Have a great Halloween! Be Safe!
Related: About Halloween http://www.history.com/topics/halloween Halloween Safety http://wp.me/p3639O-2dEBe sure to watch the video at the linked website
The Pentagon will offer medical examinations and long-term health monitoring to service members and veterans who were exposed to chemical warfare agents in Iraq, the Army and Navy said in separate statements this week, as part of a review of how the military handled encounters with thousands of abandoned chemical munitions during the American occupation.
The review was ordered by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in response to an investigation by The New York Times of how troops who were exposed to nerve and mustard agents were treated by the military’s medical and awards systems. The report found that while the United States had gone to war looking for an active weapons of mass destruction program, troops instead quietly found and suffered from the remnants of the long abandoned arsenal built by Saddam Hussein with help from the West.
Since that article was published on Oct. 15, detailing several instances of exposure that the military kept secret in some cases for nearly a decade, more veterans and active-duty service members have come forward with their own accounts of exposure and inadequate treatment. To date, neither the Pentagon nor any of the services have released a full list of chemical weapons recoveries and exposures.
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TRICARE beneficiaries need to be aware of a telephone scam affecting beneficiaries over 65 and on Medicare nationwide.
A caller will usually identify themselves as being an official Medicare vendor, and will then offer to sell you back braces. The caller may have specific information that makes the call seem official, typically your address, phone numbers and doctor’s name. The caller is hoping this will convince you they are a legitimate vendor and that you will give them your social security number and additional personal information.
If you receive a call like this, DO NOT give any of your personal identifiable information, such as birth date, social security number or banking information. TRICARE never asks beneficiaries for this information when calling for an official Department of Defense survey.
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) Program Integrity Office is closely monitoring this situation. If you receive a call of this nature, please do not provide your information and contact the DHA Program Integrity Office directly. For more information on fraud and abuse reporting visit, www.TRICARE.mil/fraud
Taken from the RAO Newsletter #2014-4 October 28
* Haircuts * Clothing * Door Prizes * Legal Advice * Lunch *
Homeless Veterans Stand Down & Job Fair Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014 Time: 0800 Registration 1000 Job Fair begins 1400 Pau Hana Where: 487th Field Artillery Armory77-230 Kamehameha Highway
Sessions: + Creating your résumé; preparing for job interviews + Understanding requirements for acquiring housing + Strategies for coping with stress+ Learning and discussing legal concerns
Job Fair begins at 1000 + Prepare a résumé + Practicing for job interviews + Meet employers + Submit job applications+ Interview for that great job
Job Fair Registration FormFor more information about this event, call Iwie at (808) 203-6702
Sponsored by: * Office for Social Ministry, Diocese of Honolulu * Institute for Human Services * U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Healthcare for Homeless Veteran’s Programs * State Office of Veteran ServicesFrom the Adjutant General’s Facebook page:
National Guard Lava Flow Response National Guard Soldiers and Airmen on State Active Duty are welcomed to… http://fb.me/1nyM1xNsw
In 2012, the Department of Defense changed its policy and related software to adjust the way the expiration date is reflected on a military retiree’s identification card.
Before the software upgrade, the front-side of the DD Form 2 (Retired) blue ID card reflected an “Indefinite” expiration date, and a civilian “TRICARE” health care expiration date appeared on the back-side of the ID card reflecting the last day of the month just before the retiree’s 65th birthday.
Currently, when a retired ID card is issued or replaced, instead of reflecting “Indefinite” status, it now shows an expiration date on the front and back that coincides with the last day of the month before the Medicare eligibility month begins.
Another change affects retiree spouses and former spouses who are eligible for a DD Form 1173 (Dependent) tan ID card. Their ID cards will now be modified to extend the expiration date for those spouses and former spouses who are between age 65 and 75 with an incremental expiration date of five years, versus the former four-year issuance. At age 75, their ID card is issued with an “Indefinite” status and will never expire as long as the individual remains eligible.
Currently, any eligible dependent, including un-remarried and unmarried widows, widowers, and former spouses older than age 75 can receive an ID card reflecting the “Indefinite” status.
For more information, call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.
Taken from the Spring/Summer 2014 issue of Afterburner, the e-newsletter for USAF retired personnel
Sure, you have a lot to do today–laundry, bills, dinner–but it’s never too early to start planning for your digital afterlife, the fate of your numerous online accounts once you shed this mortal coil.
The costumes may be different every year (Elsa from the movie “Frozen” is the top selling outfit this year), the treats at each door change, but one thing is constant each Halloween, your child’s safety is the number one priority.
Here are some Tips to make Halloween fun and safe
Trick or Treat Rules
* Children under the age of 12 should not trick-or-treat alone. * Children over 12 should walk in groups or with a trusted adult. * Make sure your child or a responsible adult with them carries a cell phone for quick communication.* Only visit well-lit homes and never accept rides from strangers.
Be Seen
* Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.* Fastening reflective tape to costumes and bags also helps drivers see you.
Safe Costumes
* Make sure costumes (including masks, beards and wigs) are flame resistant. * Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. * Test make-up in small area and remove all make-up before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. * Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.* Do not allow your children to wear decorative contact lenses as they present a risk of serious eye injury.
Check Your Treats
* An adult should examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. * Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home. * Avoid eating homemade treats made by a stranger.* When it doubt, throw it out.
Have a safe Halloween!
Taken from a October 24, 2014 Wisconsin Emergency Management press release
The head of the Warrior Training Center, a Fort Benning, Georgia-based unit that offers pre-Ranger and other training primarily for Army National Guard soldiers, was relieved of command Oct. 9 and is under investigation, the base announced Friday.
A base spokeswoman would not comment on details of the investigation. However, questions had been raised prior to the announcement as to whether Lt. Col. Gerald H. Green III was eligible to wear the Ranger and Sapper tabs.
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Lieutenant Colonel James A. Faleafine and Command Sergeant Major Thomas Odoardi cordially invite you to the activation ceremony of Charlie Battery 1st Battalion 487th Field Artillery Regiment. Battery C recently re-activated as a 155mm howitzer battery. Batteries A and B continue with 105mm howitzers.
Date: Sunday, November 2, 2014 Time: 1430 Where: Bowers Armory 77-230 Kamehameha HighwayRefreshments to follow
Military: Duty UniformCivilian: Aloha Attire
R.S.V.P. by November 2, 2014 POC: CPT Hartanto, Marco M. 808-672-1403 Alt POC: 2LT Ortega, Joseph 916-262-6488 Alt POC: SSG Hanakeawe, Kaipo H.808-672-1782
You can register to receive an email every time there is a new post. In the “Follow Blog via Email” section and press “Follow”. On the next screen, enter your email address and press ENTER. Shortly, you will receive a confirmation email to your address from WordPress.com. You acknowledge the email and you are a registered reader.
After you compete this short registration process, you get a notification email every time there is a new posting. The email has a quick teaser of the posting, along with tags that indicate how the posting relates to special topics/areas.
Thanks for the following new registered readers whose email address did not include a recognizable name: hiattr
If small strokes are left untreated, researchers have found damage may appear months later.
The USAR Theater Support Group (Pacific) and the 63d Regional Support Command (RSC) will host a Pre-Retirement Benefit Brief. The briefing will focus on preparing Soldiers for retirement and addressing any issues currently experienced by Soldiers already retired.
The briefing is free to all Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers who have at least 18 years of service. Retirees and members of other services welcomed. Families are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
When: Sunday, November 2, 2014
Where: 1557 Pass Street, Fort Shafter Flats
Time: 0730-0800 Registration0810-1700 Briefings
Dress: Military: ACU if on duty; Business Casual if NOT on ordersCivilian: Business Casual
Please register by visiting the following link:https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=206552&k=0061440C7E55
The intent of this briefing is to provide a forum for briefings and open dialogue for Soldiers who are at or nearing retirement. The 63rd RSC Retirement Service Officer (RSO) will provide information and procedural briefings covering each major area of the retirement process as outlined in AR 600-8-7.
Presenters from Military Service Centers, Veterans Affairs and various military transition organizations will cover topics from an Army Reserve perspective to include: + TRICARE/Dental Options + VA Benefits; Education Benefits + RC Survivor Benefit Plan+ Social Security & more!
Hawai‘i Army National Guard members with questions should contact: SFC Sherly Ludaes, G-1 RPAM/Awards NCOIC 808-844-6428 or sherly.f.ludaes.mil@mail.milYou should always practice portion control, even if you’re eating healthy. Watching how much you eat at meals and snack time can keep you from overeating.
