Print & Post: Week of July 05, 2010
The House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee recently held a hearing to learn more about innovative wireless health technologies and to explore their potential application at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Wireless health is an emerging field where technologies enable physicians, patients and their caregivers to prevent and diagnose health ailments, as well as monitor and manage treatments. Innovative wireless technologies can help overcome barriers to health care in rural areas. Prepared testimony and a link to the webcast of the hearing are available on the (http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=592) House Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
VA Celebrates GI Bill
On the recent 66th anniversary of signing the Montgomery GI Bill into law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it has issued more than $3.6 billion in the bill's newest manifestation, the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefit payments under the bill, implemented last year, have gone to more than 285,000 people and their educational institutions. On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights or the Montgomery GI Bill. (http://www.military.com/education/content/gi-bill/gi-bill-turns-66.html) Learn more about the GI Bill history.
There are big differences between GI Bill programs, find out which program best fits your situation with Military.com's (http://www.military.com/gi-bill-calculator/) GI Bill Calculator.
Military.com Career Fair is Coming to Fort Drum, NY
Register today for the Fort Drum, NY. Military.com CareerExpo on July 15, 2010. This event will feature top employers seeking the valuable skills you learned in service to your country. You can also attend employment workshops focused on helping you leverage your military experience in the civilian job market. (http://www.military.com/career-expo/fort-drum-career-fair/) Register to attend this free event or look for other events coming near you soon.
New Legislation Addresses VA Claims
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) recently introduced legislation to make much-needed improvements to VA's disability claims processing. VA provides disability compensation to approximately 3.1 million veterans across the nation. The Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2010 (S.3517) would make various changes to the way VA processes disability compensation claims. To read Senator Akaka's statement in the Congressional Record introducing the bill, visit the (http://veterans.senate.gov/prepared-statements.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=5e1c858d-8698-47c8-bbfe-62556c32881f) U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs website.
New DOL Veterans Grants
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced 97 grants, totaling more than $24 million, to provide approximately 14,000 veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. Funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. The Labor Department is distributing these funds nationwide through grantees. A list of grantees and general information on the Department of Labor's unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found on the (http://www.dol.gov/vets) DOL website.
To access the largest veteran job board in the world, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/0,13373,,00.htm) Career Center and find military friendly employers.
Enter the Military.com 10 Year Anniversary Sweepstakes
We are celebrating our tenth year by celebrating you, the military community. Throughout 2010 we will award 10 lucky members with Military.com Gear Packs stuffed with t-shirts, water bottles, stickers and more. (http://www.military.com/veterans-report/enter-military.com-10-year-anniversary-sweepstakes?esrc=vr.nl) Enter now.
New VA Medical Center for New Orleans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). When opened in 2013, the facility will have 120 inpatient beds in addition to 60 transitional care beds that provide rehabilitation, hospice and palliative care and mental illness research. The hospital will accommodate a half-million outpatient visits annually. For more information, visit (http://www.neworleans.va.gov) VA's Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System website.
Want Big Military Discounts?
The new and improved Military.com Discount Center features even more discounts and makes it easier to find the biggest and best discounts out there. Save on cars, clothing, computers, electronics, vacations, groceries, jewelry, and more. (http://www.military.com/discounts/) Get your discount now.
First Stop for Education - ACE
The American Council on Education (ACE) continuously evaluates military schools, correspondence courses and occupations to determine the amount of college level credit they're worth. Each college that you apply to determines the number of credits they will accept, and how they will be applied toward your degree. In fact, some schools may choose not to grant any credit for military experience. That is why it is critical to shop around for the (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) most "military friendly" school available.
The first step to claiming the credits you have earned is to request a transcript from your military service. Each service will provide unofficial personal copies and send schools an official copy of your transcript at no charge. Each service branch has their own system for recording your military education and experience credits. Visit Military.com's ACE section at (http://www.military.com/ACE href=) http://www.military.com/ACE to get more information.
(http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Search for schools that offer credit for military service.
No PMI with VA Loans
No private mortgage insurance is just one of the many benefits of the VA Home Loan Program. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sets guidelines so that VA-approved lenders can offer attractive loan features to qualified VA borrowers. (http://www.military.com/finance/homebuying/no-pmi-with-va-loans.html) Click here to learn more.
GI Bill Rules for Overseas Studies
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently released a fact sheet to clarify rules regarding Post-9/11 GI Bill payments for study abroad programs. According to the guidance, GI Bill funds can be used to pay for study abroad only if it is a mandatory part of a student's academic program. The fact sheet is available on the (http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/post_911_study_abroad_fact_sheet.pdf) VA website.
Get more than $49,000 a year for school. Request info about GI Bill approved programs from (http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A//edu.military.com/gibill/&code=News_Education_MGIB_Form) military and veteran-friendly schools and start earning your degree today.
Deal of the Week: Top Military Discounts
Military.com has hundreds of discounts exclusively for veterans and their families. Don't pay full price for anything -- cars, clothing, computers, electronics, vacations, groceries, beauty products, jewelry, and more. (http://benefits.military.com/DC/DealIndex.jsp) Start saving today.
Find Your Next Job at the Camp Pendleton Career Expo
Military.com Career Expo is coming to Camp Pendleton, on July 13, 2010. This event will feature top employers seeking the valuable skills you learned in service to your country. You can also attend employment workshops focused on helping you leverage your military experience in the civilian job market. (http://www.military.com/career-expo/san-diego-career-fair-2/) Register to attend this free event or look for other events coming near you soon.
Servicemembers Save With ASMBA
The Armed Services Mutual Benefit Association, established in 1963, provides comprehensive, affordable life insurance coverage to military personnel and their families. For example, you can get an extra $100,000 worth of coverage for only $19 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/asmba?ersc=vr.nl) Learn how much ASMBA can save you.
Featured Job: Time to Make a Career Change?
The Military.com community offers the largest veteran job board in the world. Opportunities posted here are from military friendly employers like Raytheon, Waste Management, Verizon and others, employers who understand your military background and how valuable you can be to their organization. (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home) Find that new job you've been looking for now.
