Armed Forces News Issue: Friday: September 17, 2004 FEDweek is the largest information resource in the federal Government with now over one million weekly readers of our weekly newsletters: FEDweek Retirement & Financial Planning Report Armed Forces News New--Federal Manager's Daily Report To sign up for any of these electronic newsletters, just go to http://www.fedweek.com.
*********************************************************** More Valuable Information for the Federal Family How to Build a Retirement Portfolio. Go to http://www.fedweek.com/RFPR/default.asp 2004 Interactive Federal Leave Record at http://www.fedweek.com/Services/default.asp Experts' View: http://www.fedweek.com/experts/default.asp Subscriber Services: http://www.fedweek.com/Services/default.asp ********************************************************** IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE 1. Special Sept. 11 Remembrance From Australia 2. Military Widows Still Awaiting Relief 3. Sweeping Changes for Navy Uniforms 4. Medicare Premium to Spike 17 Percent 5. Bill: National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights 6. Tricare Officials Offer Tips for Contract Transition 7.VA Outreaches to Women Veterans 8. New AF Training Program On Tap for Navigators, EWOs 9. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Expands 10. Military Members In the Process of Finding Civilian Federal Jobs http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp *********************************************************** 1. Special Sept. 11 Remembrance From Australia Armed Forces News has received the following message, datelined Sept. 11, 2004, from retired Australian Army lieutenant colonel Jack Fletcher in New South Wales, Australia. "I report that this morning, Old Glory was, with proper ceremony, raised then lowered to half-mast, atop my hill (2760 ft) at 35deg 13min South, 149deg 24min East, in memory of those innocents who were killed on this day, 2001. May they rest in peace." Fletcher, a Vietnam veteran, is a graduate of U.S. Army special forces schools and U.S. Marine Corps force reconnaissance training. 2. Military Widows Still Awaiting Relief The two armed services committees have until the Oct. 8 recess if they are to get the fiscal 2005 authorization bill out of conference before Congress recesses. Along with provisions to improve concurrent receipt, guard/reserve health care, active duty pay, and a host of other vital issues, the act includes two possible relief measures for military family members. Currently, surviving military spouses (mostly widows) who receive 55 percent of their spouses' designated retired pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan see their annuity drop to 35 percent when they reach age 62. Many veterans� advocates call this the "military widows tax." The House version would eliminate the SBP reduction in 3 1/2 years, while the Senate would eliminate it over 10 1/2 years. If the committees don�t take action by Oct. 8, widows would have to wait for a possible special "lame duck" session later in the year. 3. Sweeping Changes for Navy Uniforms Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark has announced significant changes to the Navy Uniform Regulations. For example, effective immediately, Sailors may wear civilian bags while in uniform, including briefcases, gym bags, backpacks, suitcases and garment bags. Also, effective immediately, Sailors may wear a wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, PDA or pager for official business, while in uniform. The device cannot be visible from the front, and must be worn on the belt, aft of one or the other elbows. Female Sailors now may wear civilian handbags while in uniform, as outlined in NavAdmin 209/04. Women's uniform handbags will become an optional uniform item effective Oct. 1, 2004. On the same date, women's skirts will become an optional uniform component, and may not be prescribed for wear with either service and dress uniforms. For more, see NavAdmin 209/04. 4. Medicare Premium to Spike 17 Percent The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that the premium to be paid by Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B will jump to $78.20 in 2005 This is an increase of $11.60 over the $66.60 premium in 2004. The new premium reflects general growth in health care costs, higher payments to physicians and Medicare Advantage coordinated care health plans under the Medicare Modernization Act, and a build of trust fund reserves, says HHS. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment and other items. Military retirees and their spouses and survivors must be enrolled in Part B to be eligible for Tricare for Life benefits. 5. Bill: National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle has introduced legislation that would establish a National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights. "Serving in the Guard or Reserves is no longer a one-weekend-a-month commitment," Daschle said. "Reservists are serving on the front lines, facing the same bullets as full-time soldiers. Our nation's security depends on these brave men and women serving with courage and skill, and they are more than meeting the challenge." Under the bill, Reservists would have the rights to straight answers about their deployments; the best equipment the nation has to offer; adequate, timely, and problem-free compensation; quality, affordable health care; child care during their deployments; employment when they return home; education benefits; a fair retirement plan; and representation at the highest levels of the Department of Defense. 6. Tricare Officials Offer Tips for Contract Transition Some Tricare beneficiaries may experience long waits when calling their new regional contractors, but the transition to new contracts "will make a strong program better and ultimately result in higher patient satisfaction," Tricare officials said. They suggest conducting business online when possible, calling during nonpeak hours, and visiting Tricare service centers for face-to-face assistance as ways to beat phone congestion. Beneficiaries still may call their regional contractor, officials said, but they might experience long waits due to high call volume during the transition. Officials suggest that, since more people call on Mondays, beneficiaries should consider calling on other days. Thursdays and Fridays have the least calls, officials said, giving these days the best chance for gaining quick access. The toll-free regional contractor telephone numbers are: Tricare North: (877) Tricare (874-2273); Tricare South: (800) 444-5445; and Tricare West: (888) Triwest (874-9378). 7.VA Outreaches to Women Veterans The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed initiatives for women veterans that assure they receive their benefits. For example, most VA regional offices, medical centers and vet centers now have a Women Veterans� Coordinator to assist women veterans in accessing VA benefits and health care services. In addition, women VA patients receive complete physical examinations upon admission, including breast and pelvic exams. Clinicians emphasize preventive health care and counseling, including contraceptive services and menopause management, Pap smears and mammography. VA Clinicians and Women Veterans Coordinators receive specialized training and sensitivity awareness to help sexual assault victims. Additionally, VA provides specialized counseling and treatment - including a national toll-free telephone number (1-800-827-1000) - for sexual trauma that occurred during military service. For more information on VA outreaches to women veterans, visit the Center for Women Veterans home page at http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/. 8. New AF Training Program On Tap for Navigators, EWOs A new combat systems officer training program for Air Force navigators and electronic warfare officers begins at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 30 with the 562nd and 563rd Flying Training Squadrons. The new program responds to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper's request to redesign current training to produce an aviator skilled in advanced navigation systems, electronic warfare and weapons use. Combat systems officer training will combine portions of navigator and electronic warfare training to give aviators a cross-flow capability between the two positions on combat aircraft. Future plans for aviator training also include consolidating the training with the Navy in a single location, said. Maj. Jim Griffin, Air Education and Training Command's electronic warfare program manager. 9. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Expands A distance learning program at the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy now allows senior chiefs and master chiefs to learn away from the classroom. The non-resident course mirrors the resident course. It is open to active-duty and Reserve Sailors, and currently is offered twice a year. Students will attend a "kick-off" weekend to meet their instructors, get laptops and disks with course material, and learn what is expected of them for the next 15 weeks. For those 15 weeks, students can expect to spend one to four hours a night working on course material. After the 15 weeks, they will meet in Newport for two weeks to give oral presentations, take a naval heritage trip, listen to guest speakers and carry out writing assignments. For more information, visit the Center for Naval Leadership page on Navy Knowledge Online at www.nko.navy.mil. 10. Military Members In the Process of Finding Civilian Federal Jobs The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume Just Published� Available for Immediate Shipment Order Yours at http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp >From the Publishers of FEDweek, the federal government's largest information resource... We are proud to announce the launch of The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume. This book was written specifically for you and is designed to help you meet the requirements for written materials in seeking a new federal job or advancement within the federal government. There is no longer a single, required method of applying for federal employment. In fact, most federal agencies are moving toward the resume (either paper or electronic) as the preferred method of applying for jobs. That's why we've just published The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume and all current federal employees, retirees, military members and private sector professionals who are looking for a federal job need this all-inclusive guide. Note to Military Members: Many of the federal job openings at this time require security clearances. As a military member, a large percentage of you have the security clearance and the qualifications needed to fill these positions. This all-new guide will show you how to compose your resume to accentuate your strengths and experiences. Here's a partial list of the table of contents: Finding a Federal Job Should I Apply Using a Resume or an Application Form? The Federal Resume Preparing to Draft Your Resume What to Cover (and not cover) in a Resume The Designing of Your Federal Resume Your Accomplishments (including a worksheet) What if You Use an OF-612? Knowledges, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Cover Letters and Thank You Letters Interactive Worksheets The Do's and Don't's for Federal Resume Cover Letters Contains Many Sample Federal Resumes and Cover Letters And Much More! This book is a "must have" for: All federal employees Military personnel interested in civil service careers Federal managers and supervisors Human resources professionals and federal libraries Military retirees beginning their second career with the federal government All private sector workers that wish to apply for federal government positions. Simply put, designing and writing your resume is not an easy task. You must highlight your accomplishments, qualifications, experience, etc. all while keeping it brief and easy to follow. The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume will show you how to do this. It also gives a complete list of "result and action" words to use in your cover letter and resume as well as a list a frequently misspelled or misused words or phrases. "In today's competitive job market, especially the federal job market, this new interactive resume book is a must have and is guaranteed to help you, whether you are writing a new resume from scratch, making minor changes depending on the position you are applying for or just fine tuning and error checking it." Don Mace, Publisher FEDweek *********************************************************** Order it Today and Have it Shipped to You Tomorrow! Go to http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp to order online or see below for other ways to order. The Cost of The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume is only $9.95 (plus s&h) and here are the ways to order it: Place Your Secure Order Online With Credit Card http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp Call or toll-free order line (888) 333-9335. 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