Veterans Report: Print And Post 

14 June 2004
   

Below is the complete version of this week's Veterans Report. Print it, circulate it, and make sure your colleagues and friends keep up with the latest veterans benefits updates.

ACTION ALERT: Veterans Earn and Learn Act Should the GI Bill be used for On-the-Job training as well as traditional schools? Thousands of servicemembers who sign up for the Montgomery GI Bill program later find that traditional classroom training does not fit their career goals; instead they would rather move directly into the job market. The Veterans Earn and Learn Act could enhance deserved opportunities for them to take advantage of their GI Bill education benefits when participating in on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs. 

For more information on H.R. 1716, see http://vote.military.com/military/issues/bills/?bill=5911756

What are your thoughts? Disagree? Agree? Your voice matters. Share your view on this critical debate. Send an email to your congressman now through our system

To read past letters to leaders concerning issues in the military, see:

http://capwiz.com/military/issuesaction/letterlist/?issue=11&x=13&y=19

To read more action alerts, see http://vote.military.com/military/home/ 

 

Deal of the Week: 

Discount Offers for SeaWorld Adventure Parks Specially priced tickets, Passports and dining certificates with valid military I.D. Tickets must be purchased in advance from your local base ticket office or by contacting Commander Navy Region Southwest Military Ticket Program. See Discount.

 

Army Gets New Combat Uniform 

The Army will be fielding a new combat uniform designed by NCOs and tested by Stryker Brigade Soldiers in Iraq since October. On the Army's 229th birthday, senior leadership introduced the Army Combat Uniform during a Pentagon cake-cutting ceremony. Soldiers were on display, suited-up in the wrinkle-free uniform with a digitized camouflage pattern. Three different versions of the ACU have been developed, and more than 10,000 uniforms have been produced and dragged through the sand in Iraq and at Army training centers. Even more are on American production lines to be issued by April 2005 to Soldiers in deploying units. Fielding to the total Army should be complete by December 2007, said officials from the Program Executive Office, known as PEO Soldier. 

For more information, see http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=6042

To find the latest news and special features concerning the Army, visit our Army Community Center:

http://www.military.com/NewContent/1,13190,army,00.html 

 

Avoiding the Diploma Mills 

Veterans looking for the "right school" to meet their education goals are encouraged to read an article regarding Diploma Mills, featured on Militarycom. Many veterans are interested in using their GI Bill to finance their education while pursuing a civilian career. However, some un-reputable, unaccredited "colleges" (often referred to a "diploma mills") claim to offer easy "no hassle" college degrees with no Transcript or Student Evaluation Processes. These diploma mills love to prey on military service members and veterans. 

If you are considering pursuing education, learn more on how to avoid these Diploma Mills.

http://www.military.com/Education/Content/0,13302,Education_Diploma,00.html 

 

National Veterans Wheelchair Games Come to St. Louis 

More than 500 disabled veterans will compete in the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, the 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, June 15-19 in St. Louis. The Wheelchair Games, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments. At the games, veterans will compete in track and field, swimming, basketball, weightlifting, softball, air guns, quad-rugby, 9-ball, bowling, table tennis, archery, handcycling, a motorized rally, wheelchair slalom and power soccer. The 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games begin June 15. 

For more information, see http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/PressArtInternet.cfm?id=819 

VA Benefits Eligibility for Reserve and National Guard Personnel According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.vba.va.gov), the primary factor in determining basic eligibility to VA benefits is "veteran status," which is established by active military, naval, or air service and a discharge or release from active service under conditions other than dishonorable. Reservists who served on active duty establish veteran status and may therefore be eligible for VA benefits, depending on the length of active military service and the character of discharge or release. In addition, reservists who are never called to active duty may qualify for some VA benefits. National Guard members can establish eligibility for VA benefits only if the President activated them for Federal duty. 

For more information regarding Reserve and National Guard, visit our Resource Center at

http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,resourcespage,00.html 

 

VA to Provide Reimbursement for Veterans Seeking National Board Certification 

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will reimburse eligible veterans up to $2,000 for National Board Certification fees, for each first time or retake assessment. National Board Certification is the highest credential in the teaching profession. The effective date of the approval is April 1, 2003, so candidates who received National Board Certification scores last November are eligible to apply. To receive this benefit, veterans must be eligible for the VA's Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program, or Dependents' Education Assistance programs. 

For more information, see http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,vanbpts_061404.00.html

For additional information, including the application for VA benefits, please visit www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-GI-BILL-1. 

To become a candidate for National Board Certification, please visit:

http://www.nbpts.org/candidates/become.cfm or call 1-800-22TEACH.

 

       

 
Reprinted as an historical reference document under the Fair Use doctrine of international copyright law. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html