Marine Corps News Room

By Dave Smith on February 23, 2016

Here are the five stages of transition for those veterans who may not acclimate to the civilian world right away.

The transition out of the military seems to come in a few important stages. Getting started and being willing to truly do what it takes to begin a recovery is probably the most difficult. After that, taking responsibility, building healthy relationships, finding a supportive community, and staying active are all important self-choices. In the next stage, getting involved and giving back are essential to setting goals and providing a sense of purpose. Finally, seeking professional development, employment, and education will improve confidence and set a stage for continued growth.

Continue reading "A Marine’s Guide To The 5 Phases Of A Successful Transition" »

Posted by KC at 10:28 AM | Permalink

Feb 22, 2016 | by Amy Bushatz

Military dental benefits for active-duty families, National Guard and Reserve members and their families will see expansions under a new contract set to go into effect next year.

Continue reading "Tricare Dental Coverage Slated to Increase in 2017 with New Contractor" »

Posted by KC at 8:07 PM | Permalink

Feb 22, 2016 | by Amy Bushatz

Military dental benefits for active-duty families, National Guard and Reserve members and their families will see expansions under a new contract set to go into effect next year.

Continue reading "Tricare Dental Coverage Slated to Increase in 2017 with New Contractor" »

Posted by KC at 8:07 PM | Permalink

Jan 28, 2016 | by Amy Bushatz

Navy and Marine Corps maternity leave policies drastically expanded last year will be now slashed by six weeks from 18 to 12 weeks under a new plan announced Thursday by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

Continue reading "Pentagon Sets Maternity Leave at 12 Weeks for All Services" »

Posted by KC at 9:29 PM | Permalink

POSTED 8:04 PM, JANUARY 14, 2016, BY FOX 13 NEWS AND KELLY KEITER

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – A new program is helping military veterans make the transition to civilian employment, specifically in the solar power industry.

Continue reading "Program helps veterans find civilian jobs in solar energy industry" »

Posted by KC at 11:40 AM | Permalink

By T. Rees Shapiro January 7, 2016

Before he developed and marketed the citrus fruit beverage known to the world today as Capri Sun, Hans-Peter Wild was a child in Heidelberg during World War II who would always remember the generosity of the U.S. troops stationed in his father’s factory.

Continue reading "Capri Sun innovator gives $16 million to Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation" »

Posted by KC at 9:08 PM | Permalink

Dec 27, 2015 | by Hope Hodge Seck

The National Aeronautics and Space administration is looking for a few good astronauts.

Continue reading "NASA Turns to Navy and Marine Corps for a Few Good Astronauts" »

Posted by KC at 5:41 PM | Permalink

by Sgt James Skelton
Date Taken:12.14.2015 | Date Posted:12.15.2015 2:15PM

Brigadier General Commanding General, Training Command and Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Training Command, emphasize the importance of using good judgment and making sound decisions in order to Protect What You've Earned.

Continue reading "Video: Protect What You've Earned" »

Posted by KC at 12:14 AM | Permalink

By Jon R. Anderson, Staff writer 1:25 p.m. EST December 8, 2015

Jack Ferguson had no idea it was going to be this hard.

Continue reading "Families on the GI Bill: 5 ways you're making it work" »

Posted by KC at 10:00 AM | Permalink

by Cpl Sullivan Laramie
Date Posted:12.07.2015 15:42

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines looking to find new job opportunities within the Marine Corps are in luck. Headquarters Marine Corps has published new administrative messages in October 2015 outlining military occupational specialty openings the Corps seeks to fill with some even offering bonus pay incentives.

Continue reading "Marines wanted: MOS fields provide lateral move opportunities" »

Posted by KC at 10:36 PM | Permalink

by LCpl Thomas Mudd
Date Taken:11.12.2015 | Date Posted:11.18.2015 20:19

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Spouses of Combat Center, Mountain Warfare Training Center and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma leadership attended a conference at the Officers’ Club to become better informed of programs that will help improve the lives of families aboard their respective installations, Nov. 12, 2015.

Continue reading "Leadership spouse obtains vital information for families" »

Posted by KC at 10:12 PM | Permalink

By Michael Swaney|November 11th, 2015|Military News

The White House announced in honor of Veterans Day that all military veterans and families that are eligible for the G.I. bill will now receive in-state tuition rates at public college and universities in the United States.

Continue reading "White House makes announcement that will save veterans and military families thousands of dollars" »

Posted by KC at 9:03 PM | Permalink

By Christopher Flurry on November 4, 2015

A Marine vet explains why he chose to enroll in community college to pursue his degree.
When I left active duty about a year ago with the hopes of becoming a lawyer, I never thought my path would begin at a community college.

Continue reading "As A Vet, Enrolling In Community College Was The Smartest Thing I’ve Ever Done" »

Posted by KC at 11:55 PM | Permalink

By Andrew Tilghman, Staff writer 1:14 p.m. EDT October 26, 2015

While most military recruits sign up for active or Reserve component duty for three or four years, their enlistment contracts actually obligate them to a total service agreement of eight years.

Continue reading "Bringing the Individual Ready Reserve into the 'total force'" »

Posted by KC at 7:44 PM | Permalink

10:16 a.m. EDT October 18, 2015

Q. I’ve been married 40 years. My husband was on active duty for 20 years and has been retired for more than 20 years. We were married for 18 of his active-duty years. I’m retiring soon and wondering whether to cancel my employer insurance and its high premiums, knowing that I could get Tricare if we divorced. We live in uncertain times and you never know what may happen.

Continue reading "Tricare Help: Uncertain times and the '20/20/20' rule" »

Posted by KC at 12:51 PM | Permalink

By Tom Philpott
Published: October 1, 2015

The U.S. Capitol.
JOE GROMELSKI/STARS AND STRIPES
Military members and families have little to cheer from compromises House and Senate conferees have reached as they finalized details of key personnel provisions in the fiscal 2016 defense authorization bill.

Continue reading "Military Update | Congressional conferees shape leaner budget for military pay, benefits" »

Posted by KC at 4:47 PM | Permalink

By Patricia Kime, Staff writer3:41 p.m. EDT August 31, 2015

Tricare Prime beneficiaries will see a slight uptick in their annual enrollment fees starting Oct. 1.
Individual retirees under age 65 will pay $282, up from the current rate of $277, while those with families will pay $565, up 2 percent from the current rate of $555.

Continue reading "Tricare Prime fees to increase Oct. 1" »

Posted by KC at 8:43 PM | Permalink

By Heath Druzin
Stars and Stripes
Published: August 23, 2015

PHOENIX — Relocated to an empty clinic in the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System after going public about dangerous patient care problems, Dr. Katherine Mitchell needed a project to stay busy.

Continue reading "Academic accommodations can aid troubled veterans" »

Posted by KC at 8:45 PM | Permalink

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Katie Lange

By Katie Lange
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

Today is Purple Heart Day, when we honor United States military members who received the Purple Heart after being wounded or killed in service to our country.

Continue reading "The Purple Heart: How It Has Changed Over Time" »

Posted by KC at 10:39 PM | Permalink

BY ANASTACIA MARX de SALCEDO
AUGUST 4, 2015

Anastacia Marx de Salcedo’s new book Combat-Ready Kitchen: How the U.S. Military Shapes the Way You Eat explores how many of the processed foods we buy at the supermarket are prepared using technology and techniques invented by the military to preserve and transport food for troops in battle. To celebrate its release, the author gives us a glimpse into the book’s subject with a list that highlights just a few ways military research affects our daily diet.

Continue reading "10 Food Favorites Invented by the U.S. Military" »

Posted by KC at 12:22 PM | Permalink

By T. Rees Shapiro July 31

Matt was a decorated combat soldier who served two tours in the valleys of Afghanistan. But one of the toughest challenges of his life came when he decided to leave the Army and prepare for his next deployment: college.

Continue reading "Shifting the mind-set for veterans moving from battlefield to classroom" »

Posted by KC at 7:14 PM | Permalink

By Erik Slavin
Stars and Stripes
Published: July 8, 2015

Military student loan deferments guaranteed by federal law are being denied or mishandled by banks, resulting in loan defaults and career hardships, according to a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.

Continue reading "Lenders not following law on loans to military, report says" »

Posted by KC at 6:51 PM | Permalink

USAA | by Lisa Severson
June 8, 2015

If you're a new recruit or junior enlisted service member, the military can throw a lot your way in a short time.

Continue reading "8 Fast Financial Tips for Military Recruits" »

Posted by KC at 10:58 PM | Permalink

By Hope Hodge Seck, Staff writer 8:19 a.m. EDT June 8, 2015

Scientists proved years ago that toddlers who could wait longer than their peers to eat a promised reward of marshmallows were more likely to grow into more successful and better-adjusted adults. Now, the Marines may be looking to adapt "marshmallow test" science to help screen for more resilient and determined officer candidates.

Continue reading "Marines look to non-cognitive testing to find better officers" »

Posted by KC at 6:47 AM | Permalink

Posted on June 2, 2015
By Katie Lange
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

Kids are often comforted by familiar faces, so why not get some of those faces to help them cope with the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life? That’s the theory behind a new Sesame Street/USO show being put on at military installations across the world.

Continue reading "Sesame Street/USO Show Helps Kids Shift to Civilian Life" »

Posted by KC at 8:53 AM | Permalink

By Cpl Kirstin Merrimarahajara
DVIDS | Mar 20 2015

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 6, 2015) - Approximately 20 Marine Corporals from 16 various Marine Occupation Specialties graduated from the II Marine Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Group sponsored Corporals Course in class 30-15, Feb. 6, 2015.

Continue reading "Corporals Course Develops New Leaders" »

Posted by KC at 12:11 PM | Permalink

For Release: March 2, 2015
Program Helps Military Spouses Foster Their Own Careers and Maintain Financial Readiness in Military Communities

WASHINGTON — Now in its tenth year, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation's Military Spouse Fellowship Program has opened the application process for its 2015 class of military spouses. The FINRA Foundation Spouse Fellowship Program provides military spouse recipients with the education and training needed to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) designation. Military spouses can apply until April 17, 2015, to become a member of the 2015 class of fellows.

Continue reading "FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Application Period Open From March 2 to April 17" »

Posted by KC at 2:39 PM | Permalink

Where To File
Send your federal tax return to the Internal Revenue Service Center for the place where you currently reside. For example, if you are stationed in Maine but your permanent home address is in California, you should send your federal return to the service center for Maine. The instructions for Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ give the addresses for the service centers.

Continue reading "Filing Your Taxes: Overview" »

Posted by KC at 3:12 PM | Permalink

By Matthew M. Burke
Stars and Stripes
Published: January 31, 2015

Retired Marine and lifelong New Yorker Matthew Raible knows that service dogs save lives.

Continue reading "Study examines impact of service dogs on veterans with PTSD" »

Posted by KC at 4:08 PM | Permalink

By Tom Philpott
Special to Stars and Stripes
Published: January 22, 2015

Families living in privatized military housing units will not escape the impact of moves Congremade last month to dampen the value of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), says a Defense Department housing expert who is coordinating with service branches to implement the changes.

Continue reading "Privatized housing residents to feel 'BAH' pinch, too " »

Posted by KC at 7:02 AM | Permalink

By Patricia Kime, Staff writer 6:02 p.m. EST December 4, 2014

Tricare patients who take brand-name drugs for chronic conditions may be required to fill their prescriptions at a military pharmacy or by mail starting next October.

Continue reading "Tricare beneficiaries' access to brand-name drugs would be limited" »

Posted by KC at 6:11 PM | Permalink

By Terri Moon Cronk
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed a policy change in new paycheck allotments to prevent unscrupulous commercial lenders from taking advantage of troops and their families, Pentagon officials said today.

Continue reading "New Allotment Rule Protects Troops From Lending Scams" »

Posted by KC at 11:38 AM | Permalink

By Tom Cramer, VA Staff Writer
Monday, November 17, 2014

Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple Inc., once made the following observation: “Less is more and usually more effective.”

Continue reading "Just Saying No to Pain Meds" »

Posted by KC at 7:00 AM | Permalink

Nov 14, 2014
American Legion

The federal government's veterans preference policy has been criticized in a report released last August by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which suggested that such preference causes resentment among civilian federal workers and decreases the number of women being hired into the federal workforce.

Continue reading "Legion Wants Feds to Leave Veterans Preference Alone" »

Posted by KC at 6:49 AM | Permalink

Oct. 11, 2014 - 01:01PM
By Andrew Tilghman

Traveling on temporary duty is not as lucrative as it used to be. Effective Oct. 1, the Pentagon made several revisions to its travel regulations that will mean less money for service members when they go on TAD. It’s part of a broader cutback on government travel in recent years and just the latest in a long string of policy changes that will shave money from Defense Department budget accounts. Across the board, per diem rates will be slashed for long-term assignments, and troops will have to pay for a few more things with out-of-pocket cash. And your command might start picking up the tab for your duty-related cellphone calls. The details are threaded throughout a new 1,634-page version of the venerable document known as the “Joint Travel Regulations.” Here’s a short take on the five things you need to know:

Continue reading "New travel pay rates mean less money for TAD" »

Posted by KC at 8:41 PM | Permalink

There are several Health Care programs available to assist veterans and retirees as they transition into the civilian workforce. These programs are designed to meet specific needs based on your duty status and transition circumstances. Some of these programs are long term, while others are temporary in nature and only provide coverage for up to 3 years.

Continue reading "Transitional Health Care Programs (TAMP)" »

Posted by KC at 7:07 PM | Permalink

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Veterans pursuing their educational goals are usually eligible for "educational assistance for students" in most states. Educational benefits for veterans and their dependents, particularly the children of deceased and disabled veterans, are also available in some states. Military.com has developed an on-line general summary of educational benefits for veterans and their dependents.

Continue reading "State Veteran Benefits" »

Posted by KC at 6:55 PM | Permalink

Story by by Terry Howell

Fact #1. You have 10 - 15 years to use your GI Bill benefits.
Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use all of your benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and 15 years to use your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Although separating from service "starts the clock" on your 10-year time limit, you should know that if you rejoin active-duty service for more than 90 days during the 10- year period, your 10-year clock is reset. In other words, you get 10 years from your last discharge.

Continue reading "5 Must Know GI Bill Facts" »

Posted by KC at 6:37 PM | Permalink

Sep 10, 2014 | by Bryant Jordan

The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to fill "tens of thousands" of jobs as quickly as possible to meet the healthcare needs of veterans, VA Secretary Bob McDonald said on Tuesday.

Continue reading "McDonald: VA Plans a Healthcare Hiring Spree" »

Posted by sr at 10:31 PM | Permalink

By Tom Philpott
Special to Stars and Stripes
Published: September 4, 2014

Perhaps the first thing veterans using GI Bill education benefits should understand about new “in-state tuition” protection that Congress approved last month is that it won’t take effect for another year, by fall semester 2015.

Continue reading "Understanding new 'in-state' tuition ceiling on GI Bill" »

Posted by sr at 10:54 PM | Permalink

By Michele C. Hollow
JUNE 9, 2014 – 12:00 PM

Minna Moonsammy and her service dog, Rigby, are taking advantage of a new program that provides free pet insurance to veterans with service dogs. Pet insurance provider Trupanion was recently awarded a contract with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide medical insurance to veteran-owned service dogs at no cost to veterans. Veterans can take their eligible enrolled service dogs to a veterinarian, and Trupanion will pay the bill in full.

Continue reading " Vets for Vets: How Veterans Can Get Free Pet Insurance for Their Service Dogs " »

Posted by KC at 11:21 PM | Permalink

By Tom Philpott
Published: March 7, 2014

Behind the plan to slash taxpayer support of commissaries is a concept Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his senior advisors have embraced that base grocery stores should operate as a business and not a benefit.

Continue reading "Commissaries to be run as a business, not a benefit" »

Posted by sr at 10:01 PM | Permalink

By Matthew M. Burke
Stars and Stripes
Published: February 5, 2014

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new tool to help service members, veterans and their families calculate Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and compare schools and training programs nationwide.

Continue reading "New GI Bill tool helps calculate benefits, compares schools" »

Posted by sr at 2:03 PM | Permalink

Funds will begin flowing before end of February, officials say

By James K. Sanborn
Staff Writer
Feb. 3, 2014 - 06:00AM

After months of reduced funds and uncertainty about the future, a robust Tuition Assistance Program is back, according to Marine officials. Within weeks, millions more dollars will become available to help Marines pay for school.

Continue reading "Corps restores tuition assistance money" »

Posted by sr at 2:24 PM | Permalink

By Leo Shane III
Stars and Stripes
Published: January 30, 2014

WASHINGTON — Federal officials on Thursday launched an online complaints system designed to root out colleges taking advantage of student veterans and their military education benefits.

Continue reading "Online complaints system will police colleges over GI Bill benefits" »

Posted by sr at 10:36 PM | Permalink

By Matthew M. Burke
Stars and Stripes
Published: November 4, 2013

SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — The Marine Corps has added a host of restrictions to its tuition assistance program, limiting the number of Marines eligible for subsidized college courses.

Continue reading "New restrictions placed on Marines' tuition assistance program" »

Posted by sr at 9:28 PM | Permalink

Courtesy Story | Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall | Date: 09.27.2013

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - The Marine Corps has announced changes to its eligibility requirements for using tuition assistance.

Continue reading "Corps announces tuition assistance changes" »

Posted by sr at 8:18 PM | Permalink

From a Department of Veterans Affairs News Release

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 – The Veterans Affairs Department is expediting compensation claims decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer, VA officials announced today.

Continue reading " VA Expedites Decisions for Long-standing Claims" »

Posted by sr at 3:01 PM | Permalink

By Cpl. Tyler L. Main | Headquarters Marine Corps | April 12, 2013

WASHINGTON --

As of April 8, 2013, the Voluntary Education Tuition Assistance funding is restored within the Marine Corps and new enrollments may begin immediately according to officials from the Marine and Family Programs Division.

Continue reading "Tuition Assistance Back For Marines, Accepting New Enrollments" »

Posted by sr at 5:12 PM | Permalink

By Rick Maze, Staff writer
Apr. 10, 2013 - 01:09PM

The White House's defense budget proposal for 2014 that was unveiled Wednesday includes a capped 1 percent pay raise for service members, along with increases of 3.4 percent on the food allowance and 4.2 percent in housing allowances.

Continue reading "Capped pay raise, huge Tricare fee hikes in new budget plan" »

Posted by sr at 5:41 PM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 21, 2013 11:25:40 EDT

Congress has voted to restore the military’s tuition assistance program but has left the Coast Guard behind.

Continue reading "Congress restores TA through fiscal ’13" »

Posted by sr at 2:12 PM | Permalink

Sparks Uproar From Service Members, Lawmakers

Posted: 03/13/2013 4:10 pm EDT | Updated: 03/15/2013 1:01 pm EDT

WASHINGTON -- While many in Washington continue to obsess over the fact that White House tours are being canceled due to sequestration's budget cuts, service members around the country have a much bigger concern -- the end of a program providing them with tuition assistance to further their education.

Continue reading " Military Tuition Assistance Suspension " »

Posted by sr at 9:31 AM | Permalink

By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Oct 10, 2012 17:16:12 EDT

Tricare will stop taking premium payments by mail for the Tricare Reserve Select and Tricare Retired Reserve programs at the end of the year.

Continue reading "Tricare to end mail-in premiums for 2 programs" »

Posted by sr at 8:31 AM | Permalink

By SUSAN SELIGER
September 19, 2012

Here’s a riddle: When is a government benefit that pays for caregivers, assisted living and a nursing home not a benefit? When hardly any people know they’re entitled to it.

Continue reading "A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans" »

Posted by sr at 10:12 AM | Permalink

Sep. 10, 2012 - 07:01AM | Last Updated: Sep. 10, 2012 - 07:01AM
By George Altman and Bethany Crudele | Staff writers

Did Uncle Sam charge you $1,200 for a benefit you can get for free? Probably.

Continue reading "Most pay for GI Bill they could get for free" »

Posted by KC at 6:34 AM | Permalink

By Bethany Crudele - Staff writer
Posted: Sunday Aug 19, 2012 11:41:04 EDT

The Marine Corps is examining how its two boot camps inform recruits about their GI Bill education benefits. The move was prompted when officials realized that so far this year, nearly all West Coast recruits have elected to buy into the Montgomery GI Bill, while the vast majority of East Coast recruits have enrolled in the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which is more generous than its predecessor and includes no buy-in fees.

Continue reading "USMC investigates GI Bill anomaly" »

Posted by SP at 9:39 AM | Permalink

By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Aug 17, 2012 14:39:17 EDT

Tricare beneficiaries who live in one of the regions served by the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan have until Monday to apply for the program if they want to stay in it when they become Medicare-eligible.

Continue reading "Sign-up deadline looms for Family Health Plan" »

Posted by sr at 6:52 PM | Permalink

By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Aug 11, 2012 9:05:02 EDT

The Social Security Administration is putting a rare lung disease found in some veterans exposed to burn pits and fires in Iraq and Afghanistan on its “compassionate allowances” list, a designation that should speed the process to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Continue reading "Lung disease put on list for faster benefits" »

Posted by sr at 9:04 AM | Permalink

Critics warn that some for-profit schools mislead veterans, who use their taxpayer-funded GI Bill money on hugely expensive educations with bleak job prospects.

By David Zucchino and Carla Rivera, Los Angeles Times

July 16, 2012, 5:00 a.m.
WASHINGTON — After Moses Maddox left the Marine Corps in 2006, he took a sales job with the for-profit University of Phoenix, making up to 100 calls a day to persuade veterans to enroll using their GI Bill benefits.

Continue reading "Backlash builds as for-profit schools rake in GI Bill funds" »

Posted by sr at 8:09 AM | Permalink

By Matthew M. Burke
Stars and Stripes
Published: May 25, 2012

SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — The Marine Corps soon will offer early retirement with benefits to some troops as part of force-shaping efforts aimed at cutting 20,000 jobs from the rolls over the next four years, Corps officials said this week.

Continue reading "Marines to offer early retirement, with benefits" »

Posted by sr at 8:27 AM | Permalink

By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 2, 2011 15:53:29 EST

Veterans whose genitals have been severely injured as a result of trauma are now eligible for a lump-sum payment under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury program, or TSGLI.

Continue reading "Traumatic injury pay now covers genital trauma" »

Posted by sr at 5:41 PM | Permalink

TSGLI Payments Will Be Made for Qualifying Injuries

September 16, 2011

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is extending retroactive traumatic injury benefits to Servicemembers who suffered qualifying injuries during the period Oct. 7, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2005, regardless of the geographic location where the injuries occurred.

Continue reading "Retroactive Traumatic Injury Benefits No Longer Just For OEF/OIF Injuries" »

Posted by sr at 2:24 PM | Permalink

Updated Aug 5, 2011

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, recently announced that the American Legion Auxiliary 332 Batavia contributed $1,000 to his annual Patriot Trip, a program that brings area veterans to Washington, D.C., for a tour of military monuments and memorials. The crucial funding will be used to help provide a profound experience available to as many local veterans as possible, Hawley said.

Continue reading "Local veterans group donates $1,000 to Hawley's Patriot Trip" »

Posted by KC at 5:37 PM | Permalink

By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jul 29, 2011 7:25:44 EDT

WASHINGTON — More than a thousand Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder would be given lifetime disability retirement benefits such as military health insurance under the terms of a settlement reached between the government and the veterans.

Continue reading "Vets with PTSD, government reach settlement" »

Posted by sr at 8:17 AM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 26, 2011 14:15:00 EDT

Congress has passed emergency legislation to prevent thousands of Post-9/11 GI Bill students from a drop in tuition payments next week when new policies will simplify the popular education program.

Continue reading "New GI Bill tuition protection approved" »

Posted by sr at 10:13 PM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jul 21, 2011 10:52:24 EDT

GI Bill 2.0 starts Aug. 1 with sweeping improvements to help thousands of current and former troops — and some of their families — earn college degrees.

Continue reading "GI Bill reboot: Upcoming changes simplify the process, but new caps could cut your benefits" »

Posted by sr at 4:06 PM | Permalink

By Patricia N. Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jul 7, 2011 18:10:39 EDT

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched an effort to find out why female vets often don’t turn to VA for their health care needs.

Continue reading "VA reaches out to female vets across nation" »

Posted by sr at 8:56 AM | Permalink

By Barbara Barrett
McClatchy Newspapers
Published: June 30, 2011

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Marine veterans and family members across the country who once lived at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marine base may be closer to getting health care for illnesses suffered because of decades of water contamination on the base.

Continue reading "Health care for Camp Lejeune veterans clears Senate hurdle" »

Posted by sr at 8:39 AM | Permalink

By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jun 18, 2011 9:22:07 EDT

Several hundred Marines whose planned separations from service or retirement were delayed by the stop-loss order have yet to collect their extra pay.

Continue reading "Stop-loss pay goes uncollected by Marines" »

Posted by sr at 9:14 AM | Permalink

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2011 – A month after the Veterans Affairs Department began processing applications for primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans, officials report steady progress toward delivering the new services and benefits.

Continue reading "VA Works to Provide Post-9/11 Family Caregiver Benefits" »

Posted by sr at 5:03 PM | Permalink

By Erik Slavin
Stars and Stripes
Published: April 8, 2011

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – Navy Federal Credit Union will advance servicemembers a week’s pay if the government shuts down, according to a credit union news release.

Continue reading "Navy Federal to advance servicemembers paychecks through April 15" »

Posted by sr at 6:10 PM | Permalink

by Julie Rose
April 8, 2011 from WFAE

Hundreds of veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabilities that make it hard or impossible for them to get a job. Many are eligible for disability benefits, but with a wait time that can last months or even years, the veterans are at risk of serious financial trouble.

Continue reading "VA Officials Try To Ease Disability Exam Backlog" »

Posted by sr at 5:35 PM | Permalink

By Leo Shane III
Stars and Stripes
Published: April 8, 2011

WASHINGTON — Legislation introduced in Congress this week would ensure that students attending college under the new post-9/11 GI Bill will have their full tuition covered, even if the cost exceeds the $17,500 cap put in place under recent changes to the program.

Continue reading "Legislation would ensure GI Bill changes don't land vets in debt" »

Posted by sr at 5:13 PM | Permalink

The Virginian-Pilot
© March 28, 2011

U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan, D-N.C., is encouraging eligible members of the military to take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit, which Congress extended for service members who were deployed, according to a news release. The credit is up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and up to $6,500 for repeat buyers.

Continue reading "Tax credit extended for members on deployment" »

Posted by sr at 9:09 AM | Permalink

March 21, 2011 • Terry Howell

News of a DoD doc­u­ment out­lin­ing plans to deal with the pos­si­ble gov­ern­ment shut­down hit the web caus­ing con­cern for mil­i­tary ser­vice­mem­bers and their fam­i­lies. The spe­cific con­cern is the DoD plan to deal with mil­i­tary pay.

Continue reading "Where to Turn if Shutdown Happens" »

Posted by sr at 8:32 AM | Permalink

3/18/2011 By Sgt. Heidi Agostini , I MEF

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A last-minute spending extension passed by Congress has alleviated fears of service members whose pay would have been affected April 1.

Continue reading "Military pay remains in question in face of federal budget woes" »

Posted by sr at 11:03 PM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Mar 11, 2011 12:08:58 EST

U.S. troops could be required to report to work without pay if a budget clash in Congress results in a government-wide shutdown, according to draft planning guidance circulating in the Pentagon.

Continue reading "If government shuts down, so would troop pay" »

Posted by sr at 10:57 PM | Permalink

By Leo Shane III
Stars and Stripes
Published: March 11, 2011

WASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs officials promised Friday that traumatic brain injury victims will be covered under new caregiver benefits scheduled to start this summer, but veterans advocates remain skeptical.

Continue reading "VA insists benefits will cover caregivers of vets with TBI" »

Posted by sr at 5:30 PM | Permalink

By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 8, 2011 12:39:25 EST

The Pentagon is ramping up oversight of the $517 million program that provides tuition assistance money for the active-duty force amid mounting concerns that it is ripe for waste and abuse.

Continue reading "New rules promise better tuition-plan oversight" »

Posted by sr at 9:43 AM | Permalink

By Jeff Schogol
Published: March 3, 2011

WASHINGTON – Troops, veterans and surviving spouses now have until March 18 to apply for retroactive stop-loss pay under a stop-gap funding measure signed by the president on Wednesday.

Continue reading "Stop-loss pay deadline extended to March 18" »

Posted by sr at 5:46 PM | Permalink

By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 14, 2011 13:45:00 EST

Health care coverage rates for working-age military retirees would increase about 13 percent under a controversial plan unveiled by Pentagon officials Monday.

Continue reading "Gates defends plan to raise some Tricare fees" »

Posted by sr at 7:29 AM | Permalink

Story by Cpl. Salvador R. Moreno | I Marine Expeditionary Force | Date: 02.11.2011

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Service members often move from duty station to duty station every few years. They update their address, phone number and vehicle registration, but what they often forget to update is their healthcare, and it can cause problems, said John Sylvera, a Tricare operations health benefits advisor at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

Continue reading "TRICARE: Staying up to date when you PCS" »

Posted by sr at 11:25 PM | Permalink

Staff report
Posted : Thursday Jan 13, 2011 19:16:24 EST

The Defense Department has finally formalized its plan to expand Tricare coverage for dependent children through age 26, bringing the military’s policy in line with the national health care reform law enacted last year.

Continue reading "DoD expands Tricare coverage for older children" »

Posted by sr at 8:23 AM | Permalink

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2011 – As Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates presses for a modest increase in health plan premiums for working-age military retirees to help offset rising health care costs, the head of the TRICARE Management Activity reported progress already made in improving efficiencies as well as the quality of health care services.

Continue reading "Health Plan Officials Work to Improve Efficiency, Care" »

Posted by sr at 4:32 PM | Permalink

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2011 – Though Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates seeks modest premium increases for working-age military retirees who use the TRICARE Prime health plan, the benefit will remain free to service members, defense officials emphasized today.

Continue reading "Health Plan to Remain Free for Troops, Officials Emphasize" »

Posted by sr at 4:27 PM | Permalink

Veterans' Advocacy Groups Urge Families to Check Government Records

By SUSANNA KIM
Jan. 5, 2011
abc GMA

Veterans and their families may be eligible to receive unclaimed funds totaling at about $33 million, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans' advocacy groups say many veterans' families have no idea the money is there.

Continue reading "$33 Million in Unclaimed Money for Veterans Dating Back to World War I" »

Posted by sr at 8:52 AM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jan 4, 2011 20:34:09 EST

President Obama has signed into law a package of changes — mostly improvements — in the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Continue reading "President signs into law latest GI Bill changes" »

Posted by sr at 10:23 PM | Permalink

By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jan 1, 2011 10:07:25 EST

Military health officials are refusing to pay for a new treatment for traumatic brain injury despite widespread support for the therapy among doctors and lawmakers.

Continue reading "Tricare denies coverage of newer TBI treatment" »

Posted by sr at 2:50 PM | Permalink

By T. Christian Miller and Daniel Zwerdling
ProPublica and NPR
Published: December 20, 2010

WASHINGTON — Over the past few decades, scientists have become increasingly persuaded that people who suffer brain injuries benefit from what is called cognitive rehabilitation therapy — a lengthy, painstaking process in which patients relearn basic life tasks like counting, cooking and remembering directions to get home.

Continue reading "Battle over science, money blocks widely recommended TBI therapy" »

Posted by sr at 5:20 PM | Permalink

By Leo Shane III
Stars and Stripes
Published: December 16, 2010

WASHINGTON — For the second time in two years, Congress has approved a major overhaul of GI Bill benefits, this time simplifying the formula for college tuition payments and awarding housing stipends to students attending classes online.

Continue reading "Congress passes expansion of GI Bill benefits" »

Posted by sr at 5:15 PM | Permalink

By Gregg Zoroya • USA TODAY • December 6, 2010

Military servicemembers are fighting what would be their lowest pay raise in decades as the nation wages two wars, including a 10th year of combat in Afghanistan.

Continue reading "Proposed military pay raise panned" »

Posted by sr at 9:35 AM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 29, 2010 13:57:22 EST

Uniformed military personnel are exempt from a proposed two-year freeze on government salary increases — for now.

Continue reading "Troops exempt from fed pay freeze proposal" »

Posted by sr at 10:43 PM | Permalink

By ELISABETH BUMILLER and THOM SHANKER
Published: November 28, 2010

WASHINGTON — Francis Brady enjoys a six-figure salary and generous benefits at the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, but as a retired Marine lieutenant colonel he and his family remain on the military’s bountiful lifetime health insurance, Tricare, with fees of only $460 a year. He calls the benefit “phenomenal.”

Continue reading "Gates Seeking to Contain Military Health Costs" »

Posted by sr at 4:53 PM | Permalink

Article updated: 11/10/2010 12:59 PM
By Daily Herald Report

Bonded by their common interests, a growing number of veterans at Elgin Community College recently formed a new club at the school: Military Branches United.

Continue reading "Veterans hit the books, form a club at Elgin Community College" »

Posted by sr at 1:00 PM | Permalink

By GORDON LUBOLD | 11/4/10 4:35 AM EDT

Looking to push his cost-cutting reforms to new realms, Defense Secretary Robert Gates may set his sights on runaway military health care costs — an area that members of Congress have so far been reluctant to tackle.

Continue reading "Health care costs on the front lines" »

Posted by sr at 9:33 AM | Permalink

By Associated Press
Story Published: Nov 3, 2010 at 5:27 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In honor of Veterans Day, national parks will not be charging any entrance fees on Nov. 11.

Continue reading "National parks will be free on Veterans Day" »

Posted by sr at 9:38 AM | Permalink

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2010 – With more than 260,000 students attending about 6,000 colleges and universities this fall under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, officials are continuing an active outreach effort to ensure current military members and veterans don’t miss out on the new program’s education benefits.

Continue reading "Officials Tout Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits" »

Posted by sr at 12:18 PM | Permalink

By: Kimberly Lankford
Kiplinger’s Money Power
September 29, 2010

If you are in the armed services, you may qualify for special protection that caps the interest rate on credit cards, mortgages and other loans at 6 percent while you are on active duty.

Continue reading "Military personnel land lower loan rates" »

Posted by sr at 2:52 PM | Permalink

With an Oct. 21 deadline approaching to apply for a $500 monthly stop-loss allowance, the Defense Department appears to have exhausted most conventional means of trying to contact eligible veterans and is now asking current service members to get involved by calling any buddies who may be eligible.

Continue reading "DoD to troops: Tell buddies about stop-loss pay" »

Posted by sr at 4:11 PM | Permalink

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jul 28, 2010 17:18:55 EDT

Time is running out for current and former troops involuntarily held on active duty beyond their service commitments to apply for retroactive $500 monthly payments.

Continue reading "Oct. 21 is deadline to apply for stop-loss pay" »

Posted by sr at 5:05 PM | Permalink

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jul 21, 2010 11:58:03 EDT

The My Career Advancement Accounts tuition program for military spouses will reopen to new enrollees Oct. 25, with some major restrictions on eligibility and funding, defense officials announced Tuesday.

Continue reading "DoD officials explain new spouse tuition rules" »

Posted by sr at 6:02 PM | Permalink

By Natalie Bailey - Medill News Service
Posted : Tuesday Jul 13, 2010 18:08:55 EDT

With her copper hair, pale skin and small stature, Army Reserve Sgt. Jennifer Hunt, 26, stands out in the Veterans Affairs Department hospital waiting room filled with Vietnam War-era veterans.

Continue reading "Back home, female vets fight for recognition" »

Posted by sr at 5:14 PM | Permalink

By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday May 2, 2010 9:16:02 EDT

The Corps is expanding special pay and allowance eligibility for Marines wounded or ill as a result of combat or hostile fire.

Continue reading "More wounded Marines eligible for special pays" »

Posted by sr at 9:35 AM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 29, 2010 18:53:58 EDT

Applications will be accepted beginning May 1 for a new scholarship program that lets the children of some deceased service members tap into Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Continue reading "Post-9/11 GI Bill scholarship program begins" »

Posted by sr at 10:26 PM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 19, 2010 16:36:46 EDT

People caring for severely disabled veterans would be eligible for a host of new benefits — including payment for some — under a compromise reached between key congressional committees, the Veterans Affairs Department and the White House.

Continue reading "Deal reached on family caregiver benefits" »

Posted by sr at 6:15 PM | Permalink

WASHINGTON - With 153,000 veterans enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill this semester, and new automation tools to arrive this month to improve processing procedures, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki declared the program "on track" and headed toward greater efficiency.

Continue reading "Automation to Improve Post-9/11 GI Bill Processing" »

Posted by sr at 9:29 AM | Permalink

By Les Blumenthal, McClatchy Newspapers
Stars and Stripes online edition, Sunday, March 28, 2010

WASHINGTON — With her husband deployed in Iraq with a Stryker brigade from Washington state's Joint Base Lewis-McChord, 20-year-old Lauren Silva isn't your typical college student. But when it comes to finding money for tuition, books and other expenses, she's not so different.

Continue reading "Abrupt end of college tuition help angers military spouses" »

Posted by sr at 10:01 AM | Permalink

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – After returning from a two-week mission in Iraq, a Marine makes a call to his wife, assuring her that he has returned safely. She is relieved, but panic creeks into her voice as she tells him that creditors have been calling their home asking about mortgage payments and threatening foreclosure. She anxiously asks her husband what went wrong and how to deal with it. The Marine is baffled, and he knows he needs legal assistance.

Continue reading "Legal Services Support Team Makes a Difference for Deployed Service Members" »

Posted by sr at 11:33 PM | Permalink

By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 15, 2009 13:10:33 EDT

WASHINGTON — Female soldiers and others serving in dangerous roles behind the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan have long complained it was hard to prove their combat experience when applying for disability for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Continue reading "Proposal could ease way for disability payments" »

Posted by BR at 9:27 PM | Permalink

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Sep 6, 2009 8:16:30 EDT

The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving closer to simplifying the process for many veterans to link post-traumatic stress disorder to their military service, whether in a war zone or not, which opens the door for disability benefits.

Continue reading "Change would streamline PTSD claims for vets" »

Posted by BR at 9:41 PM | Permalink

WASHINGTON | It wasn’t a bullet or roadside bomb that felled Lance Cpl. Josef Lopez three years ago, after just nine days in Iraq.

Continue reading "Missouri veteran injured by vaccine ineligible for benefit" »

Posted by sr at 1:43 PM | Permalink

By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 15, 2009 12:11:52 EST

The Defense Department has created a new outreach center for troops and family members who need help understanding post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, as well as to help them get the resources they need.

Continue reading "New DoD center offers help for PTSD" »

Posted by at 12:03 PM | Permalink

Troops can shift them to spouse, kids

By Rick Maze - [email protected]
Posted : October 06, 2008

All career service members, regardless of their military occupational specialty, will be offered the opportunity to transfer GI Bill benefits to immediate family members starting next summer, under a plan taking shape in the Pentagon.

Continue reading "Family members to get GI Bill benefits" »

Posted by sr at 1:20 PM | Permalink

By Rick Maze - [email protected]
Posted : October 06, 2008

In the first of what could become many revisions in its disability ratings, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Sept. 23 that it is changing how it evaluates traumatic brain injuries, a move that could increase disability compensation for thousands of veterans who have been injured by roadside bombs or other explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Continue reading "VA rule change may mean higher TBI payouts" »

Posted by sr at 1:16 PM | Permalink

This afternoon, the House of Representatives made history. By an overwhelming margin, lawmakers passed the landmark new GI Bill which will make college affordable to the more than 1.6 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Continue reading "First Victory on GI Bill Today" »

Posted by sr at 6:22 PM | Permalink

When Sgt. Patrick Campbell returned to law school after serving a tour in Iraq, his student lender told him that he was defaulting on his payments. Due to his deployment to Iraq, he had used up all of his permissible grace period. Unlike his non-veteran classmates, the lender was going to require Patrick to start repaying his loans the day after graduation. Finally, after writing dozens of letters and spending hours on the phone, he was told that the only way to restore his pre-deployment status would be to rewrite the laws. So he did just that. Patrick spent his final year in law school writing the Veterans Education Tuition Support Act (VETS) to help returning student-soldiers.

Continue reading "Vet Rewrites The Law To Help Others" »

Posted by LD for MarineParents.com at 7:59 PM | Permalink

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2006 – The Department of Justice has launched a Web site to protect servicemembers’ rights, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzalez said yesterday.

Continue reading "Justice Department Presents Web Site to Explain Military Rights" »

Posted by sr at 5:42 PM | Permalink

Service members in uniform can now watch their favorite World Wrestling Entertainment superstars in action free of charge.

World Wrestling Entertainment is offering all U.S. military personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Reserves and National Guard a complimentary ticket to a live WWE event in their local area, provided they come dressed in uniform with a military ID.

Continue reading "Free Wrestling Tickets" »

Posted by at 9:37 AM | Permalink

By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, June 30, 2006

ARLINGTON, Va. — Authorities have found the laptop containing personal data on 26.5 million veterans and current servicemembers that was stolen from a Veterans Affairs employee, the FBI announced Thursday.

Continue reading "Stolen laptop containing VA personnel information is found" »

Posted by at 9:45 PM | Permalink

Troops will pay more for Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance starting July 1, Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced June 14.

At the same time, premiums under the separate SGLI program for family members will drop across the board, VA officials said.

Continue reading "VA to raise life insurance rates" »

Posted by at 2:35 PM | Permalink

A modified version of the “Troops to Teachers” program has been approved by the Senate.

This time, the wrinkle involves getting nurses who are leaving the military to consider jobs as nursing instructors in an effort to fill nationwide shortages in the profession.

Continue reading "Post-service training proposal clears Senate" »

Posted by at 2:33 PM | Permalink

A North Carolina congressman proposes boosting retired pay for special operations troops to encourage them to stay in service instead of accepting lucrative private-sector security jobs.

But Rep. Robin Hayes’ idea to allow special pays and bonuses to be included when calculating retirement pay is controversial. Even Hayes does not expect it to be acted upon this year.

Continue reading "New bill would boost spec ops retired pay" »

Posted by at 2:32 PM | Permalink

Family members and troops are a step closer to protections from unscrupulous insurance and financial product salespeople, courtesy of a bill approved by a key Senate committee.

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs approved the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act on June 14. The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Continue reading "Senate panel OKs financial protection bill" »

Posted by at 2:30 PM | Permalink

By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Sunday, June 4, 2006

ARLINGTON, Va. — To get Marines to join the Reserves after active duty, the Marine Corps is promising not to deploy them for two years, the Marine Corps has announced.

Continue reading "Marines joining Reserve after active-duty to get war reprieve" »

Posted by at 8:19 PM | Permalink

About 150 Marines from Battery I left this morning for training. The unit is reporting for duty with its parent command, the 3rd Battalion 14th Marines. For most of the Marines, it will be their first deployment.

(At the bottom of this article is information about PA's Military Family Relief)

Continue reading "A group of American Marine reservists based in Reading is headed to Iraq." »

Posted by at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Hundreds of soldiers wounded in battle in Iraq have found themselves fighting off bill collectors on the home front, according to a report to be released tomorrow. The draft report by the Government Accountability Office, which ABC News obtained, said that hundreds of wounded soldiers had military debts incurred through no fault of their own turned over to collection agencies.

Continue reading "Wounded Soldiers Fight Off Bill Collectors at HomeCongressman Calls It 'Financial Friendly Fire'; Military Blames Payroll Errors" »

Posted by sr at 5:25 PM | Permalink

EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (April 7, 2006) -- Famed lyricist, John Lennon, once wrote, “All you need is love.” For some couples with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, their love for one another brought them together to seek the never ending task of improvement.

Continue reading "Marriage enrichment class provides “bouquet” of knowledge" »

Posted by at 10:25 AM | Permalink

WHAT’S UP: To help wounded service members and their families deal with pressing financial issues and get their finances on track, volunteers from the nonprofit Financial Planning Association are giving presentations and providing financial counseling at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where the bulk of service members wounded in combat zones are treated. The effort, which kicked off Jan. 31, is being coordinated with Army Community Services.

Continue reading "Pay & Benefits, Money advice for the wounded" »

Posted by at 10:51 PM | Permalink

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2006 – Military life is full of ups and downs. But for it to be a more positive experience, military spouses have to know themselves, Amberlynde Graham said.

Continue reading "Married to the Military: Spouses Need Own Identity" »

Posted by at 4:10 PM | Permalink

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (Jan. 19, 2006) -- Service members who suffer traumatic injuries in combat will be eligible for financial compensation Dec. 1 thanks to a new program under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.

Continue reading "Servicemembers receive new benefits for severe combat injuries" »

Posted by at 12:28 PM | Permalink

A college degree may lead to better job opportunities and better pay. In fact, earning a bachelor's or graduate degree increases one's average hourly wage compared to those with only a high school diploma, according to a Rand Corp. survey.

Continue reading "Help for Military Spouses Going Back to School" »

Posted by at 12:06 PM | Permalink

The rise in military divorce rates raised a red flag in the armed services. In 2004, nearly 10,477 military couples divorced, according to a Department of Defense report. What's more, military couple divorces steadily increased from 2002 (7,000 divorces reported) to 2003 (more than 7,500 divorces). Army officials speculate that the reasons for the increase range from alcohol misuse to anger-management issues for troops returning from deployment, reports Stars and Stripes.

Continue reading "Military Divorce Rates Spurs Action" »

Posted by at 12:04 PM | Permalink

Affordable childcare is hard to find. For civilian families, the average cost of childcare tuition exceeds $3,300 per child and is over $5,000 per child in 20 states, according to a 2002 U.S. House Ways and Means committee report.

Continue reading "Childcare Help for Military Families" »

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

WASHINGTON — Officials at Anheuser-Busch have extended their offer of free theme park admission for active-duty servicemembers through 2006, allowing troops and up to three family members a free day of rest and roller coasters.

Continue reading "Free theme park tickets for servicemembers" »

Posted by at 11:21 AM | Permalink

SAN DIEGO -- There's controversy over how the military is transporting the bodies of service members killed overseas, San Diego TV station KGTV reported.

Continue reading "Family Upset After Soldier's Body Shipped As Freight" »

Posted by at 11:36 AM | Permalink

From the first day of boot camp, a Marine is part of a team, rarely serving or fighting alone. That ends when a Marine is severely injured in combat and rushed from the field for medical care. Those without family to care for them at home can find themselves alone with no place to go.

Continue reading "N.C. Marine Barracks Helps Wounded Troops" »

Posted by at 12:50 PM | Permalink

"They gave their life fighting for our Country...
now it is our turn to take care of their Children"

With the ongoing global war against terrorism and the continuing war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the goal of the Vail Armed Forces Week, is to raise funds for Recognized Military Foundations, providing educational scholarships, for the children who have lost a parent or was seriously wounded while serving our country. For this years event 90% of the net proceeds from the weeks event will be equally distributed to the

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
and
Naval Special Warfare Foundation.

The balance of 10% to be donated to a Army Foundation still to be selected.

Continue reading "VailArmedForces.com to host a week-long fund raiser supporting the children of our fallen heroes." »

Posted by at 4:24 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Dec. 8, 2005) -- Marines are trained to deploy: Married or single. This includes single parents.

Continue reading "Single Parents" »

Posted by at 10:41 AM | Permalink

Hundreds of soldiers and Marines based in North Carolina flocked to magistrates to be married in early 2003. Young and headed to Iraq, they were joining a romantic tradition as old as war and marriage.

Continue reading "Failed marriages can often follow wartime romances" »

Posted by at 10:34 AM | Permalink

Scores of military families are webcasting (via video and audio) special holiday greetings to loved ones serving overseas during the national tour of "Operation Best Wishes."

Continue reading "Deployed Troops and Their Families Joined During Holidays via Webcasts by National Tour of 'Operation Best Wishes'" »

Posted by at 11:53 AM | Permalink

Some former and current U.S. Marine Corps personnel may be eligible for financial compensation through the newly established Traumatic Injury Insurance Program.

Continue reading "U.S. Marines Begin Offering Traumatic Injury Insurance Program" »

Posted by at 11:53 AM | Permalink

Spouses of ‘individual augments’ banding together at Camp Courtney

By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, December 4, 2005

CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa — Wives of deployed Marines usually have the support of their husbands’ battalion to help them make it through the tough times.

Continue reading "Wives of deployed Marines supporting each other" »

Posted by at 3:48 PM | Permalink

The Department of Defense announced today the implementation of traumatic injury protection insurance under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program as enacted by section 1032 of Public Law 109-13.

Continue reading "DoD Announces Implementation of Traumatic Injury Protection" »

Posted by at 2:02 PM | Permalink

Hundreds of soldiers and Marines based in North Carolina flocked to magistrates to be married in early 2003. Young and headed to Iraq, they were joining a romantic tradition as old as war and marriage.

Continue reading "War taking toll on N.C. military marriages" »

Posted by at 12:27 PM | Permalink

Sailors and Marines moving to the San Diego area will see changes in their basic allowance for housing (BAH) effective Jan. 1, 2006.

Continue reading "New San Diego Sailors, Marines to See BAH Changes" »

Posted by at 2:01 AM | Permalink

CLEVELAND -- University Hospitals is offering LASIK vision correction for free to area Marines.

Continue reading "Local Hospital Offers Free LASIK Surgery To Marines" »

Posted by at 1:15 AM | Permalink

DOLLARDAYS JOINS FORCES WITH MILITARY FAMILY NETWORK TO HELP SOLDIERS’ FAMILIES, RETURNING VETS Small Retailers Join Operation DollarDays to Support U.S. Troops

Continue reading " Operation Dollar Days Supports Families with Free Flowers and Programs" »

Posted by at 1:03 PM | Permalink

The Department of Defense achieved a major milestone with the launch of AHLTA, its global electronic health record system, at a ceremony hosted by Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, and attended by Michael O. Leavitt, secretary of health and human services, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda today.

Continue reading "Military Health System Enters New Era" »

Posted by at 1:00 PM | Permalink

Submitters note: Life in the military requires travel- here's a great article on traveling with children

Continue reading "How to Travel With Small; Children and Live to Tell About it" »

Posted by at 12:20 PM | Permalink

"Since my husband returned from Iraq, we seem to be fighting all the time about money. I don’t work because any money I would make would be offset by what we would have to pay for child care for our daughter....

Continue reading "Surviving on Military Pay" »

Posted by at 12:17 PM | Permalink

More about Spouse Life insurance- pros/cons

Continue reading "Spouse Life Insurance - Is It Needed?" »

Posted by at 12:20 PM | Permalink

Committee Marks Up Housing Bill granting programs to better accommodate our most severely injured veterans.

Continue reading " Committee Marks Up Housing Bill" »

Posted by at 12:18 PM | Permalink

JP MORGAN CHASE AND CO.
CHASE/BANK ONE CARDS-ACCOUNTS

Continue reading " Bank Offers Hotline for Deployed Troops" »

Posted by at 12:16 PM | Permalink

Life in the military requires the ability to adapt constantly - to new places, new responsibilities and new challenges. It's no different when it comes to staying on top of your insurance coverage.

Continue reading "Take the Wheel and Save on Auto Insurance" »

Posted by at 12:13 PM | Permalink

Why Use A VA Home Loan?

Continue reading "Money: 14 Reasons For Using a VA Home Loan" »

Posted by at 10:58 AM | Permalink

Annoucing military scholarships.

Continue reading "America Supports You: Commissary, Fisher House Offer Scholarships" »

Posted by at 10:57 AM | Permalink

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Oct. 24, 2005) -- In 2004, 2,235 enlisted Marines divorced, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. This brought the divorce rate in the Marine Corps up to about 65 percent, 20 percent more than the average rate in the U.S., according to the DMDC.

Continue reading "Setting up for marital bliss or preparing for a divorce" »

Posted by at 11:14 PM | Permalink

DOD PRESS RELEASE
ARMED FORCES PRESS SERVICES

FORT LEE, Va., Oct. 21, 2005 – Commissary shoppers looking for a different kind of gift for friends or family at home or abroad can now shop online at the "Virtual Commissary."

Continue reading "Online Commissary Opens for Business" »

Posted by at 11:28 AM | Permalink

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2005 – The Fisher House organization uses more than a million frequent flyer miles per week in distributing free round-trip airline tickets to families of war-wounded servicemembers being treated in military and Veterans Affairs medical facilities across the country.

Continue reading "America Supports You: Fisher House Distributes Airline Tickets" »

Posted by at 10:59 AM | Permalink

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2005) -- Housing, hospital and construction projects and lead updates were announced during a town hall meeting at the San Luis Rey Officer’s Club Oct. 13.

Continue reading "Base officials update projects" »

Posted by at 12:02 PM | Permalink

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 11, 2005) -- Last July, when the doctors diagnosed his wife with gastric cancer, all the other problems in Sgt. Devin Mitchell’s life no longer seemed to matter. His main concern immediately turned to the health of his wife, Hisano.

Continue reading "Marine gets ‘exceptional’ help from military program" »

Posted by at 10:45 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2005) -- It is said that the strongest of bonds between two people is marriage. Unfortunately, a marriage between a man and a woman can be broken, and domestic violence could be the sledgehammer that crushes it all.

Continue reading "Victim advocates help victims of domestic violence cope" »

Posted by at 12:41 PM | Permalink

SGLI raises to 400,000

Continue reading " SGLI Increase Made Permanent" »

Posted by at 12:24 PM | Permalink

PIERRE, S.D. --
The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans bonus of up to $500 to certain military personnel who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding entry into the Armed Forces, who are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and who served on active duty during one, or both of the following periods.

Continue reading "S. Dakota offers bonus to veterans" »

Posted by at 10:53 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Camp Pendleton-based Marines preparing to replace II Marine Expeditionary Force units in Iraq now have a more high-speed option to complete their military education.

Continue reading "MCIs getting high speed" »

Posted by at 6:56 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC (Sept. 23, 2005) -- The Lowcountry Council of Governments is currently working to develop vanpool routes to help employees in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties get to and from work.

Continue reading "Lowcountry SmartVan Program offers commuters transportation alternative" »

Posted by at 6:16 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 22, 2005) -- With the ever-rising prices of gas, Marine Corps Community Services and Quantico officials have changed the existing gas-pumping and pay procedures at the base gas station to a prepay system.

Continue reading "Gas station goes to prepay system" »

Posted by at 10:33 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 22, 2005) -- Marine Corps Community Services Military OneSource has added an additional feature to its already vast library of online resources to help assist service members and their families.

Continue reading "New Military OneSource Feature available online" »

Posted by at 10:31 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 22, 2005) -- Marines and sailors sometimes find themselves in emergency situations and need financial assistance or other support. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is designed to help active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their eligible family members with those situations.

Continue reading "Financial, life assistance available for Marines, sailors through NMCRS" »

Posted by at 10:30 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 22, 2005) -- Schools in the Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools system will spend the rest of this school year testing a new computer-aided reading program designed to ensure kindergarten through second-grade students are reading at the appropriate grade level by the time they enter third grade.

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Posted by at 10:25 AM | Permalink

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following statement was released today by the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society regarding efforts to assist Sailors, Marines and their families affected by Hurricane Katrina:

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Posted by MarineParents.com, Inc. at 8:56 PM | Permalink

A government review of 72,000 post-traumatic stress disorder cases planned for early next year is an excuse to cut benefits for older veterans and toughen qualifications for future ones, veterans groups and other critics contend.

Continue reading "Vets groups slam review of combat stress cases" »

Posted by MarineParents.com, Inc. at 12:08 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2005) -- The Department of Defense announced an increase in the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage Aug. 30.

Continue reading "SGLI Increase takes effect" »

Posted by at 3:21 PM | Permalink