Deductions Eyed for OTC Medicines
Sens. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., have introduced the bipartisan OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act of 2005. Reps. …More
Armed Forces News
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersDelays Possible For HHG Shipments to Hawaii
Service members and civilian employees inbound to Hawaii can expect delivery delays on household goods (HHG) now through September, according …More
Iraq Troop Withdrawal: Wait and See
On August 9, Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that “nobody knows” when the …More
Direct Deposit Begins for Overseas Retirees
U.S. military retirees and annuitants living in certain overseas locations can now have their monthly payments sent directly to their …More
Force Realignment: No Cart Before the Horse
In its final report to the President dated August 15, the Overseas Basing Commission has registered concern whether stateside facilities …More
AF: Hundreds Face Specialty Retraining
More than 3,000 staff, technical and master sergeants have been identified to receive retraining vulnerability notices under the initial phase …More
Big Back Pay Boost for RCs
The federal Merit Systems Protection Board decided in July that certain Reserve and Guard members who were also government employees …More
‘Freedom Walk’ Kicks Off Sept. 11
The first “America Supports You” Freedom Walk is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 11 to honor the victims of Sept. …More
SBP Equity Bill Gets Ambushed
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla, had planned for an amendment to the Senate’s version of the fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization …More
Louis L’Amour Joins the Navy
Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) signed a commercial sponsorship agreement July 15 with Bantam Dell Publishing Group, a division …More
Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Available
“Long-term care insurance isn’t just for old age — nearly 40 percent of people needing long-term care are under age …More
Army Implementing Virtual Family Readiness Group
The Army will start a program on the World Wide Web Oct. 1 to support and improve methods of passing …More
Sailors Get Education Roadmap
A new Education Degree Roadmap tool has been introduced on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) to make it simpler for Sailors …More
AF Seeking International Affairs Specialists
The Air Force is developing a cadre of officers with international insight, foreign language proficiency and cultural understanding to work …More
Thrift Savings Plan Adds Funds
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) launched five new funds this month that will balance risk according to the anticipated decade …More
30,000 Troops May Be Drawn Down
Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of Central Command, has reportedly outlined a plan that could reduce troop strength in Iraq …More
SBP Open Enrollment Balance Sheet
The Military Officers Association of America (see previous item) has calculated that an E-7 with 20 years of service who …More
SBP Open Enrollment Brings Steep Fees
Service members who retired recently but did not enroll in the Survivor Benefits Plan will face high fees if they …More
NPRC Available for Presentations
Representatives from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) are available, subject to availability and other mission requirements, to make presentations …More
Bill Targets Fake Heroes
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., has introduced “The Stolen Valor Act of 2005,” which would authorize authorities to prosecute individuals who …More
Installation Realignment in Germany to Affect Thousands
On July 29, the Department of Defense announced plans for the return of 11 Army bases to Germany in fiscal …More
Army Readies Unit Shifts
The Army’s plan to bring 50,000 overseas troops home, mostly from Germany and South Korea, has been approved by President …More
Bill Would Cap Payday Loan Interest
Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., has sponsored HR-97, which would slap a 36 percent cap on the annual percentage rate that …More
Iraq Withdrawal to be Conditions-Based
The United States will not withdraw forces from Iraq until Iraqi security forces meet conditions to be established by a …More
Vet Groups Seek VA Independent Budget
Recent announcements that the Department of Veterans Affairs had underestimated its fiscal 2005 and 2006 health care budgets by billions …More
NDAA Delay Stalls Hot Issues
Other key issues derailed by the postponement of Senate consideration of the fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization Act (previous item) …More
Defense Bill Yanked From Senate Floor
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn, failed to get a successful cloture vote (to close off debate) on the fiscal …More
Marine Corps Dollar Launched
On July 20 the United States honored a branch of the military for the first time with a commemorative coin, …More
Panel Modifies BRAC List
On July 19, the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted to add several military installations to a list for …More
Recruit Maximum Age May Rise
On July 18, Defense Department officials petitioned Congress to increase the maximum age for recruits to 42. Currently the age …More
