Since 12-16-05
Military Report ,12 December
2005 -- Print and post
Since 12-16-05
From: Waspscpo@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 3:44 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Military Report, 12 December 2005 -- Print and post
Below is the complete version of this week's Military Report. Print it,
circulate it, and make sure your colleagues and friends keep up with the latest
military benefits updates.
TRICARE Fees May Triple
Defense Department officials have drafted plans to
raise TRICARE enrollment fees and deductibles sharply over the next three years
for military retirees under age 65 and their families, about three million
beneficiaries. If the changes touted by senior Defense officials are adopted,
annual enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime, the military’s managed care option,
would triple by October 2008 for working- age retired officers and double for
enlisted retirees. To learn more, read article TRICARE Fee Increase by Tom
Philpott.
http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,82291,00.html
Deal of the Week: Send Money Worldwide
Send money to those who matter most. Get fast, easy
service at westernunion.com.
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Grants for Volunteer Organizations
Volunteer organizations that benefit troops and their
families are invited to compete for a share of $75,000 grants as part of the 7th
annual "Newman's Own Awards." The Newman's Own Awards are targeted for small- to
medium- sized volunteer organizations with an emphasis on projects that will
provide support to servicemembers who are deployed, and their families.
The organization chosen as the most outstanding will receive a $10,000 grant to
help implement that plan. The judges will allocate the remaining $65,000 to
other organizations. Specific eligibility rules are available on the Fisher
House Foundation's Website,
www.FisherHouse.org , or by calling (888) 294-8560. Entries must be received
by April 28.
New Benefits Guide To Be Released December
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743269462/ref=ase_militarycom/104-9203290-3207155?v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=militarycom
Army to Automate Tuition Assistance
The Army Continuing Education System is updating and
automating to provide virtual access to its programs and services for Soldiers
anytime, anywhere. This two-phase project began with the implementation of a
centralized invoice process that provides a more streamlined method for academic
institutions to receive invoice payments.
The second phase, scheduled to begin April 1, 2006, will allow Soldiers to
request TA and enroll in courses online. This will assist in expediting the
enrollment process and minimize wait times at Army Education Centers. Soldiers
will request TA online through the ACES portal called GoArmyEd. For general
information about the TA process, visit
www.military.com/education/ArmyTA .
Beware When Giving Donations
Here are some tips to ensure you are not being scammed when giving to charity:
1) Whether on the phone, at the front door or on the street, ask for the charity’s full name and address.
2) Get full identification from the solicitor and give the identification more than a passing glance.
3) Solicitors should identify the charity and clearly describe the programs.
4) Make checks payable to the name of the charitable organization and not an individual.
5) Don’t be pressured into giving on the spot.
6) Statements such as “ all proceeds will go to charity” can be misleading. What is left after expenses— the proceeds—may be just pennies. Ask how much of your gift will fund the charity’s programs.
7) With mail appeals, keep in mind it is against the law to demand payment for unordered merchandise. If the charity sends you merchandise, you are not obligated to return it or pay for it.
8) If you have any doubts about the organization,
contact your local BBB for a report.
Blue Angels 60th Anniversary Schedule
The Navy Blue Angels announced last week their schedule
for the 2006 show season. Following winter training, the team will begin its
60th season at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., March 11, 2006. The season
will conclude Nov. 11 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The Blue Angels are
scheduled to perform 70 demonstrations at 36 air show sites throughout the
United States, Canada and the Netherlands during the 2006 season. For the most
updated schedule information, log on to
www.blueangels.navy.mil .
Changes Sweeten 'Re-Up' Bonuses
The Air Force changed the reenlistment window and
waived obligated service requirements for Airmen in two career fields eligible
to receive the enlisted critical skills retention bonus. Airmen who meet
requirements may qualify for a retention bonus of up to $150,000. The
reenlistment window now allows CSRB-eligible Airmen to reenlist at any time.
The changes will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2007. The program is open to
technical sergeants and above with:
(1) at least 19 years of service, but not more than 24 years of service;
(2) a controlled AFSC of 1C2X1, combat control; or 1T2X1, pararescue; and
(3) a willingness to commit to serving two to six years.
For more information, eligible Airmen should contact
their local military personnel flight reenlistments section or commander's
support staff.
Check On-line Retailers Shipping Rules
Military online shoppers should check online retailer’s
shipping rules before they buy to avoid added surcharges and restrictions on
shipping to military post boxes. There are numerous restrictions, which include
perfumes or goods that have pressurized contents, software and video games that
violate licensing agreements and regulations, and goods that violate host nation
or military rules such as pornography. In addition some companies will charge
extra handling fees, won’t ship to post office boxes of any kind, or do not use
the U.S. Postal Service -- the only shipping source that delivers to APO and FPO
addresses.
Combat-Related Special Compensation
The Air Force CRSC staff is encouraging disabled retired Air Force servicemembers that believe they meet the criteria for CRSC to submit an application. The basic qualifications are:
(1) be retired with 20 (or more) years of active duty or retired at age 60 from the Guard or Reserve;
(2) be receiving military retired pay; and
(3) have a compensable VA disability of 10 percent or
higher and military retired pay is being offset to receive the VA disability
compensation.
Disabilities from injuries or illnesses incurred during armed conflict, due to
exposure to Agent Orange, combat training, aircrew duties, simulated war
exercises, parachuting, munitions demolition, instrumentalities of war, etc.,
potentially qualify for this special compensation. For more information and an
application, call the CRSC staff at (210) 565-1600 or the AFPC Contact Center at
(800) 616-3775).
Questions and a request for an application may also be sent by E-mail to AFPC.DPPDC.AFCRSC@randolph.af.mil
Also, information and applications are available online
at
http://www.dod.mil/prhome/mppcrsc.html
Traumatic Injury Protection Insurance
The Department of Defense announced the implementation
of traumatic injury protection insurance under the Servicemembers' Group Life
Insurance. The program, which will be known as TSGLI, is designed to provide
financial assistance to servicemembers during their recovery period from a
serious traumatic injury. On Dec. 1, all members eligible for SGLI will become
insured for traumatic injury protection of up to $100,000 unless they decline
SGLI coverage.
A flat monthly premium of $1 will be added to the monthly SGLI deduction,
regardless of the amount of SGLI coverage that the member has elected effective
Dec. 1. A retroactive provision provides that any servicemember who suffers a
qualifying loss between Oct. 7, 2001, and Dec. 1, 2005, will receive a benefit
under the TSGLI program if the loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in
Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to officials
most will receive payment in time for Christmas.
To apply for the benefit, all servicemembers must complete the Servicemembers'
Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Certification Form, which can be obtained
on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee website at
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/atf/cf/{279F00F6-7AEF-4E77-9462-B707D698D169}/TSGLI%20APPLICATION%20FORM.PDF
. For more information, servicemembers should contact their individual service
or visit www.military.com/TSGLI
.
Protecting Your Home's Computer
Tips for protecting your home's personal computer from viruses and spyware:
(1) Download, install and regularly update antivirus
software. The Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations offers free
downloads of commercial antivirus products through their Website,
www.cert.mil , to anyone using a computer on a
military network.
Department of Defense employees may download the software, burn it onto a CD and
use it on home computers at no cost as long as they remain DoD-employed.
(2) Install and regularly update at least one anti-spyware application. Computing Websites have information on effective anti-spyware programs, many of which are free for home use.
(3) Use at least one firewall on your home computer— preferably two. Most Internet routers provide a built-in firewall.
(4) Use an alternative browser, as many virus and
spyware authors target default browsers packaged with operating systems.
Many browsers available on the Web are free downloads. No matter what browser
you use, update it regularly to fix new vulnerabilities as they are discovered.
(5) Disable the autoplay feature on your CD-Rom drives to thwart software on music CDs that automatically installs itself, possibly placing you at greater risk for a virus or spyware infection. Finally,
(6) do not use an administrator account for everyday
computer use. Many spyware applications require administrator access to install
them.
Traumatic Injury Protection Assistance
The Air Force casualty assistance representative at
each base is the primary point of contact for assisting potentially eligible
members with Traumatic Injury Protection Insurance applications in coordination
with the base military treatment facility. TSGLI coverage is a tax-free lump sum
payment ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the extent of the injury.
Members insured under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance policy are
automatically covered at an increase in their premiums of only $1 per month.
The coverage also includes a retroactive provision for Airmen who suffered a
qualifying loss as a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Iraqi
Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom from Oct. 7, 2001 through Nov. 30, 2005.
Enrollment in SGLI is not a requirement to receive the retroactive TSGLI
benefits. Casualty services personnel from the Air Force Personnel Center are
identifying and contacting Airmen who might be eligible for retroactive TSGLI to
provide guidance and assistance.
Certification forms for TSGLI benefits are available at base MPFs and should be
submitted at the earliest opportunity. For more information on the TSGLI
benefit, Airmen should contact their base casualty assistance representative.
Airmen with questions regarding eligibility or processing requirements for
retroactive TSGLI benefits may also contact their base CAR or call the AFPC
casualty services branch at DSN 665-3505 or (800) 433-0048.
Spouse Survey on Family Programs
Defense officials want to make sure that military
spouses know it's important for them take the time to complete the online
30-minute survey they got notices about in the mail late November. The new
Defense Department survey has gone to spouses to get their views as defense
planners shape family programs to meet their needs and interests, a top Pentagon
family policy official said last week.
Nearly 74,000 military spouses have been asked to participate in two new
surveys, one directed at active-duty families and one for National Guard and
Reserve families. The survey period runs through late January. The survey
responses are confidential and responses will be instrumental in determining how
DoD directs its resources to family programs in the future.
2005 Retirement Tax Statements
Retired and annuitant account statements and 1099-R tax
statements will be mailed throughout the latter half of December. DFAS officials
remind pay recipients that the account statement and tax form will be mailed in
the same envelope. While the exact mailing schedule is unknown, DFAS will
provide completed statements and forms to the printing and mailing contractor by
December 14, 2005, for incremental mailings.
For retirees, the RAS will reflect changes due to the cost-of-living increase,
the Veterans Administration (VA) Legislative increase and changes to the Federal
Income Tax Withholding rates. Due to the VA legislative increase, recipients of
Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) will also receive an increase to
their CRSC amount. This amount will affect the December 2005 entitlement
scheduled for the payment on Jan. 3, 2006. Retirees who do not have a myPay
account will not receive a CRSC pay statement.
Also, during December, retired members entitled to receive either CRSC or
Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) will be provided with an
election form as part of the annual open season. During the open season,
affected retirees will have the opportunity to elect to receive either CRDP or
CRSC for the next year. In order for the entitlement to change, the form must be
received and processed by Jan. 31, 2006. Based on the election, the change will
take effect on the payment dated Feb.1, 2006.
In addition, as a result of the phased in CRDP, the amount retirees will receive
for CRDP will increase effective January 2006 and will be reflected in the
payment dated Feb.1, 2006. The Annuitant Account Statement will reflect changes
due to the cost-of-living increase, changes to the VA Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) amounts and changes to Federal Income Tax Withholding rates.
VA Compensation and Pensions Increase
The Department of Veterans Affairs has released the
2006 payment charts for veterans retirees who are receiving either monthly
disability compensation or disability pension payments. Visit
http://www.military.com/VA/Dis_Pension for more information and links to the
updated 2005 payment charts.
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)