Veterans Report

Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 9th

Week of May 05, 2008
The Senate recently passed S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 96 - 1. The act includes provisions to: (1) establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans; (2) expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; (3) increase the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase; (4) provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits; and (5) extend the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training to two years. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. How do you feel about this bill? Let your public officials know how you feel!

Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 9th
Since 1984, the Armed Forces have set aside a special day to acknowledge the significant contributions of our spouses. This year, Friday, May 9, 2008, has been designated Military Spouse Appreciation Day. The life of a military family is one of unique challenges. Spouses continue to meet these challenges with grace and strength. Take time to thank your spouse for a job well-done.

Military Report

base target="_blank"---------------------- 28 APRIL 2008---------------------------------------
Retiree SBP Accounts Being Reviewed
Deal of the Week: 15% Off Flag Cases, Medals, Ribbons & More
More Proposed GI Bill Changes
American Legion Launches Apple Purchase Program for Members
Servicemembers Save with Offers from ASMBA
Uncle Sam Pays for College
Featured Job: Security Force Officer
More Money for Army Captains
Space "A" Travel for Dependents Expanded
20,000 Dollar Critical Skills Bonus
Army Issues Combat Handbooks
Autism Campaign Launched
British Open Tickets Available
Combat Units Eligible for Streamer
Commissaries Offer Guard, Reserve Sales
USAFE 'Extreme Summer' Contest
'Grill Sergeants' Hits San Diego
TRICARE Offers Parenthood Guide
Children's Book Series Available
Free SAT-ACT Prep Software
Navy Museum Gets Rare Civil War Artifact
PBS Series 'Americans At War' Now Online
New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal
Vacations for Vets Program
Branson Women Veterans Week
Army Online Evaluations on Track
Naval Officers Association Conference
Commemorative Military Certificates
Army MWR Summer Sweepstakes
AF Family Life Consultant Program

Military Report

Sell Your Stuff
Reach thousands of buyers in the military community through our network of local sites. Post a free ad through Military.com Classifieds today. Sell your car or home, get rid of furniture and more. ...More

Military Report

Deal of the Week: Best Damn Military Discount
ctive duty and Reserves of the U.S. Military can save up to thousands on select 2008/2009 GM vehicles. Visit gmmilitarydiscount.com to learn more

Army Goes Phishing, E-mail Style

More than 10,000 Soldiers, civilians and Family members with military e-mail addresses received an e-mail promising free tickets to area theme parks, with a link to a website that appeared to belong to the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC). The "phishing" expedition was developed by the Army Computer Emergency Response Team (ACERT) in a Global Computer Network Defense exercise to test the defensive posture of the Army LandWarNet and the response of all parties involved including the FMWRC. ACERT officials sent a follow-up e-mail to the recipients describing the exercise and apologizing for any inconvenience or false hopes raised by the e-mail. Anyone with questions or comments in the conduct of the exercise should contact the ACERT at 703-706-1113.

Veterans Report

New Website for Vietnam Era Veterans
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) launched a new website to honor Vietnam era veterans. The VFW's new Vietnam Veterans website at is an extension of VFW's "Honor a Vet" campaign and offers Vietnam era veterans an opportunity to their share their experiences, connect with other Vietnam veterans and receive help in applying for government benefits and entitlements, as well as updates on related veterans' issues.

---

Women Marines Association Convention
The 25th Biennial Women Marines Association Convention and Professional Development Conference will be held Aug. 28- Sept. 3, 2008 at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston, Texas. Online registration is available at the Women Marines Association website. Hotel reservations can be made by calling (713) 960-8100 or online.

Military / Veterans Report

Operation Never Forgotten
A troop-support group in a small southern Michigan town is working to raise public awareness and appreciation for troops and their families. "Operation Never Forgotten" bridges the gap between our military and civilian worlds by creating nonpartisan national awareness advertising for our troops, veterans and their families. The organization has rolled out more than 500 billboards across America on highways and in airports from Times Square to Los Angeles. The billboards display an unmistakable military theme with phrases encouraging viewers to remember and support the military and their families and the sacrifices they make. For more information, visit the Operation Never Forgotten website.

Find ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com Support our Troops webpage.

---

Free Magazines for Servicemembers
Subscriptions for Service Members pairs overseas active duty service members with subscription donations to bring your favorite magazines to you at no cost. Create your free wishlist of magazines here.

Veterans Report

A GI Bill Benefit Overview
The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) was created to help veterans of active duty military service pay for their education and training.

Your GI Bill can be used to pay for many different programs including the following:

- College, Business Technical or Vocational Courses
- Distance Learning including Correspondence Courses
- Certification Tests
- Apprenticeship/Job Training (Veterans and Reserve Only)
- Flight Training

The GI Bill is currently worth up to $39,636. This amount is based on the 2007-2008 monthly full-time student payment rate of $1101 multiplied by the 36-month limit. This "payment rate" automatically increases on October first each year. You get the annual increase no matter when you became eligible or begin using it.
View the complete user's guide.

Military / Veterans Report

5 Must Know GI Bill Facts
The GI Bill is a benefit you earned. Here are 5 must know facts that will help you better understanding how it works.

1) You have 10 years to use your benefits. Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use it - or loose it.

2) The GI Bill is not Federal Financial Aid. College and University financial aid departments do not consider the MGIB financial aid because it is normally paid directly to you, not the school. This also means that you are eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants along with the GI Bill.

3) You can stop and start using the MGIB as needed. Unfortunately, many people believe that once you apply for benefits you have to remain enrolled in school to get the full benefit. Thankfully that's not true.

4) A "month" of benefits doesn't always mean a month. The GI Bill benefit provides 36 months of education benefits. The term "months" can often be confusing. The "36 months" of benefits does not mean you have only 36 months to use it, nor does it mean you must use it all in one 36 month period. Learn more about the way payments are broken down here.

5) The GI Bill pays according to the number of credits you take. The GI Bill payment rates are based on several factors, the biggest being your credit load. For example a fulltime student will get up to $1075 a month while a half-time student will only get half that amount.

Don't let your benefit expire. Take the first step and request free information from schools that match your education needs and schedule.

---

Secretary Vows to Reduce Wait Times
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake pledged to reduce the time it takes veterans to receive medical care and disability claims payments. At a recent hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, the Secretary said he would work to reduce wait times for VA medical care from about 180 days to 145 days by 2009. According to Peake, VA will hire 3,100 new employees by 2009 and will work to gain greater online access to Pentagon medical information, which will allow staff to process claims faster and move toward an electronic claims filing system.
I wonder if these new employees will be able to communicate in English?
At least enough to understand what they say.

---

Navy Awards Zumwalt Class Destroyers

The Navy has exercised contract modifications for the construction of the dual lead ships of the Zumwalt class to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. DDG 1000 and DDG 1001 are the lead ships of a class of next-generation multi-mission surface combatants...More
How the Zumwalt Class Destroyer Works

Military / Veterans Report

VA Home Loan Rules Change
Qualified veterans and active-duty military personnel have been able to buy a home for as much as $417,000 without a down payment or private mortgage insurance for some time now. However the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) has changed its rules to allow larger VA loans if the veteran or servicemember is willing to make a down payment of at least 25 percent of the portion of the home's price that exceeds $417,000. Veterans and active-duty servicemembers can learn more about VA home loans at Military.com

Military / Veterans Report

GI Bill Benefit Expiration Date
Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use all of your benefits. Although separating from service "starts the clock" on your 10-year time limit, you should know that if you rejoin active-duty service for more than 90 days, during the 10-year period, your 10-year clock is reset. In other words, you get 10 years from your last discharge. Visit the GI Bill FAQ page for more information.

In addition to using your GI Bill, Military.com has more than $300 million worth of scholarships in our database geared specifically for servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Take a look and find the right scholarships for you.

VA Annual Report Available
VA's Fiscal Year 2007 Performance and Accountability Report, which describes the department's progress toward reaching its performance goals, was published on Nov. 15, 2007. To see how well VA has succeeded in providing benefits and health care services to America's veterans, read the report at the VA Budget Report webpage.

Military Report / Humor

Military Declares Victory Over Al-Qaida
The al-Qaida presence in Iraq is severely crippled, prompting some to declare victory over the group. But as military and administration leaders plot the next phase of the war in Iraq, others warn such a declaration could be premature because the group is resilient....More

Announcing the Military Spouse Network
Milspouses around the world now have a place to share experiences, find military discounts, apply for spouse-friendly jobs, get info on new neighborhoods and more. Tell your friends and join now....More
******************
Humor
Hello, Senator Kennedy
After numerous rounds of "We don't know if Osama is still alive," Osama himself decided to send Ted Kennedy a note in his own handwriting to let him know he was still in the game.

Kennedy opened the note, which appeared to contain a single line of coded message: 370HSSV-0773H.

Kennedy was baffled, so he E-mailed it to John Kerry. Kerry and his aides had no clue either, so they sent it to the FBI. No one could solve it at the FBI, so it went to the CIA, then to the NSA. With no clue as to its meaning, the FBI finally asked Marine Corps Intelligence for help.

Within a few seconds, the Marines cabled back with this reply: "Tell Kennedy he is holding the message upside down."

Towel Heads
This received from an unidentified correspondent in the Department of Defense.

"Towel Heads"

Recently I received a warning about the use of this
politically incorrect term.

Please try to pay attention.

We have been informed that the Islamic terrorists do not
like to be called "Towel Heads" since the item they wear on their heads is actually a small folded sheet.

Therefore, from this point forward, please refer to them as
"little sheet heads."

Thank you for your support on this delicate matter.

Military Report

Come to the Military.com Career Fair in San Antonio
The Military.com Career Fair is coming to San Antonio on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. Employers seek the valuable skills you learned in service to your country. Register here and get a reminder of the event as well as a final and up - to- date list of the companies attending.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every three minutes a woman in the United States becomes diagnosed with breast cancer. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The most common sign of breast cancer, a new, hard and painless lump, can be discovered during regular self-examinations. Other symptoms include swelling of part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness of nipple and breast skin, nipple discharge (other than breast milk) and a lump in the underarm area. Although primarily found in females, males can be diagnosed with breast cancer and suffer similar results. For more information, including educational materials, visit http://www.breastcancer.org/.

Group is Here 4 You
The Silver Star Families of America supports wounded servicemembers and their families by offering troops a friendly ear with its newest program, "Hear 4 You." The no-cost program aims to develop a network of volunteers to listen to military personnel and their families affected by post-deployment stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. Military personnel or family members wishing talk to a volunteer through the Hear 4 You program can follow the link from the Silver Star Families of America website. The program's website shows which volunteers are online at any given moment.

Military / Veterans Report

Video * All Video Clips
New Documentary on WWII Debuts
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) presents "The War," a Ken Burns film, beginning Sun,, Sept. 23, 2007 on most PBS stations. The seven-part series documents World War II through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four quintessentially American towns. Throughout the series, the indelible experience of combat is brought vividly to life. Please check your local television listings for the exact air time and date in your area. For more information, including educational materials, visit "The War" website

---

Toys for Tots Makes Special Request
In response to recent events within the toy industry regarding unsafe toys manufactured in China, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is asking its loyal supporters to screen toys prior to purchase to ensure that only safe toys are donated to the upcoming 2007 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign. The toys identified as potentially unsafe can be found at the Mattel toy recall list at http://service.mattel.com/us/ and the CBS News Detailed SKU's website. For more information, call Mattel toll-free at (888)597-6597. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation does not purchase any toys directly from overseas vendors or manufacturers.

Military / Veterans Report

VA Announces Modernization Plans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced several major enhancements at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in New York state to include new construction and renovation. VA has officially opened its National Suicide Prevention Hot Line at Canandaigua, which will provide round-the-clock national assistance for veterans. The hot line is staffed by mental health professionals taking toll-free calls from veterans across the country. The number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Veterans in need of assistance are connected with on-call professionals, then referred for follow-up treatment at their local VA facility.

Station Seeks WWII Stories
World War II veterans and their families are requested to supply KETC-TV (Channel 9) in St. Louis with information, letters and memories. Creation of the project "Your Stories: St. Louis Remembers World War II" began this spring in anticipation of Ken Burns' 15-hour epic documentary, "The War," which will be broadcast on PBS affiliate stations during a two-week span beginning Sept. 23, 2007. The station invites the sharing through postal mail and e-mail on the KETC website. The "Your Stories" project will continue through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2007. The mailing address is: Your Stories, KETC, 3655 Olive St., St. Louis Mo. 63108. Check out Military.com's History Channel to read Veterans' Stories from past conflicts.

Personal Information Stolen From AXPOW Headquarters
On August 11 or 12, 2007, there was a break-in at National Headquarters for the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington, Texas 76010. All computer hard drives were stolen, along with several days of mail, checks and cash awaiting deposit and assorted paper files and records. These records include National Service Officer work, protected under Federal law.

The Arlington Police Department, IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Federal Attorney in Dallas and the USPS Postal Inspector were all notified.

The concern is the database of members. These records, approximately 35,000, have social security numbers, dates of birth and VA claim numbers in them, along with names, addresses and other personal information. AXPOW members need to be alert for any fraudulent activities concerning their finances.

Did You Know?
The term "the whole 9 yards" came from W.W.II fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got "the whole 9 yards."

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Only in America can a homeless combat veteran live in a cardboard box and a draft dodger live in the White House. (1993-2001)

Veterans Report

5 Must Know GI Bill Facts
The GI Bill is a benefit you earned. Here are 5 must know facts that will help you better understanding how it works.

1) You have 10 years to use your benefits. Once you have separated from the service you have 10 years to use it - or loose it.

2) The GI Bill is not Federal Financial Aid. College and University financial aid departments do not consider the MGIB financial aid because it is normally paid directly to you, not the school. This also means that you are eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell Grants along with the GI Bill.

3) You can stop and start using the MGIB as needed. Unfortunately, many people believe that once you apply for benefits you have to remain enrolled in school to get the full benefit. Thankfully that's not true.

4) A "month" of benefits doesn't always mean a month. The GI Bill benefit provides 36 months of education benefits. The term "months" can often be confusing. The "36 months" of benefits does not mean you have only 36 months to use it, nor does it mean you must use it all in one 36 month period.

Learn more about the way payments are broken down here.

5) The GI Bill pays according to the number of credits you take. The GI Bill payment rates are based on several factors, the biggest being your credit load. For example a fulltime student will get up to $1075 a month while a half-time student will only get half that amount.

Don't let your benefit expire. Take the first step and

request free information from schools that match your education needs and schedule.

---

Sign up for the Freedom Walk
In 2005, Pentagon employees created The America Supports You Freedom Walk to commemorate the attack on the Pentagon and honor all lives lost on September 11. What began as a small gesture has become a new national tradition. Last year, over 135 Freedom Walks of all types and sizes were held across the U.S. to honor the victims of September 11, reflect on the freedoms we have in America, and pay tribute to our veterans, past and present.

The National Freedom Walk will be held in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, September 9, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. Local Freedom Walks will be held across America from September 8-11 in cities, workplaces and schools. Anyone is welcome to host or organize a Freedom Walk, or participate in a walk in their local community. Interested walkers can log on to AmericaSupportsYou

---

Military Humor
Navy Navigation
This is the transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation of a U. S. naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations on 10-10-95.

Americans: "Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision."

Canadians: "Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision."

Americans: "This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, DIVERT YOUR course."

Canadians: "No. I say again, you divert YOUR course."

Americans: "This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers, and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 15 degrees north...that's one-five-degrees North, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship."

Canadians: "This is a lighthouse. Your call."

Note: The Navy has issued a press-release stating that this incident never happened -- but that doesn't make it any less humorous. http://www.about.com/

Military / Veterans Report

Marine's Parents Want Murtha Censured for Haditha Remarks
Roger Hughes, chairman of the Presidential Watch Political Action Committee -- the umbrella organization for the "Boot Murtha" and "Expose Murtha" campaigns -- told Cybercast News Service that he -- "unlike Murtha" -- would not comment on the Haditha investigations.

He did say, however, that "Murtha's remarks about the guilt of these people having killed civilians in cold blood is very reminiscent of John Kerry's Senate testimony" in 1971, when the current senator from Massachusetts stated he'd heard Vietnam veterans say they had "randomly shot at civilians" and "razed villages in a fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan."

General Praises Exonerated Haditha Marine

Charges Against Haditha Marine Sharratt Dropped

August 8, 2007 Another anti-military fantasist bites the dust.



Video: F-15 School
Do you have what it takes to be an F-15 Fighter Pilot? Check out this documentary to find out.


United We Stand Photo Gallery
On this page you'll find powerful, often surprising images of the American flag -- big flags, small flags, painted flags, lots of flags. Let us all be inspired by the Stars and Stripes and its representation of freedom and democracy!

Humor Courtesy Swapmeet Dave
CIA Assassin test
The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all the background checks, interviews, and testing were done, there were three finalists. two men and a woman.

For the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun. "We must know that you will follow our instructions, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room, you will find your wife sitting in a chair. Kill Her!!!"

The man said, "You can't be serious. I could never shoot my wife." The agent said, "Then you're not the right man for this job. Take your wife and go home."

The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the man came out with tears in his eyes. "I tried, but I can't kill my wife." The agent said, "You don't have what it takes. Take your wife and go home."

Finally, it was the woman's turn. She was given the same instructions, to kill her husband. She took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard, one shot after another. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the woman. She wiped the sweat from her brow. "This gun is loaded with blanks", she said. "I had to beat him to death with the chair."

Military / Veterans Report

VA Develops New Prosthetic Ankle
Veterans with lower-leg amputations can look forward to having a prosthetic ankle-foot that matches their natural ease of motion, due to research funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and conducted by researchers from the Department and two of the nation's top universities. Researchers say the new ankle-foot prosthetic is the first in a new family of artificial limbs. It will replicate natural motion by propelling people forward using tendon-like springs powered by an electric motor. VA operates about 60 orthotic-prosthetic labs across the country that fabricate, fit and repair artificial limbs or oversee limbs provided by commercial vendors.

---

Humor Courtesy Swapmeet Dave
Communication Breakdown...
The reason the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines squabble among themselves is that they don't speak the same language.
For example, take a simple phrase like, "Secure the building."
• The Army will put guards around the place.
• The Navy will turn out the lights and lock the doors.
• The Air Force will take out a 5-year lease with an option to buy.
• The Marines will kill everybody inside and make it a command post.

Military / Veterans Report

President Bush Discusses War on Terror in South Carolina
Some note that al Qaida in Iraq did not exist until the U.S. invasion -- and argue that it is a problem of our own making. The argument follows the flawed logic that terrorism is caused by American actions. Iraq is not the reason that the terrorists are at war with us. We were not in Iraq when the terrorists bombed the World Trade Center in 1993. We were not in Iraq when they attacked our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. We were not in Iraq when they attacked the USS Cole in 2000. And we were not in Iraq on September the 11th, 2001.

In ancient times there were no statistics so they fell back on lies.
In modern times there are statistics so Liberals fall back on lies.
Just blame Bush: “[George W. Bush is] the worst president we ever had... When you have a president who is so unpopular... it really reflects poorly on Congress. None of [Congress’ approval ratings] are real high and we acknowledge that, but most of it relates to the unpopularity of the president.” - Harry Reid x The War Is Lost x Reid Warped x Create A Warp

Our action to remove Saddam Hussein did not start the terrorist violence -- and America withdrawal from Iraq would not end it. The al Qaida terrorists now blowing themselves up in Iraq are dedicated extremists who have made killing the innocent the calling of their lives. They are part of a network that has murdered men, women, and children in London and Madrid; slaughtered fellow Muslims in Istanbul and Casablanca, Riyadh, Jakarta, and elsewhere around the world. If we were not fighting these al Qaida extremists and terrorists in Iraq, they would not be leading productive lives of service and charity. Most would be trying to kill Americans and other civilians elsewhere -- in Afghanistan, or other foreign capitals, or on the streets of our own cities. President Bush Discusses War on Terror Video x Transcript

Radio Program to Give Troops a Voice
Mike Broomhead, host of the "Mike Broomhead Show" on News Talk KFYI in Phoenix will dedicate one hour of his two-hour Sunday evening show to "Voice of the Troops," which will also be sponsored by Operation Homefront of Arizona. The segment debuted July 15 and will begin as a monthly feature. Those with Internet access will be able to hear the program on the station's website at http://www.kfyi.com/. The program will provide a way for servicemembers to share their stories from the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information, visit the
Operation Homefront of Arizona website.

Military Retirement Pay Cap is Lifted
Retiring military personnel - who have had due 30 years of service or more - will no longer have their retirement pay capped at 75 percent of base pay thanks to changes in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. For example, a member who served 32 years will receive 80 percent of their retired pay base and a member who has served 42 years will receive 105 percent of their retired pay base. More detail about the new retirement pay schedule is available from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Military etiquette
Officer: Soldier, do you have change for a dollar?
Soldier: Sure, buddy.
Officer: That's no way to address an officer! Now let's try it again.
Do you have change for a dollar?
Soldier: No, SIR!

Military / Veterans Report

THE GRIM REAPERS
The war on terror will soon get even scarier for America's enemies - the United States is on the verge of unleashing its best pilotless aircraft yet, the Reapers.

The robot killers from the sky - a step up from the current Predators - will be tracking down enemy fighters from 50,000 feet up.

The Reaper is outfitted with infrared, laser and radar targeting capability and packs a ton and a half of guided bombs and missiles. The Reaper is loaded, but there is no one on board. Its pilot, as it bombs targets in Iraq, will sit at a video console 7,000 miles (11,265 kilometers) away in Nevada.

Bigger Military Raise, Better Benefits Hit
With President Bush's popularity scraping bottom in opinion polls, with U.S. casualties rising in Iraq in a force surge that has stretched soldier tours to 15 months, the Bush administration July 10 said it "strongly opposes" key military pay and benefit gains tossed into their fiscal 2008 defense bill. Initiatives the administration "strongly opposes" include:

• A military pay raise for next January of 3.5 percent versus 3 percent endorsed by the White House.
  
• Lowering the age-60 start of reserve retirement annuities for reserve component members by the length of their future mobilizations.
  
• Expanding eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation to service members forced by combat disabilities to retire short of 20 years.
  
• Directing pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide the Department of Defense with same price discounts for TRICARE retail pharmacy network that are provided already on medicines dispensed from base pharmacies. To learn more, read the article

Military / Veterans Report

Thank You Foundation
The Thank You Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to expressing gratitude and appreciation to the men and women in the United States Armed Forces past and present. The Foundation has developed high-quality business cards that can be presented to any individual who is on active-duty, in a reserve unit or a veteran of the armed services, as a means of saying "Thank You." The Foundation also recently started the Tickets for Troops program where complimentary tickets to professional sporting events, concerts, amusement parks and art events are presented to these servicemembers. For more information, visit the
Thank You Foundation website.

Navy Knowledge Online Alerts Users
The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola warns users of the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) Web portal to watch out for an Internet phishing scam. The current phishing scheme claims to be from the NKO administration department and advises users of a non-existent server outage. The phony e-mail directs NKO users to a false mirror site in order to obtain users' legitimate log-on information. NKO users should not reply to the phishing e-mail or click on any associated links or buttons in the e-mail/false NAVADMIN. Further guidance and assistance is available from the NKO home page.

Panel Approves VA Care for All Vets
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), approved legislation recently that would re-open the Department of Veterans Affairs health system to 1.7 million veterans in Priority Group 8, those who have adequate incomes and no service-connected ailments. The Group 8 provision is in the Traumatic Brain Injury and Other Health Programs Enhancement Act (S 1233). For more information, read the article on the Military.com website.

White House Against Boosting VA Budget
Moves in Congress to give the Department of Veterans Affairs as much as $3.8 billion more than the Bush administration proposed has drawn an indirect veto threat from the White House.

"If Congress increases VA funding above the president's request and does not offset this increase with spending reductions in other bills, the president will veto any of the other bills that exceed his request until Congress demonstrates a path to reach the president's top line of $933 billion," the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.

Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, chairman of the House veterans affairs appropriations subcommittee, said, "This bill is about respect, and honors the promises made to our veterans with historic increases in funding to provide them the health care and benefits they earned when they put on our nation's uniform." To learn more, read the article at Military.com.

"This bill is about respect, and honors the promises made to our veterans with historic increases in funding to provide them the health care and benefits they earned when they put on our nation's uniform."
Since when do liberals respect veterans? When it's a political talking point. (We (Democrats) tried to get veterans more health care money, but Bush vetoed it.) Another reason for the liberals to blame Republicans in 2008.
Read these Comments posted on Military.com