Print & Post: Week of January 23, 2012
Let Military.com's partner, Military Member Services, book your Disneyland Resort Package -- you can save up to $500. (http://www.military.com/discounts/deal-details/919193?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Get this deal.
Applying ACE Credits
ACE was created in 1942 to recognize the educational value of military training and experience. Through ACE, you can take academic credit for most of the training you have received, including Basic Training. The ACE military evaluations program is funded by the DoD and coordinated through DANTES. In most cases, ACE recommended credits will be used to fulfill your free-elective requirements, but each college determines the number of credits they will accept, and how they will be applied toward your degree. In fact, some schools may even choose not to grant any credit for military experience. That is why it is critical to shop around to find the school that best fits your needs. (http://www.military.com/education/content/timesaving-programs/college-credit-for-military-experience.html?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Get more information on ACE.
(http://www.military.com/education/content/timesaving-programs/college-credit-for-military-experience.html?ESRC=mrvr.nl)
Next Step: (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?lpid=credit-for-service&ESRC=mrvr.nl) Find schools that may offer college credit for military experience.
Play Military Trivia, Win an iPod
Test your knowledge with our the Military.com Trivia Challenge. Think you know military history and trivia? Here's how you win: For each question you answer correctly you'll receive one point, and for each point you'll earn an electronic raffle ticket. At the end of the month we'll have a random drawing of all the tickets and pull out one to determine the winner. Play as little or as much as you'd like during the month, but the more questions you answer correctly, the greater your chances of winning. (http://www.military.com/Trivia/Home?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Play Now.
HealtheVet Undergoes Testing
Results of the first usability test of VA's MyHealtheVet program indicate a need for improvements in usability. First-time users were monitored on their use of the commonly used four functions of the program: registration, prescription refill, the health tracker and health information search. Only 25% of participants successfully completed registration. Most participants had privacy concerns, expressed interest in printing their information to share with their doctors and questioned the value of the program when compared with existing (http://endocrinetoday.com/view.aspx?rid=82856) online health information, according to the study. For more details, visit the (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html) Department of Veterans Affairs MyHealtheVet webpage.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
$250k Protection for $12.50 a Month
Give yourself peace of mind by protecting your loved ones with life insurance. Get $250k in coverage for $12.50 a month through Navy Mutual -- no fine print, no hidden clauses. We're 100% non-profit and have been working with servicemembers, veterans and their families since 1879. (http://www.military.com/nmaa/nmaaform?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Contact Navy Mutual Now.
Child Support Doesn't End with Service
In the latest post on military finance expert June Wahlbert's (http://askjune.military.com/2012/01/child-support-doesnt-end-with-service.html) Ask June blog, a reader asks: "If my ex-husband is getting out of the Army, will my child support end the month he is getting out?" To read June's answers, as well as her answers to other important questions affecting military familities, visit the (http://askjune.military.com/2012/01/child-support-doesnt-end-with-service.html) Ask June blog.
Disability Process Streamlined
The recently updated (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/DTM-11-015.pdf) Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) includes several major changes to streamline the process for wounded warriors. The Department of Defense uses IDES to determine a Servicemember's fitness for duty. If the Servicemember is found medically unfit for duty by DoD, then they are informed of the proposed VA disability rating before they leave the service so they know the approximate amount of compensation and benefits they will receive from the VA. For more information on the recent updates, read the (http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/2012/01/11/revised-policy-streamlines-the-disability-evaluation-process-for-wounded-ill-and-injured-service-members/) Warrior Care Blog.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Veterans Win PTSD Settlement
A federal judge has approved a settlement that will deliver better benefits to nearly 2,100 veterans who have been medically discharged since 2002 with post-traumatic stress disorder. Under the settlement, affected veterans discharged with PTSD will get lifetime health care and post-exchange privileges. The affected veterans had been discharged with disability ratings that were too low to receive such benefits. The class action lawsuit was Sabo v. United States. Similar legal efforts are currently underway. For more information, visit the (http://www.nvlsp.org/Information/PressRoom/NEWS-RELEASE-010512.htm) National Veterans Legal Services Program website and the (http://ptsdlawsuit.com/) ptsdlawsuit.com website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
National Salute to Veteran Patients
The National Salute to Veteran Patients program encourages Americans to visit and volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and to send letters of thanks or valentines to those who have protected our nation. This year's national salute is Feb. 12-18. Last year, more than 328,000 valentines were received at VA medical centers, and 21,330 people visited nearly 70,000 veteran patients. For more information regarding the National Salute to Veteran Patients and volunteer opportunities at a local VA medical center, visit the VA Voluntary Service webpage at (http://www.volunteer.va.gov/) www.volunteer.va.gov .
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Valentines for Veterans
Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers can show their appreciation to military servicemembers who came before them by sending free valentines through their local Exchange now through Feb. 6th. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aafespa/6690741735/sizes/z/in/photostream/) "Valentines for Veterans" is an annual Exchange campaign to send greetings to local Veterans Administration hospitals, Fisher House locations and military retirement facilities. For more information, contact your local Main Exchange and ask about "Valentines for Veterans."
(http://www.military.com/discounts) Visit the Military.com Discounts Channel to see more military coupons and discounts.
VA Changes Emergency Care Policy
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care provided to eligible veterans in non-VA facilities. The new regulation extends VA's authority to pay for emergency care provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities until the veterans can be safely transferred to a VA medical facility. More than 100,000 veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules. For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit the (http://www.nonvacare.va.gov/) VA website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
Study Looks at Women OEF, OIF Veterans
A recent study has found that female soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced combat at significantly higher rates than in past wars, and screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder at the same rate as men. The percentages increased since the 1991 Gulf War. An abstract of the study is available in (http://www.journalofpsychiatricresearch.com/article/S0022-3956%2811%2900273-1/abstract) December 15, 2011 edition of the Journal of Psychiatric Research website.
For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.
12 Most Underrated Jobs in America
Even in a sluggish economy, there are jobs out there that have lower unemployment rates and decent salaries -- Paralegal, Accountant, Loan Officer, Market Research Analyst, Software Engineer, Computer Systems Analyst, Insurance Agent, Dietitian, Dental Hygienist, Civil Engineer, Physical Therapist and Chiropractor. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/content/career-advice/job-hunting/most-underrated-jobs-in-america.html?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Get average Income and Unemployment Rates for these 12 professions.
(http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for jobs in these fields on Military.com.
Postage Prices Increase
As of January 22, 2012, it will cost a penny more to mail letters to locations in the United States. The new price increase will affect First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services. The Forever stamps are sold at the First-Class Mail stamp postage rate at the time they are purchased. The advantages of a forever stamp to the consumer include the ability to stock up on first class postage at the current rate and use them until your supply is exhausted. For more information on the new postal rates, contact your local post office, or visit the (https://www.usps.com/) U.S. Postal Service website.
For more military news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.
Veterans Who Can Help Your Job Search
Meeting the right people can make the difference in your next job search. The Military.com Veteran Career Network can connect you to over 1 million veterans working in companies, government agencies, career fields, industries or locations that interest you. (http://benefits.military.com/vcn/search.do?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Search for Veterans willing to help with your job search and career.
