Print & Post: Week of January 11, 2010

Thousands Must Apply for Stop-Loss Pay
About 185,000 veterans who were forced by wartime "stop loss" orders to serve on active duty after enlistment contracts had expired are due a retroactive special payment of $500 for each extra month they served. But these veterans must apply by Oct. 21 to get the extra money set aside in appreciation for the extra time they had to serve.( http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,208733,00.html) Read Tom Philpott's column to learn more.

AAFES Sponsors Sweepstakes
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and Dr. Pepper have teamed up to offer a weekend getaway for one lucky shopper or a chance to win one of ten acoustic guitars. The Dr. Pepper Academy of Country Music (ACM) sweepstakes features a grand prize of a trip for two to Las Vegas, Nevada from Apr. 17-19 for the 45th Annual ACM Awards. Ten first prize winners will also receive a custom acoustic vintage guitar, valued at approximately $200. BXs and PXs around the world are accepting entries through January 21 with the drawing occurring on or about March 10, 2010. No purchase is necessary to enter and entrants need not be present to win. For more information, visit your local BX/PX.

Determining VA Loan Eligibility
In order to be considered for the VA home loan program, a borrower must meet military service requirements. The eligibility requirements vary depending on when the military service was completed, but can be summarized by 90 days of active duty during wartime, 181 days of continuous active duty during peacetime, or 6 years of service for Reservist/National Guard. (http://www.military.com/finance/homebuying/determining-va-loan-eligibility.html) Get more information on eligibility here.

Help Prevent Suicide
Suicide is the second cause of death among young Americans, age 18-24. Each military base offers a range of support agencies with people to help, such as mental health clinic professionals, chaplains, sexual assault response coordinators, and military family and life consultants. For more information, visit the American Association of Suicidology website at (http://www.suicidology.org/) www.suicidology.org or the (http://afspp.afms.mil/) Air Force Suicide Prevention Program website. Information for survivors is available at the Survivors of Suicide website at  (http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com/) www.survivorsofsuicide.com . For immediate assistance, visit the (http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/ProfileFilter.do;jsessionid=LByL5DJyL2y9G5s3M5bppK9zfm6S9VnHWJH0vfmjL8w7TC9TsxnM!%3Cbr%3E-1152265282?puri=%2Fhome%2FMentalHealthAndBehavior%2FConditions%2FSuicidePrevention) TRICARE website, call a base chaplain or a staff member in the base mental health office, or telephone the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Veterans can call and press "1" to reach the VA hotline.

Deal of the Week: Military Shopping
Military.com connects you to big discounts and great military products in our Shopping Section such as customized gear, rank insignia, knives, tactical gear and more. (http://www.military.com/Deals/Home/0,13401,,00.htm) Shop Now!

Federal Tax Law Changes for 2009-2017
Many of the tax breaks in recent tax-relief bills were designed to be phased in over a number of years, or are indexed to inflation. To help you determine how these tax laws affect your long-term plans, this article explains the changes scheduled to come into effect through 2017. Pick a year from the to learn what tax changes affect that year's returns. We include changes for 2009 because they affect tax returns you'll be working on in the spring of 2010. (http://www.military.com/finance/taxes/tt/summary-of-fed-tax-law-changes-2009.html) See the full article on Military.com.

Discounted Teacher Certification Prep
ABCTE is offering $150 off their teaching certification program, reducing the program enrollment fee to $825. This offer is good through January 31, 2010. In addition, ABCTE offers an installment plan that allows participants to spread out the payment over several months. ABCTE's online program is affordable and flexible, allowing participants to prepare for certification on their own time and at their own pace from anywhere in the world.  For more information or to enroll, visit () www.abcte.org or call 1-877-669-2228 today. Enter the code NewYears150 in your shopping cart before January 31, 2010 to save $150.

AF Reserve O-6 Promotions
The Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) recently announced results for the 2009 Air Force Reserve Line and Nonline Colonel Promotion Selection Boards. Board members selected 129 of the 1,592 officers considered. A complete list of Citizen Airmen selected for promotion is available (http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-091221-086.pdf) here. Promotion effective dates are based on the Citizen Airman's time in grade. Projected effective dates will be posted on the ARPC website at (http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/) www.arpc.afrc.af.mil . For more information, call the promotions board secretariat specialists at 800-525-0102 or DSN 926-6528.

New "Dot Mil Docs" Podcast Available
Episode 91 of the Military Health System's (MHS) podcast Dot Mil Docs features Ron Horne, deputy director for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), discussing TAP services provided to wounded warriors and other servicemembers preparing for transition to civilian life. (http://health.mil/dotmildocs/Default.aspx?id=663&currentPg=1) Click here to listen. For more information on the Transition Assistance Program, visit (http://www.turbotap.org/) www.turbotap.org. Transition Center - For more information about transitioning, visit the Military.com (http://transition.military.com/reg/transition_center_registration.do) Transition Center.

TRICARE Introduces New Benefits
TRICARE introduced several new programs in 2009. The TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) provides short-term professional counseling assistance. For information about TRIAP and other behavioral health resources, visit the (http://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth) TRICARE Mental Health Resources Center. TRICARE's new (http://www.tricare.mil/echo) Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) benefits for eligible family members who are diagnosed with extraordinary physical or psychological conditions. For more information on TRICARE's new dental program and pharmacy benefits, visit the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program website at (http://www.addp-ucci.com/) www.addp-ucci.com and the TRICARE Pharmacy Program webpage at  (http://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy) www.TRICARE.mil/pharmacy. TRICARE - Military.com surveys have found that most servicemembers and their families are confused by TRICARE. (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare/understanding-your-tricare-benefits) Get the facts and latest news on TRICARE.

Some to Lose Stop-Loss Pay

The fiscal 2010 defense budget extends payments to servicemembers involuntarily extended on active duty under the so-called "Stop Loss" program. However, those who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service no longer qualify for retroactive stop-loss pay. Servicemembers affected by the new policy who already received stop-loss payments will not be required to repay them. However, all outstanding applications from affected servicemembers will be returned, along with an explanation of the change in law that makes them no longer eligible to receive the payments. While the services work to phase out the policy, officials have authorized a special pay of $500 a month of anyone retained on active duty due to stop loss. (http://www.military.com/news/article/some-losing-stop-loss-payments.html) Read the full article.

Pay Calculator - Find out how much you'd make with a promotion or at your next duty station. Calculate pay by rank, location or duty with the ( http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/calculator) Military Pay Calculator.

Time to Honor Employers
The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is encouraging Guard and Reserve servicemembers to speak out and honor their patriotic employers. Guard and Reserve servicemembers can nominate their employers for the Patriot Award at the ESGR website at (http://www.esgr.org/) www.esgr.org and the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at the Freedom Award website at (http://www.freedomaward.mil/) www.freedomaward.mil. The Patriot Award recognizes all employers with a certificate and an accompanying lapel pin. The deadline for nominations for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is Jan. 18. It was created by the Department of Defense to publicly recognize employers that provide exceptional support to their National Guard and Reserve employees.

Quantico Offers Electronic Notification
The Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Va. now offers its Mass Notification System, which disseminates crucial knowledge via e-mail. Getting essential information such as base traffic, weather and force protection information is as easy as checking your inbox. Anyone can register to receive notifications on the Marines Corps Base Quantico website at  (http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/) www.quantico.usmc.mil. The system is currently being redesigned to be more compatible with the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet and to include text-messaging capabilities.

Lose Weight After the Holidays
Dieticians at the Defense Commissary Agency offer the following tips when watching your diet to lose weight: (1) go slowly and set realistic goals; (2) be active; (3) use small plates and bowls at meals; (4) eat 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day; (5) eat protein like chicken, fish, turkey, lean beef, pork and dairy foods; (6) control portions--a serving that is bigger than your fist is probably too much; (7) eat vegetables and fruit; (8) get support from family and friends; (9) celebrate when you reach a weight loss goal. For more information about making healthy choices, visit (http://www.commissaries.com/healthy_living/dietitian/index.cfm) Ask the Dietitian at Commissaries.com and post your questions on the (http://www.commissaries.com/healthy_living/dietitian/forum/forums.cfm) DeCA Dietitian Forum. For delicious recipes, visit (http://www.commissaries.com/kays_kitchen.cfm) Kay's Kitchen.

Featured Job: Engineering Opportunities

Starting salaries in Engineering are significantly higher than those of college graduates in other fields. Military.com connects you with hundreds of immediate openings in Engineering -- Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Nuclear and more. (http://www.military.com/engineering?ESRC=vr.nl href=) Search jobs now.

A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level engineering jobs. If you do not have a degree yet, you can use your education benefits to pay for the costs. Plus, your service in the Military may have earned you college credit. Start taking classes today by finding (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=vr.nl href=) Military Friendly Schools that offer engineering degree programs.

( http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mr.nl href=)

Operation Homelink
Operation Homelink (tm) provides refurbished computers to the spouses or parents of junior enlisted (E1-E5) U.S. deployed service men and women, enabling email communication with their loved ones deployed overseas. To date, the nonprofit organization has partnered with corporate donors to link 3,200 deployed Soldiers with their families using Internet-friendly computers. Regardless of where computers are sent, they are provided to units that are scheduled to deploy overseas in the next 90 days. Operation Homelink does not accept individual or unit requests for computers, but the organization does accept donations. For more information, visit the (http://www.operationhomelink.org/index.shtml) Operation Homelink website.

A Place to Call Home--But Should You Rent or Buy?
Moving is a natural part of military life, but as you plan for your next permanent change of station (PCS) move how do you determine whether to rent or buy that place to call home? There are no one-size-fits-all answers. However, there are a few things to consider as you make your decision. (http://www.military.com/finance/pcs-moving-guide/renting/should-you-rent-or-buy.html) Learn More.

TRICARE Offers Seasonal Vaccines
TRICARE beneficiaries who are eligible to use the TRICARE retail pharmacy benefit can now receive the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at TRICARE retail network pharmacies at no cost. Other vaccines still must be administered in a doctor's office or authorized convenience clinic to be fully covered by TRICARE's preventive health services cost-share waiver. Beneficiaries should call their local TRICARE retail network pharmacy to make sure it participates in the vaccine program and has the vaccine in stock. To locate a participating retail network pharmacy, visit Express Scripts' TRICARE Pharmacy Program webpage at  (http://www.express-scripts.com/Tricare) http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE or call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303. TRICARE - Military.com surveys have found that most servicemembers and their families are confused by TRICARE. (http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare/understanding-your-tricare-benefits) Get the facts and latest news on TRICARE.

National Blood Donor Month
January is National Blood Donor Month, and the (http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/) Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is saying thank you to all blood donors this month. Many of program's 22 blood donor centers in the United States and around the world will hold special ceremonies throughout the month of January where plaques, military coins and certificates are awarded to those who make it part of their routine to give blood. To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to schedule your appointment to donate, visit the Armed Services Blood Program website at (http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/) http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To talk to someone at the ASBP or receive their latest news, visit the ASBP Facebook webpage at  (http://www.facebook.com/militaryblood) www.facebook.com/militaryblood or the ASBP Twitter webpage at (http://www.twitter.com/militaryblood) www.twitter.com/militaryblood.

Find Your GI Bill Tuition and Fee Rate

Unlike the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post-9/11 GI Bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay your tuition and fees directly to the school. This payment rate is capped at the tuition and fees rate for the most expensive in-state public college undergraduate tuition and fees for the state of enrollment - the school's state not yours. Follow these (http://www.military.com/money-for-school/gi-bill/find-your-new-gi-bill-tuition-and-fee-rate) 4 steps and view a State-By-State breakdown to determine how much of your tuition fees will be covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Need to find a military friendly school? Military.com has hundreds of schools that offer college credit for service and may offer tuition discounts and grants to servicemembers. (http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mr.nl href=) Search schools now.

If you only qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill, you can get the (http://www.military.com/money-for-school/veteran/gi-bill/veteran-gi-bill-users-guide?ESRC=mr.nl href=) GI Bill User Guide to make using your benefits even easier.

( http://edu.military.com/gibill/?ESRC=mr.nl href=)

Tylenol Arthritis Pain Reliever Recalled
A recall has been issued for Tylenol(r) Arthritis Pain Caplet 100-count bottles with the distinctive red EZ-Open cap because of consumer reports of nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has removed, from its shelves, several lot codes of Tylenol Arthritis 100-count EZ-Open cap. A list of the lot numbers is available on the (http://www.commissaries.com/press_room/press_release%3Cbr%20/%3E/breaking_news_07/tylenol.cfm) Commissaries.com website. People who have purchased the recalled product are advised to stop using it. Commissary customers can return any recalled products to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, visit the (http://www.tylenol.com/page2.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subp_tar_recall.inc) Tylenol website.

Marines Test New Tracking Device
A newly installed electronic tracking device in the Service Record Books at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. is expected to save the base nearly $1.5 million and 54,000 man-hours annually. The tracking system now manages more than 38,000 Service Record Books belonging to Camp Pendleton servicemembers. Service Record Book accountability that normally took weeks to establish, could now only take days. Camp Pendleton is the second and largest installation to utilize the electronic tracking system after Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Personnel administration centers throughout the Marine Corps are expected to adopt the new system as testing continues at Camp Pendleton. (http://www.military.com/news/article/marine-corps-news/new-device-tracks-service-records.html) Read the full article at Military.com