Print & Post: Week of February 01, 2010
VA Oversight Hearing
The House Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee recently conducted a hearing to evaluate the social work case management which is essential to coordinating complex components of care for polytrauma patients and their families. The hearing focused on how the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) cooperate to support wounded veterans during the transition process and the specific specialized services offered to injured veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. More information on the hearing is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=529) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.
VA to Recover GI Bill Advance Payments
The VA is beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and servicemembers who applied for education benefits. VA officials began sending out notification letters last week explaining the repayment process. VA also will notify active-duty servicemembers who may have mistakenly applied for the advance payment of their options for returning uncashed checks or reimbursing deposited funds. For more information, visit the (https://www.gibill.va.gov/) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill website.
(http://military-education.military.com/) Get the latest inside information and news on the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Stryker Network Fail in Afghanistan?
Read the latest " (http://kitup.military.com/2010/01/stryker-network-fail-in-afghanistan.html#comments?ESRC=vr.nl) Kit Up!" blog entry -- discussing the controversies over important military equipment and tactical gear: "One of the things we want to get into with this site is the issue of what works and what doesn't in terms of combat vehicles in Afghanistan. Roadside bombs and military grade land mines continue to cause the largest number of U.S. casualties there. If there are new tactics or pieces of equipment that can aid in the counter-IED fight we want to know about it." (http://kitup.military.com/2010/01/stryker-network-fail-in-afghanistan.html#comments?ESRC=vr.nl) Read More.
Improvement for Vet Claims Coming
Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth- Sandlin (D-SD) convened the first hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Economic Opportunity Subcommittee in 2010 to assess the progress of implementing the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The hearing provided an opportunity for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to present clear details about the VA's schedule for designing, developing, and implementing the educational benefits promised to veterans as required by Public Law 110-252. More information on the hearing is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=528) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website. Prepared testimony for the hearing and an (http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=520) audio recording of the hearing is also available.
VA Opens New Cemetery
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the opening of the new Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Pa. The new 205-acre national cemetery in the Philadelphia area will serve Veterans' needs for at least the next 50 years. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from (http://www.cem.va.gov/) VA's Burial and Memorial benefits webpage or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at (800) 827-1000. For information on Washington Crossing National Cemetery, call the cemetery office at (215) 504-5610. To make burial arrangements at the time of need, call the national cemetery scheduling office at (800) 535-1117.
Canine Companions for Independence
Crane Co and Canine Companions for Independence have teamed up to help qualified veterans find new hope through their service dog program. Through their Wounded Veterans Initiative, Canine Companions for Independence provides assistance dogs to veterans with physical disabilities resulting from military service. The dogs and vets are matched together, based on a number of factors and then they attend a two-week intensive training program where they learn how to work together. Crane Co. provides the funds for training. For more information on the Wounded Veterans Initiative, visit the (http://cci.org/veterans) Canine Companions for Independence website.
Pets for Vets
A program in California is helping veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post traumatic stress disorder by pairing them with homeless animals. Pets for Vets rescues animals from the Los Angeles animal shelter and trains them as service dogs or companion animals for veterans. Every veteran who wants a dog and can care for it is eligible. "Pets for Vets" is expanding to other cities. For more information, visit the (http://www.pets-for-vets.com/) Pets for Vets website.
Outdoor Guide: The Wild Ride of AR Sales
It's no secret that political controversy has been one of the key catalysts driving AR sales through the roof for the past two years. Since the expiration of the Assault Weapons Bill during the Bush Administration, sales of ARs, AR accessories, and the ammo to feed them have hit an all-time high. (http://www.military.com/entertainment/outdoor-guide/ar-hunting/wild-ride-ar-sales.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Here's a little history on the AR Rifle.
Deal of the Week: Top Veteran Discounts
Military.com has hundreds and discounts exclusively for veterans and their families. Don't pay full price for anything -- cars, clothing, computers, electronics, vacations, groceries, beauty, home, jewelry, and more. (http://benefits.military.com/DC/DealIndex.jsp?ESRC=vr.nl) Browse coupons and discounts now.
House and Veteran Groups Discuss Priorities
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs recently met with 40 veterans service organizations to discuss priorities for the second session of the 111th Congress. Committee Chairman Bob Filner detailed the priorities of the Committee which include ensuring adequate VA budgets for the next two years. Following the passage of advance funding legislation, Congress will approve a budget for Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012. Filner also discussed the need to reconcile health care and benefits legislation with the Senate. Participants discussed the priorities of each of the 40 different veteran advocacy organizations.
Featured Job: Military Friendly Employers
Visit Military.com's veteran job board to search thousands of jobs in aerospace, defense, health care, nursing, government, law enforcement, teaching and more. Find the perfect career path for you and (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/0,13373,,00.htm?ESRC=vr.nl) connect with military friendly employers today.
PTSD Vets Win Retirement Deal
More than 4300 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who were diagnosed in service as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, have won an agreement with the Department of Defense to upgrade those ratings retroactively to 50 percent. The higher rating will represent an important win for this group of veterans mentally scarred by war. It will mean, from date of discharge, eligibility for disability retirement and access to (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) TRICARE, the military's triple health insurance option, for the veterans, spouses and dependent children. (http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,209720,00.html) Read the full article.
Many Schools Offer College Credit for Military Experience
Many schools will let you apply your previous military training and experience towards a college degree, enabling you to save time and money by taking fewer classes and graduating faster. In addition, your GI Bill may cover up to $49,000 or more of the tuition and school related costs.
5 Tips to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing
Doing your taxes is never much fun. It's about as exciting as shoveling your driveway or mowing the lawn. Unfortunately, we all have to do it. And Uncle Sam doesn't make it easy. The U.S. tax code is literally thousands of pages long. Thankfully, you don't need to read them all to stay on top of your taxes. (http://www.military.com/finance/taxes/tt/make-your-taxes-less-taxing.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Here are five things that can make doing your taxes less taxing.
The House Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee recently conducted a hearing to evaluate the social work case management which is essential to coordinating complex components of care for polytrauma patients and their families. The hearing focused on how the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) cooperate to support wounded veterans during the transition process and the specific specialized services offered to injured veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. More information on the hearing is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=529) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website.
VA to Recover GI Bill Advance Payments
The VA is beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and servicemembers who applied for education benefits. VA officials began sending out notification letters last week explaining the repayment process. VA also will notify active-duty servicemembers who may have mistakenly applied for the advance payment of their options for returning uncashed checks or reimbursing deposited funds. For more information, visit the (https://www.gibill.va.gov/) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill website.
(http://military-education.military.com/) Get the latest inside information and news on the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Stryker Network Fail in Afghanistan?
Read the latest " (http://kitup.military.com/2010/01/stryker-network-fail-in-afghanistan.html#comments?ESRC=vr.nl) Kit Up!" blog entry -- discussing the controversies over important military equipment and tactical gear: "One of the things we want to get into with this site is the issue of what works and what doesn't in terms of combat vehicles in Afghanistan. Roadside bombs and military grade land mines continue to cause the largest number of U.S. casualties there. If there are new tactics or pieces of equipment that can aid in the counter-IED fight we want to know about it." (http://kitup.military.com/2010/01/stryker-network-fail-in-afghanistan.html#comments?ESRC=vr.nl) Read More.
Improvement for Vet Claims Coming
Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth- Sandlin (D-SD) convened the first hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Economic Opportunity Subcommittee in 2010 to assess the progress of implementing the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The hearing provided an opportunity for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to present clear details about the VA's schedule for designing, developing, and implementing the educational benefits promised to veterans as required by Public Law 110-252. More information on the hearing is available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=528) House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website. Prepared testimony for the hearing and an (http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=520) audio recording of the hearing is also available.
VA Opens New Cemetery
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the opening of the new Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, Pa. The new 205-acre national cemetery in the Philadelphia area will serve Veterans' needs for at least the next 50 years. Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from (http://www.cem.va.gov/) VA's Burial and Memorial benefits webpage or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at (800) 827-1000. For information on Washington Crossing National Cemetery, call the cemetery office at (215) 504-5610. To make burial arrangements at the time of need, call the national cemetery scheduling office at (800) 535-1117.
Canine Companions for Independence
Crane Co and Canine Companions for Independence have teamed up to help qualified veterans find new hope through their service dog program. Through their Wounded Veterans Initiative, Canine Companions for Independence provides assistance dogs to veterans with physical disabilities resulting from military service. The dogs and vets are matched together, based on a number of factors and then they attend a two-week intensive training program where they learn how to work together. Crane Co. provides the funds for training. For more information on the Wounded Veterans Initiative, visit the (http://cci.org/veterans) Canine Companions for Independence website.
Pets for Vets
A program in California is helping veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post traumatic stress disorder by pairing them with homeless animals. Pets for Vets rescues animals from the Los Angeles animal shelter and trains them as service dogs or companion animals for veterans. Every veteran who wants a dog and can care for it is eligible. "Pets for Vets" is expanding to other cities. For more information, visit the (http://www.pets-for-vets.com/) Pets for Vets website.
Outdoor Guide: The Wild Ride of AR Sales
It's no secret that political controversy has been one of the key catalysts driving AR sales through the roof for the past two years. Since the expiration of the Assault Weapons Bill during the Bush Administration, sales of ARs, AR accessories, and the ammo to feed them have hit an all-time high. (http://www.military.com/entertainment/outdoor-guide/ar-hunting/wild-ride-ar-sales.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Here's a little history on the AR Rifle.
Deal of the Week: Top Veteran Discounts
Military.com has hundreds and discounts exclusively for veterans and their families. Don't pay full price for anything -- cars, clothing, computers, electronics, vacations, groceries, beauty, home, jewelry, and more. (http://benefits.military.com/DC/DealIndex.jsp?ESRC=vr.nl) Browse coupons and discounts now.
House and Veteran Groups Discuss Priorities
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs recently met with 40 veterans service organizations to discuss priorities for the second session of the 111th Congress. Committee Chairman Bob Filner detailed the priorities of the Committee which include ensuring adequate VA budgets for the next two years. Following the passage of advance funding legislation, Congress will approve a budget for Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012. Filner also discussed the need to reconcile health care and benefits legislation with the Senate. Participants discussed the priorities of each of the 40 different veteran advocacy organizations.
Featured Job: Military Friendly Employers
Visit Military.com's veteran job board to search thousands of jobs in aerospace, defense, health care, nursing, government, law enforcement, teaching and more. Find the perfect career path for you and (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/0,13373,,00.htm?ESRC=vr.nl) connect with military friendly employers today.
PTSD Vets Win Retirement Deal
More than 4300 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who were diagnosed in service as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, have won an agreement with the Department of Defense to upgrade those ratings retroactively to 50 percent. The higher rating will represent an important win for this group of veterans mentally scarred by war. It will mean, from date of discharge, eligibility for disability retirement and access to (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare) TRICARE, the military's triple health insurance option, for the veterans, spouses and dependent children. (http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,209720,00.html) Read the full article.
Many Schools Offer College Credit for Military Experience
Many schools will let you apply your previous military training and experience towards a college degree, enabling you to save time and money by taking fewer classes and graduating faster. In addition, your GI Bill may cover up to $49,000 or more of the tuition and school related costs.
Take the first step and connect with hundreds of schools that offer college credit for service. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Request free information from schools today.
5 Tips to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing
Doing your taxes is never much fun. It's about as exciting as shoveling your driveway or mowing the lawn. Unfortunately, we all have to do it. And Uncle Sam doesn't make it easy. The U.S. tax code is literally thousands of pages long. Thankfully, you don't need to read them all to stay on top of your taxes. (http://www.military.com/finance/taxes/tt/make-your-taxes-less-taxing.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Here are five things that can make doing your taxes less taxing.
