Print & Post: Week of July 19, 2010


Grants for Student-Vet Centers
AMVETS reports that the Department of Education is accepting applications for grants to commission student-veteran "centers of excellence" on college campuses nationwide. The pilot program offers 19 individual awards totaling nearly $6 million for 36 months to institutions of higher learning around the country to establish student-veterans' centers of excellence. A link to the official solicitation can be found in the (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15919.pdf) Federal Register. Interested institutions must submit grant applications no later than July 30, 2010, with federal review to be completed by Sept. 28, 2010.

Military.com Career Expo Coming to Colorado
Meet your next employer face to face at the Career Expo in Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 27, 2010. Do not miss this opportunity to meet with top companies such as Northrop Grumman, Mac Tools, Lockheed Martin, ManTech and more. (http://www.military.com/career-expo/fort-carson-career-fair-2/?ESRC=vr.nl) Register for free now.

Can't make it to Colorado Springs? The Military.com Career Expos are happening all year long and at multiple locations around the country. (http://www.military.com/career-expo/?ESRC=vr.nl) Find out when we'll be near you.

AF Seeking to Hire 1,600 Reserves
With 400 new funded billets, the Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee Program is looking to hire 1,600 people by September. The IMA program offers the opportunity to serve in Reserve status for those who are not located near a traditional Guard or Reserve unit. Air Force Reserve members can refer potential IMAs using the Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service's bold rewards program, "Get 1 Now." Submit referrals any time at (http://get1now.us) http://get1now.us and become eligible for award prizes. Awards are totaled between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30. For more information or a Web password call 1 (877) 786-2372. For more information on becoming an IMA, visit the (http://www.afreserve.com) Air Force Reserve website.

American Legion Archive Available
The American Legion now offers an (http://www.legion.org) archive of past recipients of The American Legion's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal. Since 1921, the Legion has bestowed medals on men, women and groups from all walks of life who the Legion considers to have offered "outstanding service to the nation and to the ideals of The American Legion." The winners are arranged by year. This archive is a work in progress, and will continue to be updated for future winners.

Military.com Live at Farnborough
Follow the most famous international air show in the world, Farnborough International July 19 - 25, live with Colin Clark from DoD Buzz on (http://www.twitter.com/dodbuzz) Twitter or (http://www.facebook.com/dodbuzz) Facebook.  See videos and inside tips of the newest and most innovative aerospace equipment.

New Korean War Exhibit
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force recently opened its renovated Korean War exhibit in the museum's Modern Flight Gallery. The 42,000-square-foot exhibit commemorates the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and features 14 of the most important aircraft of the conflict. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit the (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil) National Museum of the U.S. Air Force website.

Deal of the Week: Save Big on Ink & Toner With 4inkjets!
All military.com members use coupon "MILITARYTEN" to get 10% off all products (except OEM Ink Cartridges) and get Free Shipping on all U.S. contiguous orders over $50! (http://www.4inkjets.com/catalog.php?path=landing&id=637&XID=military10&COUPON=MILITARYTEN) View Offer.

Illinois Expands Vet Health Coverage
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has signed a bill into law to expand mental health service coverage for Veterans in Illinois. The new law exempts Illinois' Veterans from being charged for services that are not covered by their insurance plans and are received at state mental health facilities. For more information, visit the (http://veterans.illinois.gov) Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs website  or call within Illinois 1-800-437-9824 or out-of-state 217-782-6641. The new law takes effect immediately.

(http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/illinois-state-veterans-benefits?ESRC=vr.nl) See more Illinois Veteran Benefits.

Featured Job: Use the Largest Veteran Job Board in the World
Military.com teams with hundreds of military-friendly employers to bring you the largest veteran job board in the world -- it's a benefit only afforded to our community! Search by location, keyword and category for jobs with companies like Raytheon, Accenture, Verizon and more. (http://www.military.com/Careers/Home/0,13373,,00.htm?ESRC=vr.nl) Get Details.

What Comes After SGLI?
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage ends 120 days after you leave active duty service. Do you have plans for how you are going to meet your life insurance needs once your SGLI expires? AAFMAA offers low-cost term life insurance with no war, no aviation and no terrorists clauses. Get $800,000 of coverage for just $35 a month (to age 50). (http://www.military.com/Finance/aafmaa?ESRC=vr.nl) Contact AAFMAA to learn more.

PCS House Hunting Tips
Trying to shop for a house across the country, or even in another country, is a major undertaking. It can become more complicated if the servicemember is deployed, works full time, or has child care issues. If you've received your PCS orders and need help looking for a new home, the following tips will help make your house hunt more successful. (http://www.military.com/money/content/pcs-dity-move/house-hunting-tips.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Read More.

Veterans Program in Minnesota
The Minnesota Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program is offering loans of up to $20,000 apiece to recently retired military servicemembers who want to start businesses, including those who are finishing tours in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The program will also continue to provide no-interest loans of up to $20,000 to businesses that suffered financial hardships because of the temporary loss of essential employees to military service. Under the program, loans must be paid back in 54 months, with no repayment in the first 18 months. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/positivelyminnesota) Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development website.

(http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/minnesota-state-veterans-benefits?ESRC=vr.nl) Read about other Minnesota Veteran benefits.

Museum Spotlight: Fort Eustis Museum
The U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Va. is spotlighting the achievements of The U.S. Army Transportation Agency (White House) with an exhibit showcasing the unit's 100 years of faithful support to the President of the United States. The U.S. Army Transportation Museum is devoted entirely to the history of U.S. Army transportation from colonial days to the present. The Museum artifact collection numbers just under 7,000 objects and includes planes, helicopters, tugboats and landing craft to trucks, jeeps, hovercraft and trains.  For more information, visit the (http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/museum/museum.html) U.S. Army Transportation Museum website.

Think of the GI Bill as a Bonus for Life
You might think that it's too late to take advantage of the economic forecasts, but it's not. The GI Bill not only pays for traditional higher education but also many short-term licensure and certification programs. Think about it, by the time the forecasts are reality, you could be a licensed Realtor(TM), or a emergency medical technician or driving long hauls across the country. The possibilities are endless and a short-term investment of time could bring big rewards. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/certification-programs/?ESRC=vr.nl) Get More Details.

Use Spouse-Ed Resources for a Finance Job
"These tough economic times make it clear that education and training are critical to finding employment," said John Gannon, president of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. "Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows, education and employment are tightly linked. The more educated you are, the less likely you are to be unemployed. A tough job market makes education and training that much more important."

With numerous partnerships and initiatives formed to provide financial assistance to mobile military spouses seeking education and training, there's a good chance you can (http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,217209,00.html?ESRC=vr.nl) get smart right now.

Traditional and online institutions of higher education are looking at GI Bill benefit recipients to make their enrollment numbers. Because of this, you can be choosy when it comes to furthering your education. Military.com can help you find schools and programs that will accept the GI Bill along and award you credit for your military service and life learning -- options that reduce the financial costs of education and the amount of time required to get a degree. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Search now.

The Legion's October Golf Classic
The American Legion's Annual Heroes to Hometowns Golf Classic is set for Oct. 7 near Washington, D.C. The tournament will again raise money for the Legion's Legacy Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships to the children of servicemembers who have died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. Players are charged an $80 registration fee. Registration for the Third Annual American Legion Heroes to Hometowns Golf Classic will be available on the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org) Legion.org later this summer. In the meantime, players and donors can contact the Legion's Economic Division at (mailto:econ@legion.org) econ@legion.org or (202) 861-2700.

Vote for the Best Logo
Now that Shelby, N.C., is the official site for The American Legion Baseball World Series, the Shelby's World Series Committee has created a survey that features the design of four logos, but there can only be one winner. In order to make a final selection, they need feedback from Legion baseball fans. Cast a vote by (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SQY5Z79) clicking here. The deadline to vote is July 31.

Tuition Assistance Overview: $4,500 Benefit
Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. TA is in addition to your GI Bill Benefits. Start using them today by (http://edu.military.com/gibill?ESRC=vr.nl) searching for a military-friendly school.

Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to 100 percent for the tuition expenses of its members. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. (http://www.military.com/education/content/money-for-school/tuition-assistance/tuition-assistance-ta-program-overview.html?ESRC=vr.nl) View a service specific breakdown here.

Additionally active-duty members may elect to use the (http://www.military.com/education/content/gi-bill/tuition-top-up-program.html?ESRC=vr.nl) MGIB "top-up" in addition to their service provided TA to cover high cost courses. TA is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay. (http://www.military.com/education/content/money-for-school/tuition-assistance/tuition-assistance-ta-program-overview.html?ESRC=vr.nl) Get more information Tuition Assistance.

Next Step: Military.com connects you to hundreds of (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) schools who offer credit for military service. Don't take classes youdon't have to. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl) Search military-friendly schools.