Print & Post: Week of December 07, 2009
Expanded Benefits in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently signed legislation that increases the state's cash bonuses for military personnel who serve multiple Afghanistan or Iraq tours under the state's "Welcome Home Bonus" program. The new law also enhances access to state contracts for disabled veterans. For more information on Massachusetts' bonus program, visit the state's (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteransterminal&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Returning+Veterans&sid=Eveterans&b=terminalcontent&f=bonuses_gwot&csid=Eveterans) Welcome Home Bonus Program webpage.
To find complete information on current cash enlistment incentives (signing bonuses) and reenlistment bonuses offered by each of the Armed Forces, visit the (http://www.military.com/recruiting/bonus-center/) Military.com Bonus Center.
Committee Addresses Unemployment
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, recently held a hearing on improving veterans' employment support and opportunities. Witnesses at the hearing included Ray Jefferson, the Department of Labor's assistant secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, and veterans who spoke from first-hand experience. Akaka's and witnesses' opening statements are available on (http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=c7fc9ca8-bbb0-4826-a155-dcd25ca87e40) veterans.senate.gov.
(http://vote.military.com/military/dbq/officials/) How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel!
Military Health System Conference
The 2010 Military Health System (MHS) Conference will be held Jan. 25-28, 2010 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The conference will focus on sharing knowledge and achieving breakthrough performance in health-care delivery, research, education and training. Each day will feature its own educational theme. For more information, visit the (http://www.health.mil/Pages/Page.aspx?ID=72) 2010 MHS Conference webpage. Registration for the 2010 MHS conference is restricted to those who have been assigned a quota allocation code. If you do not have a code, contact your leadership.
Deal of the Week: Awesome Dell Deals
Save up to 10%, 20%, 30% or more off select configurations of Dell systems! (http://www.dell.com/epp/military14) Customize a Dell system for you, family or friends now!
Holiday Slideshow
Military.com and Walmart proudly salute the brave men and women of our armed forces for their tireless dedication and service while being separated from their loved ones at home. (http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/slideshow/?ESRC=vr.nl) Watch this slideshow to see servicemembers and families celebrating the holiday from home and abroad.
Holiday Traditions for Your Military Family
The military is incredibly rich in customs and courtesies. So, it was no surprise when we started asking military spouses for their holiday tradition ideas that the thoughts were bountiful. The holidays offer many times to get together with family and friends. From holiday parties to attending holiday programs at local churches or organizations, there is always something to do. (http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/holiday-traditions-military-family.html?ERSC=vr.nl) Here are some great ideas from fellow military spouses that they do with their families.
Voc-Rehab Tip No. 3
In part three of his series, Seven Essentials to a Voc-Rehab Win, Ben Krause lays out a plan to help disabled veterans meet the VR&E counselors requirement to present three career choices. Ben explains how veterans can systematically narrow career options and focus on the three professions or careers that best suit their indivual needs and aspirations. (http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,205644,00.html) Read the full column on Military.com.
Free Life Coaching For Wounded Warriors
The Purple Heart Project provides free "life coaching" to wounded warriors -- those servicemembers who have been injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Life coaching' helps individuals determine and achieve their personal goals, which is valuable in helping individuals in their transitioning process. Life coaching provides a dynamic opportunity for Wounded Warriors by helping them establish a strategic plan of action, and lay out definitive goals that are achievable, and help them in their successful transition to civilian life. The Purple Heart Project is now accepting applications from 'Wounded Warriors' who are interested beginning in 2010. All coaching will occur over the telephone as well as some communication via email, so this program is available to all eligible individuals nationwide. For more about the project, visit their website at (http://www.thepurpleheartproject.org/) www.thepurpleheartproject.org.
New Lottery Ticket in Texas
The Veterans Cash scratch-off lottery ticket debuted recently in the state of Texas. Proceeds from sales of the new lottery ticket will support programs and groups providing aid to veterans. About 23 percent of the proceeds from the $2 ticket will be donated to the state's Permanent Fund for Veterans' Assistance. The Legislative Budget Board estimates that the lottery ticket will raise about $8 million per fiscal year for the fund. For more information on the Permanent Fund for Veterans' Assistance, visit the (http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/FundVeteransAssistance.html) Texas Veterans' Commission website or telephone the Texas Veterans Commission at 512-463-6564.
Free Fishing in Alaska in 2010
Charter boat captains from Homer, Whittier, and Valdez, Alaska are joining forces in the Alaskan Halibut Veterans Fishing Tournament next year to offer free halibut trips for veterans. At last count, 40 charter boats pledged support, and others are expected to join before the May 21, 2010 event. The event is expected to give more than 500 veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and during Desert Storm a free day on the water. For more information about the 1st Annual Alaskan Veterans Halibut Fishing Tournament and to register, visit the (http://www.voief.org/events.php) Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom website.
POST 9/11 Payment Calculator
Those who served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001 are eligible to receive the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. The new package offers a number of new valuable benefits, but figuring out exactly what you qualify for is confusing. There are many differences in payment rates depending on where you go to school and where you live. We've created a GI Bill Calculator to help you find out how much your Post 9/11 payment rate will be and how it compares to the Montgomery GI Bill. Visit (http://www.military.com/gi-bill-calculator/?ESRC=vr.nl) http:www.military.com/gi-bill-calculator today to find out what you qualify for.
Glitch Blocks Some GI Bill Payments
More than four months after launching the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, many veterans are still not getting their benefit. In addition, a technical glitch that might be called a "black hole" for some GI Bill claims hit students whose Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit status changed because they added or drop a course. This glitch also impacted students who had changed campuses or schools, and therefore created "overlapping terms" which the old GI Bill software couldn't handle.
(http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,206902,00.html) Read the full Tom Philpott article to learn more.
VA Consolidates Facilities
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announced the signing of a lease that will permit the dramatic expansion of services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Cleveland's veterans. The agreement, which creates nearly 24,000 new construction and permanent jobs, calls for VA to lease its Brecksville,Ohio-based campus. The facility will be used for medical research, offices and higher education. In exchange for the lease, VA will receive the use of office space, parking spaces and 122 housing units for homeless. Savings from the transaction will be used to fund a new blind rehabilitation center, a comprehensive rehabilitation center, a spinal cord injury nursing home, expanded poly-trauma services and an outpatient clinic in Parma, Ohio.
To learn more about your state's benefits, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory) State Veteran's Benefits Directory.
'Let's Say Thanks'
The "Let's Say Thanks" website lets you send a free personalized postcard to deployed Servicemembers. What's more, the site has a variety of free cards to choose from. The Xerox Corp. will print the cards at no cost to the participant. The cards will then be sent to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. To participate in this endeavor and thank our Soldiers, visit the (http://www.letssaythanks.com/) Let's Say Thanks website.
Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops) Support our Troops webpage.
Benefit Alert for Veterans
Both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are worth over $49,000. This money is not a loan and will help you cover the costs of getting a degree. Full-time students receive up to $1,321 a month no matter how much tuition costs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill may even give you a monthly housing stipend of $1,200. Now is the time to use your benefits. Take the first step and (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) find Military Friendly Schools.
Featured Job: Government and Law Enforcement
Use your military experience to land a federal job. (http://www.military.com/government?ESRC=vr.nl) Search thousands of Federal, State and local jobs in Law Enforcement and Homeland Security on Military.com.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently signed legislation that increases the state's cash bonuses for military personnel who serve multiple Afghanistan or Iraq tours under the state's "Welcome Home Bonus" program. The new law also enhances access to state contracts for disabled veterans. For more information on Massachusetts' bonus program, visit the state's (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteransterminal&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Returning+Veterans&sid=Eveterans&b=terminalcontent&f=bonuses_gwot&csid=Eveterans) Welcome Home Bonus Program webpage.
To find complete information on current cash enlistment incentives (signing bonuses) and reenlistment bonuses offered by each of the Armed Forces, visit the (http://www.military.com/recruiting/bonus-center/) Military.com Bonus Center.
Committee Addresses Unemployment
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, recently held a hearing on improving veterans' employment support and opportunities. Witnesses at the hearing included Ray Jefferson, the Department of Labor's assistant secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, and veterans who spoke from first-hand experience. Akaka's and witnesses' opening statements are available on (http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=c7fc9ca8-bbb0-4826-a155-dcd25ca87e40) veterans.senate.gov.
(http://vote.military.com/military/dbq/officials/) How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel!
Military Health System Conference
The 2010 Military Health System (MHS) Conference will be held Jan. 25-28, 2010 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The conference will focus on sharing knowledge and achieving breakthrough performance in health-care delivery, research, education and training. Each day will feature its own educational theme. For more information, visit the (http://www.health.mil/Pages/Page.aspx?ID=72) 2010 MHS Conference webpage. Registration for the 2010 MHS conference is restricted to those who have been assigned a quota allocation code. If you do not have a code, contact your leadership.
Deal of the Week: Awesome Dell Deals
Save up to 10%, 20%, 30% or more off select configurations of Dell systems! (http://www.dell.com/epp/military14) Customize a Dell system for you, family or friends now!
Holiday Slideshow
Military.com and Walmart proudly salute the brave men and women of our armed forces for their tireless dedication and service while being separated from their loved ones at home. (http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/slideshow/?ESRC=vr.nl) Watch this slideshow to see servicemembers and families celebrating the holiday from home and abroad.
Holiday Traditions for Your Military Family
The military is incredibly rich in customs and courtesies. So, it was no surprise when we started asking military spouses for their holiday tradition ideas that the thoughts were bountiful. The holidays offer many times to get together with family and friends. From holiday parties to attending holiday programs at local churches or organizations, there is always something to do. (http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/holiday-traditions-military-family.html?ERSC=vr.nl) Here are some great ideas from fellow military spouses that they do with their families.
Voc-Rehab Tip No. 3
In part three of his series, Seven Essentials to a Voc-Rehab Win, Ben Krause lays out a plan to help disabled veterans meet the VR&E counselors requirement to present three career choices. Ben explains how veterans can systematically narrow career options and focus on the three professions or careers that best suit their indivual needs and aspirations. (http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,205644,00.html) Read the full column on Military.com.
Free Life Coaching For Wounded Warriors
The Purple Heart Project provides free "life coaching" to wounded warriors -- those servicemembers who have been injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Life coaching' helps individuals determine and achieve their personal goals, which is valuable in helping individuals in their transitioning process. Life coaching provides a dynamic opportunity for Wounded Warriors by helping them establish a strategic plan of action, and lay out definitive goals that are achievable, and help them in their successful transition to civilian life. The Purple Heart Project is now accepting applications from 'Wounded Warriors' who are interested beginning in 2010. All coaching will occur over the telephone as well as some communication via email, so this program is available to all eligible individuals nationwide. For more about the project, visit their website at (http://www.thepurpleheartproject.org/) www.thepurpleheartproject.org.
New Lottery Ticket in Texas
The Veterans Cash scratch-off lottery ticket debuted recently in the state of Texas. Proceeds from sales of the new lottery ticket will support programs and groups providing aid to veterans. About 23 percent of the proceeds from the $2 ticket will be donated to the state's Permanent Fund for Veterans' Assistance. The Legislative Budget Board estimates that the lottery ticket will raise about $8 million per fiscal year for the fund. For more information on the Permanent Fund for Veterans' Assistance, visit the (http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/FundVeteransAssistance.html) Texas Veterans' Commission website or telephone the Texas Veterans Commission at 512-463-6564.
Free Fishing in Alaska in 2010
Charter boat captains from Homer, Whittier, and Valdez, Alaska are joining forces in the Alaskan Halibut Veterans Fishing Tournament next year to offer free halibut trips for veterans. At last count, 40 charter boats pledged support, and others are expected to join before the May 21, 2010 event. The event is expected to give more than 500 veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and during Desert Storm a free day on the water. For more information about the 1st Annual Alaskan Veterans Halibut Fishing Tournament and to register, visit the (http://www.voief.org/events.php) Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom website.
POST 9/11 Payment Calculator
Those who served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001 are eligible to receive the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. The new package offers a number of new valuable benefits, but figuring out exactly what you qualify for is confusing. There are many differences in payment rates depending on where you go to school and where you live. We've created a GI Bill Calculator to help you find out how much your Post 9/11 payment rate will be and how it compares to the Montgomery GI Bill. Visit (http://www.military.com/gi-bill-calculator/?ESRC=vr.nl) http:www.military.com/gi-bill-calculator today to find out what you qualify for.
Glitch Blocks Some GI Bill Payments
More than four months after launching the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, many veterans are still not getting their benefit. In addition, a technical glitch that might be called a "black hole" for some GI Bill claims hit students whose Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit status changed because they added or drop a course. This glitch also impacted students who had changed campuses or schools, and therefore created "overlapping terms" which the old GI Bill software couldn't handle.
(http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,206902,00.html) Read the full Tom Philpott article to learn more.
VA Consolidates Facilities
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) announced the signing of a lease that will permit the dramatic expansion of services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Cleveland's veterans. The agreement, which creates nearly 24,000 new construction and permanent jobs, calls for VA to lease its Brecksville,Ohio-based campus. The facility will be used for medical research, offices and higher education. In exchange for the lease, VA will receive the use of office space, parking spaces and 122 housing units for homeless. Savings from the transaction will be used to fund a new blind rehabilitation center, a comprehensive rehabilitation center, a spinal cord injury nursing home, expanded poly-trauma services and an outpatient clinic in Parma, Ohio.
To learn more about your state's benefits, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory) State Veteran's Benefits Directory.
'Let's Say Thanks'
The "Let's Say Thanks" website lets you send a free personalized postcard to deployed Servicemembers. What's more, the site has a variety of free cards to choose from. The Xerox Corp. will print the cards at no cost to the participant. The cards will then be sent to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. To participate in this endeavor and thank our Soldiers, visit the (http://www.letssaythanks.com/) Let's Say Thanks website.
Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops) Support our Troops webpage.
Benefit Alert for Veterans
Both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are worth over $49,000. This money is not a loan and will help you cover the costs of getting a degree. Full-time students receive up to $1,321 a month no matter how much tuition costs. The Post-9/11 GI Bill may even give you a monthly housing stipend of $1,200. Now is the time to use your benefits. Take the first step and (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) find Military Friendly Schools.
Featured Job: Government and Law Enforcement
Use your military experience to land a federal job. (http://www.military.com/government?ESRC=vr.nl) Search thousands of Federal, State and local jobs in Law Enforcement and Homeland Security on Military.com.
