Some historic changes are coming to the military retirement system in the next two years. Pensions & Investments reported last week that the Senate approved the military retirement reforms as part of the revised defense spending bill, which passed in a 91-3 vote the day before Veterans Day. The changes come after the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission recommended in January new methods for expanding retirement coverage to the more than 80 percent of servicemembers who didn't qualify for the old veterans benefits package.
"I would argue this is the most significant reform legislation that has been passed in 30 years," Sen. John McCain of Arizona said of the Senate vote, according to Stars and Stripes. Sen. McCain was the principal force behind the $607 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which will update the 70-year-old military pension system and expand military benefits. The reforms were designed with the idea of improving the Department of Defense's financial situation and laying the foundation for future overhauls.
Retirement changes will not go into full effect until 2018. The two-year period leaves times for details to be worked out, as every new program introduced in the bill is not yet set in stone. Programs which educate servicemembers on subjects like investing and bonuses are still in for a working-through process, the Military Officers Association of America told Stars and Stripes.
Beginning with men and women recruited in October 2017, troops will have 3 percent of their pay automatically invested in a Thrift Savings Plan account. Servicemembers will be able to opt out of the program or be given control over the amount of their contributions after undergoing training in financial literacy and responsibility. Twenty-year pensions aren't going away, but their value will be reduced for future troops.
For those serving currently, but who have 12 or fewer years in uniform, a choice between the old pension system and the new hybrid program will be offered.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides veterans with some of the most generous education benefits since President Roosevelt signed the original bill into law more than 70 years ago. Available to veterans who served after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the bill has already been used by more than 1.4 million veterans, their spouses and children. According to the Los Angeles Times, about $42 billion has gone towards the cause.
All of this would seem to suggest that veterans are receiving the educational support they are due at little cost to themselves. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.
A Times' analysis of data compiled by the Department of Education showed that veterans attending college were taking on significant student loans despite the funds supplied by the GI Bill. They found that in 2012 – the most recent year with available data – 26 percent of veterans pursuing undergraduate degrees sought private or federal education loans. Expanded over a four-year degree, or even longer, in many cases, a veteran student's debt could easily reach $25,000.
One of the primary creators of that debt are for-profit colleges, which have been targets of withering criticism for their expensive costs and poor job-placement rates. Some for-profit schools have been known to take advantage of GI Bill money and veterans eager for an education by prolonging enrollment time for a degree that may have little worth to civilian employers.
Not every for-profit college has malicious intent. Many offer great flexibility for veterans with busy schedules and can be of great help. But there are enough bad schools out there that veterans have to be cautious before attending. To determine if a school has your best interests at heart, here are some precautions to consider.
Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to determine each school's benefits. The tool provides a summary of a school's information, such as its public, private or for-profit status, as well as a sampling of complaints from fellow veterans against the school. If the school is under probation from the Department of Defense, like University of Phoenix is, a warning will display on the page.
When it comes to paperwork, be vigilant. Don't just sign your name wherever they tell you to. In fact, it's better that you exercise a healthy distrust of whatever a for-profit recruiter tells you. Any paperwork related to financial aid or use of your GI Bill money should be taken home and examined carefully. And if you're promised anything, anything at all, get it in writing.
Do your research and ask probing questions. Seth Frotman of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau told U.S. News & World Report that "Consumers should make sure they ask tough questions when choosing a school, including cost, the ability to transfer credits and whether it can qualify you for a job in the field you want." Research a school's graduation and employment statistics with sites like the Department of Education's College Scorecard to determine if a school can offer you what you need.
Your last and best resource may be other veterans who have already gone through the process. William Hubbard, Student Veterans of America's vice president of government affairs, recommended that veterans "Connect with current student veterans at the school. That's the best source of information."
When it comes to your education and life after service, remember to slow down. It's too easy to get swept up in readjustment to civilian life. Instead of immediately putting your GI Bill money into action, fully use the many resources at your disposal, plus your own good judgment, to determine which path best fits your goals.
On Nov. 15, the Seattle Seahawks hosted their Salute to Service game in honor of the U.S. military. At the halftime of this game, the veterans who participated in the Puget Sound Honor Flight were invited onto the field for an honor ceremony put on by the United States Automobile Association.
The eight veterans who were flown to Washington D.C. with the Honor Flight program were brought midfield and saluted by over 200 servicemembers from the area as the National Anthem played. Each of the veterans served during World War II and many have been life-long Seahawks fans.
The owners of the Seahawks also invited an additional 100 servicemembers to enjoy the game against the Cardinals for free, according to King 5 News.
Many other teams in the National Football League held similar ceremonies for servicemembers in their area as part of the league's commitment to honor military service. According to the NFL's website, every point scored during a Salute to Service games will result in a $1,000 donation to the Pat Tillman Foundation, USO and Wounded Warrior Project.
To learn more about other Salute to Service games, click here.
In memory of his father, Santa Cruz-native Jeff Canepa began offering free Monterray Bay cruises to former servicemembers on Veterans Day. Canepa's father fought in World War II along 16.1 million other Americans, and when he returned home from service he commissioned a local boat maker to craft the family yacht known as "The Ocean Pearl," as reported by the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Canepa purchased the vessel from the family trust after his father's death in 2012. He told the news source that old friends of his father's would approach him about rides.
"They said, 'You know, Jeff, your dad used to take us out on his boat every Veteran's Day,'" Canepa told the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Canepa got the idea to start a program called Vets on the Bay. He plans to take veterans out on "The Ocean Pearl" every Nov. 11 for a two-hour complimentary bay tour. He hopes his idea will honor his father's service in addition to providing a good deed for other local veterans.
The veterans that participated in the first outing said it was great to see people taking unique approaches to showing their gratitude for servicemembers.
We're approaching the end of November, and that means it's Thanksgiving time again. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are currently more than one million active-duty members of the U.S. military, and many of them are deployed overseas. Most will not be home for Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean your deployed spouse or child can't feel like they're a part of the holiday.
A care package that reminds them of home is the perfect way to connect. But what to send?
Consider this. In a sense, Thanksgiving owes its holiday status to the military. The Times described how in 1863, on the day after the Union was victorious at the battle of Chattanooga, Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed Thanksgiving a national day of remembrance. From then on, the last Thursday in November would be "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise." In the field, Civil War soldiers celebrated with salted pork, crusty bread and yes, care packages full of small treats from home. Some things never change.
Thankfully, some other things do change, like the quality of food and the speed of delivery. In the 19th century, soldiers might not get a care package for several weeks (or even longer) after it was mailed. Nowadays, your care package can get just about anywhere in the world in one or two weeks. So, with Thanksgiving just 10 days away, here are some neat ideas for what you could surprise your loved ones with next week.
Canned food, or make substitutions. Cans of vegetables, cranberry sauce and turkey spam all keep a lot longer than the fresh food will, so even if they aren't used next Thursday, they could always be eaten later on. But if the idea of canned food isn't appealing, Army Wife 101 says to consider some non-traditional replacements. Instead of turkey, send jerky. Instead of corn, send candy corn.
Snacks are always welcome. Picking up where we left off – snacks are always appreciated overseas, particularly if they're a brand hard to find outside the U.S. Old standbys, like potato chips, pretzels, and Pop-Tarts will never be turned down by servicemembers craving to remember what a trip to the grocery store snack aisle tastes like.
Cookies. It's hard to go wrong with cookies. Or brownies, for that matter. Both treats are consistently the most popular additions to any great care package, especially if they're wrapped up fresh out of the oven, just like mom used to make. A firm airtight container will keep the taste of home intact for a longer period of time as your care package makes its way overseas.
Decorations and other small touches. Cups, plates and napkins decorated with the Thanksgiving theme are great for brightening up any mess hall feast. They bring the feel of the holiday to the table the same way plastic skeletons and fake spider webs tell the neighborhood it's time for Halloween.
Thanksgiving is a tough holiday to plan care packages around because it's a day all about hot, fresh food, but that doesn't mean you can't get creative. Non-perishable canned food or unique replacements for traditional dishes, favorite snacks, homemade baked goods and holiday-themed decorations are a great way of reminding your loved one that you care.
So don't get too anxious about crafting the perfect care package. Retired Gen. Oscar C. Decker told Marysville's This Week News that, when it comes to sending food and treats overseas, "It's not about feeding them or even about getting them what they need. It's about the soldier opening a box and knowing, 'Someone is thinking about me.'"
Now that Veterans Day has passed, it's important the country not forget that supporting military veterans is a year-round responsibility. Part of that is to ensure that veterans are employed when they return home. Thankfully, some major U.S. companies have made it their mission to hire those who served.
To affirm its commitment to veterans, Comcast established a new vice presidential position within their company dedicated to veteran employment and outreach. In a press release, Comcast stated that it would hire 10,000 veterans, reservists and their family members between now and 2017. They will find work in every facet of the company's business, from marketing to network engineering.
In 2013, Walmart pledged to hire 100,000 veterans within five years. Earlier this year, however, Walmart doubled-down on their pledge and amended their hiring target to 250,000 veterans by 2020. That is, by the Huffington Post's estimation, an admirable 107 percent of its natural hiring rate. Walmart's Greenlight a Vet campaign has also gained momentum.
Starbucks has recently expanded its educational benefits for veterans. In collaboration with Arizona State University, the coffee giant offers full tuition coverage to its veteran employees, their spouses or even one of their children as they pursue a bachelor's degree online, regardless of whether they are full- or part-time students. The Washington Post reported that their decision to extend the benefits came after many of their veteran employees, who already had degrees or were utilizing the GI Bill, requested that they be able to gift the benefits to family members.
Comcast, Walmart, Starbucks and companies like them are the primary catalysts behind increased veteran hiring. These companies are taking the lead, but they are only a few of the thousands nationwide who have realized the worth of employing former military members in their life after service.
Since close to the end of World War II, when the GI Bill was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt, Syracuse University has stood as a shining example of how universities should support veterans in their life after service. But their good reputation wasn't enough for Syracuse. A press release from the U.S. Army stated that when Kent Syverud became the school's chancellor and president last year, one of his first acts was to emphasize his commitment to military veterans. To make that commitment clear, he named Dr. Mike Haynie, an Air Force veteran, vice-chancellor.
Haynie's role is to coordinate the many veterans programs on campus. From the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, to the Air Force and Army ROTC units, to the university's renowned visual journalism course, in which 34 active-duty enlisted personnel are enrolled every year to learn the finer points of communications and photojournalism, there is a wide range of organizations aimed either in part or exclusively toward veterans.
"They take very, very good care of us," Lt. Col. Jason Warner, a professor of military science, told the U.S. Army's news service. "Our ROTC scholarships, for example, include full room and board, and both the cadets and veterans enjoy early registration."
Veterans Day is a very special occasion on campus. On Nov. 11, a Syracuse graduate student and former Marine served as master of ceremonies for school traditions like a Fun Run, according to TWC News, and Air Force Brig. General Michael Fantini served as keynote speaker for the school's main ceremony, which honored veterans of all ages. Nearby, an exhibition celebrated World War I soldier Lorimer Rich, a 1914 Syracuse graduate best known as the designer and architect of Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
States and cities nationwide have already succeeded in putting a functional end to chronic veteran homelessness. Boston is on course to join cities like New Orleans and Houston by the end of 2015. According to the Huffington Post, in July 2014, when Boston pledged to participate in the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, an initiative sponsored by First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 414 homeless veterans living on the city's streets. Since then, 484 homeless veterans have received housing.
A Veterans Day press release issued by Mayor Martin Walsh's office announced that a $200,000 endowment from the Brighton Marine Health Center would greatly assist with the mayor's goal of securing each man and woman struggling in their life after service a stable residence. The money will go toward the Homeless Veterans Housing Fund, which subsidizes the one-time fees that can hold up the housing process, such as security deposits, outstanding utility debt and rental application fees. Veterans with be funded up to $2,000 to meet those costs.
"No one who has served our country should be homeless – and in Boston, we're committed to giving our veterans the resources they need to succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "The Homeless Veterans Housing Fund is an integral tool to support our fight to end homelessness among our veterans."
Boston looks to be on track to meet its goal. When the initiative began last year, 50 percent of homeless veterans left shelter in under six months. Now that number stands at 70 percent. Additional veterans have begun to use the city's system, but hundreds of volunteers going door-to-door all over Boston are dedicated to ensuring that veterans have not only our appreciation, but the health and financial resources they are due.
It's that time of year. Everyone has packed away their Halloween costumes and candy in favor of autumn wreaths and various Winter Solstice decorations. Television networks have begun to air advertisements for Christmas sales, festive music fills the shopping malls and people seem to be in an overall merrier mood. The holiday season is a time of joy for most people as families come together to celebrate. Yet, for military families, the holidays can be a challenging time. Deployments can keep even the closest of families apart when they really want to be together. Take a look at a few ways to make the holidays a little brighter when your loved one is away at service.
Invite other military families to celebrate with you
Yours is not the only family missing someone. Try to contact other military families in your area with a loved one deployed. You can invite them to your home for a large holiday celebration. This can help prevent loneliness and make the holiday extra special for everyone involved. If you are feeling really ambitious, you could arrange a group celebration on the nearest military base, where many families could spend the holidays together.
Try to schedule a video chat session near major holidays
If possible, arrange a time to video chat with your deployed loved one on or near the holiday. Not only will this brighten up your servicemember's day, it will bring a little more joy into your own celebration. Remember that your servicemember may not be able to talk on the exact date of the holiday, so try to plan ahead as much as possible.
Send your servicemember a piece of the celebration
While it is not possible to send your loved one a whole turkey or a Christmas tree, you can still send him or her a small part of the celebration. In your holiday care package, you could include the servicemember's favorite ornament or a picture of the family taken during the Thanksgiving meal. Your loved one will feel like he or she was a part of the gathering, even if there is a large distance separating them from you.
Invite other servicemembers to share in the celebration
Your deployed servicemember would be proud if you opened your home to other local servicemembers who may not have a family to celebrate the holidays with. Contact your local VA or VFW post to inquire about Adopt-a-Vet programs. They can tell you how to arrange for a veteran to celebrate the holidays with you and your family. There are also many Adopt-a-Soldier programs that will put you in contact with a local servicemember looking for a place to spend the holidays. Click here for more information on these programs.
The holidays should be a source of happiness for everyone. Deployment does not have to put a damper on things. By following the above suggestions, you can help make the season just as merry as if your loved one were still here.
Timothy Marsh, a veteran of the first Gulf War, still wasn't totally at ease with his recent relocation to Oregon when he got lost and ran out of gas while driving through the state's heavily forested coast on Saturday, Nov. 7. Marsh had been on his way to a family member's home, his 12-year-old golden retriever Rusty tagging along in the passenger seat, when he began to feel disoriented. Within moments he had blacked out.
"I had some sort of medical issue. I didn't take my medicine," Marsh told Katu.com, a local news site. When Marsh woke up, his truck's fuel gauge read empty and he found himself stranded on a hillside somewhere in a forest he knew little about. There was nothing to drink, and nothing to eat besides a can of Rusty's dog food.
Marsh's family soon reported him missing, according to Reuters, and the local search and rescue teams set out looking for him. Meanwhile, Marsh was trying desperately to attract attention. He used sticks to create help signs and left notes where he could. As the days went by, he survived by drinking puddles of rain water and splitting dog food between Rusty and himself. But the situation was getting desperate. Marsh told Katu.com that he didn't expect to live through another night among the wet, frigid trees.
On the fourth day though, a man out hunting nearby heard Marsh's shouts for help. The man, also a veteran, contacted the county sheriff as quickly as he could. Within two hours, the search and rescue team had found Marsh and Rusty. They were cold and disoriented, but they were alive.
Marsh was released from the hospital on Veterans Day.