Armed Forces News Issue: Friday: October 8, 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. Wanted: Combat Disability Pay Applicants 2. House, President, Give Resounding No to Draft 3. Army Posts Statistics for Mobilized IRRs 4. Rumsfeld Admits End Strength Hike Possible 5. DoD Expands Anthrax, Smallpox Vaccination Programs 6. Get Broadband DSL-Like Speed Over Your Phone Line at Home http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294957584/821891/148/0/ 7. For Sale By Owner 8. Navy Exchange Offers Gift Cards 9. AF Selection Statistics for Lieutenant Colonel 10. Memo Targets Job Protection for RCs 11. New Benefits Set for Ex-POWs 12. Navy Enlisted Exam Results Escape Ivan 13. Recent Military Promotions 14. To All Military Personnel & Retirees http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp *********************************************************** 1. Wanted: Combat Disability Pay Applicants The numbers are mystifying, say officials. The $22 billion Combat-Related Special Compensation program for disabled military retirees has paid out only $100 million so far. Of the half-million Army retirees who may be eligible, for instance, only just over 28,000 have applied, said an Army spokesman. CRSC was implemented to reverse an old law that forced a retiree to forfeit a dollar of retired pay for each dollar of disability compensation received from the Veterans Administration. CRSC I, which began in 2003, pays qualified retirees with at least 20 years of active duty or 7,200 reserve service points, and who have a 10 percent or more VA disability resulting in a Purple Heart, or a 60 percent disability because of combat or combat-related causes. CRSC II, enacted in January, pays 20-year active-duty retirees and Reserve Component retirees who have combat or combat-related disabilities rated 10 percent or higher. 2. House, President, Give Resounding �No' to Draft In the face of a rumor spreading through the Internet and on college campuses that President Bush wants to reinstate the draft if he is re-elected, the House on Oct. 5 overwhelmingly voted to kill legislation that would have done just that. The vote was 402-2 against a bill sponsored last year by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Rangel's measure would have required men and women aged 18-26 to undergo two years of military or civilian service. President Bush also weighed in against a draft. On Oct. 4, he said, "We will not have a draft so long as I am president of the United States." And on the 5th, he said of Rangel's legislation, "If this bill were presented to me, I would veto it." Voting for the bill were Representatives John Murtha, D-Pa., and Pete Stark, D-Calif. 3. Army Posts Statistics for Mobilized IRRs More than 1,100 Soldiers in the Individual Ready Reserve who were ordered to active duty are currently at one of five posts for clothing issue and training � Fort Jackson, S.C.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Knox, Ky.; or Fort Benning, Ga. On the other hand, 622 IRR Soldiers who were ordered to report by Sept. 28, have failed to show. Nearly 400 of them have been contacted and the Human Resources Command at St. Louis is working with them one-on-one, officials said. The HRC is still attempting to contact the remaining 247 Soldiers. Of the 3,899 IRR Soldiers who have orders, 2,134 have report dates after Sept. 28. Also, 2,525 of those who have orders have not requested a delay or exemption, while 1,374 have. Requests have been approved for 373 and denied for 16. Decisions are pending for 985. 4. Rumsfeld Admits End Strength Hike Possible Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld admitted on Sept. 23 that military end strength might have to be jogged up if transformation does not fully succeed. "If we need to increase the size of the force, we need to increase the size of the force, and I'm all for it," Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing. "It would pain me to do it when we have so many portions of the force that aren't being properly used, and I'd much prefer to see us do that," said Rumsfeld. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, "It's clear, at least to most observers, that we don't have sufficient personnel, despite the efficiencies which you have so well and graphically described." Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., referring to a Defense Science Board study that declared the number of troops inadequate, said the armed forces might be "running off a cliff." 5. DoD Expands Anthrax, Smallpox Vaccination Programs The Defense Department is expanding its anthrax and smallpox immunization programs following an evaluation by the Military Health System. Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, announced that the anthrax and smallpox vaccination programs would include selected units within U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command and other selected groups. The program update will continue to include troops assigned in or deployed to designated higher-threat areas for 15 or more consecutive days. Officials also will offer the vaccinations to family members in the geographic areas on a voluntary basis. In addition, they will pursue vaccination, subject to appropriate personnel and contractor procedures, of emergency-essential civilian employees and contractors in the specified geographic areas. 6. Get Broadband DSL-Like Speed Over Your Phone Line at Home http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294957584/821891/148/0/ Please continue reading for more details or go to http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294957584/821891/148/0/ A Few Facts: Over 50% of our readers who have called the toll -free information number 1-800 452-9201, signed up for this internet service, it's that good. On-line Signup is available as well! You can get the fastest and most comprehensive internet accelerator on the market and unparalleled 24/7 customer service for only $13.40 per month--You'd pay more than twice that at AOL, Earthlink or any of the others. CNW has over 14,000 nationwide local access numbers to choose from compared to 7,000 Earthlinks and 4,000 AOL numbers. Plus you'll get Spam controls to help keep your inbox free of junk email IF you're in pursuit of a fast, reliable Internet connection, Computer Networks Inc. has partnered with Armed Forces News to provide Internet Services to our readers at a special low rate as low as $9.45 per month with no long term contracts to sign (like most other internet service providers require). Best Choice: Turbo Accelerator Internet Service is the new CNW Turbo Internet access version 3.1 is the fastest and most comprehensive Internet accelerator available today. CNW offers DSL like speed over 56k dial-up connection and fast downloads of e-mail and Web pages--all for only $13.40 per month! For more information or to sign up today, go to http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294957584/821891/148/0/ or call CNW toll-free at 1-800 452-9201. This is a special offer to all FEDweek readers only, just another value added benefit for subscribing to any one of FEDweek's valuable newsletters. 7. For Sale By Owner Selling your house yourself can help you save on broker commissions but there are three potential pitfalls: Asking price. You don't want to sell yourself short by setting a price that's too low but you don't want to discourage buyers by asking too much. Advertising. Most buyers ask a real estate agent for help so you'll get more exposure if your house is in a Multiple Listing Service. Attitude. Selling a home is one of the most emotional transactions you'll ever be involved in; you might be tempted to turn down a buyer's offer because of an unkind remark. One solution is to try selling your own house for a set amount of time, then turning to a broker if that doesn't work. Another option is to use a service targeted to do-it-yourself sellers. Flat-fee brokers such as Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell offer to help you with advertising, marketing, contracts, inspections, etc., for one pre-set fee. Typically, that fee will be a fraction of the normal broker's commission. 8. Navy Exchange Offers Gift Cards The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) is introducing NEX Gift Cards. The NEX Gift Card can be used like cash for most merchandise and service purchases in any Navy Exchange worldwide. The new cards, which resemble credit cards, replace paper Navy Exchange gift certificates. "One great feature of this new card is that the user can check the remaining balance on the card at any time," said Mike Mongin, operations specialist at NEXCOM. "Simply ask any cashier in the NEX, and the balance can be given to you. Or call from home, toll free at 1-877-839-7114, to obtain your balance." The cards can be purchased in amounts of $5 - $1,500 and can be "recharged" with additional money, if necessary. They can be paid for by cash, check, Visa, Master Card, American Express or Military Star card. 9. AF Selection Statistics for Lieutenant Colonel Line and biomedical science corps board members selected 1,482 majors for promotion to lieutenant colonel. The board considered 7,331 officers. Results of the line promotions are: 1,223 selected from 1,677 considered for a 72.9-percent in-the-promotion zone selection rate; 60 selected from 2,255 considered for a 2.7-percent above- the-promotion zone selection rate; and 142 selected from 3,043 considered for a 4.7-percent below-the-promotion zone selection rate. Results of the biomedical science corps promotions are: 45 selected from 87 considered for a 51.7-percent in-the-promotion zone selection rate; seven selected from 90 considered for a 7.8-percent above-the-promotion zone selection rate; and five selected from 179 considered for a 2.8-percent below-the-promotion zone selection rate. See "Recent Military Promotions" below for URLs to the listings. 10. Memo Targets Job Protection for RCs Attorney General John Ashcroft and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao have signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure employment rights of troops returning from active duty are vigorously protected. The memorandum strengthens enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994 by clarifying each department's responsibilities in enforcing the act. The attorney general has delegated its responsibilities to the civil rights division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys' offices. The Department of Labor has delegated its responsibilities to the veterans' employment and training service and the office of the solicitor. The memorandum will streamline the enforcement process by allowing the two agencies to work closely and effectively. When a complaint raises an "issue of immediate and significant harm" and each agency agrees that the complaint appears legitimate, it may be referred for enforcement immediately, officials said. 11. New Benefits Set for Ex-POWs Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi announced on Oct. 2 that the Bush administration will expand benefits to all former POWs with strokes and common heart diseases. "This is an issue that has been studied and debated too long," Principi said. "We have scientific studies supporting the association of these illnesses to the military service of our former POWs." Those veterans automatically will be eligible for disability compensation for those common ailments, and their spouses and dependents will be eligible for service-connected survivors' benefits if the diseases contribute to the death of a former POW. The new benefits will be added to the list of 16 medical problems that VA presumes to be linked to the military service of former POWs. The new rules are likely to take effect today (Oct. 7). 12. Navy Enlisted Exam Results Escape Ivan Personnel at the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) on Saufley Field, Pensacola, Fla., returned to work in late September following the devastation left by Hurricane Ivan. The command quickly reactivated systems to bring up Navy College, tuition assistance, examination development and other critical missions. An NETPDTC top priority was to process more than 110,000 answer sheets from the September Navywide active-duty testing cycle. "Our buildings and communications infrastructure did sustain significant damage from Ivan," said Capt. Paula Ricketts, NETPDTC's commanding officer. "Through Herculean efforts of volunteers from across the country, we are up and running again and ready to support the fleet." Since returning to work after Hurricane Ivan, NETPDTC civilian personnel have extended work hours, and chief petty officers are stepping in to help expedite examination grading. Ricketts said it's a team effort and she feels confident that the results will not be significantly delayed. 13. Recent Military Promotions Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Selects CY04B (P0504B) Central Selection Board Line of the Air Force (LAF) Results http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/offprom/CY04B%20Lt%20Col%20Selects.htm Lieutenant Colonel Selects CY04B (P0504B) BSC Central Selection Board Results http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/offprom/P0504B%20Lt%20Col%20BSC%20Selects.htm Army CY04 Staff Sergeant thru Sergeant Major, RC IRR/IMA/EAD Selection Board Results https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/select/R_Ssg-Sgm04.htm 14. To All Military Personnel & Retirees http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp ELDERCARE: PROTECTING YOUR AGING PARENTS' ASSETS AND PRESERVING YOUR OWN INHERITANCE- Completely Revised and Expanded Dear Armed Forces News Reader: I wanted to let you know that we have published a completely revised and expanded--Eldercare: Protecting Your Aging Parents' Assets and Preserving Your Own Inheritance. This has been one of our best selling publications and it has just been updated with all new information. This book contains eye opening information, written in plain-English by our veteran team of estate planning experts, that really helps you protect your aging parents' (or grandparents') well-being and assets in their golden years. This past year, over 25,000 copies of this special handbook have been sold to our readers and we have received wonderful feedback and response from you and your parents. Please pass this information onto your colleagues, friends and family. It's really a fantastic book! Thanks for reading Retirement & Financial Planning Report! Sincerely, Don Mace Publisher, Armed Forces News ELDERCARE: PROTECTING YOUR AGING PARENTS' ASSETS AND PRESERVING YOUR OWN INHERITANCE-Recently Revised! There was a time in most of our lives, when our parents helped us to learn how to take of ourselves and how to handle money responsibly. Today, in many cases, the tables have turned. Most of us will become the caretakers of our elderly parents and in-laws. And as difficult as it may be to discuss money and other financial matters, it's crucial if we are to ensure the security and comfort of our parents in their golden years. Financial matters, ranging from investments and insurance to housing, health care and tax planning, are complicated enough for anyone, young or old. But your parents, who may be in declining health, will quite likely be ill-equipped to make the right decisions. In fact, they may be vulnerable to scam artists who prey on the elderly and intentionally talk them into poor financial decisions. That's why we've just published Eldercare: Protecting Your Aging Parents' Assets and Preserving Your Own Inheritance. Inside this all new guide you'll find: Tell-tale signs that your parents need help with their finances Quick tips to getting started on managing your parents' finances How to handle reluctant and incapacitated parents Why daily money management is a growing eldercare industry Housing and long-term care facility choices for the elderly Should you sell or keep the family home or buy or rent a new home? How to stay clear of con artists Special considerations for surviving spouses and remarriages How your parents can become your own elderly tax shelter The ramifications of selecting survivor's benefits How to get the most out of you parents' Social Security benefits How your parents become eligible for delayed retirement credits How to avoid the marriage penalty What's best for them, IRA rollover, lump-sum payout or annuity? Plain-English advice on your parents' mutual funds, stocks and bonds Many proven ways to stretch retirement income An explanation of how the new federal long-term care insurance Program might protect your aging parents-and why you should shop around before enrolling them. Updates on the cost of nursing home and at-home care, along with techniques for reducing your parents' exposure. An exclusive comparison of the three government programs most important to your elderly parents: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Practical tips on how your parents can save money-from mail order and Internet opportunities to buying from Canada-on prescription drugs right now instead of waiting for Congressional action on a Medicare drug benefit. Complete coverage of how the new tax law affects your parents in such areas as income tax reduction and estate tax planning. Strategies for IRA inheritance planning, taking into account the most recent IRS regulations issued. Tips on helping your parents position their investment portfolio to recover from the 2000-2002 bear market. The latest information on low-tax states, and up-to-date figures on the value of claiming your parents as dependents- and how to lock in those deductions. And much more! This Publication is a Must Have Here's a look at the ALL NEW table of contents for Eldercare: Protecting Your Aging Parents' Assets and Preserving Your Own Inheritance: I. GETTING PERSONAL WITH YOUR PARENTS II. FOCUS ON FINANCES Clearing Up the Confusion Portfolio Power The Pocket-to-Pocket Method Automatic Transmission Breaking the Bank A Farewell to Munis A Less-Taxing Retirement The Annuity Answer Proceed with Caution Keep the Cash Flowing Withdrawals Without Pains Exit Strategies Look Before Leaping Immediate Gratification Real Shelter Roth IRA Rewards III. HEALTH CARE CONCERNS Filling the Medigap Holes in the Safety Net Deciding Factors For Federal Retirees Prescriptions for Cost Savings Unhappy Endings Simple Solutions Worst-Case Scenarios Sophisticated Strategies Don't Be Boxed In Preparing a Plan Costly Care Care Packages Federal Insurance for Your Folks Paring the Premiums Travel First Class Mix and Match Payback Policies Paid By Medicaid A Time for Trusts In Case of Emergency IV. SAFE AT HOME Aging in Place Help Wanted Drafting a Quarterback Keep the Fires Burning Home Work Plan Ahead Be Prepared Spreading the Word Final Thoughts Safe Havens Middle Ground Community Choice In the Money Proceed with Care Fact Finding Health Skepticism Accentuate the Positive Searching through Cyberspace V. ESTATE PLANNING FOR EVERYONE Deciding Factor Last Wishes Policy of Philanthropy Pay Once, Not Twice IRA Instructions Post-Mortem Protection VI. TAXING MATTERS Win the Giveaway Game All in the Family Easing Up on IRAs Inherit the Windfall Better than Birthday Gifts Deductible Dependents Sharing the Wealth Take Credit HOW TO ORDER Eldercare: Protecting Your Aging Parents' Assets and Preserving Your Own Inheritance *********************************************************** Go to http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp Eldercare: Protecting Your Aging Parents' Assets and Preserving Your Own Inheritance is only $9.95 (plus $4.00 s&h) and you can order online through our publications' section of our website http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp under the "Investment & Financial Planning" Section or call our toll-free order line at (888) 333-9335. You may also send $13.95 to: FEDweek, P.O. Box 5519, Glen Allen, VA 23058. *********************************************************** Published weekly by FEDweek, LLC 11541 Nuckols Rd. 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