Print & Post: Week of January 09, 2012
The Military Child Education Coalition is accepting applications for the Bernard Curtis Brown II Memorial Space Camp Scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition including round trip transportation from the student's home base to Space Camp, meals, lodging and program materials. Student applicants must be: (1) the child of a military member on active duty or mobilized Guard or Reserve, (2) the child of a military member who died while on active duty or mobilized Guard or Reserve, (3) enrolled in grades six through nine. Applications are available (http://www.militarychild.org/child-student/space-camp-scholarship/) online. For more information about Space Camp, visit the Space Camp website at (http://www.spacecamp.com/) www.spacecamp.com.
For more military family resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Spouse Center.
LIVE GI Bill Blog Event
On Wednesday January 11, 2012, members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee staff will be available, live online, to answer your questions in a Q&A live blog session on the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/) Military Advantage blog. The live blog event will take place at 5:00pm EST (4:00 Central, 3:00 Mtn, and 2:00 Pacific). The event is free and open to all.
Must-see Military Spouse Event: Jan 21
SpouseBUZZ Live will be in Ft. Walton Beach on Jan 21st. Spouses from all over will be attending this free event to celebrate, share and learn from each other. There will be big give aways, discussion boards, exhibitors and the first 300 (pre-registered) attendees will receive a free tote bag stuffed with goodies. In addition, you will be entered into a drawing to win free electronics, appliances and jewelry. (http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2011/10/registration-for-spousebuzz-live-eglin-afb-now-open.html?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Get more information and Register.
Support for Sailors Separating Under ERB
The Navy will provide personalized career coaching and job search assistance to support Sailors selected for separation by the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) beginning Jan. 3, 2012. ERB separating Sailors are being contacted via an introductory email regarding the many services available to them. Sailors separated by the ERB can contact CGC starting Jan. 3, 2012 via toll free number (800-971-4288). For more information on the ERB transition support, visit the (http://www.npc.navy.mil/boards/ERB/) NPC ERB Transition Support webpage or contact the NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672).
For job listings across the nation and civilian job guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.
Tuition Top-Up Program Explained
Top-Up is a program that allows GI Bill participants' to use the GI Bill to supplement the tuition and fees not covered by tuition assistance. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course. To be eligible for the Top-Up benefit, you must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for MGIB AD benefits. To be eligible you must be an GI Bill participant, still on active duty, and must have served at least two full years. (http://www.military.com/education/content/money-for-school/gi-bill/tuition-top-up-program.html) Get more information about Top-Up.
(http://www.military.com/education/content/money-for-school/gi-bill/tuition-top-up-program.html)
Next Step: It's important to compare schools to make sure it meets your specific requirements as a servicemember. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mr.nl) Search for schools now.
Protect Credit While Deployed
Servicemembers should consider placing active-duty fraud alerts on their credit report during a deployment. The alert requires businesses to contact the servicemember before issuing credit. Servicemembers can use a personal representative to start or stop the alert, which remains on the credit report for one year unless it is removed sooner. Servicemembers should contact one of the three consumer reporting agencies to place an active-duty fraud alert: Equifax at 1-800-525-6285 or equifax.com; Experian at 1-888-397-3742 or experian.com; or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289 or (http://www.transunion.com/) transunion.com.
For more credit guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance) Military.com Money Center.
USAF Captain Promotions
The Air Force has announced that the 2011D Chaplains, Line of the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, Nurse Corps, Medical Services Corps and Biomedical Sciences Corps Quarterly Captain Selection Process has selected 133 first lieutenants for promotion. The entire list of promotees for each rank can be found (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-111228-005.pdf) online. For information about this, and other personnel issues, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website.
To find out how much pay you would make with a promotion, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/content/military-pay/charts/2011-military-pay-charts.html) updated pay charts on Military.com.
Home Loan Assistance for Illinois Heroes
Gov. Pat Quinn launched the program, Welcome Home Heroes Illinois, on Dec. 14 to provide those Illinois men and women in the service with some help with the down payment, closing costs and up to $21,000 in a mortgage credit certificate. A mortgage credit certificate allows the buyer to use 20 percent of the their annual mortgage interest as a direct federal tax credit that results in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their annual federal income tax liability. For more information, visit the (http://ihda.org/homeowner/heroes.htm) Illinois Housing Development Authority website.
For more on home loan benefits for servicemembers and veterans, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) Military.com VA Home Loan Center.
$250k of Protection for $13 a Month
SGLI is not enough for most military families. Get an additional $250k of family coverage for $13 a month through AAFMAA. They offer affordable life insurance plans to Armed Forces Servicemembers with no war, aviation, or terrorist clauses. (http://www.military.com/Finance/aafmaa?ESRC=mr.nl) Request more information now.
(http://www.military.com/Finance/aafmaa?ESRC=mr.nl)
AAEFS Offers Home Delivery
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has taken the hassle and expense out of getting new furniture, appliances and mattresses home and installed by offering Sears Home Delivery. Through this service, shoppers making purchases prior to 3 p.m. can often schedule delivery for the very next day. Services range from $79.95 to $94.95. Old appliances, mattresses and furniture can also be hauled away at the same time for $10 per delivery. More technical installations or required assemblies can be arranged directly at the Exchange. For more information, contact your local Exchange.
For discounts for servicemembers, veterans and military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.
COOL Opportunities for Sailors
Credentialing opportunities are available through Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) for those selected for separation under FY-12 quota-based Enlisted Retention Board (ERB). Sailors identified for separation may apply for a waiver from the Navy COOL requirement to have a minimum one year remaining on their enlistment to apply for funding toward commercial certification and/or licensure exams found on the Navy COOL website. Sailors must be able to complete all certification requirements no less than 60 calendar days prior to separation from the Navy. Servicemembers affiliating with the Navy Reserve will remain eligible for continued Navy-funded credentialing exams. For more information about Navy credentialing opportunities, visit the (https://www.cool.navy.mil/) Navy COOL website.
For more on military education programs and benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education Center.
Free Captain America Comic Books
Marvel Comics and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service are teaming up once again to publish an (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/6545822275/sizes/l/in/photostream/) all-new, 22-page story starring Captain America: The First Avenger. The 12th installment of the free comic book is currently available at Exchange stores worldwide. The book tells the tale of a young recruit struggling through boot camp and how he beats the odds with a little help from Captain America. For more information, contact your local Exchange.
For more military-related entertainment news, visit the (http://www.military.com/entertainment) Military.com Entertainment Center.
GI Bill 2.0 Offers Online Living Stipend
Post-9/11 GI Bill eligible veterans are now able to get a monthly living stipend without having to take traditional classroom courses. The stipend for online students is different from the traditional classroom student version. Online students get half of the national average stipend (average Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with Dependents). For example a full-time student who is taking 100 percent of his or her classes online will get $673.50 a month, while a full-time student taking at least one classroom course will get the full stipend rate based on the specific location of the school. (http://www.military.com/education/content/gi-bill/2012-housing-stipend-faqs.html) Get more information on Military.com.
Next Step: Compare online schools to find the one that best meets your needs. (http://www.military.com/education/content/gi-bill/2012-housing-stipend-faqs.html?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Request information from schools now.
(http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mrvr.nl)
Top Military Workouts for 2012
The Military.com Fitness Guide can get you into shape no matter what you're looking to do ? get in shape or take your fitness goals to the next level. (http://www.military.com/military-fitness-center/2012-fitness-guide/) Visit the 2012 Military Fitness Guide to get tips on running in the winter, the best equipment for you, how to make treadmill workouts interesting, supplements that work, intense home workouts, and more.
AF Changes High Year Tenure
The Air Force has announced high year of tenure (HYT) limit changes for the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant and technical sergeant that go into effect in 2013. High year of tenure limits for senior airman will be reduced from 10 years to eight years; staff sergeant 20 years to 15 years; and technical sergeant 22 years to 20 years. This change to policy will not affect Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard members. For more information about high year of tenure limits, visit the (https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/) Air Force Personnel Services website. Information on programs for separating Airmen is available from unit first sergeants or at local airman and family readiness centers.
To find out how much pay you would make with a promotion, see (http://www.military.com/benefits/content/military-pay/charts/2011-military-pay-charts.html) updated pay charts on Military.com.
TRICARE 'Home Delivery' Reminder
TRICARE beneficiaries have several options for filling prescriptions. Beneficiaries are able to find a nearby network pharmacy using the "find a pharmacy" feature at the Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) website at (http://www.express-scripts.com/tricare) www.express-scripts.com/tricare. In addition to 56,000 network pharmacies, TRICARE beneficiaries have other pharmacy options, including military pharmacies at no cost and convenient, low-cost TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. Beneficiaries can visit the TRICARE website at (http://www.tricare.mil/) www.tricare.mil for more information. Beneficiaries who need help finding a pharmacy or changing their medications to home delivery, or who have other questions, can contact Express Scripts at 1-877-885-6313.
For more details on TRICARE benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) Military.com TRICARE section.
Beware of Bogus Free Credit Reports
Everyone has seen the commercials and advertisements stating that they can get their credit reports for free with just a few clicks of a mouse. However, beware that those offers are not everything that they claim to be. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the three consumer reporting companies -- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -- to provide consumers with a free annual copy of their credit score. The three companies have consolidated their efforts into one authorized website to allow consumers to effectively and efficiently manage their credit: (http://www.annualcreditreport.com/) www.annualcreditreport.com . Other companies have created websites that look like the official (http://www.annualcreditreport.com/) www.annualcreditreport.com, but their incentives are laden with hidden fees. Military members or dependents that are having credit reporting issues should contact their local legal assistance office.
For more credit guides and tips, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance) Military.com Money Center.
Army Extends Bold Ideas Program
The Army Materiel Command's Bold Ideas Campaign has extended until the end of January to compensate for time lost due to technical issues. Participation in the Bold Ideas Campaign allows submitters to submit ideas and/or programs that can operate in a more efficient manner. To register on the portal website and participate, (1) attempt to access the (https://hqamc.aep.army.mil/) Army Materiel Command site -- CAC is required; (2) if you receive the 'Authentication Failure' page, either click the link on the failure page to register, or go directly to (https://adfs.aep.army.mil/Registration/default.aspx) this page to register for an
account; (3) fill in the fields on the registration form. Your account will be created by Noon of the following business day. If difficulties persist in trying to register, contact Angie Whitman at (mailto:Angela.B.Whitman.CTR@US.ARMY.MIL) Angela.B.Whitman.CTR@US.ARMY.MIL.
For more Army-related news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.
AAFES to Open Recycling Kiosks
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has introduced 200 new recycling kiosks on military installations around the United States. The Dream Machine computerized kiosks recycle empty drink cans and plastic bottles into points users can redeem for select merchandise and discounts or even donate to charity. Ecycling at the kiosk is as easy as touching the screen, scanning a card and depositing an item. Recyclers receive a printed receipt and can go online to view point totals and reward options. For more information, visit the Greenopolis webpage at (http://www.shopmyexchange.com/DreamMachine) www.shopmyexchange.com/DreamMachine or contact your local Exchange.
For discounts for servicemembers, veterans and military families, visit the (http://www.military.com/discounts) Military.com Discount Center.
12 Most Underrated Jobs in America
Even in a sluggish economy, there are jobs out there that fly under the radar yet give you good bang for the buck -- careers with a lower unemployment rate and decent salaries. Careercast.com recently came out with a list of "America's Most Underrated Jobs." (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/content/career-advice/job-hunting/most-underrated-jobs-in-america.html) See the Top 12 Now.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/content/career-advice/job-hunting/most-underrated-jobs-in-america.html)
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Search Military Friendly Jobs on Military.com
Beware of Phishing Attack
A recent aggressive phishing attack is making the rounds in an email which appears to be from USAA, a financial services company that serves military members, their families, and veterans. The email subject begins with "Deposit Posted." Members are asked to open a Zeus-infected attached file. Once opened, it launches a malicious virus which could provide access to personal information and may require a complete reinstall of the computer operating system. Other attacks have been directed at U.S. Military installations and defense facilities. For more information and to protect yourself, visit the (http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html) APWG Consumer Advice website, the (http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx) Internet Crime Complaint Center website, and the (http://wombatsecurity.com/antiphishingphil) Wombat Securities Technologies website.
For more tips on avoiding financial and computer scams, visit the (http://www.military.com/money) Military.com Money Center.
Recovery Care for Wounded Airmen
Air Force Recovery Care coordinators (RCC) find servicemembers who are wounded during war, injured in an accident or diagnosed with a serious illness and provide them with nonmedical support throughout their recovery, rehabilitation and re-integration stages. That help includes transportation, housing, finances, legal assistance and even child care. The RCC completes a comprehensive recovery plan with the servicemember to establish goals and identify nonmedical areas where help is needed. Currently, there are 33 RCCs in the program located throughout the continental U.S. as well as one in Hawaii and Landstuhl, Germany. For more information, visit the (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Air-Force-Recovery-Care-Coordination/169924259705395) AF Recovery Care Coordination on Facebook.
For more on military health benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
