Legislation Improves VA Caregiver Programs: TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

Posted 02 Mar 21 by Chelsea Bostelman

Legislation Improves VA Caregiver Programs: TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

The VA offers many resources for caregivers of veterans. These programs support some of the most important members of veteran’s clinical care teams – caregivers. Reports of veterans and caregivers losing access to these valuable resources have recently led to the Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures (TEAM) for Veteran Caregivers Act.

The TEAM for Veterans Caregivers Act became law on December 31^st, 2020, and requires the VA to formally recognize caregivers in the electronic health records of veterans. Caregivers covered by the act include those participating in the following programs.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Program of General Caregiver Support Services

Approximately a quarter of the 9 million veterans that the VA serves each year require caregiver support. Under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), eligible caregivers receive training, a monthly stipend for providing home health services to the veteran, and additional important benefits like health insurance coverage and mental health services.

The PCAFC was originally designed only for caregivers of post 9/11 veterans. It is currently undergoing expansion to include caregivers of veterans from all eras. Losing these important benefits threatens the livelihood of veterans and is synonymous with job loss for caregivers.

RELATED: VA Caregiver Program Expanded

Caregivers Dropped from Programs

In 2018, NPR covered veterans whose caregivers were unexpectedly dropped to a lower level of support or from caregiver programs altogether. The stories of these families highlight the importance of caregiver programs to veterans and their caregivers. In NPR’s coverage of their stories, Quil Lawrence explained that caregivers in these VA programs provide home health services that would cost the VA millions of dollars.

After losing VA caregiver program benefits, these caregivers continued providing care for the veteran. Caregivers are most often spouses or other family members functioning as around-the-clock caregivers of veterans. These families need and deserve the benefits offered by VA caregiver programs.

TEAM for Veterans Caregivers Act

The TEAM for Veterans Caregivers Act improves transparency and communication preventing unexpected loss of benefits. The act takes the following steps to improve the VA Caregiver Programs:

Formally recognizes caregivers. By ensuring all caregivers are included in the veteran’s electronic medical record, communication between caregivers and the VA is improved.
Standardizing notification letters. The act requires the VA to use standardized letters to notify veterans and caregivers of decisions. It also requires the VA to provide an explanation with information that would be necessary to file an appeal.
Benefits extended. The act authorizes the VA to temporarily extend benefits after a veteran is determined to be no longer eligible for the program.

These steps prevent the sudden loss of benefits experienced by the caregivers in the NPR stories. Formally recognizing caregivers and standardizing notification letters improves communication. Including important information in notification letters and temporarily extending benefits allow veterans and caregivers to appeal decisions that do not accurately reflect their situations.

The VA offers a long list of caregiver support programs and resources. The efficacy in which they are delivered is undergoing steps to improve and expand these programs to meet the needs of veterans and caregivers. The VA is the largest hospital system in the United States and it is not a perfect system. The TEAM for Veterans Caregivers Act moves the needle in the right direction.

Posted 02 Mar 21 by Julie Provost

The Military Epic Pass and Liberty Pass: What You Need to Know

Epic Savings at Vail Resorts for Military and Veterans with the Military Epic Pass and Liberty Pass

Please note that the Epic Pass, Military Epic Pass, and Liberty Pass are unavailable at this time. We will update when this changes.

If you love to ski or snowboard, you might already know about the Epic Pass offered by Vail Resorts. But did you know that they offer a special Military Epic Pass as well as a Liberty Pass?

These passes are discounted from the regular price, and are such a great deal! Here is what you need to know about these passes.

Vail Resorts

Vail Resorts was founded by Pete Seibert, who served in the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division during WWII, and Earl Eaton, who served as an Army engineer during the war. They were both ski patrol guides in Aspen, CO who founded Vail in 1962. The company was then known as Vail Associates and was purchased by George N. Gillett Jr. in 1985.

The name was changed to Vail Resorts in 1997. They now operate 37 ski resorts in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Where can you use the Military Epic Pass and the Liberty Pass?

Vail
Beaver Creek
Whistler Blackcomb
Breckenridge
Park City
Keystone
Heavenly
NorthStar
Kirkwood
Stowe
Crested Butte
Okemo
Mount Sunapee
Stevens Pass
Wilmot
Afton Alps
Mt. Brighton Mount Snow
Attitash
Wildcat
Crotched Mountain
Hunter
Liberty
Roundtop
Whitetail
Jack Frost
Alpine Valley
Big Boulder
Boston Mills
Brandy Mills
Brandywine
Mad River
Hidden Valley
Snow Creek
Paoli Peaks
Perisher in Australia
Falls Creek in Australia
Hotham in Australia

Partner resorts are not available at this time.

Who can use which pass?

There are several different options to choose from, based on your status. They are:

Military Epic Pass – Active/Retired/Registered Dependent

Military Epic Pass – Veteran/Dependent

Liberty Pass -Active/Retired/Veteran/Dependent

What are the differences between each of the passes?

Military Epic Pass – Active/Retired/Registered Dependent

These passes give you access to all 37 Vail Resorts owned and operated resorts.

The cost for 2020-2021 was $189.

Military Epic Pass – Veteran/Dependent

These passes give you access to all 37 Vail Resorts owned and operated resorts.

The cost for 2020-2021 was $579 for those 18+ and $319 for children ages 5-17.

Liberty Pass -Active/Retired/Veteran/Dependent

This pass gives you access to Keystone Resort and 50% off window rate tickets at other Vail Resorts owned and operated resorts.

The cost for 2020-2021 was $319 for adults and $219 for children ages 5-17.

The regular cost of the Epic Pass is $999 for adults, 13+ and $509 for children ages 5-12.

What about children?

Military Epic Pass – Active/Retired/Registered Dependent

All dependents are included in this pass.

Military Epic Pass – Veteran/Dependent

There is special pricing for dependent children under 18 years of age.

Liberty Pass -Active/Retired/Veteran/Dependent

There is special pricing for dependent children under 18 years of age.

Children ages four and under are free when accompanied by an adult. You would need to buy them a special pass when they go on sale during labor day weekend.

How do you get the pass?

If you are a current or former member of the military or a dependent of an active duty member or veteran you qualify for these passes. This includes the national guard and reserves, as well as all branches of the US military.

There is a military status verification process within the checkout process. Registered dependents age 16 and older will need to use their own credentials. Those under 16 would use their sponsor’s credentials.

What if you buy the pass but then get deployed or move?

Epic Coverage is offered free and includes refunds for personal events, including deployments and being reassigned to another location.

What else do we need to know about the pass?

The pass also includes discounts on rentals, ski school, and lodging.
Each Military Epic Pass or Liberty Pass offers Ski-With-A-Friend Tickets. This includes six discounted, single-day lift tickets for friends and family. They vary in price based on when you visit.
If the pass is purchased in the spring, you will also get summer access, which is sightseeing only.
Sales typically begin in March of each year.

Where do I go for more information and to purchase the pass?

Please visit the official Epic Pass website for more information and to purchase your pass.

Posted 25 Feb 21 by Chelsea Bostelman

Nursing Students: Paid VA Nurse Residency

Paid Nurse Residency at the VA, Part of the VALOR Program

Nursing school is hard, passing the NCLEX is not easy, and working as a nurse is as challenging as it is rewarding. What might be the most difficult years of nursing are the transition years between student nurse and competent nurse.

Better Prepared to Transition From Student to Competent Nurse

The VA Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) program supports nurses during these transition years. The program bolsters the training of nursing school by offering additional time to hone clinical skills that are critically important to a successful nursing career. In an interview for the VA, Jessica Crabtree explained that her participation in the VALOR program prepared her as a nursing student for a seamless transition into a full-time nursing role.

Who is eligible for VALOR?

Glenda Fuller, a VALOR program specialist, explained in the Veterans Affairs & Military Medicine Outlook Spring 2020 that nursing students in accredited baccalaureate nursing programs who have completed their junior year and have earned at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible for the program. This unique residency program involves an 800 hour paid internship in a VA healthcare setting.

Where are VALOR programs available?

VALOR program specialist Glenda Fuller further explained that 124 VA-approved healthcare facilities participate in the VALOR program. Most of these facilities are located in urban settings and the programs receive far more applications than available residency slots, two major challenges of the program Fuller added in the same interview.

Search your local VA health care facility website to find out if a VALOR program is available in your area. The application involves navigating USAJOBs.

What are the benefits of participating in the VALOR program?

In addition to her positive experience in the program, Jessica Crabtree continues to benefit from VALOR and her nursing career with the VA.

Benefits
Job Security
Student Loan Assistance
Career Advancement
Continuing Education Opportunities
Work in a Nation-Wide system

Crabtree’s positive experience is shared with 98% of VALOR participants, according to program specialist Glenda Fuller in the Veterans Affairs & Military Medicine Outlook Spring 2020.

What does the VALOR program involve?

VALOR is a recruitment program for VA hospitals with great educational and financial benefits for nursing students. According to a 2014 article in the Federal Practitioner, students write personal reflections and participate in frequent debriefing discussions. Additional experiences include working with other disciplines, observing home health visits, experience in different hospital units, evidence-based projects, and earning certifications like advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), the same article outlines.

Why work at the VA? Top 10 Reasons to Work at the VA

The VA nursing careers website lists the top 10 reasons to work at the VA. These include:

The culture is driven by the values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence
The VA is the largest health care system: over 1,200 facilities
Work with cutting-edge and growing technology
Support in the form of scholarship programs, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs, and a long list of education and training programs
Work-life balance through generous paid days off, sick days, and paid federal holidays
High-quality benefits
Work on a team of medical professionals focused on caring for veterans
Practice nursing in any VA facility with just one license

Posted 25 Feb 21 by Robert Haynes

Defense Budget Updates for 2021: What It Means For You

NDAA 2021: Defense Budget Updates for Pay, Travel, Healthcare, TRICARE and More

The William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395), was finally passed at the onset of the New Year, January 1st, after having been vetoed by former President Trump. Both the Senate and the US House of Representatives voted to override the president’s veto, which made the bill a law.

The $740 billion bill includes pay raises for America’s service members, equipment modernizations, and some anti-money laundering provisions, among other things. Many of the topics included in the budget do not directly impact you directly, like the repurposing of nuclear warheads, but here is a break out of the sections of the law that do:

Pay raise: The rate of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services are increased by 3.0 percent.
Credit for retired pay purposes: Periods of maternity leave taken by a member of the Armed Forces reserve components shall count toward the member’s entitlement to retired pay.
Travel and transportation allowances will now cover fares and tolls.
Space suits: probably not real space suits, but the law has authorized a one-time uniform allowance to officers who transfer to the Space Force. This is significant since officers are not generally authorized a uniform allowance.
Special Pay Extensions: The law allows for a one-year extension for special and bonus pays, including bonuses, hazardous duty pay, skill incentive pay, and aviation incentive pay, to name but a few.
For officers in health professions, an increase in special and incentive pays was authorized.
Spouse Relicensing Costs due to PCS: Reimbursements for relicensing costs caused by a PCS move are not to exceed $1,000 and not to extend past December 31, 2024.
Expansion of assistance for Gold Star spouses and other dependents.
Improvements to breast cancer screenings.
Expansion of benefits available under TRICARE Extended Health Care Option Program.
The sale of hearing aids for dependents of certain members of the Reserves.
The inclusion of members of the Reserve Components in mental health programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Key Takeaways for the 2021 Defense Budget

So, you may have already seen that your pay has gone up slightly, by exactly 3%. That’s not bad, considering the inflation rate for the year that ended January 2021 was 1.4%. That keeps you a step ahead of inflation for now. I still remember the whopping 1.0% increase from 2015!

The other big one was the Spouse Relicensing provision. Across the military, PCS moves are a part of life, and it is an enduring challenge for us military spouses to maintain our employability with each move. The new law authorizes up to $1,000 per instance of relicensing caused by a PCS move. The program only lasts, as of now, until the end of 2024. So either PCS moves will go away, or they’ll have to extend the provision before that deadline.

Another provision we are watching closely is the TRICARE extension to our dependents who are over eighteen years of age. In light of the pandemic, health care for our young adults has become a pressing issue. This provision would extend the TRICARE coverage, at no cost, to dependents until age 26, which is similar to the provisions from the Affordable Care Act.

As specifics become available, we will report them further!

(Image taken by Spc. Jessica Scott, courtesy of the US Army)

Posted 22 Feb 21 by Robert Haynes

Fellowships & Career Opportunities at the VA

Job Opportunities at the VA, Including Fellowships

Have you completed an advanced degree? Are you interested in a career helping Veterans?

If your answer to these questions is “yes”, then you should consider applying for the VA’s Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program.

Presidential Management Fellows, an Overview

The PMF is a prestigious leadership development program that spans across the Federal Government and is ideally suited for those holding advanced degrees, and who are at the entry level of their career.

Each year, candidates from a wide variety of academic disciplines compete for these coveted positions. “Candidates have an interest in and a dedication to excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs,” states the landing page for the program. The program offers PMFs unique leadership, training, and development opportunities, with the expectation that they will become future leaders of change at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Presidential Management Fellows program falls under the VA Pathways Program.

PMF Program Eligibility & Qualifications

All candidates undergo a rigorous assessment and selection process that measures writing, interpersonal, analytic, and leadership skills. There are multiple steps of the application process, and applicants are highly encouraged to pay close attention to application deadlines.

In general, candidates must be in the process of completing, or have already completed within the past two years, a qualifying advanced degree – masters, law, or doctoral program. The most up-to-date eligibility requirements can be found at www.pmf.gov.

Qualifications vary by individual PMF positions. Job openings are posted online each spring and are available only to PMF finalists and federal employees.

Training and Development

The VA sponsors programs and training forums for all PMFs, with additional training opportunities provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and other agencies. The training includes 160 hours of formal interactive training, challenging work assignments, and direct feedback on work performance.

As a Presidential Management Fellow, you will create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for your two-year program, participate in developmental learning opportunities, network with other PMFs, and contribute to the larger mission of the VA, which is to help and care for our nation’s Veterans.

Those who successfully complete the program’s requirements are often eligible for conversion to a full-time position.

Compensation

Okay, up to this point you are probably pretty amped about this opportunity! (I know I am!) But you’re probably wondering, “Will I get paid?”

Yes, all PMFs will receive compensation during their time in the program. Finalists are initially appointed as Fellows at the GS-9, GS-11, or GS-12 grade levels. While actual salaries will vary based on geographic locations, the most current information on the Federal pay scale can be found at the OPM Salary Table website.

PMFs are also eligible for promotion while in the program. So you may start out at one pay grade and advance along the scale within that pay grade; or you may even jump from one pay grade (GS-9) to a higher pay grade (GS-11). Promotions for Fellows are determined by the policies and criteria of the employing agency, the VA in this case.

Benefits

As a Presidential Management Fellow, you will have most of the same benefits available to federal employees. Some of these benefits include:

Insurance plans
- Health
- Life
- Dental/Vision
- Long Term Care
- Flexible Spending Accounts
Tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Subsidy
Paid Holidays
Flexible Work Hours
Leave/Paid time off
Employee Assistance Program

More information for New/Prospective Employees and the Thrift Savings Plan.

Student Loan Repayment

Participating agencies may offer Finalists and Fellows various student loan programs. You should ask the agency about the program they offer.

In general, Federal agencies are authorized to repay student loans under the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program. The amount paid by the agency is subject to the following maximum limits:

$10,000 per employee, per calendar year
$60,000 in total, per employee

Finalists accepting appointments as Fellows are eligible to receive student loan repayment; but again they are agency specific, and the VA is just one agency participating in the PMF program.

Here’s more information about OPM’s Federal Student Loan Repayment Program.

How to Apply

The PMF application process is refined from year to year, but it is highly structured and very thorough. The PMF website contains the details on the current application process.

Again, pay attention to those application deadlines. The 2021 finalists were just announced a few days ago. The next application window is expected to open in the spring of 2021, just a few months away.

So, if you hold an advanced degree, or are currently in a graduate program, then now is the time to begin preparing your application to the VA’s Presidential Fellows Program.

Good luck!

(Image courtesy of D. Shironosov via 123rf.com)

Posted 19 Feb 21 by Samantha Cain

Top Podcasts for Military, Veterans and Their Families

Popular Podcasts for the Military Community

If this past year has done anything for the seeking of entertainment, it’s driven people to find new and interesting ways to occupy themselves. One such way to absorb yourself in a welcomed distraction, possibly learn new things, and potentially multi-task at the same time is to listen to podcasts.

What exactly is a podcast? A dictionary definition states that a podcast is “a digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer.” That’s not very informative. The modern-day word podcast comes from a combination of iPod and broadcast, but is a concept that actually comes from the 1980s, called audio blogging.

Podcasts didn’t really become popular until the early 2000s, when portable audio devices that were able to connect to the internet started to readily emerge for the general public, and internet-based streaming became a common way of life. At first, podcasts were mostly conducted by large companies to promote their businesses and products, but today, podcasts can be created and uploaded by practically anybody for any reason. The most popular form of podcasting is basically an audio version of a tv show (though more and more podcasts are conducting video-recordings of their sessions and uploading these to personal websites or YouTube as well). People have referred to podcasts as “Netflix for audio,” “audio on demand,” and even “downloadable niche talk radio.”

For some additional insight into podcast popularity, current statistics look like this:

Over 55% of the US population has listened to a podcast
In 2020 over 155 million people listen to a podcast every week
There are over 700,000 active podcasts and 29 million podcast episodes available
49% of podcast listening happens at home, 22% happens while driving, 11% at work, and 8% while exercising
In 2021, the top five categories for podcasts are society & culture, business, comedy, health, news & politics

There is no right or wrong way to conduct or format a podcast in this day and age. You can find podcasts about anything, from true crime to fandom-themed discussions, to comedy shows, and so much more. That being said, it can oftentimes be difficult to find something relevant or appealing to you. To hopefully make the process of choosing a podcast that’s a perfect fit for you easier, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular podcasts for different types of listeners in the military community.

Popular Podcasts for Active Duty Service Members

Jocko

Hosted by retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink and Echo Charles, this show focuses on discipline, business, war, relationships and more. The hosts focus on speaking openly, bluntly, and unapologetically.

Women of the Military

Air Force veteran Amanda Huffman brings her experience as a former officer and military spouse while she exclusively interviews female active duty service members and veterans.

DODReads: What are you Reading?

Dedicated to inspiring a culture of scholarship and lifelong learning in the Armed Forces, four active duty and veteran hosts interview senior military leaders to inform upon their reading habits, best practices, and leadership practices.

War on the Rocks

On this show, Ryan Evans, once a deployed U.S. Army civilian in Afghanistan, talks policy, life, and security while enjoying a few drinks.

Combat and Classics

Sponsored by St. John’s College, this is a series of podcasts and free online seminars for active duty, reserve, and veteran U.S. military members.

War College

Discussion revolves around the weapons, tech, and various military stories related to the instruments of war that soldiers need to be familiar with.

Mind of the Warrior

Dr. Mike Simpson, former Special Forces Operator, talks with top-ranking policemen, combat veterans, MMA experts, and more to dive into the psychology of what it takes to be a modern day “warrior.”

Why We Lead

Led by Air Force pilot Christopher Little, this show focuses on developing the careers of military leaders through professional military interviews and discussion of articles and videos. Its aim is to educate, connect with, and develop today’s warfighters.

Popular Podcasts for Transitioning Service Members

Mandatory Fun

A military and pop culture show which focuses on breaking cultural tropes and bridging the military-civilian divide, hosted by veterans representing different branches.

Drop and Give Me 20

A podcast for military entrepreneurs, each episode gives a glimpse into the life of other successful military entrepreneurs by retelling their personal stories, challenges, and wins.

Veteran Transitions

The focus of this show is for military veterans to tell the story of their life, specifically around the period of military-to-civilian transition, hosted by a Marine Corps veteran.

SuccessVets

A resource for transitioning military service members, with inspiring stories, awesome tips, and helpful interviews of other successful veterans.

Mentors for Military

Hosted by 17 veterans, listeners can hear real stories from real people who want to help them improve their daily lives and focus on personal growth.

Popular Podcasts for Veterans

Veteran Artist Program

From veteran BR McDonald, this podcast aims to foster, encourage and promote veterans in the arts by helping you learn about the artists, leaders and organizations making a difference in the veteran artist community.

Frontlines of Freedom

The show covers relevant military news and events that matter to military families, including veterans’ activities and homeland security issues coming from retired Airborne Ranger Lt. Col. Denny Gillem.

Veteran’s PATH

Considered “the” mental health podcast for veterans, this show aims to help you find Peace, Acceptance, Transformation, and Honor through practical tools like meditation and mindfulness, physical and outdoor experiences, and a community of camaraderie.

Veteran Café

A light-hearted approach to veteran and active service member issues. The show is hosted by Wes and Tracy, a husband and wife duo who both served.

Veteran Resource

This show was created to introduce veterans to Veteran Service Organizations by veteran and advocate Jeremy Paris. Each week he interviews a different VSO to find out their mission, projects, challenges, and services.

Popular Podcasts for Military Spouses and Families

Lifegiver

This podcast has honest conversations and real resources military families can use. The host is Corie Weathers, a licensed professional counselor who has spent the last 20 years specializing in women’s issues, PTSD, marriage, divorce, and substance abuse.

MilSpouse Coffeehouse

Leslie and Britni, both military spouses of 10+ years, chat and provide their insight and opinions (and that of their guests) on hot topics in the military spouse community and beyond.

Male MilSpouse Radio

Hosted by Dave Etter, veteran and 2016 Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year, this show explores issues affecting male military spouses, financial information, and general military discussions.

MilSpouse Matters

A podcast dedicated to encouraging military spouses, it doesn’t shy away from the hard topics, while providing a practical, humorous look at military life.

Hurry Up and Wait

Army wife and podcast host Carlee Wengel shares tips, tricks, advice, and personal stories to help guide you on your military spouse adventure.

Posted 17 Feb 21 by Chelsea Bostelman

Military Families: Should We Buy a Home?

Things for Military Families to Consider when Deciding Whether to Buy a Home

Buying and owning a home is often more complicated for military families than civilians. Between navigating mortgage options, pinning down the best neighborhood for your family, and predicting the next PCS, there are many factors to consider.

While running through the recommended steps for deciding whether or not to buy a home, this list will introduce key factors for military families to consider.

Pre-Approval

Working with a lender and getting an approval estimate and pre-approval letter is an excellent first step in home-buying. This gives you a price point to use when searching for homes and leveraging power when making an offer on a home.

The Pre-Approval process is also a time to really crunch your numbers. Evaluating your finances will help identify whether or not you are financially ready to buy a home. When budgeting for home buying, consider these factors.

Down Payment

Conventional mortgages can require a 20% down payment – that’s $20,000 on a $100,000 home! VA Mortgages do not require a down payment and may offer lower interest rates than conventional mortgages. There are, however, eligibility requirements.

RELATED: Is a VA Loan Right for You?

Earnest money. With any type of mortgage, it’s likely that you will need $1,000-5,000 to secure an offer you’ve made on a home.

Other expenses. Homeowner’s insurance, taxes, utilities, and home repairs are not included in the cost of a monthly mortgage. Do your research to ensure your monthly budget accurately captures all possible expenses.

Plan Ahead

Budgeting is a critical step of planning ahead in the home buying journey. Considering what will happen to a home in a couple years is an additional critical step for military families.

Resale. Military families are likely to PCS in a few short years. Before you commit to buying a home, think about what will happen to it when you move. Will you rent the property to another family? Will you resell it? Will you be able to resell it without a headache? Will you be able to afford the repairs the next buyer asks for in the sale process?

Location. Location tends to be a huge factor in the resale of a home. Even families without school-age children should consider the school rankings in the area. Homes in higher ranking school districts sell faster and at a 49% higher cost than other homes.

Search Homes for Sale

The fun part is scouting what’s for sale! After getting a good feel for what’s available and what exactly they want, most families work with a realtor. Working with a realtor as a home buyer is less expensive than when you sell a home. Understand the realtor’s fees and factor those into the budget too.

Location. Also consider location for your own needs. What will your commute look like? What are the crime rates in the area?

Picking the right location to meet your needs can be challenging for military families. Fortunately, there are some great resources to help choose a good location. Millie offers a neighborhood comparison toolkit to help find the right neighborhood for you.

Elbow grease. Buying a fixer-upper, putting your own sweat and tears into fixing it up, and making a profit when the home is resold is possible. Before committing to a fixer-upper, consider how much time you are willing to spend, whether or not DIY projects will pass a home inspection upon resale, and the cost of multiple trips to hardware stores.

Home value. Getting upside-down in a mortgage – owing more than the home is worth – can have an extremely negative financial impact. Is the home you are buying appropriately priced?

Deciding whether or not you should buy a home rests heavily on budget. Before searching for homes, make sure your financial ducks are in a row. Create a budget and stick to it!

Posted 16 Feb 21 by Chelsea Bostelman

3 Big Military Spouse Professional Advocacy Networks

Advocacy Networks for Military Spouse Professionals

Advocacy – a seemingly abstract concept – is something that military spouses with professional careers should understand and practice. Advocacy is involved with navigating roadblocks, barriers, or downright dead ends in a professional career. Fortunately, tons of advocacy groups are on a mission to help military spouses break through these barriers and learn skills to advocate for themselves.

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy involves action – sometimes as simple as speaking up or saying no to something– that has the potential to influence change. An advocate is the person or group of people doing the action. These sections focus on self and professional advocacy.

Professional Careers and Military Spouses

There are over 600,000 active-duty military spouses. They are highly skilled, educated, and qualified for employment. However, frequent relocations and deployments can negatively impact employment status. This translates to underemployment and significant income loss at alarming rates when comparing military spouses to their civilian counterparts. According to the Women’s Bureau:

Unemployment rate among military spouses is three times higher than the national rate
89% have some college education; 30% have a bachelor’s degree; 15% have an advanced degree
34% of military spouses work in occupations that require licenses and transferring licenses from state to state can be complex and delay securing employment after a PCS

Familiar and frustrating, isn’t it?

How Military Spouses Can Practice Self-Advocacy

From taking advantage of free resume writing services to writing legislators, there are many ways that military spouses can practice self-advocacy related to a professional career.

Know your resources. The list of professional networks, employment support services, and education resources for military spouses is long. A strong professional network is a great jumping-off point for figuring out exactly what resources you have. Find out what resources are available to you and utilize them.

Understand your barriers. You may encounter nothing but roadblocks and dead ends when transferring a license, securing employment, or even finding job vacancies. Writing out a list of barriers and brainstorming what can be done about them is a useful exercise. This may also help find a path of least resistance to employment.

Participate. If you are a military spouse, you’ve probably been asked to fill out surveys. Did you participate? One of the simplest ways to practice self-advocacy is to tell your story to the organizations that offer support.

Know that change takes time. Change can involve lengthy processes. Just like it takes time to transfer a license and career to another state, it takes time for advocacy efforts to produce change.

Defense State Liaison Office

The Defense-State Liaison Office works to provide state-level policymakers with insight on significant issues faced by military families. Communicate with your liaison about issues that you are experiencing. From their website, you can track 10 key issues including:

Initiatives to improve military spouse licensure portability by eliminating barriers and establishing licensure compacts
Removing burdensome certification requirements for military spouse teachers
Improve support for higher education by sustaining in-state tuition for military dependents

Spouse Ambassador Network

The Spouse Ambassador Network is a network of 25 organizations affiliated with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership who work together to raise awareness of military spouse education and employment resources. Member organizations that advocate for military spouses include:

Navy League of the United States
National Military Family Association
Military Spouse of the Year
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Family Readiness
Military Officers Association of America
The Rosie Network
Blue Star Families
The MILSPO Project
Veteran Staffing Network
Chris Kyle Frog Foundation
Hiring Our Heroes
Military Spouse JD Network
Military Spouse Advocacy Network
United Service Organization
Board of Veteran’s Appeals

Women’s Bureau

The majority of military spouses are women. The US Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau advocates through collaboration with organizations to increase employment opportunities for military spouses. Through collaboration, the Women’s Bureau launched the Military Spouse Interstate License Recognition Options interactive map. This provides valuable information for military spouses navigating a state to state professional license transfer.

Posted 15 Feb 21 by Caroline Sposto

VA Benefits for Family Members, Survivors, and Family Caregivers

Military Family Members, Survivors, and Family Caregivers VA Benefits

Do you know about all of the VA benefits you and your loved ones may qualify for? This list can help you make sure you’re not missing out on health care, life insurance, or financial assistance. If you’re receiving benefits, there are resources to help you learn more about how to manage those benefits.

Healthcare Benefits

TRICARE

If you’re the family member of an active-duty, retired, or deceased service member, National Guard soldier, Reservist, or Medal of Honor recipient, you may qualify for the TRICARE program which includes comprehensive health coverage, including prescription medicines. Learn more by clicking here.

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)

Are you the current or surviving spouse or child of a Veteran with disabilities or a service member who died in the line of duty? If you don’t qualify for TRICARE, you may be able to get health insurance through the CHAMPVA cost-sharing program.

Find out if you qualify for CHAMPVA and how to apply.

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

This program offers support and services for family caregivers of eligible Veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty during certain time periods and meet other eligibility requirements. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply

The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program

If you lived in either U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in North Carolina with an active-duty Veteran who was your spouse or parent of these places for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there which led to the development of certain diseases later on. If you now have one of the related conditions, you may qualify for health care benefits through VA. Find out if you qualify for this program and how to apply

The Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program

If you’re the biological child of a Korean or Vietnam War Veteran and you’ve been diagnosed with spina bifida, you may qualify for benefits. Find out if you qualify and how to apply

The Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program

If you’re the biological child of a woman Vietnam War Veteran and you’ve been diagnosed with certain birth defects, you may qualify for VA health care benefits.Find out if you qualify and how to apply

Pharmacy Benefits

If you qualify for CHAMPVA or the Spina Bifida or Children of Women Vietnam Veterans programs, you can get prescription benefits through your local pharmacy or through our Meds by Mail program. Click here to learn more.

Education

Find out if you’re eligible for VA education benefits for dependents and survivors (also called Chapter 35 benefits) by clicking here.

>> Need money for college? Find scholarships for military spouses and dependents with the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder.

Home Loans & Financial Counseling

To get a VA-backed home loan as the surviving spouse of a Veteran, you’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to show your lender that you qualify for this benefit. Click here for more info.

>> Sign up today for a free VA loan consultation with absolutely no obligation to learn more.

Life Insurance

Learn how to find out if you’re eligible for Life Insurance, explore your options, manage your policy, and file claims by clicking here.

Burial Benefits

You can apply to find out in advance if you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. This is called a pre-need determination of eligibility—and it can help make the burial planning process easier for your family members in their time of need. Click here to learn more and/or apply.

Survivor’s Pension

If you are a surviving spouses or an unmarried dependent of a wartime Veteran, you may be eligible for a survivor’s pension. Click here to learn more.

Survivors’ Compensation

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Click here to find out if you’re eligible.

Support and Services For Caregivers of Veterans

Comprehensive Assistance

Find out if you may be eligible and how to apply for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Click here.

General Caregiver Support

The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) provides resources, education and support to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran does not need to have a service-connected condition, for which the caregiver is needed, and may have served during any era. No formal application is required. Get the details here.

Benefits for those Supporting a Veteran or Servicemember

VA Fiduciary Program

Find out how to become a fiduciary who manages finances for a veteran who can’t manage their own because of injury, health conditions, or age. Click here.

Fisher House Program

Learn more about receiving temporary accommodations to be near a veteran or active duty service member receiving medical treatment in a VA health facility far from home. Click here.

Coaching into Care

Learn how to get help for a veteran who is readjusting to civilian life from a licensed Psychologist or Social worker. Click here.

>> Stay up-to-date on all the latest military and veteran benefits info for you and your family! Sign up today for the free MyMilitaryBenefits benefits update newsletter!

Posted 15 Feb 21 by Samantha Cain

What is VA Streamline Refinancing and How Can It Benefit You?

VA Streamline Refinancing is a different way of referring to the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, or VA IRRRL (pronounced “Earl”) and is an option for some homeowners who utilized a VA Loan to purchase their house.

The VA IRRRL

In short, a VA IRRRL refinances your current VA-backed mortgage into an entirely new loan agreement with the purpose of improving the original loan, ie: lower interest rate, lower/better payment schedule, etc. It is one of the best options for homeowners who already have a VA Loan that isn’t as good as what is being offered in the current market. This is often called VA Streamline Refinancing because it’s streamlined – it’s simpler than other refinancing options out there. Due to it not always requiring VA appraisal or a typical underwriting process, it saves time (by reducing paperwork) and money (by cutting out added fees).

Why Refinance?

Refinancing is the act of replacing an existing loan with a new loan which pays the debt of the original loan and ideally has better terms or features. According to money guru Dave Ramsey, there are three main instances in when refinancing can be a good idea:

You have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) (meaning your interest rate is adjustable and moves the risk of changing/rising interest rates to the homeowner instead of the lender).
The length of your mortgage is over 15 years (however, if the interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is low enough already, make sure the shorter term isn’t going to end up costing you more).
You have a high interest rate loan (if current market interest rates are lower than your current mortgage’s rates, finding a loan with a reduction of 1-2% (or even more) interest or one that shortens your payment schedule, is something to consider).

**Note that while Dave Ramsey actually has four main reasons, the fourth cannot apply in the case of a VA IRRRL because you cannot use this benefit to pay off a second mortgage.**

How Does It Work?

You must meet eligibility rules of a VA loan, work with a VA-approved lender, and have a refinancing result that actually proves financially beneficial. While there are exceptions to some rules, generally, you cannot utilize the VA IRRRL to get a cash-out/tap into home equity.

Based on laws established within the 2018 Protecting Veterans from Predatory Lending Act, you cannot begin the process of this refinancing option until roughly six months into your original VA home loan; you have to have made at least 6 consecutive, up-to-date monthly payments.

You do not have to actively live in the home to be eligible, you only have to prove that you have lived in the home, which you are hoping to streamline refinance, in the past. Also, you do not need a new Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Some lenders though may ask for a copy of the original COE from when you first purchased your house. There is no need for an additional appraisal process, either.

Additional Costs to Consider

There is an upfront funding fee of 0.5% of the loan amount, which acts as a pooled-payment to the VA which covers changes/defaults of all those who benefit from the VA’s services; there are possible exceptions to this fee. It is lower than typical refinancing options.

Closing costs, “discount points,” and origination/lender fees may also be additional expenses. These can vary from lender to lender.

Some states or local government agencies may expect government recording fees as well, for legally recording the deed/mortgage/relevant documents.

Both the funding fee and closing cost (and sometimes these other additional charges) can be rolled into the new IRRRL so there are no out-of-pocket expenses. However, they shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. The loan disclosure documents should explain everything, and if you don’t understand, ask questions of your lender.

Due to market conditions because of the coronavirus, refinancing may be more challenging than in the past. If you can’t pay your current home loan, check out some of these resources:

>> Interested in a no PMI, zero down payment possible home loan? For a no-obligation, free consultation regarding your VA Loan eligibility, please go here.

Posted 10 Feb 21 by Bianca Medina

Financial Assistance for Your Military Child’s Remote Learning

Remote Learning Financial Assistance

Military families whose child or children are still having to participate in virtual learning or the hybrid form have had to shift their expenses to include the extra costs for their children. These expenses may include laptops, tablets, headphones, or other supplies. If you and your family need financial assistance, it’s best to check if you are able to receive financial support through the military relief society. While each branch has their own policies and programs, they all provide help to military members facing financial hardships.

Army Emergency Relief

Home School and Remote Education Assistance Program

This program helps families with children who are in kindergarten through 12 and undergraduate college students. The assistance can be used to offset the costs of traditional school supplies and educational electronics. AER can approve up to $1,500, however any requests over that amount will have to be reviewed by AER headquarters. When approved, the assistance will be provided in the form of a grant, loan, or a combination of both. In order to apply for aid, use the Office Locater to find the nearest AER office. After, make an appointment to speak with an AER officer so they can help you through the next steps. There are no restrictions on the number of requests a family can make and the eligibility period will continue until AER headquarters retracts it. Those eligible include:

Active duty members or retired Soldiers
U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and Army National Guard (ARNG)
Soldiers activated on Title 10 orders for 31 days or more
USAR and ARNG activated on Title 10 or 32 orders for support of COVID-19

Air Force Aid Society

Emergency Assistance

This is used to provide immediate assistance to those who are in an unexpected financial situation. A loan that falls under this program are Falcon Loans. These loans allow for quick assistance that are appropriate for childcare expenses, emergency travel, etc. It is a no-interest loan of up to $1,000 but cannot exceed that amount. The application process is fast and simple and is completed online in the AFAS Portal. After submitting your application, go to your Airman & Family Readiness Center and bring your Air Force ID card and current Leave and Earning Statement. This loan is eligible for:

Active duty personnel (includes spouses with Power of Attorney)
Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve activated under Title 10 USC over 15 days
Air National Guard on Title 32 USC 502(f) full time Active Guard Reserve orders

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

COVID-19 Rapid Response Loan

This interest-free loan covers approved homeschooling costs even if members have an outstanding balance on other loans associated with NMCRS. Those who are eligible can receive up to $1,500. To see if you qualify, contact your local Society office.

Quick Assist Loans (QAL)

No appointment is needed, and the process takes about 20 minutes, however, you must apply in person. If approved, you can receive an interest-free loan of up to $500 which must be paid back in 10 months. When applying for the loan, locate your nearest Society office, complete and bring in the application, and bring your military ID and recent Leave and Earnings Statement. Eligibility includes:

Active duty Sailor or Marine
No outstanding NMCRS loans
Have enough time on contract to repay loan

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

In-Person Tutoring Grant

CGMA provides virtual support for students who are in pre-kindergarten through 8^th grade and also offers up to $1,000. Online training is also still available 24/7 at no cost through their tutor website.

Childcare Grants

Up to $500 is provided to families to help balance out the demands of receiving childcare.

Additional $6,000 Childcare Loans:

Due to the difficulty of finding and securing childcare, families can also apply for this loan of up to $6,000.

For additional information in regard to these forms of assistance and to see if you qualify, please see your local CGMA representative.

If a military relief society office is not available near you, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.

Posted 09 Feb 21 by Chelsea Bostelman

USO Transition Program & 3 Tips for Transition Success

The USO Transition Program connects service members and military spouses with over 40,000 resources. A Transition Specialist works closely with service members and promotes smooth transitions from active duty service into civilian communities. The USO Pathfinder Transition Program is will soon be renamed the USO Transition Program.

Since 1941, the United Service Organization (USO) has organized countless support programs for service members and their families. These programs support the USO’s mission to strengthen service members by keeping them connected to their families, homes, and country throughout their service.

The USO Transition Program extends 12 months beyond separation from service. The 200,000 service members who transition into civilian communities each year receive meaningful support through the program.

Keri is a USO Transition Specialist who shares her wisdom about the program and the transition process. She describes herself as a “connector” and an “accountability partner.” She explains that separating from service often means planning your own missions instead of functioning within already defined goals and tasks. Read on for more great info and advice from Keri!

USO Transition Program Services

The USO Transition Program creates new opportunities, connects people to resources, and provides support in many areas.

Employment and Career
Education
Financial Readiness
Mentorship
Access to Benefits
Family Support
Buying a Home

Eligibility

Military spouses are eligible for the program at any time during the service member’s active duty career. Service members are eligible 12 months prior to and 12 months after separation from service. Although they are based in the United States, eligible participants can take participate from anywhere in the world.

Keri explains that the USO Transition Program functions as an extension of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). USO Transition Specialists often work together with TAP and serve as a valuable follow-up for anything the service member learned during the TAP process.

Utilize the USO Transition Program

The process is becoming more streamlined. First register. This takes only a couple minutes. A Transition Specialist will follow-up within a short period of time, usually less than 1 business day.

Complete a Get Centered Interview with a Transition Specialist. This interview is an opportunity for you to explain your personal future plans and goals. Although all Transition Specialists format the interview differently, Keri works with you to evaluate your current status, desired status, obstacles, and cost of inaction. This model helps people set goals and develop a plan to reach them.

Transition Specialists can help you figure out your “why,” set goals, and form ideas about your future if you haven’t yet pinned them down.

Based on this interview, the Transition Specialist builds a personalized Action Plan – similar to a list of things to do to achieve your goals. Transition Specialists follow-up with you on a regular basis to continue supporting your plan. Action Plans, of course, work best when they are referred to often. Track your progress easily on the USO Mobile App.

What does a Transition Specialist Do?

Reflecting on her professional background, Keri says “I am a connector.” Navigating complex situations is her forte. This is clear as she describes her drive for helping others set and achieve their goals. Whether you need resources to pay for your dreams, support financing a home, or a resume writing service – a Transition Specialist will point you in the right direction.

Transition Specialists do not routinely ask for personal documents beyond verifying a military ID. They support you by developing an Action Plan and connecting you with resources that help you meet your goals. They can be outrageously valuable members of your network.

Tips for Transition Success

Keri shares stellar advice for transition success.

Plan Early

Ideally, everyone would separate from the military debt-free and with a bachelor’s degree. This requires planning, forethought, and understanding the processes involved in getting there.

Start with a plan.

Refer Back to Your Plan

Your plan for achieving your personal goals should drive your success. A seamless plan, however, isn’t useful unless you refer back to it. Referring back to your plan helps keep you on track in meeting your goals. Know that you can always make changes – it’s your plan!

Refer to it often.

Use Your Resources

It can be overwhelming to move from an active duty environment to the (often more autonomous) civilian world. Sifting through the 40,000 resources available to you can also be overwhelming. Delegate this task to a Transition Specialist. It may also be helpful to shift your thinking from “asking for help” to “utilizing resources,” which are both excellent tactics.

Improve as you learn.

USO Virtual Events

The USO offers a long list of virtual events. Check them out to get a feel for what the USO Transition Program offers. Some events include:

Mastering LinkedIn Webinar
Transition Talk
Virtual VA Home Loan Workshop
Cyber Apprenticeship Info Session

Posted 09 Feb 21 by Lori Waddell

Top 10 Most Affordable States for Veterans

Top 10 States to Live in After the Military Based on Affordability

One of the challenges many military families make when deciding to transition out of the military is where to live. Some families will move back home and some families want to find a new home. Whether you retired out of the military or separated before retirement you will want to make sure to live in a state where your money will go far.

We have compiled a list of the top 10 states to live in based on cost rank which consists of what it costs to live in each state based on grocery, housing, utilities, and transportation expenses. When deciding where to live it is also important to consider if there are any veteran benefits the state offers, companies that hire veterans, and what you can expect to pay to purchase a home or to rent. Some states on our list even offer free college.

Please note that the higher the number for Cost of Living, the more expensive it is to live there.

#1 Mississippi

Cost of Living: 86.1

Median Household Income: $43,567

Median Home Value: $130,200

Median Rent: $762

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 7.07%

Top Benefit: Homestead exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Huntington-Ingalls

#2 Arkansas

Cost of Living: 86.9

Median household income: $45,726

Median Home Value: $129,500

Median Rent: $729

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 9.47%

Top Benefit: State Tax Exemption on Military Retirement Pay

Top Veteran Employer: The State of Arkansas

#3 Oklahoma

Cost of Living: 87

Median household income: $51,424

Median Home Value: $125,400

Median Rent: $793

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 8.94%

Top Benefit: 100% Veteran Disability Tax Exemption

Top Veteran Employer: For more information click here

#4 Missouri

Cost of Living: 87.1

Median household income: $53,560

Median Home Value: $163,700

Median Rent: $809

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 8.18%

Top Benefit: State Veterans Services Program

Top Veteran Employer: Boeing

#5 New Mexico

Cost of Living: 87.5

Median household income: $48,059

Median Home Value: $197,400

Median Rent: $828

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 7.82%

Top Benefit: Veterans Property Tax Exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Veterans Business Development Division

Veteran Tuition Benefit: Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund

#6 Tennessee

Cost of Living: 88.7

Median household income: $50,972

Median Home Value: $170,800

Median Rent: $841

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 9.53%

Top Benefit: Property Tax Relief For Disabled Veterans

Top Veteran Employer: Fedex Express World Hub

Veteran Tuition Benefit: Helping Heroes Grant

#7 Michigan

Cost of Living: 88.9

Median household income: $54,938

Median Home Value: $154,500

Median Rent: $850

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 6.00%

Top Benefit: Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF)

Top Veteran Employer: DTE and Consumers

#8 Kansas

Cost of Living: 89

Median household income: $57,422

Median Home Value: $141,500

Median Rent: $831

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 8.68%

Top Benefit: Hunting and Fishing Fee Discount

Top Veteran Employer: The State of Kansas

#9 Georgia

Cost of Living: 89.2

Median household income: $55,679

Median Home Value: $193,500

Median Rent: $968

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 7.31%

Top Benefit: Free License Plates for Veterans

Top Veteran Employer: The Southern Company.

# 10 Wyoming

Cost of Living: 89.3

Median household income: $62,268

Median Home Value: $236,100

Median Rent: $843

Combined State and Local Tax Rate: 5.34%

Top Benefit: Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit

Top Veteran Employer: Walmart

Veteran Tuition Benefit: Free tuition for overseas combat veterans, surviving spouses, and their dependents.

Choosing a state that allows your hard-earned money to go further is an advantage in making sure you are financially secure in retirement. If you are going to school after transitioning out of the military and planning on using your GI Bill, check out the Basic Allowance For Housing (BAH) Calculator by College Recon.

Where Should Veterans Choose to Live After the Military

Military Pay Raises Likely to Be Smaller for 2022

Posted 04 Feb 21 by Justin Fisher

Military Pay in 2022 Likely to Not Increase as Much as Last 2 Years

For the last 2 years, service members have enjoyed pay raises of at least 3%. However, it is becoming apparent that troops should not count on the same increase in 2022.

The New White House Administration and Congress have not begun work on the next military budget; however, the federal government’s formula to determine pay raises has already been established. Title 37 USC is labeled as “Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.” Chapter 19 Section 1009 of title 37 established the specifics of monthly basic pay.

According to federal law, military pay increases are to mirror private-sector wage growth as stated by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Under that law, the ECI number—a measure of the changes in pay, not living costs—for the 12 months through each September is supposed to be used in setting the across-the-board segment in the White House’s subsequent budget proposal for the following fiscal year. A half percentage point is to be taken off that amount, and locality pay is determined to also be paid, varying by locality. The resulting figure for the measuring period toward January 2022 was 2.7%. According to the military pay raise formula outlined in title 37, the military pay raise for 2022 will be 2.7%.

“According to the military pay raise formula…the military pay raise for 2022 will be 2.7%.”

This means that military pay raises are usually higher when the economy is healthy, straightforward, and simple. Recent historic “high” military pay raises resulted from a rising economy over the past three years (pre-COVID), following several notably stagnant economic years.

Prior to COVID, employment was historically high during this recent period, and unemployment was at record lows for all demographic and social-economic sectors. Domestic production was up, private-sector wage growth too high, etc. However, this percentage is not entirely locked in. The administration and Congress can still increase it, based on if they determine that the gap between civilian and military wages has grown within the last few years or decrease it to save on military funding and allocate money towards other assets resources.

Faced with a vast $3 trillion economic deficit and continuing pandemic recovery measures yet to come, appropriations will be a stringent environment for the next few years. Lawmakers are already discussing level DoD budgets and will indeed look at different avenues to increase future savings.

Over the past 5 years, lawmakers have decided to stick to the federal formula for pay raises and not make any discernable changes, stating the need to keep military salaries competitive with private-sector wages.

“A small 0.5% increase in pay equals about $3 billion in additional spending over five years.”

Military Pay Increase Examples

For junior enlisted service members, a 2.7% increase in 2022 would amount to roughly $790 more a year in income over 2021 levels.
For senior enlisted servicemembers and junior officers, that hike equals about $1,400 more.
An O-4 with 12 years’ service would see an increase of more than $2,600 extra next year with a 2.7% increase in wages.

Pentagon Warnings About Impact of Pay Raises

Pentagon leaders have stated warnings that pay increases above the federal formula can remove resources from other military assets or needs. A small 0.5% increase in pay equals about $3 billion in additional spending over 5 years, given the number of service members and the way each year’s raise stacks upon the previous one.

Researching the Pay Raise Calculation

In order to adequately research the pay raise calculation, a Service Member can visit the DFAS MyPay website or Federalpay.Org. The FederalPay.org website is a free public resource for United States Government employees.

They have pay tables and pay calculators for all 4 major Federal Government pay scales and military service members, as well as a depository of information on Per Diem rates, all Federal holidays, a government employee database, and much more. This is a data-based created by federal employees for federal employees.

Posted 03 Feb 21 by Justin Fisher

VA Loan Eligibility Expanded for National Guard

Expansion of VA Loan Eligibility to Include National Guard, COVID-19 Vets

The National Guard’s COVID-19 response has created some additional benefits, in the form of veteran home loans, or VA Loans. The latter was activated during the pandemic, thanks to a provision in the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act. Lawmakers from both parties and chambers have joined forces on legislation that would credit service under federal Title 32 toward Department of Veterans Affairs home loans eligibility.

When the legislation becomes law, National Guard troops who have served at least 90 days of qualifying Title 32 active-duty service, including a stint of at least 30 days, will be newly eligible for the loan. The expanded eligibility is applied retroactively, too. Thousands of National Guard members logged qualifying service in 2020 as part of the massive nationwide COVID-19 response. According to National Guard Bureau data report shared with Military Times, 47,100 Guard troops were on Title 32 orders for the pandemic response at the mission’s peak. According to the VA website, National Guard troops could only become eligible for the VA loan benefit in one of two ways: 90 days consisting of federal active-duty service (Title 10) or six years of retirement-verifiable service in the National Guard or another reserve elements of the Armed Forces. Exclusively Title 10 orders –– which occur in response to an event, rather than a federal mobilization for deployment –– counted towards the 90-day criteria. The National Guard Association of the United States or NGAUS previously stated that the home loan eligibility expansion was a legislative priority for the association, which advocates on behalf of Guard troops on Capitol Hill.

According to the legislation, the qualifying Title 32 service criteria consists of active-duty periods served within 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 sections of the national federal law governing the use of active-duty forces. At a minimum, one of the periods of service must have been for more than 30 days, as well. Most of the National Guard coronavirus activation has been umbrellaed within Title 32 502(f) orders, with thousands of troops passing the 90-day window needed to qualify under the new law and thousands more recording at least 31 days or more. Time periods served on orders for initial military training does not count even under the new law, but other schools do matter, so long as the orders were issued within the applicable sections of Title 32. The eligibility expansion also means those time periods consisting of annual training orders (AT) –– most of which are within section 503 of Title 32 –– can count towards the VA loan if the guardsman or reservist has finished at a minimum, one order longer than 30 days. Using this example, so under the new law, a Guard member who has started and finished an 89-day Title 32 order for COVID-19 response — as some did, due to a political issue overextending Title 32 orders in the summer of 2020 — is eligible and verified for the new VA home loan benefit if they have finished or completed even one day of AT in their career.

In recent years, the benefits gap between Active-Duty branches and their National Guard or reserve counterpart has drastically closed thanks to the realization that the mission has changed for the guardsmen and reservists. More and more members of the Guard and reserve are being called to active-duty status regularly due to the strategic and domestic needs of the nation and its allies, often feeling roles that at one time only Active-Duty units could fulfill.

“VA is ready to ensure that members of the National Guard who qualify with expanded eligibility requirements will have access to their home loan benefits,” said Susan Carter, director of the VA’s office of media relations. For more information on VA loan eligibility, visit this link.

Posted 26 Jan 21 by Samantha Cain

IAVA Pushing For Reclassification of Marijuana

Reclassification of Marijuana for PTSD Treatment Pushed by Veteran Service Organization, IAVA

The organization IAVA is bringing focus to the positive uses of marijuana, specifically in the potential therapeutic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In early October of last year, they refiled an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit urging the challenging of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) restrictive classification of cannabis.

Who Is IAVA?

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, or IAVA, is a nonprofit founded in 2004 by activist and Iraq war veteran Paul Rieckhoff, that has a mission to “connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans.” TIME Magazine referred to the IAVA as “the most important organization representing the new generation of vets.” They have established themselves “as a force to be reckoned with in Washington,” through their inaugural program called “Storm the Hill,” where veterans share their stories and sit down with policy matters to discuss the issues that matter most. Since then, IAVA has firmly cemented itself as a changemaker and mouthpiece for U.S. veterans.

Marijuana’s Reputation Has Changed Over The Years

Marijuana/Cannabis has a long history with a conflicting reputation. In the U.S., marijuana was used as a treatment for a number of things starting in the 1850s, but prohibition emerged in the early 1900s, with criminalization following thereafter. In the mid-1970s, some states began decreasing the severity of punishment, but it wasn’t until medical cannabis made a public reappearance in the late 1990s that states began to consider legalization of it for specific purposes. Colorado and Washington were the first states to pass recreation legalization of marijuana in 2012. As of November 2020, the country is still divided, with 15 states (plus D.C.) having full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana, 6 states that have maintained laws that view any and all use of marijuana as fully illegal, and the other states with varying laws on legality and criminalization of use. (View this map for specifics.)

Within the past few days, there have even been reports that the NBA will no longer test for marijuana use in players and that the House of Representatives is pushing through a bill to federally decriminalize marijuana altogether. As of now, for those who are subject to the UCMJ – and as long as marijuana remains on the federal schedule of controlled substances – possession or use is still a prosecutable offense.

VA’s Stance on Medical Marijuana

Where does that leave the VA in all of this? According to their website, “As long as the Food and Drug Administration classifies marijuana as Schedule I, VA health care providers may not recommend it or assist Veterans to obtain it.” VA Clinicians may not recommend or prescribe medical marijuana, nor may they sign paperwork/forms for veterans to be able to participate in state-approved medical marijuana programs. The VA does declare that while they encourage veterans to disclose marijuana use (which will be put in medical reports by providers), this will not impact the ability of veterans to continue to receive benefits and care through the VA.

Promoting Marijuana For Treatment Of PTSD

IAVA has a history of supporting and promoting medical marijuana, specifically for the treatment of PTSD and prevention of veteran suicide. Their website states, “In our latest member survey, over 80% of IAVA members supported legalization for medical use. Almost 90% supported researching cannabis for medicinal purposes.” With this amicus brief, and continual open-door communication with legislators, IAVA has been a spearhead in the effort to change federal regulations, modernize the VA, and promote necessary alternative therapies for veterans. Their recommendations for the 116^th Congress are:

Research Cannabis as a Treatment Option
Destigmatize the Use of Medical Cannabis
Drive the National Conversation on Cannabis to Underscore the Need for Bipartisan, Data-based, Common Sense Solutions
Ensure Veterans Are Not Punished for Using Medical Cannabis Where Legal

Travis Horr, director of government affairs for IAVA, made it known that due to the overwhelming response of IAVA members and veterans everywhere, “It is crucial to remove cannabis as a schedule I drug, to allow this research to be done and potentially provide much-needed relief for veterans.” The IAVA further elaborated that “Without such clinical studies, veterans who live in states where medical marijuana is not available as a treatment for PTSD cannot obtain the treatment, and veterans who can obtain the treatment in states where it is legal do so at their own personal expense, without coordination with their VA medical teams, and without any scientific evidence to establish the promise of the efficacy and safety of the treatment.”

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Posted 26 Jan 21 by Chelsea Bostelman

COVID-19 Vaccinations Begin for VA

As of January 19th, 2021, the US surpassed 400,000 deaths related to COVID-19. As of December 2020, approximately 5,500 of those occurred within the VA system¹. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began administering COVID-19 vaccines just days after the first COVID-19 vaccine received FDA-approval^{1, 2}.

Coronavirus, pandemic, COVID-19, and vaccine are words that will forever define the year 2020. The United States (US) declared a public health emergency in January¹. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic¹. Individual experiences varied between March and December – blurry and all blended together are common descriptors of these months.

In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two COVID-19 vaccinations: Pfizer-BioNTech² and Moderna³. One key difference between the two vaccines is storage requirements. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be stored in an ultra-low temperature freezer between -112°F and -76°F², and the Moderna vaccine must be stored between -13°F and 5° F ³.

>> Are you a veteran? Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Plan to Vaccinate Veterans

Vaccinating a huge population, like veterans, requires strategic planning and collaboration between organizations to ensure the vaccines are distributed safely and effectively. The VA released a COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to do just that on December 14^th, 2020. Important aspects of this plan are summarized in the following sections.

Priorities and Guiding Principles

Guiding principles are outlined in the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the VHA¹:

The primary goal is to lower the risk of infection, prevent severe disease related to COVID-19, and minimize the spread of the virus.
The safety of VHA staff and veterans is the highest priority.
The third guiding principle outlines how risk stratification, vaccine distribution, and accessibility to the vaccine should be carried out¹. This guideline includes the use of evidence and maximizing benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for veterans¹.

Vaccine Distribution Plan

The COVID-19 Vaccination Plan addresses offering vaccines for veterans, staff, and caregivers in the U.S. Puerto Rico, and US territories¹. VHA employs 400,000 people and serves 6.4 million veteran beneficiaries through the VHA¹. The availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, the ability of healthcare facilities to properly handle and store the vaccine, and vaccine safety are considered in the VA’s vaccine distribution plan¹.

The VA predicts a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccinations initially and wider vaccine availability in 2021. Vaccinations will first be provided to VHA healthcare workers and veterans living in long-term care units in 37 locations across the country. These locations were selected based on their size, ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and vaccine storage capabilities¹.

High Priority Populations

People at high risk for negative outcomes due to COVID-19 are among the highest priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccines. These populations include people over 65 years and those living with¹:

cancer
chronic kidney disease
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
organ transplant recipient
obesity
serious heart conditions (heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy)
sickle cell disease
type 2 diabetes

Healthcare providers are a high-priority group for receiving COVID-19 vaccination because they provide healthcare services to veterans¹. It is also possible that they are high risk for negative outcomes due to COVID-19 due to the reasons listed above.

VA’s Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines

The VA’s plan is a strategy to meet their goal of offering COVID-19 vaccines to all veterans receiving healthcare through the VHA. When vaccine supply is limited, prioritizing high-risk populations and the people who care for these vulnerable veterans is a way to have the greatest impact when resources are limited.

The blurry months of this pandemic are not over. However, having vaccines and an effective plan to distribute them is a giant step closer to a post-pandemic world.

References

1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2020, December 14). COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the Veterans Health Administration. link

2 Pfizer & BioNTech. (2020, December). Pfizer & BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers). link

3 Moderna. (2020, December) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine: Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers). link

>> Are you a veteran? Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

The VA’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program

Posted 25 Jan 21 by Lori Waddell

VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS: HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE VA’S OFFICE OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION YET?

The VA continually finds ways to support veterans in various avenues of their lives. Veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners have access to many resources online such as interactive tools, videos, webinars, and other resources. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization understands how important these resources can be for helping Veteran small business owners maintain and grow their businesses.

VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR PORTAL (VEP)

VEP gives you direct access to resources you need to help guide you through entrepreneurship. These resources are designed for step-by-step guidance to save you time. VEP offers access to federal resources and services from multiple agencies to quickly get you access to business best practices and other important information. Visit the VEP website to access these valuable resources.

VEP TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Training and Employment Programs – This is a training and employment program for transitioning military members looking to start civilian employment.

Franchising Opportunities – If you are interested in franchising check out their list of franchising opportunities available to Veterans.

Start a Business – Connects you to resources specific to your small business goals with information on how to start a business.

Access Financing – Helps you find financing resources to develop or grow your small business. Also, find financial resources to help you start a small business.

Grow Your Business – Offers subject-specific information and resources on how to expand your small business.

Corporate Connections – This is a tool to help Veteran small business owners handle internal growth and other internal business activities.

Direct Access Program – Interactive resource tool that allows you to network and establish potential partnerships. Use the VA Direct Access events to further meet your business needs.

Resources for Veterans – Utilize programs designed to help Veteran small business owners as well as services that are available to aid in your small business goals.

How to do Business with Federal Agencies – If your small business wants to seek federal contracts these resources will help teach you how your small business can access these opportunities.

Doing Business with VA – Take advantage of the VA Small and Veteran Business Program and gain information and resources on government procurements and subcontracting.

Vets First Verification Program – VA Set-asides are a huge advantage for Veteran-owned small businesses seeking federal contracts. Become VA Verified to gain a competitive advantage.

Find Opportunities – Understand the government contracting programs that are available to veterans and find federal contracting opportunities that match your business.

Strategic Outreach and Communications – An interactive resource that allows you the ability to network with the VA and other federal agencies you might want to do business with. Information and resources on doing business with federal agencies are also provided.

SMALL BUSINESS LIAISONS (SBL)

Small Business Liaisons are a great tool to use if you need one-on-one guidance or advice

regarding doing business with the VA. They have offices across the country. Find an office near you.

VERIFICATION ASSISTANCE COUNSELORS

Counselors are trained to provide application assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Business Veteran-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses. If you need assistance call counselors, that are located in the state where your business is either licenses or permitted.

There are many advantages to owning your own business as a Veteran and with the recourses provided by the VA with unlimited access to learning sessions and multiple agency resources, you can grow your business internally and externally, allowing you to conquer your small business and entrepreneurial goals.

Posted 22 Jan 21 by Julie Provost

Military Discounts to Meet Your Fitness Goals with At-Home Workouts

Use These Military Discounts For Achieving Your Fitness Goals At Home

If you have the goal of getting into shape in 2021, you might have to do your workouts without the use of a gym. Many are closed, and might not be opening anytime soon. Here is a list of military discounts to meet your fitness needs while working out at home. We cover fitness equipment and products, workout plans and clothing, all to help you get in shape at home.

Fitness Equipment with Military Discounts

X Training Equipment

X Training Equipment offers items for your home gym. They offer a 7% military discount, you would just need to email support.

Bowflex

At Bowflex, you can find workout equipment from treadmills to bikes and more. They offer a 10-30% military discount but you would need to call customer service at 1.800.618.8853.

FitnessFactory.com

At FitnessFactory.com, you can purchase weights, machines, and other home gym supplies. They offer 10% off as a military discount for active duty, veterans, and first responders. You must verify on VerifyPass.com.

CFF Fit

CFF Fit offers gym equipment. They will give you a 10% military discount on CFF brand items. The discount is for active duty and retired military. You need to create an account and fill out a form.

Healthy Products & At-Home Workout Plans with Military Discounts

Atkins

Atkins offers low-carb products for healthy living. They offer a 15% military discount on all bars and shakes. You would verify with Sheer ID.

Beach Body

Beachbody offers workout videos and products in an MLM model. They have a Military Waiver Program which waives the Coach Business Service fee.

ACE Fitness

ACE stands for the American Council on Exercise. They are a non-profit fitness certification, education, and training program. They offer 20% off all ACE materials and also participate in Post 9/11 GI Bill and MYCAA programs.

Redcon1

At Redcon1 you can find supplements, apparel, and more. They offer a 25% military discount.

Bodybuilding.com

At bodybuilding.com you can find the largest selection of fitness articles, exercises, workouts, supplements, and community to help you reach your goals. They offer a 10% military discount to the entire military community through ID.me.

Workout Clothing with Military Discounts

Under Armour

At Under Armour, you can find outerwear, activewear, and more. They offer a 10% military discount with ID. me.

Champs Sports

Champs Sports is an American sports retail store and a subsidiary of Foot Locker. They sell apparel, equipment, footwear, and accessories. They offer a 15% military discount both online and in the store.

Lululemon

Lululemon is a Canadian athletic apparel retailer. They offer a 25% military discount with a valid ID. In-store only.

Posted 22 Jan 21 by Karen Hansis

The Top Franchises for Veterans

One out of every seven franchises is owned by a veteran. From planning and communication to problem solving and leadership, veterans make some of the best franchise owners because of their knowledge, skills and experience gained in uniform. The best franchises for veterans offer discounts and special pricing along with dedicated support to their veteran franchisees.

1 out of every 7 franchises is owned by a veteran.

How Do Franchises Work?

Franchises, also called chains, are hybrid business models combining entrepreneurial freedom and corporate structure.

According to the VA, there are two types of franchises. With product/trade name franchising, a franchisor owns a name or trademark and sells it to the franchisee. For example, a veteran franchisee owns a business that sells a branded product, like tools, household appliances or vehicles.

Veterans with a business format franchise might own a restaurant, hotel or a business to business (B2B) company. The veteran would buy not only rights to sell a product, but also the franchisor’s business system and services. The business format franchise is the most common type of veteran-owned franchise.

What Are the Best Franchises for Veterans?

There are franchise opportunities for veterans across many sectors: automotive, home décor, restaurants, hair salons, elder care, shipping, hardware, and more.

The best franchises for veterans offer more than just discounts. They have good name recognition, products or services in high demand, low competition in a geographic area, offer strong training and support systems, and are backed by a reliable parent company that actively recruits veterans as franchisees because of their unique experience and work ethic.

List of Top Franchises for Veterans

Many franchise companies offer veterans a 10 – 20% discount off initial franchise fees. However, these highly rated franchises for veterans offer a 30% or more discount off their initial franchise fee. Some provide additional benefits to veterans starting out with their franchise.

Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels

Auntie Anne’s consistently lands in the top of food franchise rankings. They offer a variety of venue options for franchisees, from the traditional mall and airport locations to food trucks and street side locations. Veterans pay a reduced initial franchise fee of $20,000 for any location they open.

Biggby Coffee

The fastest growing coffee chain in the U.S. is passionate about happy customers and community engagement, while bringing a casual, laid back vibe to the coffee shop experience. After starting in Michigan, Biggby’s gourmet coffee and specialty beverage locations are expanding across the nation. Qualified veterans receive 50% off the initial franchise fee.

Charleys Philly Steaks

The #1 Cheesesteak franchise in the world has been franchising for about 30 years. One of the metrics of their success is how often current franchise owners re-invest in new locations. Most of their franchisees start with no food service experience. Qualified veterans receive 50% off the initial franchise fee of $24,500.

Cinnabon

The world famous cinnamon roll franchise has over 850 locations across the globe and continues to grow. Cinnabon offers a variety of venue formats, including a full bakery, an express bakery and co-brand opportunities. Qualified veterans receive a $10,000 discount off the regular initial franchise fee of $30,000.

Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

Dale Carnegie Training started in 1912. Today, the Dale Carnegie & Associates franchise delivers corporate training services in workplace learning and professional development to businesses of all sizes and individuals across the globe. Veterans receive 50% off the initial franchise fee.

Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment franchisees help local businesses find qualified employees, and help their neighbors find meaningful work. This #1 staffing franchise has over 850 locations across the U.S., Canada and South Africa and continues to grow. Veterans receive 50% off the initial franchise fee.

Fast Signs

The #1 leader in the $29 billion sign industry, Fast Signs specializes in providing visuals to businesses like interior decor, promotional products, printing mailers, digital signage, and exhibits. Actively recruiting veterans, 10% of Fast Signs franchise owners are veterans. Veterans can get 50% off the initial franchise fee and receive additional benefits as franchise owners.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Combining a fast, made to order, Southwest themed menu with a casual attitude and fresh food theater, Moe’s offers U.S. and international franchise opportunities. The franchise has taken full advantage of the growth in off premise revenue streams and is positioned for continued growth. Veterans receive $10,000 of the standard initial franchise fee of $30,000.

Pirtek

This industry leading franchise meets the nonstop industrial demand for hydraulic and industrial hose replacement services. Pirtek offers 2 franchise options for a potential franchisee, either a storefront with a mobile fleet, or a single Mobile Sales & Service unit. Pirtek offers 30% off the initial franchise fee to qualified veterans.

The Cleaning Authority

The largest residential cleaning company in the market, The Cleaning Authority franchises offer their customers full service home cleaning using environmentally friendly products. The Cleaning Authority offers 2 franchise formats based on territory size and franchisee budget. They give qualified U.S. and Canadian veterans 30% off initial franchise and territory fees.

The Maids

One of the largest domestic cleaning companies in the U.S. and Canada, top ranked The Maids franchise has offered residential deep cleaning to their clients for over 40 years. Franchisees don’t need to have residential cleaning experience. Veterans receive $4,000 off the regular initial franchise fee of $10,000.

The UPS Store

More than 200 veterans own more than 300 The UPS Store franchises nationwide. This top ranked franchise for veterans has been the #1 postal and business services franchise in the U.S. for decades. Qualified veterans get $10,000 off the franchise fee. This includes 50% off the initial application fee.

Tropical Smoothie Café

With a menu combining smoothies and food to meet the growing demand for healthy and fresh fast food, Tropical Smoothie Café franchises are one of the fastest growing food franchises in the U.S. Franchisees have multiple revenue streams: dine-in, drive-thru, delivery, and catering. Veterans get 50% off the regular initial franchise fee of $30,000, and pay a reduced price of $15,000 for additional properties.

Ziebart

The auto appearance and protection franchise, Ziebart, started in 1962. Products have been expanding with the times and now include bed liners, auto wraps, and more. Zeibart now has locations in 32 countries and the average length of franchise ownership is 26 years. Veterans pay no initial franchise fee through Ziebart’s veterans Assistance Program.

The best franchise ownership opportunities for veterans give veterans and transitioning service members another path to the American Dream. These exclusive franchises help veterans build on skills and experience from their time in uniform, and allow them to continue to support the country through community engagement and employment opportunities. Top rated franchises welcome the skills and experience that veterans bring to their businesses and smooth the process for them in many ways.

Posted 21 Jan 21 by Lori Waddell

Where Should Veterans Choose to Live After the Military

Which State Should Veterans Live In Upon Leaving the Military?

Deciding where to live and work after transitioning out of the military can be an overwhelming process especially if you haven’t decided which state to live in. We have put together some factors for you to consider. Setting yourself up to make sure your money goes further and living in a state that has veteran employment programs as well as companies willing to hire veterans will help the transition from military life to civilian life.

Things to Consider When Determining Where to Live After the Military

Cost of Living

Consists of all of your living expenses including groceries, utilities, insurance, and housing. The average cost of living is 100 nationally and can be used as a gage to determine affordability. We have used Insure.com‘s cost of living metrics.

Median Income

Median income is the middle point of a sample of household incomes, it is a good gage to determine what your income might be in each state starting out. According to Census.gov in 2019 Median household income was $68,703.

Top Benefit

The Top Benefit of a state gives you insight on how military friendly and a state might be as well as how popular and useful that benefit is to other military members.

Top Veteran Employer

Know who the top veteran employer may give you a leg up in searching for a job after you have left the military. Once companies hire veterans and discover their amazing work ethic they commit to hiring more. This information came from the VA.

Individual State Benefits

Wherever you are planning to move check out the veteran benefits offered in each state by Collegerecon.com. Knowing what is available to you could help determine where you might live or help you get access to benefits in your current state.

State Listings for Veterans to Determine Where to Live

Alabama

Average Cost of living: 85.76

Median household income: $48,486

Top Benefit: State Veterans Homes

Top Veteran Employer: Navigator Development Group, Inc.

Alaska

Average Cost of living: 122.88

Median household income: $76,715

Top Benefit: Alaska Property Tax Exemption

Top Veteran Employer: The State of Alaska

Programs and benefits offered to the military community

Arizona

Average Cost of living: 97.66

Median household income: $56,213

Top Benefit: Special License Plates

Top Veteran Employer: List of veteran friendly employers

Arkansas

Average Cost of living: 89.17

Median household income: $45,726

Top Benefit: State tax exemption on military retirement pay

Top Veteran Employer: The State of Arkansas

California

Average Cost of living: 148.53

Median household income: $71,228

Top Benefit: Flexible financing for home purchases

Top Veteran Employer: Employment Development Department (EDD) Workforce Services

Colorado

Average Cost of living: 107.01

Median household income: $68,811

Top Benefit: Tax exemption on homes

Top Veteran Employer: Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

Connecticut

Average Cost of living: 121.59

Median household income: $76,106

Top Benefit: Veteran designation State Driver’s License and ID Cards

Top Veteran Employer: Lockheed Martin, United Technologies Corporation, Sikorsky, Electric Boat, Peoples United, Cigna and Aetna. Click Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. for more information.

Delaware

Average Cost of living: 107.51

Median household income: $65,627

Top Benefit: Veterans license plates

Top Veteran Employer: Dover Air Force Base and the state of Delaware.

Florida

Average Cost of living: 103.45

Median household income: $53,267

Top Benefit: Tax exemption benefits on homes

Top Veteran Employer: CSX and Florida Blue. Click here for more information.

Georgia

Average Cost of living: 90.73

Median household income: $55,679

Top Benefit: Free license plates for Veterans

Top Veteran Employer: The Southern Company.

Hawaii

Average Cost of living: 198.49

Median household income: $78,084

Top Benefit: Totally Disabled Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and the U.S. Government

Idaho

Average Cost of living: 95.52

Median household income: $53,089

Top Benefit: Reduced hunting & fishing license and tag fees

Top Veteran Employer: Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Illinois

Average Cost of living: 97.68

Median household income: $63,575

Top Benefit: Veteran designation on driver’s licenses

Top Veteran Employer: The Illinois State Government.

Indiana

Average Cost of living: 90.19

Median household income: $54,325

Top Benefit: Cancelation of tuition and fees for children of disabled Veterans

Iowa

Average Cost of living: 91.12

Median household income: $58,580

Top Benefit: Homeownership Assistance Program – https://va.iowa.gov/benefits.

Top Veteran Employer: Home Base Iowa Initiative

Kansas

Average Cost of living: 89.17

Median household income: $57,422

Top Benefit: Hunting and fishing fee discount

Top Veteran Employer: The state of Kansas

Kentucky

Average Cost of living: 92.93

Median household income: $48,392

Top Benefit: Tuition waived at all state colleges and universities for dependents of qualifying Veterans

Top Veteran Employer: UPS, Humana, and Toyota. Click here for more information.

Louisiana

Average Cost of living: 100.71

Median household income: $47,942

Top Benefit: Retired military pay excluded from state income tax

Top Veteran Employer: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.

Maine

Average Cost of living: 114.6

Median household income: $55,425

Top Benefit: Maine Resident Lifetime Veteran State Park and Museum Pass

Top Veteran Employer: Bath Iron Works.

Maryland

Average Cost of living: 121.32

Median household income: $81,868

Top Benefit: Property tax exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Department of Defense agencies and private sector defense contractors

Massachusetts

Average Cost of living: 128.44

Median household income: $77,378

Top Benefit: Retired military pay income tax benefit

Top Veteran Employer: For information visit here

Michigan

Average Cost of living: 97.22

Median household income: $54,938

Top Benefit: Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF)

Top Veteran Employer: DTE and Consumers

Minnesota

Average Cost of living: 103.56

Median household income: $68,411

Top Benefit: VA Claims representation or State Soldiers Assistance Program

Top Veteran Employer: The state of Minnesota, Target, Best Buy, and Cargill. Click here for more information.

Mississippi

Average Cost of living: 85.76

Median household income: $43,567

Top Benefit: Homestead exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Huntington-Ingalls.

Missouri

Average Cost of living: 90.78

Median household income: $53,560

Top Benefit: State Veterans Services Program

Top Veteran Employer: Boeing

Montana

Average Cost of living: 106.35

Median household income: $52,559

Top Benefit: Veteran Designation on the drivers’ licenses

Top Veteran Employer: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.

Nebraska

Average Cost of living: 91.73

Median household income: $59,116

Top Benefit: Nebraska Veterans Registry

Top Veteran Employer: Werner Enterprises

Nevada

Average Cost of living: 103.49

Median household income: $57,598

Top Benefit: Nevada veterans property tax exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Cosmopolitan

New Hampshire

Average Cost of living: 105.25

Median household income: $74,057

Top Benefit: Property tax credits

Top Veteran Employer: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and BAE Systems

New Jersey

Average Cost of living: 124.28

Median household income: $79,363

Top Benefit: $6,000 exemption on income tax return

Top Veteran Employer: The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Mexico

Average Cost of living: 88.41

Median household income: $48,059

Top Benefit: Veterans State property tax exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Veterans Business Development Division

New York

Average Cost of living: 145.04

Median household income: $65,323

Top Benefit: Fresh Connect Checks Program

Top Veteran Employer: New York State Police

North Carolina

Average Cost of living: 93.89

Median household income: $52,413

Top Benefit: Veteran license plates and the tax exclusion for 100% disabled

Top Veteran Employer: Lowe’s and Bank of America

North Dakota

Average Cost of living: 96.97

Median household income: $63,473

Top Benefit: Grant program

Top Veteran Employer: Midwest AgEnergy and Sysco North Dakota

Ohio

Average Cost of living: 91.56

Median household income: $54,533

Top Benefit: Veterans Service Commission.

Top Veteran Employer: The State of Ohio, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and the Department of Job and Family Services. Click here for more information.

Oklahoma

Average Cost of living: 89.29

Median household income: $51,424

Top Benefit: 100% Veteran Disability tax exemption

Top Veteran Employer: For more information click here

Oregon

Average Cost of living: 134.67

Median household income: $59,393

Top Benefit: Veteran recognition license plates

Top Veteran Employer: Public Employers Grant Preference

Pennsylvania

Average Cost of living: 104.05

Median household income: $59,445

Top Benefit: Real Estate Tax Exemption

Top Veteran Employer: The state of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Average Cost of living: 117.86

Median household income: $63,296

Top Benefit: Rhode Island National Guard members receive free tuition

Top Veteran Employer: For more information click Error! Hyperlink reference not valid..

South Carolina

Average Cost of living: 93.71

Median household income: $51,015

Top Benefit: Homestead exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Boeing

South Dakota

Average Cost of living: 92.84

Median household income: $56,499

Top Benefit: bonus program

Top Veteran Employer: The state of South Dakota

Tennessee

Average Cost of living: 88.3

Median household income: $50,972

Top Benefit: the property tax relief for certain 100% disabled Veterans

Top Veteran Employer: Fedex Express World Hub

Texas

Average Cost of living: 95.02

Median household income: $59,570

Top Benefit: Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Department

Top Veteran Employer: Click here for more information

Utah

Average Cost of living: 95.84

Median household income: $68,374

Top Benefit: Veterans property tax abatement

Top Veteran Employer: Zions Bank

Vermont

Average Cost of living: 113.27

Median household income: $60,076

Top Benefit: Property tax reduction program

Top Veteran Employer: The State of Vermont and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Virginia

Average Cost of living: 109.54

Median household income: $71,564

Top Benefit: VA claims assistance program

Top Veteran Employer: CACI International, Inc.

Washington

Average Cost of living: 122.18

Median household income: $70,116

Top Benefit: Free license plates for disabled Veterans

Top Veteran Employer: Boeing

West Virginia

Average Cost of living: 90.59

Median household income: $44,921

Top Benefit: Receive yearly funds to pay for education and training opportunities

Top Veteran Employer: Agencies of the state government.

Wisconsin

Average Cost of living: 97.09

Median household income: $59,209

Top Benefit: WDVA’s online

Top Veteran Employer: Click here for more information

Wyoming

Average Cost of living: 101.23

Median household income: $62,268

Top Benefit: Property tax exemption

Top Veteran Employer: Walmart

Posted 14 Jan 21 by Justin Fisher

3 MORE Life Skills You Need for Deployment!

MORE Life Skills To Make Your Deployment Easier

The deployment life is entirely unlike any other experience a service member may face while serving their country. No matter how many deployments an individual has taken part in, there is still something new and possibly challenging that tends to pop up from time to time. In a previous article, we talked about life skills to help make deployments easier if something goes wrong or you find yourself in a situation that you are unfamiliar with handling. Below are 3 more life skills that you may need to make your deployment easier.

Life Skill #4

Know the Currency Exchange Rate

This is not necessarily a skill as it is just general knowledge that is crucial to ensure that you will not be getting ripped off in the event you are on a deployment that allows for leave in that region, such as the Balkans.

On my third deployment, I was fortunate enough to take leave within the deployed area, something I had not been able to do before. My buddies and I went to Skopje, Macedonia (highly recommend) for our R&R. Before leaving, I researched the exchange rate. I realized that for $300, I could live like a Kardashian for the leave duration. So that is what I did. I took out $300 from finance, and I went to Macedonia, exchanged my cash, then went on to have a fantastic experience.

So, before whatever country you take leave in, ensure that you understand the exchange rate and how it works. The finance personnel assigned to your area can assist as well. This video will help explain the exchange rate.

Life Skill #5

How to Fix a Wi-Fi Router

Advancements in technology have made staying connected on deployment a much easier task. Service Members can take online classes, watch TV, video chat, and play video games, all from the comfort of their rooms. However, with these advancements come minor problems that sometimes require a fix for the connectivity to continue. In most deployment area, the internet is managed by either military personnel or a local vendor. However, those vendors or personnel are only available for certain hours of the day, and if the router malfunctions, you may find yourself trying to pull some MacGyver moves to restore the internet. Here is a link to help with the basic troubleshooting of a standard Wi-Fi router.

Life Skill #6

How to Fix a Tire

Sometimes on deployment, you can get fortunate enough to be assigned a Non-Tactical Vehicle (NTV) that allows you some freedom to do administrative or logistical runs to support various elements of your unit, and even in some locations, those vehicles are the primary source of transportation instead of the standard-issue military vehicle. Most of the NTVs in circulation usually have between 150,000-350,000 thousand miles on them and are typically serviced by a post-maintenance shop with parts made by the lowest bidder to include tires. So, this could lead to a situation in which you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire. Most of the time, the post has recovery assets that can retrieve the broke down vehicle; however, that could take hours, or those assets could already be used. One of the most common issues is a vehicle getting a flat tire, and surprisingly enough, many people do not know how to change a tire. Here is a link to help explain how to change a tire.

There are just a few more life skills that can help ease the mind and help prepare for these unique deployment situations.

Posted 13 Jan 21 by Robert Haynes

VA, Fitbit Partner to Bring Veterans Free Year of Fitbit Premium

Partnership Launched Between VA and Fitbit Supporting Veteran Health

On January 11th, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new partnership with Fitbit in an effort to support Veteran health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative will provide eligible Veterans, caregivers and VA staff with access to Fitbit programs and services to help manage stress, improve sleep, and increase physical activity during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

VA and Fitbit Program Information

The VA/Fitbit initiative will be focused on participants who currently use Fitbit devices. However, the VA has contracted with Fitbit to provide 10,000 eligible veterans, caregivers, and VA staff a free one-year membership to Fitbit Premium, a $79.00 value for each annual membership. The membership includes access to hundreds of workouts, mindfulness content, and a health metrics dashboard. To top it off, participants will also have access to Fitbit Health Coaching, one-on-one coaching and guidance from a certified health coach or licensed health professional.

Here are some of the listed eligibility requirements:

Veteran status
A current Fitbit user
Location

A Free Fitbit?

Additionally, some veterans who currently receive VA health care may be eligible to receive a Fitbit Sense. The Fitbit Sense is considered to be Fitbit’s most advanced health smartwatch.

“This initiative is an example of the way VA is successfully adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilke in a statement. “It also ensures the department continues to provide efficient, quality and timely care.”

The VA continues to work with Veteran service organizations (VSO) and community-based organizations to explore how this kind of wearable technology can help Veterans and their caretakers meet their needs.

While there are many veterans who work for the VA, it is my hope that veterans and caregivers will be prioritized in this great partnership. The value of this partnership is roughly $800,000.

To learn more about the VA/Fitbit initiative and further eligibility requirements, visit Fitbit Health Solutions.

(Image courtesy of Faiz Zaki via Shutterstock.com.)

Posted 11 Jan 21 by Adam Braatz

Burning Bridges: How to Leave the Military Like a Real Professional

When I was a young airman, an NCO told me that on her retirement day she planned to drive off base with her middle finger in the air. She added that she would be using her other hand to smoke a joint. Around the same time I witnessed a respected SNCO retire after 28 years of honorable service openly weeping, partly because he was proud of his service and accomplishments, but mostly because he simply did not want to go. He would’ve stayed in the service his whole life if he could have.

It is hard to explain to those who haven’t yet separated or retired from the military how it feels to depart. Being a service member becomes so ingrained into our identities and routines that the prospect of transitioning out of the service can be a serious upheaval. This can manifest in vastly different ways from veteran to veteran as he/she approaches the fateful day: one may fantasize about rendering a one-fingered salute, one may be broken-hearted, and yet another may be terrified by the uncertainty and change that lies ahead.

Why Not The “Middle Finger Plan”?

If you are about to separate or retire, keep one thing in mind: however you may be feeling about it is all right. It’s also totally acceptable to feel more than one feeling about it at the same time. The middle-finger plan is not necessarily advisable, but if you are more than ready to hit the road, I don’t begrudge you the daydream. True professionals won’t follow through on that fantasy, however. Also, keep in mind that you may actually get out and be surprised to realize that there are things you truly miss about the military.

Avoid Burning Bridges When Leaving the Military

So, whether you’re tap dancing toward the exit or scared beyond explanation, you should make an effort to split as gracefully and professionally as possible.

Here’s why you shouldn’t burn bridges:

You never know when you will see, work with, or work for your current military leaders and colleagues again.

Want to give your duty sergeant or commander a piece of your mind before you head out the door? I would think twice. Nobody will respond to your departing tirade with, “You know what, you’re right!” In fact, your unit, base, and service branch will go right on humming along without you after you go. I’m not saying you weren’t a valuable piece of the puzzle, but the military is built to sustain operations while constantly losing and gaining members.

Besides, that brand of negativity won’t do you any good. Keeping your cool feels a lot better in the long run. If you have genuine concerns or suggestions that are said in the context of wanting to leave things better than you found them, proceed with caution and tact. A good rule of thumb is if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

It does not feel good to run into someone (in person or online) that you’ve burned a bridge with, no matter how far down the road. And it will happen with more regularity than you expect.

Your Future Employment May Depend On It

Your first civilian job may require 3-5 quality letters of recommendation from former superiors or bosses, and it would be awkward to ask for one after telling your boss to take a flying leap. If you leave on a high note by ensuring continuity with those taking over for you, taking care of loose ends, cleaning your work area and locker, and maintaining a cheerful attitude, you could land an epic letter of recommendation — one that could even get you a higher-paying gig. There are potentially more than just letters of recommendation on the line, though. In fact, I know a service member that needed a former commander to testify for him in court.

For those of you separating, a shockingly large percentage of you will eventually want to come back to the military in a Guard or Reserve capacity or fulfill a contracted civilian position on a base, even if it is the furthest thing from your mind right now. I have a colleague that left active duty on extremely tenuous terms, then later desperately wanted to join the Guard. He was eventually able to make his way in, but it took over a year of onerous work and almost didn’t happen at all.

Your Personal Brand May Suffer

I’ll bet most of your leadership is on LinkedIn, and you absolutely should be, too. Accordingly, your network reputation and professional equity do not exist in a bubble. You will never be able to outrun a bad professional reputation. By leaving others with a sour taste in their mouths, you could damage your network and personal brand worldwide. On the other hand, leaders that are left with a positive feeling will endorse your skills, write recommendations, “like” and comment on your posts, and joyfully connect you with other professionals. Remember, good reputations can spread like wildfire, as can bad ones — think carefully about what you want people to be saying about you after you leave.

Posted 11 Jan 21 by Adam Braatz

How Being On Time Can Impact Your Networking and Civilian Career

Isn’t Punctuality Part of the Veteran DNA?

Our time is valuable.

I am writing this post while sitting alone at a fantastic local brewery. It’s currently 4:16, and my 4:00 appointment still has not arrived. At this point, it’s probably better if he doesn’t show up at all. And this guy is a veteran, too. Shouldn’t he know better? Isn’t punctuality part of the veteran DNA? I can’t help but reflect upon the importance of punctuality. In your civilian career, networking will be one of your most important tools, and your reputation within your network is built on your integrity and reliability.

Early Is On Time

When you make a commitment, your word is on the line. It is imperative that you are where you say you’re going to be when you say you’ll be there. As a professional, garnering notoriety as someone who doesn’t follow through on promises is a killer. Plan your travel time in advance, and bank on every possible worst-case scenario. Bring along some work to do in your car in case you are early. If you’re doing it right you will be early often, so plan ahead to use your time effectively.

Always Confirm Your Appointments

Reaching out to your contact approximately 24 hours prior to your meeting will significantly reduce your chance of being stood up or the victim of a miscommunication. Leave your cell phone number so they can get in touch if something comes up:

“Hi ______, I’m looking forward to our connection at Starbucks tomorrow. If anything changes, please call or text me at 555-555-1234. Feel free to reply with your cell # just in case. See you then!”

In my experience, Monday morning meetings are the most likely to be forgotten, so don’t forget to take a few minutes on Sunday to send out confirmations. Friday afternoons are by far the most often rescheduled. Imagine that. In fact, you may be better off if you are able to avoid scheduling meetings at those times at all.

If Your Connection Is Late

Yes, your time is valuable, but be empathetic. Life happens. From a networking perspective, you gain absolutely nothing from lecturing your contact or displaying/expressing your frustrations. I have a colleague that once sent a salty email after being stood up, only to find his contact had gotten into a serious car accident. You never know what someone is going through. Your grace in this situation may well earn you someone’s trust or loyalty, and many people will go out of their way to reschedule and be there with bells on. Reassure your contact with something like, “Hey, I assume something came up, so I’m going to head out. No worries! When can we reschedule?” If they are a no-show for a second appointment feel free to move on, but still, forego the lecture.

If You Are Late

First, don’t be late. Do absolutely everything in your power to prevent it. If something happens that precludes you from arriving on time, get in touch with your contact ASAP. Flat tire? Traffic jam? Call or text as soon as you know you’ll be late, with as much advance notice as is possible. Be considerate and offer to reschedule if your tardiness will put you there more than 15 minutes late. The exception here is if you are in a major incident of some kind. Take care of yourself (and others) first and explain once everything is under control.

I once completely missed a meeting due to a tech issue with my calendar. There I was, sitting carefree at my desk when I received an email that read, “Adam. It’s 9:35 AM, and I’ve been waiting here since 9:00 AM. I’m assuming I won’t be seeing you today.” That was it. Ouch. I was mortified. The best thing you can do at that point is sincerely apologize, explain briefly (but don’t make excuses), and humbly request another chance. During your apology, make sure to indicate that you know how valuable their time is.

Relax, Folks

I have to admit that in addition to being annoyed about today’s missed meeting, I was also a bit disappointed. He never showed up nor contacted me, so I hope everything is alright on his end. If this happens to you (which it will eventually), don’t waste too much energy brooding over it.

On the bright side, I was able to catch up with one of the owners of the brewery (who is a terrific dude), get some work done, enjoy the beautiful weather, and write this post. Though I need a reminder myself sometimes, it’s always best to focus on the positives of any given situation.

Posted 05 Jan 21 by Justin Fisher

Life Skill to Make Your Deployment Easier

Ah, deployments, one of the most celebrated times in a veteran’s career. For many service members, deployments are a chance to flex and utilize the military’s skillsets through hours of instruction and repetitive practice. However, as effective as the military is in preparing personnel for their jobs or mission, specific gaps, usually not covered by military training, can appear based on the deployment’s nature and location. These gaps typically involve the use of life skills to solve correctly.

For many of us, life skills usually involved some type of authoritative figure yelling at you while holding a flashlight underneath some kind of vehicle that arguably could be worth less than the actual cost of fixing it. But it is these hard-earned life skills that are often overlooked or not passed down that cause the most issues on a deployment. Regardless of where you find yourself deployed to, here is a list of 3 life skills, with instructional videos, that could help make your deployment much, much more manageable.

Life Skill #1:

Driving a Manual Transmission

When I was growing up, I worked at a local hardware/lumber store, and up to that point, I had minimal experience with a standard transmission. Luckily, the delivery truck’s transmission was extraordinarily durable, and within my first few days of making deliveries, I got the hang of it. The military does use vehicles with a standard transmission; they are usually called non-tactical vehicles or NTVs. Mostly, NTVs is used in a mission support role, such as logistical or administrative support. However, nothing puts the fear in someone’s eyes when they do not know how to drive a standard and are placed in the driver seat. Below is a video link to an instructional video from Cars.com. However, I also strongly suggest that you get some hands-on training with a manual transmission before finding yourself face to face with one on deployment.

Driving a manual transmission: How to Drive a Manual Transmission — Cars.com – YouTube

Life Skill #2

Making Coffee

This life skill is sure to garner some giggles from the audience. However, it is a critical skill in a multitude of ways; the most important one is that coffee is a cornerstone of military life, and if you can make good coffee, then you become an asset to a large number of people. It goes without saying that all military personnel is assets, but the ones who can prepare a proper cup of joe tend to get more positive morning responses than the mundane, generic answer. Take my advice on this one, learn to make coffee, even if you do not drink it. Below is an instructional video to help provide more guidance on the art of making coffee.

Making Coffee: How to Make Coffee | Dad, how do I? – YouTube

Life Skill #3

Doing Laundry

Keeping clean on deployment is extremely important to the overall health of the Service Member. Regardless of the nature of the deployment, personnel need to eventually clean themselves up and remove the toxins from the environment they are operating in. Most Soldiers learn to do laundry while in Basic Training; however, a few personnel always seemingly forget how to wash their clothes. Below is an instructional video to help provide more guidance on the process of doing laundry.

Doing Laundry: How to Do Laundry – YouTube

The skills listed above do not apply to all deployments or deployment regions; however, it is good to have these skills in your toolbox to help prepare for life and deployments adequately.

Next Step: 3 MORE Life Skills You Need for Deployment!

Posted 05 Jan 21 by Justin Fisher

Troops to Receive Stimulus Checks and More Payback Time for Deferred Taxes

Update: On December 20th, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the $900 Billion Stimulus Package into law. This gave most Americans a $600 stimulus check. As of February 2021, there are plans for a third stimulus check which could end up being $1,400 per person.

This past holiday season, a vast number of Service Members, Veterans, and their families received (or will soon receive) one-time stimulus checks of $600 under the trillion-dollar federal funding package and COVID-19 relief bill President Trump signed into law. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday introduced his version of a bill to increase significantly the $600 stimulus checks from the coronavirus relief package to $2,000, something that both the Democratic Party and President Trump have provided strong verbal support of the increase. On Tuesday, McConnell blocked attempts by Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to quickly pass the House bill on stimulus checks that cleared the lower chamber with more than two-thirds of members voting in favor of it Monday.

Whether the House bill or the McConnell bill even receive votes will be up to McConnell, who controls the floor’s action. The majority leader is currently prioritizing efforts to override Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides funding for the military throughout the next year. The current Congressional session ends on Sunday, Jan. 3, which means that any movement on stimulus relief checks must happen rapidly. At that point, lawmakers will have to restart the legislative process completely.

The current relief proposal calls for direct payment of $600 to eligible Americans, plus $600 per dependent child. Under the plan, those earning up to $75,000; $112,500 as head of household; or $150,000 as a married couple filing a joint tax return qualify for the full payment. However, many Service Members, veterans, and other affected personnel have shown great frustration at the relief payment, saying the amount is not nearly enough to help with financial stress during the pandemic. The legislation also allots $696 billion in non-emergency discretionary spending for the DoD for fiscal 2021. It includes several provisions for military personnel and families above the president’s budget request, which was released earlier this year. This consists of an additional $116 in upgrades to childcare facilities, an extra $284 for on-base schools, and a sum of $1.5 billion for environmental restoration programs — $430 million more than requested.

In addition to the Covid-19 stimulus relief funds and defense spending, federal employees and Service Members will have a much easier time paying back the Social Security taxes that have been deferred from their federal paychecks since mid-September. This is in thanks to a provision tucked inside the massive omnibus spending package.

The provision will allow personnel impacted by President Trump’s payroll tax deferral to pay back the taxes — worth 6.2% of their income — throughout the entire year of 2021, rather than a four-month window. At the same time, information about the payment program and the expectations for federal employees and service members to pay back the deferred taxes has been relatively lacking and vague at best. According to national payroll providers, the general plan was for employees to begin paying the deferred taxes back between January and April 2021. Now, federal personnel and service members will have 12 months rather than the original four to repay previously deferred taxes.

The payroll tax deferral resulted from an executive memo President Donald Trump signed back in August. The White House administration packaged the program as a tax holiday and paycheck boost for American workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but very few private-sector employers chose to implement it. The tax deferral was mandatory for most federal employees and military members whose gross; biweekly wages were $4,000 or less. The deferral was received with mixed reviews due to the inability to opt-out of the taxes by Service Members.

Posted 05 Jan 21 by Samantha Cain

Payback Deadline for Deferred Social Security Tax Extended

With the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 just last week, the major change affecting service members, federal employees, and their families is the extension for repayment of deferred payroll taxes.

Effective September 1, 2020, through a presidential order, military and federal employees’ paychecks presented a deferment of their 6.2% Social Security tax. Intended as a COVID relief measure, federal organizations participated in this deferment as a way to provide their employees with “a temporary boost in take-home pay for the remainder of the year.”

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Under normal circumstances, employers split the responsibility of the 12.4% Social Security tax with employees; with this order, the employer took on the full responsibility of that tax for their employees whose biweekly pay was below $4,000 pre-tax.

It was made very clear, however, that employees would be responsible for paying their deferred amounts back come the new year. As one CNBC reporter compared, “This is a holiday in which the work continues to pile up on your desk when you’re gone, and you take care of it when you come back.” As many others said, it’s like kicking the can down the road. Many military and federal employees criticized the decision to force this into effect without the choice to opt-out.

According to Defense Financial and Accounting Service (DFAS), the original IRS guidance for repayment of the deferred 2020 Social Security tax read:

Military Members –

For active duty military members, the total amount of 2020 deferred Social Security taxes will be collected evenly from pay between January 1 through December 31, 2021 (instead of January 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021).
For reservists and guardsmen performing intermittent duty in 2021, the amount collected may not be the same every pay period. DFAS will collect 2% of net available from each weekly, mid-month and end-of-month pay, and will continue until the deferred taxes have been repaid in full.
Beginning in January 2021, your myPay LES will reflect the monthly collection amount and contain a note in the remarks section that shows the remaining balance of deferred Social Security taxes.

Civilian Employees –

The amount of Social Security taxes deferred in 2020 will be collected in 24 installments between pay-periods ending January 16 and December 4, 2021.
Beginning in January 2021, your myPay LES Remarks section will include the 2020 deferred OASDI collection amount in that pay period, as well as the remaining balance to be collected.

With the changes put into place by the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, repayment of the deferred payroll taxes will be extended to December 31, 2021 instead.

The deferred taxes will be deducted in even amounts over 12 months instead of only 4. While affected personnel will see smaller paychecks, this new plan will spread it out in an attempt to hopefully lessening the burden.

What this will look like on a check stub is a resumption of the normal 6.2% Social Security tax plus a percentage of previously deferred tax. For service members, who get paid on the 1^st and 15^th of every month, to determine the amount owed, follow this method:

Log into the myPay website and navigate to the final 2020 Leave and Earning Statement (LES)
Multiply 6.2% times the amount of basic pay received from September through December 2020
Divide that number by 24. This will show the additional amount that will be withheld each paycheck for the year of 2021.

It should be noted, these calculations may not apply to those who are recently separated or retired, or for those who entered service during this deferment period.

All branches of service offer personal financial management programs if you are struggling to budget or are experiencing financial hardship:

Air Force: Financial Readiness through Air Force’s Personnel Center (AFPC)
Army: Financial Readiness Program (RFP)
Coast Guard: Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP)
Marine Corp: Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP)
Navy: Personal Financial Management

Each base may also have their own specialized programs in addition to these.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Posted 04 Jan 21 by Robert Haynes

Solid Start: Helping Veterans Transition to Civilian Life

Leaving the Army was one of the toughest moves I made as a soldier. I enlisted at 17 years old, and in my late-30s I was on my way out the door. It was my whole life, and I had no idea what to do after I retired. Lucky for me, my wife was (and is) an active duty soldier, so my ties with the service I love were not completely severed.

The Solid Start Program

In December 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented the Solid Start program aimed at providing “a consistent, caring contact between service members and VA to guide them through understanding and using the benefits and resources available to them.”

A Consistent Contact

Representatives at the VA Solid Start program call newly separated Veterans three times during their first year of separation: at 90-, 180-, and 365-days after the separation date. The representative will tailor the call based on the needs of the veteran, which means you will not get information you do not need. The goal is to point new veterans towards resources, services, and benefits that they need and may not know how to access. Once the call is over, the veteran receives a follow-up email containing everything that was discussed. Particularly useful if your memory is as bad as mine!

Benefits and Services

Here are just a few of the services Solid Start representatives can assist with:

Service member benefits – to find out which benefits you may be eligible for during service and which time-sensitive benefits to consider when separating.
Careers and employment – Apply for vocational rehabilitation services, get support for your veteran-owned business, and other career resources.
Health Care – Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
Housing assistance – Find out if you are eligible for a VA-backed home loan, or if you qualify for a housing grant to live more independently.
Education – Apply for and manage your GI Bill and other education benefits to pay for college or other training programs.
Disability – File a claim for disability compensation for conditions related to your military service.
Pension – Apply for monthly payments for wartime veterans and survivors with limited or no income who meet certain age and disability requirements.
Records – Apply for a printed veteran ID card, get your VA benefit letters and medical records, and learn how to apply for a discharge upgrade.

These are some serious benefit categories for all transitioning service members, and it is awesome that the VA has implemented a program like this. Shoot, I went four years after separating before I figured out how to get a VA card! I had no idea how to do that until a Vietnam veteran showed me.

If you don’t know, you don’t know. And that is exactly why Solid Start will make a huge, positive impact on the lives of our transitioning service members today.

How Will They Get My Number?

Great question! The VA will only call the number you have listed on your VA.gov account. So, please keep that number current so you can receive your call from one of the Solid Start representatives. The representative will only discuss topics that the veteran is comfortable with, so you won’t have to sit through a presentation.

Please be advised, the VA will NOT ask for financial information from you. So, if you get a call from someone claiming to represent the VA but they’re asking for money, hang-up.

Department of Veterans Affairs Welcome Kit

If you’re transitioning, or have already done so, please download your VA Welcome Kit. It provides invaluable information to veterans as they move through life after the service by providing important information about steps to take to access certain benefits at any stage of life.

In this 26-page booklet, you will find checklists that will guide you through the processes and decisions you may face as you navigate life after the military. From buying a home, to accessing education benefits, or applying for a disability rating, there is a checklist for you.

My favorite part is that it gives you the form number that you have to fill out for a benefit and how to submit that form. Awesome.

Other Guides and Resources

The same page that offers you a Welcome Kit will also link you to the following resources:

For Veterans

For Family Members

Further Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please visit the Solid Start website, or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-827-0611, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET).

This is a benefit that I would have loved to have when I transitioned six years ago. Even with all the briefings and paperwork, I still left the service with more questions than answers. Today, service members will receive three calls from the VA during their first 12 months of civilian life, designed to handle any and all unresolved issues resulting from separation or retirement.

I encourage you to take advantage of this program by keeping that phone number current!

(Image courtesy of Vitaliy Vodolazskyy via www.123rf.com)

Posted 14 Dec 20 by Samantha Cain

Resources to Improve Your ASVAB Score

From at home to a public library, there are many different ways to improve your ASVAB score in as little as a month!

For the 180,000 new enlistments every year it is just as important to prepare yourself for the standardized tests and physical requirements of joining the military, as it is to apply for college. With 5 different branches of military it is important to narrow down the choice of specific job you wish to obtain.

The most important first step in the process is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB. This test directly influence which jobs will be available to you upon enlistment. With a minimum of 31 for the Air Force and Army, 35 for the Navy and Marine Corps and 40 for the coast guard, it is important to achieve the highest score you are able to achieve.

Online ASVAB Practice Tests

Online practice tests are a great place to start. Online practice tests allow you to see the full range of different types of questions and problems you will see on testing day. The practice tests will also time you just like the real thing to make sure you keep within time restraints. With each practice test being different, you will always be challenged in a way to keep you motivated to learn more.

ASVAB Prep Books and Flash Cards

If you do better with physical books and flashcards, the ASVAB Prep Plus from Kaplan and ASVAB flash cards from Barron’s are available through Amazon.

The prep book, has 6 practice tests an online study bank with over 250 questions and different strategies to use during the test. With this wide range of different study techniques and practice problems there is always something new to learn and improve on.

Barron’s ASVAB flash cards come with over 500 flashcards and 25 new vocabulary terms to make sure you hit all of the sections equally. With all nine subjects covered with questions or problems, answers and explanations there is no room for lack of knowledge in a subject matter. The deck of flash cards comes with a key ring to make them portable, and also allows you to sort the more challenging questions towards the front.

ASVAB Mobile Apps to Help You Practice

If you need to study on the go, then there is an app for that! With over five different free ASVAB practice apps, all of the sub-subjects are covered. Subject specific questions and tests allows you to quiz yourself on the commute to and from school and practice. Together with detailed explanations of each question, you are able to fully understand where you went wrong and improving over time. Some of the apps have a question of the day to keep you on your toes bright and early in the morning to keep you sharp and focused.

Additional ASVAB Practice Tips

Take Time, Be Patient

Treating this test just like another class, by allowing enough time and patience will allow your score to improve.

Get Quizzed

Asking friends and family to quiz you to keep you out of a rut makes the studying more manageable and fun.

Keep in Touch

Keeping in constant contact with your recruiters on how to help you improve both your academic and physical scores will give you an insider edge to navigating this job application.

These different study resources are important to have in your toolbox for success, but they will not study for you.

Posted 14 Dec 20 by Samantha Cain

VA Offers Specialized Assistance for Transitioning Female Service Members

VA Offering Specialized Assistance for Female Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life

There is a long history of underrepresentation for women in the military. Even with the more recent creation of female-driven support and services, there is still a lack of utilization of those benefits. In collaboration with the Department of Defense, the VA has created a Women’s Health Transition Training (WHTT) program specifically designed to educate transitioning servicewomen on the specialized assistance available to them as veterans.

Congress created the Center for Women Veterans (CWV) in November of 1994 as a way to monitor and coordinate the VA’s administration of health care benefits, services, and programs for women Veterans, as well as to advocate for and recognize contributions of women veterans. The CWV has been directly responsible for overseeing policies, programs and legislation that affect women veterans. Additionally, CWV monitors and coordinates the VA’s delivery of benefits and services for women veterans, and provides resources and information pertinent to women veterans, their families, and their advocates. The VA’s female healthcare system offers such services as infertility treatment, contraceptive services, nutrition, and military sexual trauma related care, among other woman-specific services. Visit the VA’s woman vet website for a full list of what they have to offer.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

As of 2020, women make up about 10% of all U.S. veterans – women currently represent about 15% of active duty service members and it’s estimated that this will only continue to rise in the coming years. This means, women will need additional assistance when transitioning to civilian life in the future and have knowledge of what’s being offered to them. Research shows that currently, women only make up about 6% of the VA’s patient population; there is an under-enrollment from these female veterans, which can mainly be attributed to lack of awareness for those eligible. “These women, who may have more immediate or pressing health care needs than male veterans of the same age, likely do not understand they can easily obtain woman-specific services through the VA at no or very little cost.” That’s where WHTT comes in.

The need for a program like WHTT was born out of a 2017 panel of women’s health leaders from the DOD, VA, military services, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Services (USUHS) in which they discussed the many challenges facing female service members transitioning to civilian life. The panel created a one-day workshop that would focus on health care resources available to women veterans that would act complementary to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

WHTT would become a voluntary, “interactive, and high-energy course taught by a woman Veteran who uses VA health care and is designed to educate transitioning servicewomen about a number of things, such as:

the woman-centric culture and infrastructure of VA to better serve women Veterans
women’s health care services (e.g. maternity care, cancer screenings, whole health, and mental health care services)
the process and eligibility requirements for enrollment — you don’t have to be disabled to receive health care at the VA
connecting with other women Veterans through women-specific networks, resources, and programs post-service
how to find your local VA facility and POCs for additional support

The pilot WHTT program kicked off in 2018 as a partnership between the VA and the Air Force Women’s Initiative Team at five Air Force bases across the U.S. By June of 2019, the Army, Navy, and Marines had participated in the program, and by December of 2019 all services had participated. A number of things were born from this pilot program, including:

238% increase in awareness of women’s health services available at VA
81% increase in awareness of suicide prevention services available at VA
102% increase in awareness of homelessness services available at VA
82% increase in how to navigate the VA health care system
89% increase in preparedness and awareness of how to start the VA enrollment process.
114% increase in enrolled participants who had since separated from the military
67% decrease in average time that a new female veteran opted to enroll in female services through the VA

Because of these trends, the “VA and DOD Joint Executive Committee voted to make this program a permanent offering by the VA.”

Normally, there are 100 in-person trainings and 18 virtual trainings offered during a normal workday. However, due to the coronavirus, the remaining training sessions for this year will only be offered online. Sessions will be held twice daily through Dec. 21, 2020. You can register for WHTT virtual training here.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Transitioning From Active Duty During Covid-19: What You Need to Know

Veteran-Friendly Food Franchise Opportunities

Posted 10 Dec 20 by Gregory App

Franchise Opportunities for Veterans in the Food Industry

Cooks are the unsung heroes of the military. Without Mess Specialists and Culinary Specialists providing food and rations to the troops and sailors the volunteers in the armed forces would be stuck eating MREs and ramen noodles for the length of their military careers. Those who have served their country by serving their fellow servicemember may consider looking to private industry to put their talents to work for them. Those with more management and administrative skills will be perfect candidates for franchise options. Below is a list of a few restaurants that offer financial incentives to veterans for franchise opportunities in the food industry.

List of Veteran-Friendly Food Franchises

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe’s claims an average of over $1.5 million in average net sales per year and won the 2017 “Brand of the Year – Fast Casual Mexican Restaurant.” The restaurant also landed at number 170 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 list of the 500 best franchises. It is obvious there is success to be had at Moe’s and veterans can take advantage of a $10,000 discount on the initial franchise fee of $30,000. That is a 33% savings!

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Qdoba opened its first restaurant in 1995 and have grown to over 700 facilities. The brand is strong and has 25 years of marketing power behind it. The licensing fee is $30,000 over a ten-year term. However, veterans receive a 20% discount. The fee from former military members becomes $24,000.

Schlotzsky’s

This Austin, Texas staple has been around since 1971 and has expanded to over 300 locations. Their footprint covers almost every state below the Mason-Dixon Line, but the restaurant lacks presence in the Northeast. The company ranked 349 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 list of the 500 best franchises. Veterans receive $10,000 of the initial $30,000 franchise fee, or $37,500 if including a Cinnabon.

Schlotzsky’s parent company is Focus Brands, a company that also represents Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Carvel, Jamba, McAllister’s, and Moe’s.

Philadelphia Pretzel Factory

The author’s personal favorite food is available as a franchise with a veterans discount of $1,776 off of the initial fee of $35,000. Philadelphia Pretzel Factory boasts a small, but tasty menu and as anyone who has ever eaten a soft pretzel knows, there’s always room for more. The company started franchising in 2004 and claims 45% of their franchisees run multiple locations, so there is satisfaction and longevity within the ranks.

Honey Baked Ham Company

A staple of some Midwestern states, the Michigan based Honey Baked Ham Company sells hams, turkeys, and roasts for all special occasions. They also provide a lunch menu for people looking for a quick bite while out running errands. The family-owned company has been in business since the 1950s and has expanded their franchise empire to nearly 500 locations. Market opportunities exist in every state except California which has an abundance of storefronts operating. The average annual net sales for the franchises run a hair over $746,000.

The start-up fee for a Honey Baked Ham Company location is $30,000, but comes with a significant 33% discount ($10,000) for qualified veterans.

Posted 08 Dec 20 by Julie Provost

New Balance Military Discount

New Balance sells athletic shoes, apparel, sportswear, and sports equipment.

What is the discount?

10% military discount online.

Who’s eligible?

General military discount.

How do you get the discount?

In order to receive the discount you would need to create an account online with them using a .mil email address. The discount will appear as an order level discount during checkout. There are no exclusions for this discount.

Can this discount be used online?

This is an online discount.

About New Balance

New Balance was founded in 1906 in the Boston area under the, “New Balance Arch Support Company.” You can find them in the United States as well as the United Kingdom for their European market. They do offer a 10% military discount online.

Posted 08 Dec 20 by Julie Provost

Nike Military Discount

Nike is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services.

What is the discount?

Nike offers 20% off Nike purchases.

Who’s eligible?

Military personnel, their dependents and spouses.

Active Duty
Veterans
Retired military
Reservists
Military Spouses
Dependents

All 5 branches of the armed forces are eligible.

How do you get the discount?

You will need to verify your military eligibility through SheerID online. You will then receive a special single-use promo code you can use on most products.

Can this discount be used online?

Yes, you will need to use the promo code online to receive the discount.

About Nike

They are headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon and the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. They were founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports and became Nike, Inc. in 1971, initially operated in Eugene, Oregon. Today, you can find them in over 40 states in the United States as well as Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, and other parts of North America. They do offer a 20% military discount.

Posted 08 Dec 20 by Chelsea Bostelman

For Military Spouses: How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Military spouses can leverage the power of LinkedIn to achieve professional goals amidst the unique challenges they face. A strong network is a critical tool for spouses navigating frequent deployments, PCSs, and other unexpected professional hurdles while simultaneously juggling a career.

Natalia, a Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN) Chapter Lead in Stuttgart, eloquently explains the value of a LinkedIn Profile for military spouses:

“It provides a platform for you to control your professional narrative.

It helps spouses turn the patchwork of their careers into a quilt.”

The MSPN is part of Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation initiative. Hiring Our Heroes seeks to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. According to MSPN, 80% of jobs are filled by referral. For military spouses rewriting their career narratives with each PCS, a strong network is necessary.

Acquired by Microsoft in 2016, LinkedIn boasts a network of over 700 million members spanning 200 countries. Capitalize on this expansive network by optimizing your profile. Read on for profile tips and how military spouses can upgrade to LinkedIn Premium for free.

Tell a Story

Pictures are the first thing visitors see on your profile. A profile picture should be professional. Natalia explains that not uploading a profile picture isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. Some companies de-identify profiles by removing names and pictures before evaluating candidates. The profile and background photos can give a great first impression, and other companies actually prefer photos.

The headline and about sections introduce you professionally. Think of these sections as your elevator pitch, a brief description of your skills set that effectively answers the question “What do you do?” and “What do you want to do?” It should last just 20-30 seconds, or the length of an elevator ride and leave a lasting impression.

Rethink Your Experience

At first glance, military spouses cringe at the chaotic web of experience they have collected and the huge gaps that exist between employment. When asked to list experience, many tend to think only of formal paid experience. Natalia lists volunteer work, education, and projects as significant experience that should be listed on a profile. This type of experience shows community engagement, personal initiative, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Rethink your experience and those resume gaps might not be so big. Natalia also recommends asking contacts to endorse specific skills, further highlighting your professional abilities.

Utilize Direct Links

Direct links to a project you worked on, an award you received, or something you wrote further validates your experience. Paid or unpaid, linking directly to a webpage increases your visibility.

Engage

Links to your own work are just one way to engage. Natalia describes that people can engage with other people, with companies, or with entire industries. She recommends following leaders in your industry, posting content regularly, and using it as a tool to keep up with new information in an industry.

Natalia also shares that extending congratulations via LinkedIn or reaching out for a mentor can be advantageous during an interview. A hiring manager can see that you’ve followed them and engaged with an industry. Engaging and networking with others purposefully can transform the platform into a far more useful tool for strengthening your own professional network.

Keep it Up to Date

Optimizing a profile isn’t useful for long if it isn’t kept up to date. Natalia points out the utility of regularly updating professional achievements – the information is organized and readily available for filling out applications.

LinkedIn Premium Free for Military Spouses

Military spouses with a MySECO account are eligible for LinkedIn Premium free for one year. The following steps are required before the free upgrade.

Create a free MySECO account
Meet with SECO career coach by phone or live chat
Attend an online live webinar about leveraging your LinkedIn Premium account
Complete the Leveraging LinkedIn Premium self-paced training course

A free, easy, and effective way to neatly thread an impressively complex web of experience into a page-turning story.

Posted 08 Dec 20 by Caroline Sposto

VA Auto Allowance for Adaptive Equipment

Allowance for Auto with Adaptive Equipment from VA

Few things diminish your freedom and independence like being unable to drive. If a service-related (service-connected) disability has impacted your ability to drive, you may be eligible for an allowance to buy adaptive equipment designed to help you get back on the road. Find out if you may be eligible, what benefits are available, and how to apply for them.

What benefits are available?

A one-time payment of not more than $21,488.29 to help you buy a specially equipped vehicle.
In some situations, one or more adaptive-equipment grants to modify a vehicle so it has features like power steering, brakes, seats, windows, or lift equipment to help you get into and out of the vehicle.

To see the current amounts for specific special allowances click here.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Who is eligible?

Service members and/or veterans.

What specific service-connected disabilities qualify?

You must have at least one of the service-connected conditions listed below:

Loss, or permanent loss of use, of 1 or both feet, or
Loss, or permanent loss of use, of 1 or both hands, or
Permanent decreased vision in both eyes: 20/200 vision or less in your better eye with glasses, or greater than 20/200 vision but with a visual field defect that has reduced your peripheral vision to 20 degrees or less in your better eye, or
A severe burn injury, or
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or
Ankylosis in 1 or both knees or hips (Please note: This qualifies you for an adaptive-equipment grant only.)

How do I apply?

You’ll need to file a claim for disability compensation and get VA approval before buying a vehicle or adaptive equipment.
You can apply for—and use—either grant before or after military discharge.

To apply for the one-time payment to help you buy a specially equipped vehicle:

You’ll need to fill out an Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive
Download VA Form 21-4502 (PDF)
The VA will pay the vehicle’s seller directly.

To apply for the adaptive-equipment grant:

Download VA Form 10-1394 (PDF)
The VA may pay you, or they may pay the equipment seller directly.

To see the full instructions on how to file a claim: click here.

You can file your claim:

Online (Scroll down the page in the link above to the green “Let’s Get Started” button.)

By mail: Download VA Form 21-526EZ (PDF)

Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

In person: Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.

With the help of a trained professional: Click here to learn how to get help filing your claim.

When to expect to hear back:

According to the VA website, it currently takes them about 131.5 days to make a decision. The length of time typically depends on the type of claim you filed, how many injuries or disabilities you claimed, how complex your injuries are, and how long it takes them to collect the evidence needed to properly evaluate your claim.

3 things you can do to help keep your claims approval process smooth and efficient:

Follow the instructions carefully so that your claims application is complete and accurate.
Don’t add information to your submitted claim unless you get a letter requesting it.
If the VA schedules exams for you, be sure not to miss them.

You can now track the status of your claim online: Click here.

If you want more VA information on adaptive equipment, as well as their list of FAQs, click here. Don’t leave benefits you deserve on the table. Adaptive equipment can make all the difference when it comes to quality of life.

>> Frustrated with your VA Rating? We may be able to help. Register for your free consultation. You only pay if your VA disability payments are increased.

Posted 07 Dec 20 by Chelsea Bostelman

National Guard and Reservist Job Security in State Governments

Job Security for Those Serving in National Guard and Reserve

Gaps in USERRA Protection

Job security is closely tied to overall well-being. When a job is threatened or lost due to unclear or non-existing regulations, systems that protect service members need to be improved.

Populations within the military perpetually fall in “gray areas.” Unclear regulations should not exist in the realm of job security for National Guard members and Reservists.

USERRA

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) protects the employment rights of individuals who leave a position of employment to fulfill military service commitments. USERRA Applies to service members including:

Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Coast Guard
Public Health Service commissioned corps
Reserve components of the above services

Generally, an employer must re-employ service members returning from military service commitments such as active duty service, training, funeral honors duty, and fitness examinations.

USERRA and equal employment opportunity laws prohibit discrimination in employment decisions based on veteran status.

Gray Area

USERRA applies to virtually all U.S. employers – including states (and their political subdivisions), the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and United States territories. USERRA supersedes state laws unless the state laws are more generous.

In a McClatchy Washington Bureau article on Task & Purpose, however, Tara Copp explains that the U.S. Supreme Court asked the Texas attorney general’s office why USERRA protections should not extend to states. This dialogue was triggered by the case Le Roy Torres v. The Texas Department of Public Safety.

One of hundreds of thousands of Americans with National Guard or reservist experience working in a state or local government job, Le Roy Torres was forced to resign in 2012. After a 12-month deployment in Iraq, where the former Texas state trooper was exposed to toxic ash from an open-air pit, he was not able to perform former duties. Torres was also not offered an alternative job to accommodate his condition, according to the Copp article.

State Law and USERRA

The Torres case highlights a situation where discrepancies between state and federal regulations can have a negative impact.

The Reserve Organization of America explains that USERRA supersedes any state laws unless the state laws provide more generous benefits than USERRA. This website provides an index of state laws – some of which offer more generous benefits than USERRA and some that offer significantly less.

It has also been noted that the accuracy with which courts have interpreted USERRA is debatable.

Improving Laws Protecting Jobs

USERRA has a long history, rooted in the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. This legislation provided the first reemployment rights for service members and has evolved continuously over the last 80 years.

Since 1994, however, USERRA has not undergone major changes. As long as unclear regulations continue to exist, improving protections for National Guard members and reservists needs to continue.

Will the U.S. Supreme Court hear the Torres case? If so, what will the decision mean for the rights of National Guard members and reservists in state government jobs?

>> Never miss benefits news and updates that are important to you! Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox!

Posted 02 Dec 20 by Gregory App

Give an Hour Donates Time for Veterans, Families Mental Health

Give an Hour is a not for profit online resource that provides anyone who served in the military, their families, and those who considers themselves a “loved one” free consultations with volunteer mental health professionals. There is no time requirement for military service, so anyone who attended Day 1 of boot camp is eligible regardless of discharge status.

About Give an Hour

The mission of Give an Hour is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions. The program launched in 2005 with the intention of helping military members and veterans, but has since expanded to address the mental health needs of various populations.

Give an Hour Offers Assistance in a Wide Variety of Areas

Any person eligible for Give an Hour’s services may seek assistance in a wide variety of fields including, but not limited to:

Family counseling
Addiction
Anxiety
PTSD
Sexual assault

In-Person Appointment May Not Be Necessary

Many of the providers who volunteer are open to phone calls and video meetings, so an in-person appointment may not be necessary. This opens up the options for help tremendously considering there are currently 1,400 mental health professionals volunteering their time with Give an Hour throughout the country. All of the volunteers hold licenses and in good standing within their respective fields.

Finding a Provider

Patrons seeking assistance are encouraged to use the website’s find a provider function. Once a suitable provider is located, the client should reach own to the office on their own accord. From there, they need to mention the Give an Hour volunteer program and inquire if the office is accepting new patients and schedule the appointment.

There is no penalty for changing providers, so if the chemistry between patient and provider does not suit the patient, they can freely search for a different provider. Eligible clients may receive up to one year of counseling as long as the client and provider agree.

Additional Resources and Programs Available

For anyone seeking help that may be outside the realm of expertise that Give an Hour offers, the website also provides a substantial list of resources including information on COVID-19, children and youth, military spouses seeking licensure, and much, much more.

Some of their other initiatives include the Hospital Heroes Program, and the Military Spouse Mental Health Profession Program which provides resources for military spouses who are seeking employment in the mental health field including mentorship and supervision.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide or exhibiting suicidal ideations, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Veterans press 1.

Posted 02 Dec 20 by Robert Haynes

Exciting Solar Industry Careers for Veterans

No matter what position you take with climate change, one thing everyone can agree on is that solar power is here to stay. I do not know what the future holds for our nation’s energy, especially as rolling blackouts in California are becoming routine. However, I do know that ever since Edmond Bacquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839, society has continued to study and invest in solar power. For veterans, there are unique opportunities designed just for us. Here we explore solar industry career options for veterans.

Solar Ready Vets Network

The United States Department of Energy (DoE) has sponsored the Solar Ready Vets Network which “engages solar industry employers, certified solar training providers, veterans service organizations and workforce development networks to support military service members and veterans pursuing solar industry careers.”

Through their Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), the DoE connects veterans and transitioning military service members with career training, professional development, and employment opportunities in the solar industry.

The Solar Ready Vets Network supports the military community by:

Facilitating positive connections for successful careers
Developing a model that standardizes a solar apprenticeship
Establishing industry specific partnerships for education
Promoting On-The-Job Training (OJT)
Expanding GI Bill eligibility for solar training and education

If you are a veteran or transitioning service member, access the Veterans Page to get started.

3 Powerful Initiatives

Solar Ready Vets Fellowship Program: This program places active duty service members in 12-week work-based learning programs with solar employers to facilitate the transition into a civilian career. This fellowship focuses on management and professional positions like technical sales, system design, supply chain logistics, project development. The Solar Foundation leads this program in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hiring Our Heroes” program and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Solar Opportunities and Readiness (SOAR) Initiative: This program connects veterans with solar training, credentialing, professional development, and employment opportunities. SOAR’s goals are to establish an apprenticeship recognized by the Department of Labor, expand the eligibility of solar training for GI Bill benefits, and define expedited pathways to solar certifications based on military experience and qualifications. The Solar Foundation leads this program in partnership with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and SEIA.
Cyberguardians and STEM Warriors: This project is led by SunSpec Alliance and provides training for veterans in cybersecurity and information technology. This is a three-year program designed to prepare military veteran job seekers training on Distributed Energy Resource (DER) technology. Methods and resources include online modules, accredited curricula, and hybrid training programs focused on designing systems for distributed energy resources, as well as grid operations, data analytics, cybersecurity, and investment decision support. For this program, check out their Cyberguardians

Solar Credentialing for Veterans

The Solar Ready Vets team, in collaboration with the NABCEP, has established GI Eligibility for the Photovoltaic Associate (PVA) Program. With this approval by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans and service members transitioning to the civilian workforce can now apply for reimbursement of all NABCEP PV-related exams.

As of 2018, all of the following exams are eligible for reimbursement:

PV Associate (PVA) Exam
PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
PV Design Specialist (PVDS)
PV Installation Specialist (PVIS)
PV Commissioning & Maintenance (PVCMS)
PV Technical Sales (PVTS)
PV System Inspector (PVSI)

Occupational Outlook

In 2019, the median pay for a Solar Photovoltaic Installer was $44,890 per year, or $21.58 per hour. That’s not bad for an entry-level job that only requires a high school diploma. It’s certainly more than they paid me as a private in the mid-1990s! The job outlook for this career is expecting growth in the field of 51% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average.

If you fall more on the computer side of the solar-powered house, the 2019 median pay for Information Security Analysts was $99,730 per year, or $47.95 per hour. While the Department of Labor does list a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry level education, there are programs like the Cyberguardians and STEM Warriors program mentioned above that fully prepare you for a cyber career specific to the energy industry. This career field is expected to grow at a rate of 31% between 2019 and 2029.

Background Information

In 2014, the US Department of Energy launched Solar Ready Vets as a pilot program to prepare US Veterans for careers as photovoltaic system installers, sales representatives, system inspectors, and other roles within the solar industry.

In 2017, Solar Ready Vets became an independent program administered by participating military bases, using tools and partnerships developed during the pilot phase. More than 500 students over 35 cohorts and in 10 different states graduated from the pilot program. The US Department of Defense’s SkillBridge initiative enabled the training by allowing transitioning service members to pursue civilian training, apprenticeships, and internships up to six months prior to their separation.

Success Stories

For some success stories and testaments from other veterans, check out their awesome Service to Solar page that offers advice and guidance from fellow veterans who have gone through these various programs and are serving in the solar industry.

If you’ve ever considered a career in the solar industry, or even in an IT role specific to the solar industry, then these programs are an amazing opportunity to power your next career!

(Image courtesy of Mark Agnor via www.123rf.com)

Posted 01 Dec 20 by Julie Provost

2021 Benefit Updates for Veterans and Military

These are the changes that have been announced so far. Please keep checking back, as we will continue updating new changes to your military benefits for 2021.

>> Stay up-to-date on all the military benefits you care about! Sign up for the MyMilitaryBenefits Benefits newsletter today!

TRICARE

New Monthly Premiums For TRICARE Young Adult Plans in 2021

One of the upcoming changes for 2021 is an increase in premiums for TRICARE Young Adult (TYA). TRICARE Young Adult is available for purchase by qualified dependent children under the age of 26.

TYA Select will increase by 12.7%, which means going from $228 to $257 per month.

TYA Prime is going up by 22%, from $376 to $459 per month.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, Military dependents who use, or plan to use, Tricare Young Adult (TYA) for their health coverage will see a spike in premium costs.

This large price increase is particularly concerning because, thanks to Covid-19, it comes at a time when access to healthcare is more urgent than ever, meanwhile, many families are struggling financially.

These changes reflect the increase in TYA program costs for calendar year 2021.

About TRICARE Young Adult

TYA was created to ensure that military children had access to their parents’ health insurance in line with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements. Military dependents are eligible to enroll in the TYA program once they have aged out of Tricare, either on their 21st birthday or their 23rd if they are full-time students. They may remain on TYA until they turn 26.

While the ACA allows adult children to stay on their parents’ insurance without adding any extra cost to their family plan, the law that created TYA mandated that it be cost-neutral, meaning the premiums have to cover the use and cost of the program. Consequently, TYA premiums are based on commercial insurance rates and coverage, which is why they’re going up.

Group A Retired Beneficiaries

TRICARE Select Group A will be required to start paying a new monthly enrollment fee to maintain their coverage. This will begin January 1st, 2021.

You’re considered a Group A retired beneficiary if your initial enlistment or appointment ––or that of your uniformed services sponsor–– began before Jan. 1, 2018.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Enrollment fees will be priced as follows:

Individual Group A military retirees under age 65, will pay $12.50 a month for individual coverage, or $150 annually.

Enrollment fees for those with families will be $25 a month, or $300 annually.

The Catastrophic Cap will increase from $3,000 to $3,500, and the enrollment fees can apply towards it.

Those fees were put into law in the Fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act but were delayed until January 2021.

The fees don’t apply to retirees in the Tricare for Life program, nor does it affect Chapter 61 retirees (SRSC) receiving disability retirement and their family members, and survivors of deceased active duty service members.

Active duty family members don’t pay Tricare Select enrollment fees.

Group A must pay these fees by December 31, 2020.

If you are a Tricare Select Group A member and want to learn more about this change, and/or set up enrollment, click here.

Tricare Prescription Drug Costs Will Stay the Same

Prescriptions will continue to be available at no cost for those who can use a pharmacy at a military treatment facility.

Co-payments for medications available at retail pharmacies and through the Tricare mail-order system will not increase next year. 30-day prescriptions at Tricare network pharmacies for generic drugs will remain at $13, and brand name prescriptions will remain at $33.

Co-payments for prescriptions available through Tricare’s home delivery program will also stay the same, a 90-day supply of a generic drug delivered by mail will be $10, a brand-name medication, $29 for a 90-day prescription, and $60 for a medication not listed in the Tricare formulary.

>> Stay up-to-date on all the military benefits you care about! Sign up for the MyMilitaryBenefits Benefits newsletter today!

COLA Increases

COLA will have an increase of 1.3% in 2021 which is lower than the 2020 increase of 1.6%. The increases in COLA are based on the increase in the CPI-W, from the 3rd quarter of 2019 through the third quarter of 2020. Increases can change year to year. The last few years have seen 0.3% in 2017, 2.0% in 2018, 2.8% in 2019, and 1.6% in 2020. Military retirees, those who receive disability payments, or other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, federal retirees, as well as Social Security recipients, will all see the 1.3% increase in their monthly payments.

Retirement Pay

When it comes to retirement pay, it is important to keep in mind that since the increase for the year is calculated differently than active duty pay, the raises can seem a little different based on the year. Based on the 1.3% increase, in 2021 you would receive $13 for every $1,000 in government benefits you receive. If a veteran is receiving around $2,000 a month as retirement pay, they would see an increase of $26 a month.

A veteran who entered military service after July 31, 1986, has had the option of going with the “Career Status Bonus” or (CSB)/REDUX instead of the “High 3-year average” option with regards to retirement pay. This means that they would have received $30,000 during their 15th year of service and will see a reduced retirement rate until they are 62 years old. This also means that their COLA increase is reduced by 1%, which would change the amount of the increase they would see in 2021.

VA Disability

VA Disability payments would also increase in 2021. A veteran with a 60% rating would see about a $15 a month increase, while a veteran with a 100% rating would see about a $40 a month increase. The amount they would receive depends on their rating as well as their veteran dependent status. The rate for 2021 would be 1.3% and is based on COLA rates.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Social Security Payments

Beyond veteran payments are social security payments. According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly Social Security benefit in June 2020 was $1,514 for the retired worker. Based on this, the average beneficiary would see an increase of $20 in 2021.

3.0% Military Pay Increase

In February of this year, the White House proposed a 3.0% pay increase for service members to take place on January 1, 2021. For junior enlisted, this would be an increase of almost $800 a year and down from 3.1% in 2020, and up from 2.6% in 2019.

The main guideline for determining military pay raises comes from the quarterly report of the US Employment Cost Index (ECI) which is put out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The fiscal 2021 NDAA was passed and the 3.0% raise took effect as of Jan 1, 2021.

BAH 2021 Rates

BAH is the Basic Allowance for Housing. The 2021 BAH rates have been updated as of 12/15/2020. You can use the calculator here to figure out what your 2021 BAH rates will be. Remember, if your rate goes down you are grandfathered into the old rate unless you move or change rank.

RELATED: BAH Calculator

BAH is based on your rank, dependent status, and geographic location. BAH is intended to cover 95% of your housing costs. This % can change each year and was 99% just a few years ago. Your rates are based on your duty station zip code.

Your new BAH rate will go into effect on January 1st and you will see it in your January 15, 2021 paycheck.

The proposed BAH increase is approved by Congress and the President. That being said, individual rates are based on the cost of living in your exact location. In 2021, the rate ended up being 2.9%. In 2020, it was 2.8%.

BAS 2021 Rates

BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) 2021 rates were updated on December 14th, 2020. They have gone up 3.7%. Officers will now receive $266.18 a month and enlisted will receive $386.50. They had a proposed increase of 2.4% for 2020, that ended up being .90% once approved.

BAS is meant to be used to pay for food for enlisted and officers. It is only intended to help pay for food, not to cover all the costs. The rate also does not change based on dependents because the money is not meant to cover food for family members.

The increase will take place on January 1st and you will see it on your January 15th, 2021 paychecks.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Limits Will Stay the Same

The IRS recently announced that the maximum amount of money service members can contribute to their tax-deferred, or tax-free, retirement savings plans such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will stay the same in 2021.

The maximum contribution rates in 2021 will be:

$19,500 for regular TSP or 401(k) contributions
$6,500 for catch-up contributions for those 50 and over
$58,000 annual limit for tax-free combat zone pay (up from $57,000 for 2020)

We will update as more 2021 military benefits changes are announced!

>> Stay up-to-date on all the military benefits you care about! Sign up for the MyMilitaryBenefits Benefits newsletter today!

Posted 03 Dec 20 by Justin Fisher

New 2021 Military Retiree and VA Disability Pay Increase!

2021 Increases for Military Retiree and VA Disability Pay

As we continue to push through the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is often viewed for many as a fresh start for the nation. However, military retirees who receive some disability or other benefit from the Department of Veteran Affairs will have a very pleasant surprise greeting them in the upcoming year. They will see a 1.3% increase in their monthly checks starting in 2021.

RELATED: VA Disability Pay Charts

The pay increase comes from the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which is usually increased every year based on the rate of inflation, along with military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan Annuities, VA Compensation, and Pensions, and finally, Social Security benefits. The increase for 2021 is slightly less than the 1.6% increase from last year but continues to stay in line with the historical increases seen over the previous ten years.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

How is COLA estimated?

The Department of Labor ultimately determines the annual COLA by analyzing the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measurement of a comprehensive sampling of the cost of consumer goods and expenses. The CPI is always compared to the previous year and creates a simple formula on how COLA is determined; if there is an increase, there is a COLA. If there is no increase, there will not be a COLA. The COLA affects roughly one in every five Americans, including Social Security recipients, disabled veterans, federal retirees, and retired military members.

COLA Increase of 1.3% for 2021

Due to the COLA raise, retired Service Members will see roughly a $13 increase for every $1,000 in military retirement pay they receive each month.

Military retirees who joined the service on or after August 1st, 1986, and opted for the Career Status Bonus (CSB/Redux retirement plan) have any COLA increases reduced by 1% so that they will experience a smaller increase in 2021. They will see a monthly increase of only $3 per $1,000 instead of the average $13 increase most will see.

Military retirees and VA beneficiaries are not the only ones who will enjoy the perks from the COLA raise. Civil Service personnel and Social Security recipients will also experience a 1.3% jump in their monthly checks. The per month increase for Social Security recipients will mean an extra $18.07 per month for the average beneficiary.

Disabled Veterans Will Also Receive a Pay Increase

Disabled veterans will also receive a pay increase. The average VA disability check will rise roughly $1.85 per month for those with a 10% VA rating and $19.68 for those with a %100 disability rating from the VA.

It is critical to note that the traditional National Guard and Reserve Service Members’ retirement system is slightly different. For Active Duty Service Members, to include active National Guard and Reserve Components, once they reach 20 years of active service, they can start receiving their retirement benefits almost immediately. Traditional (one weekend a month, two weeks a year) National Guard and Reserve service members who completed at a minimum of 20 “qualifying” years of honorable service (creditable retirement years) can retire at the age of 60.

What is a qualifying year? A qualifying year is when the National Guard or Reserve member earns at a minimum 50 retirement points. Inactive point credit is granted for inactive duty training, reserve membership, equivalent instruction, and correspondence courses.

The DoD’s Retirement Pay Calculator Page can allow you to get an estimate of your monthly retirement pay at age 60.

>> Frustrated with your VA disability rating? Register for a free consultation for help with increasing your rating to get the compensation you deserve. Please go here.

Posted 30 Nov 20 by Chelsea Bostelman

PREVENTing Suicide

September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This September, progress was made in several pieces of legislation addressing suicide prevention.

In an executive summary of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, a somber picture of Veteran suicides is painted.

20 veterans die by suicide each day
14 of these 20 are not in the VA system
Each death directly impacts over 100 other people
These deaths are preventable

Protecting the lives and preventing suicide among all Americans should absolutely be a priority.

The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced recently that 42 states and one U.S. Territory have signed the PREVENTS state proclamation. These states and territories have pledged to prioritize suicide prevention and promote the REACH public health campaign.

PREVENTs Initiative

The PREVENTS Initiative seeks to change the culture of mental health and suicide prevention. The Initiative was established by Executive Order 13861 in early 2019 and released on June 17^th, 2019. It emphasizes the critical role of states and local communities in suicide prevention and acts on the understanding that suicide prevention is everyone’s business.

The goal of the initiative is to prevent suicide among all Americans. It prioritizes the following high-impact initiatives:

Enhance community integration and engage community members in prevention
Prioritize research activities and provide state and local grants
Implement strategies to improve overall health and well-being

REACH Public Health Campaign

REACH is a public health campaign encouraging everyone to REACH OUT to others vulnerable to suicide and to ask for help themselves when mental health support is needed.

In addition to risk factors for suicide, the REACH campaign lists factors that play a protective role in suicide:

Access to health and mental health services
Sense of belonging, mission, or purpose
Satisfying relationships
Effective problem-solving skills
Belonging to a faith-based community
Physical health
Social and emotional health
Financial stability
High quality of life and social determinants of health

Get involved in the campaign by Taking the Pledge to learn about suicide prevention, promote PREVENTS suicide prevention messages, and support suicide prevention efforts.

As of September 10^th, states that had not signed the PREVENTS proclamation and pledged to promote the REACH campaign were:

California
Delaware
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
New Mexico
New York
Oregon

People from each of these states, however, have Taken the REACH pledge. Will all states and territories pledge to prevent suicide through the PREVENTS Act soon? What does this mean for the future of suicide prevention?

Posted 30 Nov 20 by Bianca Medina

Veterans’ Other-Than-Honorable Discharge Lawsuit

The eras of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has led to an increase of veterans with mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since Sept. 11, 2001, over 150,000 soldiers have been discharged from the Army with a less-than-honorable discharge.

Most of these discharges were a result of misconduct possibly in relation to their conditions. By receiving these discharges, these veterans no longer have access to government benefits that would help them with their mental health. Instead of assistance, many veterans have faced unemployment, substance abuse, or homelessness.

A new lawsuit hopes to help upgrade other-than-honorable discharge statuses under certain qualifying conditions, in order to get them the help and services they need.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, over 150,000 soldiers have been discharged from the Army with a less-than-honorable discharge.

Class-Action Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Veterans to Upgrade Discharge Statuses

As a result, the U.S. District Court of Connecticut filed a class-action lawsuit for veterans with mental health conditions in order to upgrade their discharge statuses. This lawsuit was brought up three years ago by two Army veterans, Steve Kennedy and Alicia Carson, both of whom had problems with the system when applying for a discharge upgrade.

Army would be compelled to automatically review cases from 2011.

As a result, the U.S. Army is reconsidering these cases and will review those who were separated from service after Oct. 7, 2001. However, the Army would be compelled to automatically review cases from 2011.

Conditions for Previously Denied Applications to Be Reviewed

While reviewing these cases, they must take in regard the underlying health conditions of the veterans. They must also consider the soldiers who have had their applications denied by the Army Discharge Review Board for displaying symptoms of, or claimed:

Mental health conditions and behavioral disorders, including PTSD
Traumatic brain injury
Sexual assault or harassment during military service
Sexual orientation (including under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy)

Potential for Possible Upgrade to Discharge Status

They will potentially upgrade these veterans’ paperwork to an “honorable” status as opposed to other-than-honorable. This agreement could help thousands of veterans gain access to the full array of benefits which were previously not guaranteed because of their discharge status.

Usually, veterans who want to apply for a discharge upgrade will go onto the Veterans Affairs website which offers step-by-step instructions. Those who were denied a discharge upgrade, will be informed of new opportunities to reapply by receiving individual notices. These notices will inform veterans of their rights and how the entire process works. Veterans will also be allowed to telephone in for hearings in their cases if they cannot make it in person.

Now that defense officials have released clearer guidance in regard to handling these cases, many veterans can receive the help they need.

>> Are you VA-rated at less than 100%? Frustrated with your rating? Register for a free consultation to increase your rating.

Posted 24 Nov 20 by Robert Haynes

Childcare: Today’s Hottest Commodity for Military Families

In today’s chaotic world of pandemic shut downs, more and more Americans are trying to get back to work. Our military community, many of whom were deemed essential as civilians were furloughed, have also faced concerns over the waning availability of childcare.

Last August, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a collaboration between MilitaryOneSouce and Sittercity.com, from which families can get a paid subscription that would allow them to search for child care providers in their area.

DoD’s Newest Care Provider

Sittercity hosts a database of over one million potential care providers that parents can access and schedule based on their needs. You can check references and background information for each provider. You can then interview, hire, and pay providers on your own terms. Sittercity offers a range of care options from simple babysitting, to nanny and more dedicated child care services. They also have options that provide care for those with special needs, senior care, and pet care.

To be clear, the DoD does NOT pay for the child care through the site. The DoD pays for the subscription to the service that provides connections to available child care providers. Please do not misunderstand that!

The subscription fees range from $35 for one month, $79 for three months, or $140 for 12 months. As of this writing, Sittercity is having a promotion that lowers the price for the three-month and twelve-month options, making the fees $49 for three months or $98 for a year. But, those subscription fees are covered when you sign up through Military OneSource.

Military families can find out more about the service by visiting Military OneSource online where they offer a Live Chat option, or by calling 800-342-9647 to speak with a consultant. If you are overseas, call 800-342-9647 or 703-253-7599. Or you can use this page to find specific dialing instructions based on your country of origin.

Alternative Childcare Options for Military Families

Military Child Care

I’m sure if you’re reading this article, then you have already checked your local installation for spots at their Child Development Centers (CDCs). However, this website, Military Child Care, also populates providers that are on or near your installation (usually from their home on base), in addition to the CDCs. If you live off-post, it’s best to search by installation name. I originally typed in the city name where my home is, but I got zero results. I then entered the name of the army base a few miles away, which returned three pages of search results.

Child Care Aware of America

This is probably one of the coolest and most effective child care websites I’ve tested. Child Care Aware of America is an organization that works with more than 400 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies nationwide. You can conduct a CCR&R search for options near your home or work. When I did a search, it brought up my local Child Care Aware office and provided contact info, websites, and hours of operations. I was also informed that in my area it is possible to search for child care online using their website. That can only mean that there may be areas of the country where that is not an option. One of the neatest offerings from Child Care Aware is their State by State Resources, which connects you with resources from your own state for things like child care, financial assistance, health and social services, among other things That could almost be an article all by itself!

Care.com

Another alternative option for finding child care is Care.com. Care is a very popular nationwide company that offers a wide range of services for childcare, senior care, housekeeping, pet care, and special needs care. Care.com gives you the option to select when you need care: Right Now, Within a week, or Within a month. This is great for some who work in the office a few days a week, but telework the rest. Once you’ve given your timeline, you have the option to seek care at your home or in a day care center, and then they display your options. They’re not directly affiliated with the military like some mentioned above, but they are reputable and trustworthy.

Our Precious Futures

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that our social infrastructure is fragile. We depend on each other more than we realize and we all have an important role to play. So, to all those child care workers, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, and our military, thank you for providing your essential services during this time of uncertainty. Our children are our most precious future, and you provide that structure and stability they need.

Check out all of these great options for obtaining childcare. If you have suggestions for services like this, leave a comment!

(Image courtesy of Stylephotographs via www.123rf.com)

Posted 24 Nov 20 by Julie Provost

Tommy John Military Discount

Tommy John sells underwear, undershirts, and clothing for men and women. They were started by a husband and wife team, Tom and Erin, in 2008, after leaving their careers. They wanted to reinvent men’s undergarments, to be more tailored, fit, and fashionable. You can find Tommy John in over 1,200 locations nationwide and have four Tommy John stores in PA, NC, AZ, and IL. They offer a 20% off military discount with their headquarters in New York City.

What is the discount? They offer a 20% off military discount.

Who’s eligible? Active duty, veterans, retirees, national guard, reserves, military spouses, and dependents.

How do you get the discount? You would verify your military affiliation with Sheer ID.

Can this discount be used online? Yes

The Biggest Military Discounts

Water Lilies Baby Boutique Military Discount

Posted 24 Nov 20 by Julie Provost

Water Lilies Baby Boutique Discount for Military Families

Water Lilies Baby Boutique specializes in cloth diapering, babywearing, natural products and more. They have one location in Newburgh, IN and also offer online shopping. They offer a 10% off military discount.

What is the discount? They offer a 10% off military discount.

Who’s eligible? Members of the military.

How do you get the discount? You would need to verify your military status online.

Can this discount be used online? Yes

Military Discounts For New Moms, Pregnant Women

Yankee Candle Military Discount

Posted 24 Nov 20 by Julie Provost

Yankee Candle Military Discount

Yankee Candle is an American manufacturer and retailer of scented candles, candle holders, accessories, and more. They started in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 1969 by Michael Kittredge when he created his first scented candle from melted crayons. In 1975, their first candle shop opened. They moved to South Deerfield in 1983, where their headquarters are today. You can now find them in nearly 50 countries around the world, with around 580 small box format stores. They are the largest candle manufacturer in the US. They do offer a 10% off military discount.

What is the discount? They offer 10% off on every purchase and you can combine with other discounts.

Who’s eligible? Active duty, retirees, and their families are eligible for this discount.

How do you get the discount? You would either need to show your military ID or email or fax your order if you order online.

Can this discount be used online? Yes, you can use this online, at retail stores, and outlet stores.

National Parks Now Free for Veterans and Gold Star Families

Posted 21 Nov 20 by Bianca Medina

Free Entry into National Parks for Veterans and Gold Star Families

The federal government, as of Veterans Day 2020, will grant free access to National Parks and other federal lands to veterans and Gold Star Families. Entrance fees and standard recreation fees will be waived allowing them access to 2,000 locations under a new initiative from the Department of Interior. Others participating in the program who manage lands and waters are the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

How do veterans gain access to national parks for free?

This change already exists for active-duty members, their dependents, and Guard and Reserve members. Although this has been extended towards honorably discharged veterans and Gold Star Families, veterans’ immediate family members will not be included. Therefore, veterans and their families can use the veteran pass if the entrance fees are paid per the vehicle. If the entrance fee is paid per person, only the veteran is allowed to enter for free. In order to enter the national parks, one of these forms of identification should be presented:

Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Veteran ID Card
State-issued card displaying veteran status

How do Gold Star Families gain access for free?

A Gold Star Family are immediate relatives of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost his/her life in combat, international terrorist attack, or in support of certain military activities outside of the United States. Before visiting a national park, Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to the ranger or place on their vehicle dashboard. Gold Star Families must present the following:

Gold Star Family Voucher
Valid photo ID

What does this program include?

This program covers the entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as standard amenity fees. However, fees still apply for expanded amenities such as parking fees, camping, recreation permits, tours, etc.

Posted 20 Nov 20 by Caroline Sposto

Don’t Miss Patriot Bootcamp — Application Deadline Dec 6

Do you have notions, dreams, or plans of becoming a successful entrepreneur? Have you ever envisioned using the skills you learned in the military to start your own company? If so, Patriot Bootcamp (PBC) may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Since its inception in 2012, PBC has been on a mission to assemble and activate an inclusive community that helps military members, veterans, and military spouses become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs leading the new economy.

PBC’s Vision

PBC’s overarching vision is to leverage a nationwide network of military, business, and startup community thought leaders who will help build the next generation of high-growth, scalable, and impactful companies. To date, this 501c3 non-profit, based in Boulder, Colorado, has served more than 950 entrepreneurs. All of the donations it receives go directly to its programs.

3 Biggest Entrepreneurial Challenges for Military, Veterans and Their Spouses

Co-founded as a volunteer effort by Taylor McLemore, Governor Jared Polis, and Techstars Co-Founder David Cohen, this nonprofit startup accelerator was designed to address the gaps in entrepreneurial support that military members, veterans, and their spouses often encounter. The PBC team identified the three biggest entrepreneurial challenges as:

Lack of access to:

Financial capital
Business education
Mentors and networks

This organization continues to strive to find new ways to bridge those gaps. In addition, PBC strives to increase diversity in entrepreneurship in order to help strengthen the global ecosystem of entrepreneurs.

PBC’s Commitment to Empower Its Members

PBC’s leaderships team remains committed to creating and administering programs that provide access to mentors, educational programming, and a robust community of experts and peers to empower its members to create and develop businesses. Its broad offerings are designed to help to those who are still in the idea stage, those who have a company that’s up and running, and everyone else in between.

While the original three-day PBC event in 2012 was held in in Washington, D.C., subsequent programs have been held each year in 8 cities nationwide. This year, like most everything else, the programs have gone virtual.

Those virtual offerings include a series of Free Lunch and Learns on vast array of topics from Cyber Crime, to Personal Branding, to Finance and more.

The PBC webinars generally run live on Thursdays from 1:30 – 2:30 EDT. They’ve also been archived and made available as both recordings and slide decks. You can access those resources at not cost by clicking here. Any active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses who want to attend are welcome.

You can also follow the PBC blog to stay on top of relevant and relatable topics and you can follow PBC on Facebook.

PBC Applications Have Been Opened

PBC has opened applications to its 2021 Virtual Bootcamp, February 3rd and 4th, 2021 beyond the Blog, Facebook and accessible webinar series. This program offers access to capital workshops and panels with financial leaders and venture capital experts, as well as entrepreneurial education programming with world-class speakers, and multiple one-on-one sessions with access to over 35 subject matter experts.

If you’re interested in applying for this program, you must get your application in no later than December 6, 2020. Please click here to apply.

In addition to concrete knowledge, those who attend the PBC programs say they come away with a new level of confidence.

If you have additional questions for Patriot Boot Camp, please reach out to them directly.

Posted 18 Nov 20 by Lori Waddell

Military Financial Preparation: An Introduction

Utilize Military and Civilian Benefits in Your Financial Preparations

When first joining the military understanding your military pay factors, military benefits that can save you money, and tricks to reduce spending is crucial for financial planning. Understanding your finances from the start and developing a healthy cost-saving mindset can help you throughout your military career.

Understanding Your Military Pay Factors

The Difference Between Home of Record and State of Legal Residence

Home of Record (HOR) – The State in which you first enlisted or commissioned. HOR is used for travel allowances when leaving the military.
State of Legal Residence (SLR) – The State you consider home and where you intend to live after leaving the military. It is where you will pay taxes, register to vote, and get a driver’s license. State of Legal Residence can change due to orders.

Two Types of Military Compensation

Basic Military Pay – Determined by rank and time in service. Find updated military pay charts here.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) & Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) – Determined by pay grade and registered dependents. BAH rates and calculator and BAS overview.

For more info on DFAS, please go here.

Save For Retirement Early with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

The Thrift Savings Plan is a contribution plan and is designed like a 401(k) or Roth 401(k). The TSP offers many paths for investing in your retirement.

Know Your Legal Protections

Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

SCRA protects active-duty military members when breaking rental leases if Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders are received, break a car lease and/or cell phone contract, and protects against certain legal actions during deployments.

Extra Ways to Save

Banking and Insurance

USAA – Free checking and savings accounts with no minimum balance fees, free checks, free debit card rewards, free overdraft protection, free web bill pay, no ATM fees, early availability of payroll with direct deposit, and government shutdown protections.
Wells Fargo – Up to four U.S. domestic and four international ATM cash withdrawals at any ATM each month at no charge (with direct deposit), home awards for disabled veterans, and hands-on banking a free resource for career transition, deployment, military retirement, PCS, and military home buying.
US Bank – No ATM Transactions fees, overdraft protection with no-fee transfers, free mobile check deposit, and family member accounts with no monthly maintenance fee. More benefits can be found here.
Armed Forces Insurance – Auto insurance discounts, business insurance, renter insurance, and more.

Purchasing a Vehicle

Utilize your family readiness center when buying a car. They offer programs and assistance to help guide you in the right direction to avoid unreliable car dealerships and tying yourself to an overwhelming amount of debt.
Take advantage of discounts offered to the military community by car companies. Find car and truck discounts for military and veterans here.

Travel and Recreation

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program (MWR) – Located on base or online offers great discounts on tickets and entertainment all over the world.
American Forces Travel – Access to discounted rates on airfare, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises, and more.
Armed Forces Vacation Club – Has an “R&R” program with destinations around the world that the military community can access starting at $359 per week.

Military Discounts

Discounts offered by several types of companies can be a great way to save money. Check out our discount section to find a verity of discounts.

>> Never miss a military discount! Sign up to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits discount newsletter and start saving today!

Knowing the basics of your military pay will help you plan for a successful financial future. By pairing military benefits with civilian benefits you can maximize your budget. Always make sure to plan for curveballs by practicing good saving habits.