnel issues, visit myPers.

For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.

 

SCIS Hiring Veterans

Your military experience deserves more -- you deserve a chance to continue to serve and grow in the field of safety and security. A security career at SCIS will allow you to extend skills, certifications and talent to some of the top employers in the security industry. (http://www.military.com/veteran-employers/scis) View more information and apply.

 

Tax Filing as a Military Spouse

Moving around as a military spouse creates all sorts of challenges, especially when it comes time to file your income tax returns. The biggest question is usually: where do I file? Thankfully, the law is pretty clear and simple. For most people, moving means changing your () legal residence (domicile), and paying state taxes in the state where they are domiciled. Active duty folks, through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, are not required to change their domicile when they move, and they are allowed to file their state income taxes in the state where they are domiciled. For more details, visit (http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2015/02/19/tax-filing-military-spouse/) this Paycheck Chronicles post.

 

AF Changes Policy on Carrying Over Leave

Effective Sept. 30, military members will no longer be able to carry more than 60 days of leave into the next fiscal year. Unless they are approved for special leave accrual, regular Air Force and Active Guard Reserve, or AGR, members who have more than 60 days of leave must use it or lose it by Oct. 1, 2015. Members who have approved special leave accrual (SLA) are exempted from the use-or-lose rule. SLA approval is for members who couldn't use their leave because of national emergency, crisis, catastrophe or national security situations. For more information about military benefits, like leave, or other personnel issues, visit (https://mypers.af.mil/) myPers.

For more on military benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits section.

 

TriWest and Potential Phishing Scam

There have been reports of a potential phishing scam in which someone is allegedly using TriWest letterhead to attempt to obtain Personal Health Information (PHI) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from veterans. It is important to know that TriWest will only send a letter to veterans to: confirm appointments; notify veterans of VA decisions important to their eligibility for care in the community; or to provide the new Choice Card. None of TriWest's letters will request PHI/PII or credit card information. You can verify the validity of any letter you receive from TriWest by calling TriWest directly at 1-855-PCCCVET (722-2838).

For more on veteran health care, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care) Military.com Veteran Health Care page.

 

Vets4Warriors

A veterans resource called "Vets4Warriors" is a national call center that provides a confidential peer-to-peer support for active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families. Spouses, parents, siblings or other family members can contact Vets4Warriors if they are concerned about their service member or if they are facing problems of their own. Vets4Warriors is staffed with veterans and military family members. Call Vets4Warriors, toll free, at 1-855-838-8255. Reach a Vets4Warriors counselor at (mailto:Info@Vets4Warriors.com) Info@Vets4Warriors.com or in an online chat on the Vets4Warriors website at (http://www.vets4warriors.com/Contact.htm) www.vets4warriors.com/Contact.htm. Information is always kept confidential.

For more veteran and family support resources, see (http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/family-support-services.html) this Military.com Spouse Channel article.

 

Hot Video: 5 Things You Don't Know About AK-47s

As part of our continuing video series, we look at five entertaining, lesser-known facts about the (http://www.military.com/video/guns/rifles/5-things-you-dont-know-about-ak-47s/4069222264001/) AK-47 rifle, the most widely-used assault rifle in the world.

 

Overpayment on Roth TSP

If you contribute to a Roth TSP, and diligently made () the changes required by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in January, you got overpaid on February 13, 2015 because DFAS failed to take those new TSP contributions out of the mid-month pay. Your end-of-month pay will have the entire Roth TSP contribution deducted, and the two paychecks together should come out to the right amount. For more details and guidance, see (http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2015/02/14/roth-tsp-overpaid-yesterday/) this Paycheck Chronicles post.

 

Traumatic Brain Injury Resources

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) tracks the total number of service members throughout the Department of Defense who have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since the year 2000, over 313,000 service members have been diagnosed with a TBI. Following a mild TBI, it is common for individuals to experience headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty with balance, reduced attention/concentration, reduced memory ability, irritability, and/or mood swings. For more information, visit the CDC's Traumatic Brain Injury webpage at (http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html) www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html, the (http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/resources) DVBIC website, and the Defense Centers of Excellence website at (http://www.dcoe.mil/TraumaticBrainInjury.aspx) www.dcoe.mil/TraumaticBrainInjury.aspx.

For more on TBI and disability compensation, see this (http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/traumatic-brain-injury-overview.html) Military.com TBI page.

 

Vet Job Tips: Salary Negotiation

Negotiating a salary is every job hunter's final hurdle. To develop a negotiation strategy, analyze your financial needs and wants. Determine what compensation you will require by preparing a brief balance sheet of your assets and liabilities. Also, research current compensation packages within your specific career field. You can find salary information in the Jobs Rated Almanac, the American Almanac of Job Salaries and the Occupational Outlook Handbook at (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/a-z-index.htm) www.bls.gov/ooh/a-z-index.htm. Never be the first to mention money. You want the employer to reveal their money position first -- this gives you the upper hand in negotiation. If you find yourself at an impasse with a potential employer, try to negotiate something other than salary such as benefits.

For more veteran job tips, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

 

Non-Profit Groups Access to Installations

Non-profit groups with a track record of helping Soldiers and their families will soon experience a more streamlined process to get them access to military installations. The defense secretary recently issued two memos directing the military services to implement additional procedures to improve access to installations for service and support organizations. Installations are legally bound to provide installation access to Department of Veteran Affairs-recognized VSO/MSO entities to assist Soldiers with their Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, claims, if the senior installation commander receives and approves a written request. VSO/MSO organizations include the Military Officers Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, American Red Cross, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Nonprofit organizations supporting Soldiers and families, including VSO/MSOs not processing VA claims, may be required to provide an IRS Form 990 to establish their credentials.

For more veteran and family support resources, see (http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/family-support-services.html) this Military.com Spouse Channel article. For a complete guide to military bases around the country, visit the (http://www.military.com/base-guide/) Military.com Base Guide.

 

DoD Plan Would 'Destroy' Commissaries, Say Industry Reps

The Defense Department's fiscal 2016 budget request would slash taxpayer support of base grocery stores by $322 million in 2016 and by $1 billion next year, enough to "destroy" the shopping benefit, warns the American Logistics Association. ALA, which represents manufacturers, distributors and brokers of products sold in commissaries and base exchanges, released a position paper that contrasts DoD's plan to "wreck" commissaries with less onerous recommendations of a blue-ribbon panel to consolidate all base store operations to gain efficiencies. That would seem to leave Congress with an easy choice. But the Army and Air Force Exchange Service warns in its own position paper that the store consolidation path laid down by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission won't produce the savings it touts. For more details, see this (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2015/02/dod-plan-would-destroy-commissaries-say-industry-reps/) Military Update article.

[TxCowboy]

 

Very information series of articles. Thanks for posting!

[RV_]

YW Tx!

Welcome to the forums! I fulltimed for 7 years at age 45 -52 when we retired from the AF. We came off the road in late 2003 to be here for our remaining parents, my in laws. I am glad to say we have been off road for more than ten years when we thought they were failing. Glad to still have parents around to visit with. They are mid 80s now and showing it, but still able to drive to town and feed the whole extended family with their vegetables year round from his truck patch. I'm only 62 and we have plenty of time I hope to get back on the road if we choose. But we did get to climb mountain trails, walk down and up the Grand Canyon, climb glaciers, fish and hunt, and do a lot of things I could not do now.

 

Were you AF? I saw military aviator in your profile and know that could be any branch including the Coasties and Reserves. Anyway I am about ten minutes from Barksdale out in the semi rural Haughton area. Stop by and have some coffee if you are ever passing by. We have enjoyed all the SKPs who stopped by.

 

I'll keep posting it weekly.

[TxCowboy]

"Were you AF? I saw military aviator in your profile and know that could be any branch including the Coasties and Reserves. Anyway I am about ten minutes from Barksdale out in the semi rural Haughton area. Stop by and have some coffee if you are ever passing by. We have enjoyed all the SKPs who stopped by."

 

I'm an Army guy. 24 years active duty and retired in January 00. BTW, my brother was stationed as Barksdale, retired out at Maxwell, and moved back into your area, about an hour or so north of the base.

 

I like the horse track there. Won some nice cash there on my one and only visit to the track.