WASHINGTON, April 22, 2013 – Former Army Maj. Tommy Sowers understands firsthand that the last thing many service members preparing to transition out of the military want to do is attend more briefings or fill out more forms than they already do. But Sowers, now an assistant secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, urges those headed for the door to take … [Read more...]
Army Changes Requirements for Transfer of GI Bill Benefits
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 17, 2013) -- Beginning Aug. 1, 2013, every Soldier who elects to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a family member will incur an additional four years in the Army, without regard to their time in service. That news comes in a message to military personnel, dated April 15, 2013. The new rule largely affects senior officers and … [Read more...]
VA Improving Soldiers’ Disability Process and Benefits Timing
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (April 9, 2013) -- About 82 percent of the Army's major units are now meeting the Defense Department's Medical Evaluation Board goal of processing Soldiers' disability evaluations within 100 days, significantly reducing a backlog that sometimes took eight months or longer in recent years. The Army is making significant improvements in most Integrated … [Read more...]
TRICARE Expands Assistance to Reduce Tobacco Use
WASHINGTON, April 8, 2013 – The Defense Department is committed to helping troops, their families and all beneficiaries of the TRICARE health care plan reduce their reliance on tobacco products, a TRICARE official said here today. During an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Paul Fitzpatrick, TRICARE’s “Quit Tobacco” … [Read more...]
Reductions Won’t Affect Most TRICARE Prime Beneficiaries
FALLS CHURCH, Va., April 5, 2013 – Despite upcoming service area reductions, TRICARE Prime will remain a health care option for 97 percent of the more than 5 million beneficiaries eligible for the health care plan, Military Health System officials said. The 3 percent difference, which comprises about 171,000 beneficiaries who mostly reside more than 40 miles from a … [Read more...]