Subject: Military Report: 2015 Military Retirement COLA Set, TRICARE Warns of Scam and MORE
From: "Military.com" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:04:10 -0700

Military Report
The Military Community's
FREE Weekly Benefits & Quality of Life Newsletter

Monday, 27 OCTOBER   2014

View The Newsletter Online at http://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,12172,00.html

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Welcome to Military Report, the largest weekly
benefits and quality-of-life update for the military
community. Start your own subscription to
MilitaryReport.com today at http://www.militaryreport.com

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IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:

> 2015 Military Retirement COLA Set
> TRICARE Warns of Scam
> Five Navy Ball Cap Policy Need-to-Knows
> What You Need to Know About Ebola
> Navy Ends Standard Transfer Orders
> Join Chevron and Help Create the Future of Energy
> Budget Gloomy, Despite Shrinking Deficit
> $1 Million Family Protection from $41 a Month
> Sponsored Discount: Military Save Extra 10%* on Select PCs & Tablets
> AAFES Offers Price Matching
> Save Up to 66% on TRICARE Costs
> Bob Hope USO Military Monday
> Use Your VA Loan: 2014 Tax Break, No PMI, $0 Down
> Veterans on Wall Street
> 3 Keys to Preparing for a Voc Rehab Meeting
> Dogs of War Series to Debut
> AAFES 2014 Toy Book
> TRICARE Delays Changes in Autism Services
> Breast Cancer Awareness Month
> TRICARE to Host Webinar
> Ft Bliss AAFES Opens a Boston Market
> Navy Resident Satisfaction Survey
> Navy Offers Chaplain Training
> Navy Safe Harbor for Wounded Warriors
> Navy Command Advancement Update
> TRICARE Disaster Information
> TRICARE and Mental Health

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2015 Military Retirement COLA Set

<p>Military and federal civilian retirees, survivor benefit annuitants, disabled veterans and
Social Security recipients will see a 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment in January. Get the
details on the 2015 retiree Cola rate.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/2015-military-retirement-cola-set?ESRC=mr.nl

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TRICARE Warns of Scam

<p>TRICARE is warning beneficiaries of the need to be aware of a telephone scam affecting
beneficiaries older than 65 and on Medicare nationwide. A caller will usually identify themselves
as being an official Medicare vendor, and will then offer to sell beneficiaries back braces. Do
not give any personal identifiable information, such as birth date, Social Security number or
banking information if you receive such a call. TRICARE representatives never ask beneficiaries
for this information when calling for an official Department of Defense survey. Beneficiaries who
receive a call of this nature, can contact the Defense Health Agency Program (DHA) Program
Integrity Office directly. For more information on fraud and abuse reporting, visit the TRICARE
Fraud and Abuse website at www.TRICARE.mil/fraud.</p><p>For more on TRICARE, visit the
Military.com TRICARE section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/tricare-warns-of-scam?ESRC=mr.nl

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Five Navy Ball Cap Policy Need-to-Knows

<p>Optional wear of the Navy and command ball caps was authorized Sept. 1 with Navy Working
Uniforms (NSU) (Type I, II and III) as well as with flight suits, coveralls, Flame Resistant
Variant (FRV) coveralls and the Navy physical training uniform. Here are five things you need to
know about wearing ball caps: (1) replacements can be purchased using the annual clothing
replacement allowance for enlisted E1-E6 personnel; (2) Sailors may purchase command ball caps
with their personal funds, but they cannot be required to purchase it; (3) if a Sailor is
authorized to wear NWUs out in town, he or she may wear the Navy or command ball cap; (4) ball
caps may be worn with civilian clothes provided they do not have rank insignia or command titles
reflected; and (5) the ball cap should not be worn if commands may prescribe the eight-point cover
with the NWUs for Sailors in formation. For more information on uniform regulations and a list of
FAQs relating to the ball caps, visit the Uniform Matters Office website. Email [email-masked]
for feedback on uniform matters.</p><p>For more on Navy and other military uniforms, check the
Military.com Uniform section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/five-navy-ball-cap-policy-need-to-knows?ESRC=mr.nl

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What You Need to Know About Ebola

<p>As service members deploy to West Africa to support Operation United Assistance to stop the
spread of Ebola, the Military Health System website (Health.mil) gives the latest facts on the
disease.</p><p>For more military news updates, visit the Military.com News Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/what-you-need-to-know-about-ebola?ESRC=mr.nl

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Navy Ends Standard Transfer Orders

<p>The Navy announced the cancellation of Standard Transfer Orders (STO) and the establishment of
the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) order writing module. The NSIPS module must
be used for all orders for transferring Sailors for unit moves, unit decommissionings, Base
Realignment and Closure moves, Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program, and enlisted separations
and retirements. All other Permanent Change of Station orders will be written by Navy Personnel
Command through the appropriate detailer. Units that are not supported by a Personnel Support
Detachment (PSD) or a Customer Service Detachment (CSD) have until Oct. 31 to start using the
NSIPS order writing module. PSD/CSDs will not process STOs after Sept. 30. Some ships are exempt
from the transition while NSIPS upgrades are taking place.</p><p>For more Navy news updates, visit
the Military.com News Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/navy-ends-standard-transfer-orders?ESRC=mr.nl

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Join Chevron and Help Create the Future of Energy

<p>Chevron is committed to being the employer of choice for qualified U.S. military veterans and
recognizes your commitment to teamwork and safety. When you join Chevron, you can turn your ideas
into real-life solutions. Read more.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/join-chevron-and-help-create-future-of-energy-102714?ESRC=mr.nl

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Budget Gloomy, Despite Shrinking Deficit

<p>The Congressional Budget Office released final budget figures last week for FY 2014 showing
the annual federal budget deficit shrank to its smallest level since 2008 - $486 billion - or
nearly 25 percent smaller than last year's deficit. Although positive, it's important not to
construe this forecast as anything close to sunny skies ahead. Read the full article at the
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) website.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/budget-gloomy-despite-shrinking-deficit?ESRC=mr.nl

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$1 Million Family Protection from $41 a Month

<p>Protection for less. Get $1,000,000 Coverage from less than $1.50 a day. Could your family
survive if something happened to you?</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/1-million-family-protection-from-41-month-102714?ESRC=mr.nl

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Sponsored Discount: Military Save Extra 10%* on Select PCs & Tablets

<p>Save an additional 10% off select PCs and tablets with this exclusive military offer. Read
more.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/sponsored-discount-military-save-extra-10-on-select-pcs--tablets-102714?ESRC=mr.nl

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AAFES Offers Price Matching

<p>Army &amp; Air Force Exchange Service shoppers who price matched in 2013 saved $6.4 million. At
brick-and-mortar locations, price differences of $10 or less are matched on the spot -- no ad
required. For price differences of $10 or more, shoppers can show a competitor's current ad with a
lower price for an identical product. The Exchange's online shopping site, shopmyexchange.com,
also matches lower prices from other online retailers on identical items available for sale and
delivery in the customer's area. Besides matching prices, Exchange stores worldwide have a 14-day
price guarantee on any item originally purchased from the Exchange and sold at a lower price by
the Exchange or any local competitor. The 14-day guarantee is valid also on any item originally
purchased through shopmyexchange.com. For more information, visit the Exchange Price Matching
Policy webpage at http://www.aafes.com/exchange-stores/price-match.</p><p>For more discounts for
military families, visit the Military.com Discount Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/aafes-offers-price-matching?ESRC=mr.nl

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Save Up to 66% on TRICARE Costs

<p>Save on the out of pocket costs that TRICARE doesn't cover. Save now.</p>      

http://www.military.com/military-report/save-up-to-66-on-tricare-costs-102714?ESRC=mr.nl

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Bob Hope USO Military Monday

<p>The LA Auto Show and Bob Hope USO are partnering to welcome members of our Armed Forces and
their families throughout the show. Many of our troops in Southern California have limited means
and opportunities to get off their bases. Your ticket donation will help us say "thank you" to
those who serve, and their families, who sacrifice so much. Along with the ticket, the LA Auto
Show will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Bob Hope USO. Tickets to the LA Auto Show for
Bob Hope Military Monday, scheduled for November 24th, are specially priced at just $12.00. Click
here to purchase tickets for Military Monday.</p><p>For more military-related entertainment news,
visit the Military.com Off-duty section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/bob-hope-uso-military-monday?ESRC=mr.nl

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Use Your VA Loan: 2014 Tax Break, No PMI, $0 Down

<p>Now is the time to use your VA Loan. You don't have to pay PMI or have a large down payment.
Plus you can get financing up to $417,000. Use your VA Loan Benefit today.</p><p>Want more
information about this great benefit?</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/use-your-va-loan-2014-tax-break-no-pmi-0-down-102714?ESRC=mr.nl

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Veterans on Wall Street

<p>The fourth annual Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS) Veteran Employment Symposium and Resource Fair
for transitioning veterans will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 7:00 am, at the Goldman
Sachs Conference Center at 200 West Street in New York. The half-day morning symposium is an
opportunity for transitioning Veterans to learn about career opportunities and how to best
position themselves for success. Employment professionals from leading non-profit support
organizations, educational institutions and corporate Veteran employers will discuss preparing for
your ideal career, leveraging your military skills and veteran network, how to start, run and grow
your business. Visit the VOWS website to learn more.</p><p>For a full calendar of veteran job
affairs across the nation, visit the Military.com Upcoming Job Fairs page.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/veterans-on-wall-street?ESRC=mr.nl

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3 Keys to Preparing for a Voc Rehab Meeting

<p>There are three key down and dirty elements that you need to prepare before you attend a first
meeting Voc Rehab meeting with your Voc Rehab Counselor that we will cover here. Do you know what
they are? Learn more about preparing for your Voc Rehab meeting.</p><p>For more on vocational
rehabilitation, visit the Military.com Vocational Rehabilitation section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/3-keys-to-preparing-for-voc-rehab-meeting?ESRC=mr.nl

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Dogs of War Series to Debut

<p>The A&amp;E network will soon debut "Dogs of War," a new docu-series about war veterans
suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the service dogs that help them adjust
back into life after combat. The new show will premiere on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2014. The
series is based on married couple Jim and Lindsey Stanek and their nonprofit organization Paws and
Stripes. The organization provides service dogs to wounded military veterans, and each episode
will chronicle the journey of one or two PTSD veterans as they are paired with man's best friend.
Check your local television listings for exact air dates and times.</p><p>For more on pets and the
military, visit the Military.com Pet Corner.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/dogs-of-war-series-to-debut?ESRC=mr.nl

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AAFES 2014 Toy Book

<p>Military shoppers hunting for the hottest toys of the season will find them in-store and online
with the Army &amp; Air Force Exchange Service's new Toy Book. The 24-page shopping guide is
packed with the kid-tested toys. For those who want to shop online, the Exchange's website at
shopmyexchange.com offers this season's best toys, too. Online purchases ship for free when
shoppers use their MILITARY STAR(R) card. The Toy Book is available soon at Exchange locations
worldwide. To find the nearest Exchange, visit the Exchange Store Locator at
www.shopmyexchange.com/exchange-stores.</p><p>For more discounts for military families, visit the
Military.com Discount Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/aafes-2014-toy-book?ESRC=mr.nl

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TRICARE Delays Changes in Autism Services

<p>TRICARE has delayed until April a 46-percent reduction in the reimbursement level for some
autism services while it awaits the results of an independent assessment of the prevailing rate
for the services. The reduced reimbursement rate -- for one-on-one therapy with a board-certified
behavior analyst for those with autism spectrum disorder -- was one of several program changes
scheduled to go into effect Oct. 20 as TRICARE implements its new Comprehensive Autism Care
Demonstration, or Autism Care Demo.</p><p>For more on TRICARE, visit the Military.com TRICARE
section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/tricare-delays-changes-in-autism-services?ESRC=mr.nl

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

<p>October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mammograms are an x-ray picture of the breast
used to look for early signs of breast cancer. For information about mammograms and how they are
done, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at
www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm. TRICARE covers clinical breast exams for
women under forty years old during a covered periodic preventive health exam. After age forty,
clinical breast exams are covered annually. For women who have a 15% higher risk, TRICARE covers
screening mammograms annually starting at age thirty. For women who do not fall into one of these
categories, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm to see if you are
eligible for free or low-cost screenings.</p><p>For more on TRICARE, visit the Military.com
TRICARE section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/breast-cancer-awareness-month?ESRC=mr.nl

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TRICARE to Host Webinar

<p>TRICARE and Military OneSource are co-hosting a webinar to educate TRICARE beneficiaries about
TRICARE Dental Options. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, from 12-1 p.m.
EST. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited due to system capacity.
The featured speaker for this event is COL Gary (Chad) Martin, chief of the TRICARE Dental Care
Office. About TRICARE's dental program options, visit the TRICARE Dental Care webpage at
www.tricare.mil/dental.</p><p>For more on TRICARE, visit the Military.com TRICARE
section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/tricare-to-host-webinar?ESRC=mr.nl

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Ft Bliss AAFES Opens a Boston Market

<p>The first Boston Market restaurant located on a military installation had its official grand
opening Oct. 10 at the Army &amp; Air Force Exchange Service's Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss,
Texas. Boston Market has more than 450 locations nationwide featuring all-natural rotisserie
chicken and home-style sides. Boston Market's menu also has more than 100 different
health-conscious meal combinations totaling 550 calories or less. The Exchange has plans to open
additional Boston Market restaurants at Fort Meade, Md., and Fort Hood, Texas, in the next six
months.</p><p>For more discounts for military families, visit the Military.com Discount
Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/ft-bliss-aafes-opens-boston-market?ESRC=mr.nl

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Navy Resident Satisfaction Survey

<p>Navy housing residents can now provide feedback through the annual Resident Satisfaction Survey
(RSS) which is being distributed to both government-owned and leased and some privatized housing
residents. Residents in family housing should receive the RSS through the mail but may also
participate online. The survey is used to target funding for facility and amenity improvements.
For more information about Navy Housing programs or to find contact information for your local
Navy Housing Service Center, visit the Navy Housing website at
www.cnic.navy.mil/Housing.</p><p>For more Navy news updates, visit the Military.com News
Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/navy-resident-satisfaction-survey?ESRC=mr.nl

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Navy Offers Chaplain Training

<p>The Chaplain Corps' professional development training course includes a one-day workshop on leadership and Professional Naval Chaplaincy. The training will run Jan. through Jul. 2015 at the locations listed on the Navy website at www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=83892. Chaplains and RPs can register to attend the training at (CAC required). For more information on the Navy Chaplain Corps and complete confidentiality, visit the Navy Chaplain Corps website at www.chaplain.navy.mil.</p><p>For more Navy news updates, visit the Military.com News Center.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/navy-offers-chaplain-training?ESRC=mr.nl

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Navy Safe Harbor for Wounded Warriors

<p>The Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) - Safe Harbor program is the Department of the Navy's support program for critically wounded, injured or ill Sailors and Coast Guardsmen. With over 3,000 served, it is a vital care network for those in need. The program's objective is to resolve persistent non-medical concerns and arrange enrollees for transition back to active duty or civilian life so the service members can focus on getting well. NWW Safe Harbor offers an extensive variety of services, including assisting with employment and education opportunities, connecting them to benefits, hosting adaptive athletics events, and family and mental health resources. For more information about NWW and how to enroll, call 1-855-NAVY WWP/1-855-628-9997, or visit the Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor website or email [email-masked].</p><p>For more wounded warrior news, see this Military.com section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/navy-safe-harbor-for-wounded-warriors?ESRC=mr.nl

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Navy Command Advancement Update

<p>Earlier this year, the Navy announced updates to the Command Advancement Program (CAP) for active component (AC) and Reserve component (RC) and a shift from a calendar to a fiscal year timeline for CAP. Here are five things you need to know about CAP: (1) CAP continues to provide commanding officers with the authority to advance eligible rated Sailors in paygrades E3, E4 and E5; (2) the updated policy incorporates a CAP season, July 1 to Sept. 30, which is the only the time when commands can advance eligible Sailors under CAP; (3) the CAP season aligns with the Navy-wide advancement examination cycles, which allows CAP to be factored in when determining the number of advancement quotas each cycle; (4) COs continue to have the authority to set CAP performance standards and select their best Sailors; and (5) for Fiscal Year 2015, there will be a hold on CAP for Selected Reserve Sailors.</p><p>How much pay would you make with a promotion? For more details, see Military.com's 
 updated military pay charts.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/navy-command-advancement-update?ESRC=mr.nl

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TRICARE Disaster Information

<p>There is more than a month left of hurricane season; make sure you stay aware and prepared so that you are not caught off guard by a late season storm. TRICARE has several resources to help beneficiaries get the information they need to prepare for a disaster. First, the TRICARE Disaster Information webpage at www.tricare.mil/disaster provides information. Next, beneficiaries affected by a disaster may be eligible for an emergency "Refill too Soon" by taking their prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. To find a pharmacy, call 877-363-1303 or use the pharmacy locator tool online at www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/pharmacy. Finally, you can access disaster tools and resources at the Ready.gov website at www.ready.gov.</p><p>For more on TRICARE, visit the Military.com TRICARE section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/tricare-disaster-information?ESRC=mr.nl

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TRICARE and Mental Health

<p>Mental health disorders are treatable. The burden from most mental health concerns can be decreased by actively participating in an individual treatment plan. TRICARE covers mental health care that is medically or psychologically necessary. There are many different types of outpatient and inpatient mental health care, and the coverage varies by the type of care. For more information on getting care, visit the TRICARE Mental Health Care webpage at www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth. There are also crisis phone lines available when you or a loved one needs help right away; call 800-273-8255 or text 838255. Also, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website at www.nami.org, which is dedicated to educating people about mental illness, symptoms, treatment and services.</p><p>For more on TRICARE, visit the Military.com TRICARE section. For mental health guides and tips, visit the Military.com Mental Health and Wellness section.</p>

http://www.military.com/military-report/tricare-and-mental-health?ESRC=mr.nl

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Editors: Terry Howell
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