Veterans Report from Military.com

Print & Post: Week of December 01, 2008

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VA Ousts Managers for Claims Deception
The Department of Veterans Affairs has reassigned the director of its New York regional office after finding that employees misdated hundreds of claims to make it appear they were being processed on time. VA spokeswoman Alison Aikele said last week that the director and five other top managers were ousted after investigators discovered a pattern of deception in the handling of claims at the regional headquarters in Manhattan. The shake-up at the New York regional office, which serves 800,000 vets living in eastern New York State, came as veterans organizations and members of Congress have criticized the federal agency for mishandling, losing or destroying the benefits claims of veterans. (http://www.military.com/news/article/va-ousts-managers-for-claims-deception.html) Read the full article on Miltary.com.

Small Business Help for Veterans
A recent study conducted by the Small Business Administration found that 22 percent of veterans have either started to purchase a small business, or were considering doing so. More than 60 percent of new veteran entrepreneurs planned to operate their ventures initially from home. The Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative offers loans of up to $500,000 to help veterans start or continue a small business. For more information, visit the (http://www.sba.gov/patriotexpress/index.html) Patriot Express website. The VA’s VetBiz.gov website at (http://www.vetbiz.gov/) www.vetbiz.gov aids veteran entrepreneurs with starting and expanding their businesses in federal and private marketplaces. The website also includes a database listing businesses more than 51 percent owned by veterans or service-connected disabled veterans.

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.

Army Changes Up-or-Out Rules
A recent extension of retention control points means Soldiers in the rank of staff sergeant and above will be allowed to serve the Army longer, should they desire. An All Army Activities message, or ALARACT, dated Nov. 8, spelled out the changes to retention control points. The changes, which became effective Nov. 1, increase RCPs for E-6s and above by as many as three years in some cases. The ALARACT also changes the maximum age for enlisted Soldiers to 62 years. The increase in RCP — called “high year of tenure” in the Air Force and Navy — is a force-shaping measure meant to allow experienced noncommissioned officers to stay in the Army longer. The original ALARACT message 267/008 is (http://www.military.com/news/article/experienced-soldiers-allowed-to-serve-longer.html) available on Military.com.

(http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=https%3A//secure.military.com/Recruiting/request-info/prior-service/page1.do&code=News_Recruiting_Prior_Service_Form) Learn more about Prior Service opportunities.

Suicide Hotline for Veterans
The national suicide prevention hotline for veterans, located at the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center, receives an average of 101 calls from veterans per day. The national suicide prevention lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255 (or 1-800-273-TALK). Callers hear a recording that prompts veterans, or those calling with concern for a veteran, to press 1. Those calls are routed to the V.A. National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers are immediately connected with a qualified and caring provider who can help. For more information, visit the (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) National Suicide Prevention Hotline website, the (http://www.save.org/) SAVE website.

How to Find the Right Computer
If your old PC is getting sluggish then, despite the crummy economy, it’s not a bad time to buy a new one. The prices have never been so low, the features so robust, and the offerings so diverse. But you want to make certain that you buy the machine that’s best suited to you. Visit the Military.com (http://web50.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A//www.military.com/shopping/computer-buying-guide/general-use-computers.html?ESRC=vr.nl&code=vr_120108_computerbuyingguide) Computer Buying Guide to get a guide to buying a computer.

Veterans Enjoy Sports Clinic
For nearly 30 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been a leader in using sports programs to demonstrate that veterans with disabilities can lead active, rewarding lifestyles. The therapeutic value of activities such as skiing, swimming and track and field events in improving the health and fitness of those with disabilities is now widely accepted. This therapy, coupled with the teamwork and camaraderie that comes from military service, was on display recently in San Diego during VA’s first ever (http://www.summersportsclinic.va.gov/) Summer Sports Clinic. A video about the (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4609046n) National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is available. The dates and location for future Summer Sports Clinics have not yet been determined.

3 Ways to Get Money for College in 2009
The military encourages servicemembers to use all programs available, whether they are from federal, military-related, or private sources. There are many out there, and you’ll likely find more than one to suit your educational needs.
Here are a few places to get you started.

1. (http://education.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/learn-to-use-your-gi-bill?ESRC=vr.nl) The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB): Provides up to 36 months of education benefits during active duty and is worth up to $47,556. Payments are paid directly to you.

2. (http://education.military.com/money-for-school/federal-student-aid?ESRC=vr.nl) Federal Student Aid: Federal loans, grants and tuition programs are available to meet a variety of financial needs. Work-study programs are also available.

3. (http://aid.military.com/scholarship/search-for-scholarships.do?ESRC=vr.nl) Military Scholarships: There are over $300 million woth of scholarships for the military community on Military.com

In addition to these 3 benefits, you can attend military friendly schools that give you college credit for military service. This will save you money and help you graduate faster. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/page1.do?ESRC=vr.nl) Find military friendly schools now.

Military Mail Must Include a Name
Walter Reed Army Medical Center can no longer accept packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to “Any Wounded Soldier” or “A Recovering American Soldier” at Walter Reed. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting letters or packages that are not addressed to a specific Solider. If you would like to send a letter to military personnel, visit a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post in your area for assistance. Click here to (http://emem.vfw.org/findpost.aspx) Find a VFW post in your area. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes also have a DoD-supported program to accept cards and distribute them to servicemembers, veterans, and their families. (http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/index.asp?OID=NewsArticle111208) Click here to learn more.

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.

100% Fool-Proof Tip to Bust Through Any Plateau
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Filner Advocates ‘De-Boot Camp’ for GIs
A key House leader wants to establish a “de-boot camp,” where returning servicemembers would undergo mandatory diagnosis for brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce instances of domestic violence and suicide. Rep. Bob Filner, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said Wednesday he will lobby the Obama administration for the de-boot camp and other new initiatives for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans from the Vietnam era. (http://www.military.com/news/article/filner-advocates-deboot-camp-for-gis.html) Read the full article on Military.com.

(http://capwiz.com/military/dbq/officials/) How do you feel about this action? Let your public officials know how you feel!

Health Care Promise to Nebraska Vets
Four state and federal agencies pledged to work together to ensure that all Nebraska veterans get their health care needs met. The agencies are the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services and National Guard and the federal Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. Representatives of the four signed a charter creating the Nebraska Partnership for Veterans Care. (http://www.military.com/news/article/health-care-promise-to-nebraska-vets.html) Read the full article on Military.com.

o 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.

Free Hunting, Fishing Licenses in Kansas
A program created by the Kansas State Legislature and administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offers active members of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard who are Kansas residents have the opportunity to receive free Kansas hunting and fishing licenses, as well as free state park permits. The 2009 National Guard permits will be available on Dec. 15, 2008. Application forms for 2009 National Guard licenses and permits can be downloaded from the (http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Other-Services/Publications/Hunting) KDWP website — click on the “Application KS 2009 National Guard Hunting, Fishing and Park Vehicle Permit” link. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, a portion of the program will be extended to include all Kansas veterans who have been certified by a physician as at least 30 percent disabled and who enlisted as regular servicemen. Those applications are also available on the (http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Other-Services/Publications/Hunting) KDWP website — click on the “Application 2009 KS Disabled Hunting and Fishing License” link.

o 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.

Scholarships for Survivors, Dependents
The organization, Folds of Honor, raised millions of dollars for scholarships to spouses and dependents of servicemembers who have been killed or disabled as a result of their military service. Folds of Honor’s unique future-use scholarships can be awarded to the many young children of OEF and OIF servicemembers, invested by the Foundation on their behalf, and provided in full at the time of enrollment. For more information, or to apply for a scholarship, visit the (http://www.foldsofhonor.org/) Folds of Honor website.

Remember: Not applying for scholarships is like turning down free money. Get started on your search for scholarships today – visit the (http://aid.military.com/scholarship/search-for-scholarships.do?esrc=mr.nl) Military.com Scholarship Finder.

Service Dogs for Veterans
The organization Puppies Behind Bars recently hosted the graduation of two Iraq War veterans and their service dogs from the Dog Tags training program. Dog Tags is a Puppies Behind Bars initiative designed to honor Soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program helps veterans returning with disabling injuries or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by pairing them with Labrador or Golden Retriever that received 16 months of intensive training to be a service dog by corrections inmates. Veterans graduating the program participate in a specialized training schools designed to help both Soldier and service-dog work together. For more information, visit the (http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/) Puppies Behind Bars website or telephone 212-680-9562.

SF Group Offers Employment Assistance
Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco-based group, announced plans to open an employment and training office for Bay Area veterans. The office to be opened in Oakland, Calif., will offer one-on-one employment counseling, interview coaching and assistance with job search and costs. The new office also will reach out to employers in the community and secure interviews for clients. Swords to Plowshares also helps veterans with health and social services, transitional and permanent housing, employment and training and through its Iraq Veteran Project. (http://www.military.com/news/article/group-plans-employment-training-office-for-vets.html) Read the full article at Military.com.

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.

VA Releases Performance Report
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently released its fiscal year 2008 Performance and Accountability Report, which provides important financial information and describes VA’s progress toward reaching specific performance goals. The report allows the president, Congress, veterans, veterans service organizations and the public to evaluate how well VA is performing its mission. To view or download the report, visit VA’s Fiscal Year 2008 (http://www.va.gov/budget/report) Performance and Accountability Report webpage

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Alabama Offers Transition Booklet
Alabama Governor Bob Riley recently unveiled his new Re-integration Action Plan and a 63-page booklet that will be given to all returning servicemen and women in Alabama. It includes strategies to help them make a successful transition and where they can find professional help if needed. The booklet is available at the (http://www.alabamareturningveterans.org/) Returning Alabama Veterans website.

For more information about transitioning, visit the Military.com (http://transition.military.com/reg/transition_center_registration.do) Transition Center.