posted by admin on May 19
Veterans area a very important part of the society, they fought valiantly to defend the country. Most of them lost friends in the wars that they fought, some of them even lost limbs. Now that they are in the twilight years of their lives isn’t it just right that the government give them the benefits that they have rightfully earned.
Veterans and widows of veterans may qualify for a little-known, little-used benefit through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Wartime veterans and widows may qualify for up to $22,000 a year in tax-free funds to pay for assisted living expenses. It’s been available since 1951 and no one knows about it. Only a little over 200,000 people are using it. According to a report, only 27 percent of veterans and 14 percent of widows receive the benefit. A VA study says that veterans generally “are completely unaware that the program exists.”
However, military service and financial requirements must be met for eligibility. Military requirements call for 90 days of continuous active duty with at least one day served during a declared time of war, including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War. Veterans may have any kind of discharge except dishonorable. They must also be disabled or at least 65 years old.
Benefits are available in the amount of $18,654 for an unmarried veteran, $22,113 for a married veteran and $11,985 for a widow of a veteran. The benefit increases each year.
posted by admin on May 18
Driving by the Leeds Armory weekend before last, residents were bound to see north Alabama’s young Naval Sea Cadets Valor Division in training.
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) is a program for young men and women ages 13-17 who are interested in developing their skills in leadership, basic seamanship, courage, self-reliance and military discipline.
The main purpose is to foster good citizenship and an interest and appreciation of our nation’s sea services including the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
Many residents are unaware that such a program exists in their own backyard.
Last year, the NSCC program prepared the Leeds Armory for training by painting, creating sleeping places and repairing issues within the Armory to make help update the facility. At some point, they hope to use the Armory as a two-week training facility during the summer.
Over 20 young men and women met recently at the armory for a two-day drill session. The two-day drills take place one weekend a month.
The Leeds Armory provides housing during drills, as well as a place where cadets learn and practice the skills needed for their training.
During the weekend’s sessions, cadets participated in drills including a victim recovery exercise, physical training exercises and swim qualifications.
Read the full story here.
posted by admin on Apr 16
You might have watched the car commercial on a local cable channel. You could never mistake them for real Marines or sailors. Of course, without the annoying dialogue. However, the advertisement has offended two Navy women, who have been working to take it off the air. To them, the actors have cross the line and somehow discredited the armed forces. They have been provocative and misrepresenting the established military standards. Luckily, some high-ranking officers are looking into the matter.
posted by admin on Mar 28
In a March 25 ceremony, 31 fallen service members posthumously accepted the Hawaii State Medal of Honor (HMOH) from the Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives. The awarding ceremony took place at the Hawaii State Capitol. Family and friends of the service members who were killed in the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2007. Thirteen of the service members were represented by their relatives and friends during the occasion, each receives a certificate and plaque. Also, all personnel were rendered with honors of two bells after their names were announced.
posted by admin on Mar 24
On March 23, the USS Theodore Roosevelt has traveled to the destroyers and cruisers of the TR Carrier Strike Group. The mission was to bring Easter joy to the crew on board. The Holy Helo provided by Helicopter Squadron (HS) 3 “Tridents,” and ferried a couple of chaplains and religious program specialist (RP) to the ships. According to Lt. Charles Johnson, TR Catholic chaplain., “For our faith and many others, Easter is the holiest of days.” Thus, providing the service to the Sailors of the ships enable them to observe the Lent services that they would at home.
posted by admin on Feb 1
Soldiers, who had worked so much in securing peace in the Fahama region in Iraq, had made a great impact as they focused on rebuilding and helping local citizens with several projects. Soldiers from Company D, 1st Platoon, 4th Infantry Division assisted the local school as they brought many supplies for the schoolchildren as well as their families. Soldiers give out pencils, pens, paper, schoolbags and even stuffed toys and snacks.
Not only the local citizens were delighted about the goodwill, but also, soldiers themselves were just as happy. In fact, the scenes remind them of children back home in the United States.
Such small projects are small steps that gain and build trust as well as promote goodwill between the locals and the coalitions.
posted by admin on Jan 23
US Navy Reserve is a good option for just anybody who are interested in military experience. The great thing about it is that it is a part-time commitment, allowing sailors to pursue or continue with a civilian career at the same time receive a military training. Being in the US Navy Reserve does not mean being lesser than an active sailor. Reservists are still at par with Active Duty Sailors.
One of the benefits while being in the US Navy and Navy Reserve is education. Sailors could pursue education either on base or on a campus.
Generally, US Navy promotes its core values which are honor, courage, and commitment.
posted by admin on Jan 3
Getting into the service has certain requirements. Interested patrons should be at least 17 to 34 years old. They should have a high school diploma or equivalent. If married, they should only have less than 2 children. The should have a US citizenship. Resident alien could also qualify under I-551. Applicants also need to pass the ASVAB test or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The US Army and Army Reserve also provide many ways to guide or help soldiers who are interested in college education. Thus, some of the applicants qualify for a full tuition coverage.
posted by admin on Dec 30
It an undeniable fact that the US Army and Army Reserve have the best soldiers on the planet. Since 1700, the US Army has been into several missions throughout the world. Army soldiers have defeated America’s opponents, settled foreign issues, and brought relief to third-world countries. The Army together with the Army Reserve is mainly composed of infantry, which also has several support roles. For instance, they are in charge with support vehicles, medical teams, pilots, tanks, artillery, indirect-fire support and other array of specialties that make use of the highest level of technology.
Generally, the US Army offers every soldier with two primary choices: Army Reserve or Active Duty. The Army Reserve is a part-time commitment that enables soldiers to work in the community, and only serve full-time when the service is needed. Thus, it allows soldiers to have a civilian and a military career at the same time. On the other hand, Active Duty is the traditional US Army career basically for full-time commitment.
posted by admin on Nov 18
The US Army as well as the Army Reserve has three major parts: enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer. Generally, US Army are enlisted personnel. They mostly consist of the ranks of Private to Sergeant Major of the US Army. Enlisted soldiers has specialization in a specific department or area of knowledge, and eventually follow the orders of their officers. Warrant officers are the same with commissioned officers, except that warrant officers are knowledgeable in a specific area of expertise. Hence, officers offer leadership to enlisted personnel. Their ranking mostly depend on the unit they are commanding. In becoming a commissioned officer in the US Army: taking ROTC in college or being in the Officer Candidate School.