Armed Forces News Issue: Friday: August 27, 2004 FEDweek is the largest information resource in the federal Government with now over one million weekly readers of our weekly newsletters: FEDweek Retirement & Financial Planning Report Armed Forces News New--Federal Manager's Daily Report To sign up for any of these electronic newsletters, just go to http://www.fedweek.com.
*********************************************************** More Valuable Information for the Federal Family How to Build a Retirement Portfolio. Go to http://www.fedweek.com/RFPR/default.asp 2004 Interactive Federal Leave Record at http://www.fedweek.com/Services/default.asp Experts' View: http://www.fedweek.com/experts/default.asp Subscriber Services: http://www.fedweek.com/Services/default.asp ********************************************************** IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE 1. Reported RC Job Losses Ignite Response 2. AF Formulary Restriction Pre-empts DoD 3. All FEDweek Readers Can Get Broadband DSL-Like Speed Over Your Phone Line at Home http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294935647/821891/148/0/ 4. Court Date Set for USFSPA Lawsuit 5. AF NCO Retraining Program Underway 6. CAP Offers Retirees Another Chance to Serve 7. VA Improves VGLI Information Access 8. Reservist Sues DoD, Army Over Stop-Loss 9. USO Distributes 300,000th Care Package, Expands Support 10. The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume Just Published-- Available for Immediate Shipment http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp *********************************************************** 1. Reported RC Job Losses Ignite Response Responding to Department of Labor statistics showing that thousands of National Guard members and reservists returned home from active duty to find they had lost their jobs, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle called on Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to launch a formal investigation into the findings. Daschle cited the 1994 law that established the rights of Guard members and reservists to return from active duty to their old jobs or to equivalent positions with equivalent benefits. He asked Chao to complete her investigation by Sept. 10 so that Congress would have time to enact, if necessary, additional legislation to ensure that Reserve Component troops can return to their jobs after they complete their active duty. "They have already fought for their country," Daschle said. "They should not have to fight another battle to reclaim their jobs and benefits when they return home." 2. AF Formulary Restriction Pre-empts DoD In July the Air Force directed its 74 pharmacies to scratch Allegra and Celebrex from their formulary in order to reduce costs. In response, on July 26,The Military Coalition (TMC), a group of 35 organizations representing veterans, military retirees, and other military interests, registered concern with Lt. Gen. George Taylor, Air Force surgeon general. The Military Officer Association of America, a member organization of TMC, says that the Air Force is pre-empting the Defense Department's Uniform Formulary process, which was established by Congress to select safe and cost-effective medications for the entire Tricare program. Furthermore, states MOAA, if the UF drugs don't match the Air Force's new formulary, beneficiaries will have to get new prescriptions again from their providers. MOAA also noted that the Air Force's "unilateral" action is short-circuiting the Beneficiary Advisory Panel, where beneficiary representatives provide input about pharmacy decisions. 3. All FEDweek Readers Can Get Broadband DSL-Like Speed Over Your Phone Line at Home http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294935647/821891/148/0/ A Few Facts: Over 50% of FEDweek readers who have called the toll-free information number 1-800 452-9201, signed up for this internet service--it's that good. You can get the fastest and most comprehensive internet accelerator on the market and unparalleled 24/7 customer service for only $13.40 per month--You'd pay more than twice that at AOL, Earthlink or any of the others. http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294935647/821891/148/0/ CNW has over 14,000 nationwide local access numbers to choose from compared to 7,000 Earthlink and 4,000 AOL numbers. Use your telephone while on your dial up connection with CNW, you can't with the others. Plus you'll get Spam controls to help keep your inbox free of junk email IF you're in pursuit of a fast, reliable Internet connection, Computer Networks Inc. has partnered with FEDweek to provide Internet Services to our readers at a special FEDweek low rate as low as $9.45 per month with no long term contracts to sign (like most other internet service providers require). Best Choice: Turbo Accelerator Internet Service is the new CNW Turbo Internet access version 3.1 is the fastest and most comprehensive Internet accelerator available today. CNW offers DSL like speed over 56k dial-up connection and fast downloads of e-mail and Web pages--all for only $13.40 per month! For more information or to sign up today, go to http://fedweek.sparklist.com/t/294935647/821891/148/0/ or call CNW toll-free at 1-800 452-9201. This is a special offer to all FEDweek readers only, just another value added benefit for being a FEDweek reader. 4. Court Date Set for USFSPA Lawsuit Last April, 58 military retirees and active duty service members who are divorced sued to overturn a federal law that enables their ex-spouses to share in their retainer or retirement pay. Their group, the USFSPA Litigation Support Group (ULSG), is challenging the constitutionality of the Uniform Services Former Spouses' Protection Act in court after legislative efforts to amend it failed. The ULSG wants to return to the policy that applied before 1981, the year that the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in McCarty v. McCarty that divorce courts could not touch veterans' retainer or retirement pay. The USFSPA undid that Supreme Court ruling. In July, 2004, the government filed a motion to dismiss the ULSG's lawsuit on several grounds. ULSG, in turn, filed an in-depth rebuttal. A hearing on the government's motion is scheduled for September 10 in the U.S. District court in Alexandria, Va. 5. AF NCO Retraining Program Underway Air Force officials want 1,098 noncommissioned officers to move from overage career fields into shortage fields during the voluntary phase of the fiscal 2005 NCO retraining program that began Aug. 3. Retraining is limited primarily to staff and technical sergeants with 16 years or less, or master sergeants with 18 years or less. Some second-term senior airmen may volunteer for staff sergeant quotas. Eligible NCOs have until Sept. 30 to apply. If the Air Force does not meet its goal through volunteers, it may implement a nonvoluntary second phase. If necessary, Phase 2 will begin for Air Force specialties that are still over strength. Rosters showing those identified in Phase 1 as susceptible to involuntary retraining, sorted by Air Force specialty code and in order of vulnerability, are posted on a secure Web page at: www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/enlskills/retraining/retraining.htm. 6. CAP Offers Retirees Another Chance to Serve The Civil Air Patrol is playing a role in homeland security and is looking for senior members to join the effort. The auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force is a force multiplier in critical homeland security efforts, said CAP membership development chief Robin Hunt. Members have excellent air/ground observation and communications assets at their disposal to provide aerial reconnaissance, photography and transportation, disaster and damage assessment, and other jobs. CAP performs missions for several federal government agencies, including the departments of Defense, Justice, Transportation, Treasury and Agriculture, the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Coast Guard; Federal Aviation Administration, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Forest Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and state and local law enforcement. Retirees seeking more information should visit www.cap.gov. 7. VA Improves VGLI Information Access The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that veterans now can access their Veterans' Group Life Insurance accounts at any time from any computer or telephone. Using a secure Web site, the VGLI Online Account Access system allows veterans to obtain basic information on their account through the insurance Web site at www.insurance.va.gov. Veterans can view their current amount of coverage, premium rate, and billing method, as well as change their billing address. In the future, additional online tools will allow them to change their method and frequency of payment. Also available on VA's insurance Web site is a life insurance calculator that will predict the amount of life insurance needed based on financial information the veteran provides. Veterans also can obtain account information by telephone through a new toll-free VGLI interactive voice response system at 1-800-419-1473. 8. Reservist Sues DoD, Army Over Stop-Loss An Army National Guard sergeant from the San Francisco area filed a lawsuit Aug. 16 to keep the Guard from holding him under stop-loss beyond the end of his enlistment in December. The plaintiff, identified as John Doe, names Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other officials - including his company commander, Capt. Kincy Clark - in the suit. His unit, Company B, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry regiment, based in Dublin, Calif., reported for duty Aug. 16 and is slated for Iraq in February or March. The lawsuit asserts that this violates Doe's right to due process and the terms of his enlistment contract; and that the involuntary extension of his enlistment constitutes a serious infringement on his liberty protected by the Constitution. Doe, who reportedly served nine years on active duty and three years as a reservist, participated in the invasion of Iraq last year. 9. USO Distributes 300,000th Care Package, Expands Support The United Service Organizations has distributed more than 300,000 Operation USO Care Packages to troops since the program began in September 2002. The packages contain items specifically requested by members serving in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, snacks and playing cards. Expanding its outreach to troops, the USO has opened centers in Kuwait, Qatar and Vicenza, Italy. The Qatar center offers troops a 96-hour pass through the Rest and Recuperation Program. Another special program for deployed troops is USO Operation Phone Home. Donations to this program help the USO purchase prepaid, international calling cards for deployed service members. The USO also has increased the number of celebrity entertainment tours both overseas and stateside where it holds "welcome home" celebrations. To support USO programs, call (800) USO-7469 toll free or visit http://www.uso.org/. 10. The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume Just Published-- Available for Immediate Shipment http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp >From the Publishers of FEDweek, the federal government's largest information resource... We are proud to announce the launch of The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume. This book was written specifically for you and is designed to help you meet the requirements for written materials in seeking a new federal job or advancement within the federal government. There is no longer a single, required method of applying for federal employment. In fact, most federal agencies are moving toward the resume (either paper or electronic) as the preferred method of applying for jobs. That's why we've just published The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume and all current federal employees, retirees, military members and private sector professionals who are looking for a federal job need this all-inclusive guide. Note to Military Members: Many of the federal job openings at this time require security clearances. As a military member, a large percentage of you have the security clearance and the qualifications needed to fill these positions. This all-new guide will show you how to compose your resume to accentuate your strengths and experiences. Here's a partial list of the table of contents: Finding a Federal Job Should I Apply Using a Resume or an Application Form? The Federal Resume Preparing to Draft Your Resume What to Cover (and not cover) in a Resume The Designing of Your Federal Resume Your Accomplishments (including a worksheet) What if You Use an OF-612? Knowledges, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Cover Letters and Thank You Letters Interactive Worksheets The Do's and Don't's for Federal Resume Cover Letters Contains Many Sample Federal Resumes and Cover Letters And Much More! This book is a "must have" for: All federal employees Military personnel interested in civil service careers Federal managers and supervisors Human resources professionals and federal libraries Military retirees beginning their second career with the federal government All private sector workers that wish to apply for federal government positions. Simply put, designing and writing your resume is not an easy task. You must highlight your accomplishments, qualifications, experience, etc. all while keeping it brief and easy to follow. The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume will show you how to do this. It also gives a complete list of "result and action" words to use in your cover letter and resume as well as a list a frequently misspelled or misused words or phrases. "In today's competitive job market, especially the federal job market, this new interactive resume book is a must have and is guaranteed to help you, whether you are writing a new resume from scratch, making minor changes depending on the position you are applying for or just fine tuning and error checking it." Don Mace, Publisher FEDweek *********************************************************** Order it Today and Have it Shipped to You Tomorrow! Go to http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp to order online or see below for other ways to order. The Cost of The Complete Guide to Writing a Federal Resume is only $9.95 (plus s&h) and here are the ways to order it: Place Your Secure Order Online With Credit Card http://www.fedweek.com/Publications/default.asp Call or toll-free order line (888) 333-9335. We have representatives ready to take your order 24 hours per day. By Mail Send $13.95 ($9.95 plus $4) to FEDweek, PO Box 5519, Glen Allen, VA 23058 *********************************************************** Armed Forces News A 100% Veteran-Owned Business Published by FEDweek 11551 Nuckols Rd. Suite L Glen Allen, VA 23059 (804) 288-5321 --- You are subscribed to armedforcesnews as [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/BCfwlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! 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