DoD: OK to Talk About Faith, Not to Push On Others

The new, revised Air Force Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a five-day mandatory course covers financial management and transition planning. Every base offers the same curriculum, including a transition overview day, three employment workshop days and a VA benefits day. In addition, three two-day specialized transition tracks are already available at many bases. Retirees are eligible to attend TAP as early as two years before their retirement date, and separating Airmen can attend up to a year before their separation date. For more information about the Transition Assistance Program, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website, or contact your local Airman and Family Readiness Center for a list of scheduled courses and information.

For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it is instituting a "quick-fix" program designed to help qualified veterans avoid time- and resource-consuming denials of their applications to compete for VA procurement contracts. Beginning May 1, VA will allow those wishing to establish a veteran-owned small business (VOSB) or service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) to correct what VA calls "minor deficiencies" in paperwork submissions, thus avoiding an automatic rejection of his or her application. The new procedure will apply to hopeful competitors for VA "Veterans First" contracts. VA's Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) has begun a pilot test of the new procedure. For more information, visit CVE's (http://www.vetbiz.com/) website or call (202) 303-3260.

For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh recently launched the Army's Ready and Resilient Campaign, which is designed to guide the Army's efforts to build physical, emotional, and psychological resilience in our soldiers, families and civilians, and directly enhance personal and unit readiness. Specifically, the campaign will help integrate and synchronize multiple Army-wide programs aimed at improving physical, psychological and emotional health. The campaign will review programs, processes and policies to ensure effectiveness and reduce redundancies, improve methods for commanders to understand high risk behaviors and intervene early, and continue improvements to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. Finally, this campaign will work to reduce barriers and stigma associated with seeking help and will promote healthy lifestyles based on the performance triad of physical fitness, nutrition, and sleep. For more information, visit the U.S. Army Ready and Resilient webpage at (http://www.army.mil/readyandresilient) www.army.mil/readyandresilient and the Stand-To! website at (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2011/02/14/) www.army.mil/standto/archive/2011/02/14.

For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.

As part of its ongoing transformation from paper-based to electronic claims processing, the Department of Veterans Affairs has continued to work on improving the automated payment of benefits for Veterans participating in the Post-9/11 GI Bill education program. As a result, VA is now providing benefit payments to currently enrolled students in an average of six days -- cutting by more than half the processing time experienced during the spring enrollment period last year. This enhancement to VA's automated processing system, called the Long Term Solution (LTS), ensures accurate payments without the need for manual handling. For more information on VA education benefits, visit VA's GI Bill website at (http://www.gibill.va.gov/) www.gibill.va.gov.

For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

There are social workers at all VA medical centers. How do you know if you need a social worker? Read about some of the ways Department of Veterans Affairs social workers can help you or refer you to the right person for help on the Veterans Health Administration 'Do I Need A Social Worker' webpage at (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2013/March/Do-I-Need-a-Social-Worker.asp) www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2013/March/Do-I-Need-a-Social-Worker.asp.

For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

Over 300 Vet Centers across the country offer readjustment counseling, along with individual and group counseling for combat Veterans and their families. For more information visit the VA's Vet Center webpage at (http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/) www.vetcenter.va.gov.

For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.

The American Legion will soon be rolling out a new webpage focused on honor and remembrance. The American Legion will be collecting and publishing stories of interest about veterans. To submit a story and photo, visit the Legiontown.org website at (http://www.Legiontown.org) www.Legiontown.org. Submissions also may be mailed to Honor and Remembrance, c/o The American Legion Magazine, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. The American Legion is not able to return any submissions. For more information, visit the American Legion website at (http://www.legion.org/publicrelations/214217/website-focus-honor-remembrance) www.legion.org/publicrelations/214217/website-focus-honor-remembrance.

For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.

The Executive Director of the Army National Military Cemeteries has announced that most of Arlington National Cemetery civilian employees will be exempt from defense-related furloughs for Fiscal Year 2013. Arlington National Cemetery will continue to be subject to sequestration and related funding cuts. Due to sequestration, Arlington National Cemetery funding is being reduced by five percent of its FY 2013 continuing resolution level. Arlington is absorbing this cut by using the last of the funds that were recovered from previous fiscal years. For more information on the Cemetery, visit the Arlington National Cemetery website at (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/) www.arlingtoncemetery.mil and on Facebook at (http://www.facebook.com/ArlingtonNationalCemetery) www.facebook.com/ArlingtonNationalCemetery and on (https://twitter.com/ArlingtonNatl) Twitter.

For more on death and burial benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial) Military.com Death and Memorial Benefits page.

March is Women's History Month. Throughout the month, the Department of Veterans Affairs salutes women Veterans for doing their part to secure the liberties of this great nation. Women have always voluntarily served -- in peacetime and in times of conflict -- and persistently proven their dedication and strength in the military roles they assume. Today, women are represented throughout the military and consistently prove they are capable of fulfilling complicated, dangerous tasks. They fly combat sorties, serve on submarines, fight on the front lines, and perform various duties to ensure military readiness. During Women's History Month, please thank the women Veterans around you for their contributions to history. Save the date for a special Salute to Women Veterans by VA on March 21.

For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.

Nominations for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by April 2. The three categories for award are Airman, Noncommissioned Officer and Senior NCO. Organization and base-level personnel must contact their MAJCOM, field operating agency, direct-reporting unit or MAJCOM equivalent for applicable suspense dates. All nominees must be enlisted in the Air Force through Sept. 30, 2014. Nominees who extend their enlistment for the 12 OAY program and who are not selected may cancel their extensions through their local military personnel section. For more information on Air Force recognition programs and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.

For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Navy Housing offers the Housing Early Application Tool (HEAT), an online tool for servicemembers and their families to get housing information and start the application process. Servicemembers can use HEAT with or without orders in-hand. The first of its kind for servicemembers and available Navy-wide, HEAT connects customers with multiple Navy Housing Service Centers (HSCs) so they can review all of their housing options at any potential duty stations before accepting orders. HEAT can also start the housing application process for those interested in military family housing (privatized, government, and leased). Servicemembers and their families can visit the HEAT website at (http://www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT) www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT to begin their housing search online and to contact their next HSC.

For more relocation and PCS resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move) Military.com PCS page.

The transition to civilian life is filled with challenges, but one looms large in the minds of all military personnel: making the move to a civilian career. In addition to learning new skills like job interviewing, resume building, and networking, every service member has to confront the fact that they are in charge of picking out their new uniform--and the choices are sometimes overwhelming. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/how-to-dress-for-work.html?ESRC=vr.nl) See tips from the experts on dressing for success.

Veteran "Jersey Jeanne" has not let multiple sclerosis slow her down. Adaptive sports have changed her life in a positive way. Her life's motto is: "I gotta keep on movin'!" Read more about her on the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2013/March/Veteran-with-MS-Adaptive-Sports-Champ.asp) Veterans Health Administration website.

Is your military family financially protected if something should happen to you? Get $250k life insurance protection from as low as $18.15 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid=ad) Get affordable protection today.

Some Airmen will be able to transfer all or a portion of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their family members without incurring a four-year active duty service commitment thanks to a program phase-in extension implemented in March, 2013. Members must apply to transfer their benefits no later than July 31 to qualify under these graduated service obligations, and - as in past - some members who transfer benefits will not incur an associated active duty service commitment (ADSC) while others will incur between one and four years. The ADSC begins with the approved application, so if you plan to transfer benefits, you may not want to wait until you are near retirement to do so. For more information about transferring Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to family members, go to (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers, and enter Post 9/11 GI Bill in the search window. To apply to transfer benefits, go to MilConnect at (http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect) www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect, the virtual MPF self-service actions section accessible via myPers, or the Air Force Portal, and follow the instructions.

For more on GI Bill benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education/gi-bill) Military.com GI Bill section.

The Army projects a decrease in recruits as military entrance processing stations shut down one day per week. Scholarships and training will also be reduced at ROTCs at universities across the country. The Army will try to keep those family programs that deliver the most benefits. But, many important programs will, nonetheless, still be cut. Programs which could be impacted include child abuse prevention, family advocacy, programs for children with special needs, and resiliency training that assists Soldiers and families in building stronger relationships and post recreation programs. For more information, view the video of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno speaking about the (http://www.army.mil/media/amp/?bcpid=6981683001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAG_GHPw~,CI0n3-GqPXHByBulhHuwUjyN_JMhwMjs&bctid=2198321502001) possible effects of Sequestration on the U.S. Army.

To keep up with the latest sequestration news and how it affects the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/topics/sequestration) Sequestration section on Military.com.

As the Army draws down, it is important for Soldiers to keep their records up-to-date and accurate. It is the Soldiers' responsibility to review their records at least once a year. Human Resources Command (HRC) has noticed routine errors in things like Soldiers' mailing addresses, awards, assignment history, overseas service, deployment history and dwell time back from deployment. Soldiers can access their OMPF through AKO or (https://iperms.hrc.army.mil/rms/record) online. When using AKO Soldiers can find their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) under the "Army Links" heading on the lower right-hand side of the AKO main screen. The My Board File Certification Report can be accessed on the HRC homepage at (http://www.hrc.army.mil) www.hrc.army.mil under Popular HRC Resources or through the (https://www.hrcapps.army.mil/IWS/?page_id=12928) direct link. All links require a Common Access Card.

More than 700 Air Force captains, majors and lieutenant colonels have been selected for promotion. Promotion-selects were considered during the November CY12B Colonel Line of the Air Force and Nurse Corps, CY12C Lieutenant Colonel Nurse Corps, and CY12B Major NC/LAF-Judge Advocate central selection boards held in November 2012. The promotion lists are available at the following links: (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130308-021.pdf) colonel, (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130308-022.pdf) lieutenant colonel, and (http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130308-024.pdf) major. For more information about promotion opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the (https://mypers.af.mil) myPers website.

For more Air Force news, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is warning that a free iPhone app for the Thrift Savings Plan that is available at the Apple App Store could pose a security risk. The "TSP Funds" app is not being offered through the TSP, and the TSP does not recommend using this application to access your TSP account. Doing so could result in a security risk to your account. For more information on keeping your TSP account safe, see the (https://www.tsp.gov/sitehelp/security/onlineSecurity.shtml) Security Center on the TSP website or contact the ThriftLine at 1-TSP-YOU-FRST (1-877-968-3778).

For more on the TSP plan, visit (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/tsp-thrift-savings-plan) Military.com's TSP page.

The Department of Veterans Affairs helps veterans become homeowners. Through a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs, VA can help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home. For more information, visit VA's Home Loan Guaranty webpage at (http://benefits.va.gov/homeloans/) benefits.va.gov/homeloans.

For more VA loan guides and resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) Military.com VA Loan section.

In recognition of Women's History Month, the Department of Veterans Affairs asked female veterans to submit stories of their service. Read about Christmas in a war zone from an Air Force veteran at VA's VAntage Point Blog at (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8895/christmas-in-a-war-zone/) www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8895/christmas-in-a-war-zone.

For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.

The Military.com Buddy Finder allows you to search over 20 million records to locate old military friends. Search by name, service, pay grade, age, installation, school, state or employer. (http://www.military.com/buddy-finder/?ESRC=mrvr0128.nl) Reconnect now.

Approximately 251,000 Department of the Army civilians expect to be notified soon if they will be furloughed up to 22 days starting in April. How an individual employee or activity is affected by furloughs will be subject to the command and the overall guidance of human resources and legal advice. Overtime and comp time are curtailed, and no employee will be allowed to volunteer services. Telework and the use of government issued electronics, such as laptops, will not be permitted on furlough days. Health benefits, flexible spending accounts, federal group life insurance, vision and dental plans and federal long term care plans are not impacted. However, the employee is still responsible for the full premiums due for these benefits. For more information on how sequestration and furloughs affect the IMCOM workforce, visit the (http://www.imcom.army.mil/Organization/G1Personnel.aspx) IMCOME G1--Human Resources webpage.

To keep up with the latest news that affects the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities. Enter in your MOS, MOSC, Rating, or Designator and we'll give you a list of civilian skills and equivalent job openings. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Translate Your Skills and Apply for Jobs Now.

PepsiCo has a long legacy of military hiring and remains committed to veteran hiring across all lines of business and roles. The company believes in providing opportunity for military hires, not just in the name of service, but because (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/pepsico/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) they help the business win.

The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as the oldest flying unit in U.S. Military aviation. The squadron has maintained an unbroken heritage from its founding. Originally organized in anticipation of a potential breach in security along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, General John Pershing directed the 1st Aero Squadron to become the first tactical aviation unit to participate in American military action. The 1st RS has flown 47 different airframes while being stationed worldwide at 52 locations, including four stints at sea. For more information, including a history of the squadron, visit the (http://www.beale.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3971) Beale Air Force Base 1st Reconnaissance Squadron Fact Sheet, the (http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9710) Air Force Historical Research Agency 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (ACC) fact sheet, and the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (1st RS) webpage at (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/1rs.htm) globalsecurity.org.

For more on military history, visit the (http://www.military.com/history) Military.com History Center.

Military leaders testified at a hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee that cutting the military's tuitions assistance program will hurt recruitment and retention rates if allowed to continue through 2014 and beyond. The Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have already announced the suspension of new enrollments for tuition assistance and advised those currently enrolled that they will have to find other sources of funding for future courses.

(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/03/13/dod-cutting-tuition-assistance-hurts-recruiting.html) Read the full article on Military.com.

A former epidemiologist for the Department of Veterans' Affairs told lawmakers on Wednesday that the agency's Office of Public Health buries or obscures research findings on veterans exposed to environmental toxins and hazards going as far back as the Persian Gulf War. Steven Coughlin, who had worked more than four years for the VA before quitting over "serious ethical concerns" in December, said in testimony that leadership in the agency's public health office did not want to find or reveal evidence that Gulf War illness and other sicknesses were linked to troops' military experience.

(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/03/14/whistleblower-va-hiding-veteran-health-data.html) Read the full article on Military.com.

I'd never been able to follow the "easy" instructions to put my kids' toys together until I learned the technique that follows. Then I was able to get at my brakes to check them and even lubricate the wheel bearings and put everything back together again! The bonus is that this procedure works for anything that you need to take apart and put back together again -- flat tires, toasters, bicycles, you name it. (http://www.military.com/off-duty/autos?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Read More.

Furloughs for Defense Department (DoD) civilian employees can begin April 26. Commands have identified civilians who would be exempted from furloughs. If Congress does not act on sequestration, later this month the department will send letters to the excepted employees and propose furloughs for the rest. There is a seven-day period for people to reply to their letters, followed by a 30-day waiting period. Civilian employees also have the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Civilian employees will be furloughed without pay for 22 days -- one day a week through the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. For more information, visit the (http://www.public.navy.mil/donhr/Pages/furloughguidanceissued.aspx) U.S. Navy Administrative (Planned) Furlough webpage.

To keep up with the latest news that affects the military, visit the (http://www.military.com/news) Military.com News Center.

Buying a new house with a VA loan can be a daunting proposition for those who are unfamiliar with the process. VA home loans are available to former servicemembers and active duty personnel... for answers to the most common questions about VA loans, (http://valoan.military.com/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) see this article.

In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award. A decision will be made about the medal's fate after assessing the findings. Opponents of the medal question the hierarchy of technology-driven warfare such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, missile defense and cyber capabilities, as the operators may not be anywhere near a combat zone. Production of the medal has stopped, and there are currently no nominations for it.

(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/03/12/hagel-halts-production-of-drone-pilot-medals.html) Learn more about the new medal on Military.com.

In order to obtain a VA home loan, you must first fill out VA Form 26-1880, the request for your Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate is issued only through the Veterans Administration, and is the first step towards applying for your loan. Veterans, active duty, guard or reserve, and military spouses potentially qualify for this certificate. Keep in mind that the Certificate of Eligibility, while necessary, only allows an eligible individual to apply for a home loan; it does not guarantee a loan approval. Eligibility for the Certificate is based on an individual's (or a spouse's) military service. (http://www.military.com/money/content/va-loans/home-purchase/are-you-eligible-for-a-va-home-loan.html?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Get specifics on Military.com.

(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoanNew/Step1.jsp?ESRC=mrvr0318.nl) Next Step: Find Lenders ready to help you use your VA Home Loan.

Up to 50% off lifestyle, outdoor & tactical gear. Shop premium brands on GovX.com at prices not available to the public. (https://www.govx.com/milcom?gxweba=militarycom&gxwebb=vetreportemail&utm_source=militarycom&utm_medium=emailext&utm_campaign=emailext-militarycom-vetreportmarcstrong3) Shop over 10,000 products!

The recent sequestration bill will result in a 4-day work week and 20% pay cut for some federal employees beginning as early as April 1. The company Two Marines Moving is pledging to give employment opportunities to furloughed employees in the Greater Washington, D.C. Metro Area who are also veterans, which would allow them to continue working a five-day work week. Two Marines Moving has open positions for full and part time entry level movers. Employees regularly earn extra bonuses for satisfactory reviews from clients and exceeding expectations. Advancement in pay and duties are available to driver, dispatcher, and sales positions for those that demonstrate the highest levels of responsibility. For more information, visit the (https://www.facebook.com/twomarinesmoving) Two Marines Moving Facebook page or call (703) 623-5288.

For more veteran job news, tips, and job postings, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.