Hot Topics - USAWOA Online

U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association

USAWOA ONLINE

HOT TOPICS

| Annual Meeting of Members | Army/Defense/Government News | Articles by/about WO |

| Awards & Decorations | Chapters & Regions | Commissary/Exchange/MWR |

| Corporate Memberships | Downloads | Family Members | Guard and Reserve News |

| Identity Theft | In Memoriam | Insurance | Job Bank |  Join/Rejoin/Renew Membership |

| Legislative Activities | Legislative Process | Lost Members | Mega Links | Memorabilia |

| National Officials | Pay Compression | Pay/Entitlements/Insurance | People in the News |

 | Privacy Notice/Copyright/Disclaimer | Professional Reading | Recruiting/Retention |

| Support Our Troops | Site Map | The Military Coalition | TRICARE/MEDICARE/VA |

| USAWOA News | Upcoming Events | USAWOA Scholarship Foundation |

| Veterans/Retiree News | Warrant Officer Career College | Warrant Officer History |

 | Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation | Warrant Officer Net | Welcome New Members |

| Sign our Guest Book | View our Guest Book |

 

 ( Change Member or Chapter data)

(Many files throughout this web site are Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

If you cannot open a PDF file download the current version of the free Adobe reader.)

 

USAWOA News

 

38th USAWOA Annual Meeting of the Members

Nominations for USAWOA National Officers

November 1-5, 2010,

Embassy Suites Hotel, Huntsville, AL

 

Theme: "Today's Warrant Officer -

On the Cutting Edge of Technology!"

 

Hosted by the Redstone Arsenal Chapter

and Southeastern Region.

Hotel & Meeting Registration plus AMM Info.

Invitation to President's Reception.

Awards, Installation Banquet & Ball.

Focus Group Topics Listing.

National President: CW4 (Ret) Kenneth "Pete" Hill

                        and CW5 Candis "Candy" Martin

National Vice President: CW5 (Ret) James White 

                               and CW5 (Ret) Butch Zirpolo

National Secretary: CW2 (Ret) Gerry Wentworth

European Region Director: CW5 James R. Rathburn

Mid-Northern Region Director: CW5 (Ret) Bob Huffman

Mid-Southern Region Director: CW4 James Davis

Northeastern Region Director: CW4 (Ret) Greg Gouty

Southeastern Region Director: CW4 (P) Ida TyreeHyche

Western Region Director: CW5 (Ret) Russell Brewer

                                 and CW5 (Ret) Vincent Baiocchetti

 

See Resumes

 

 

38th AMM Focus Group Topics Announced - The USAWOA Past Presidents Council is researching relevant material pertaining to each topic. That material will be provided to the Focus Groups Leaders for use during the group sessions at the AMM - see the Topics. 8/26/10

 

Do you, your spouse and family know about our Military Families page - go there now. 8/19/10

 

Aviation Committee Chair Appointed - CW4 (P) Richard Ayers was appointed to Chair this Committee and National President Gary Nisker in July. The appoint was ratified by the National Executive Committee during their July meeting. Welcome aboard Richard. 8/6/10

 

How “They” feel about Senior Warrant Officers' support of changes in the  Warrant Officer community by CW5 Patrick Lott, Warrant Officer Career College. The article was published in the July NEWSLINER. This is must reading for all senior and retired Warrant Officers. Is this article talking about you or are you going to be part of the solution? - see article. 8/5/10

 

Things junior officers should know about the "Chief" by CW4 Chris Volkert is another must read and be lived up to article for all Warrant Officers. You should also tactfully give this article to Lieutenants and Captains, particularly if you are assigned at Company level - see article. 8/5/10

 

Command Experience of an Aviation Warrant Officer through Mentorship and Counseling by CW4 Sam R. Baker is still another must reading article for senior Warrant Officers - see article. 8/5/10

 

The first Warrant Officer Summit was held at the Warrant Officer Career College (WOCC), Fort Rucker, AL from June 7 to 11. Invitations were limited to the most senior leaders of the Warrant Officer Corps. The purpose of the summit was to aggressively seek issues that will promote improvement of the Warrant Officer Corps. The theme for this event was “Learn from the past, focus on the future.” USAWOA National President CW5 Gary Nisker reported on the highlights of the summit in the Association's July NEWSLINER - see article. 8/5/10

 

USAWOA 2010 Fundraiser Winners Announced - Many thanks to each and every one of you who supported the Fund Raiser. Congratulations to the following winners:

  • Grand Prize of a $7,500 Savings Bond - Phil Schwendinger of Rio Rancho, NM

  • Second Prize of a $5,000 Savings Bond - Mike Duggan of West Seneca, NY

  • Third Prize of a $2,500 Savings Bond - Douglas G. Gray of Scottsdale, AZ 

  • Fourth Prizes of a $500 Savings Bond went to -

    • Edie Belso of Centreville, VA

    • Jack Lynch of Newton, PA

    • Nevin Daniel of Allentown, PA

    • George Burandt of Hilton, NY

  • Early Bird Winners of a $250 Savings Bond were -

    • Richard Loren of Twinsburg, OH.

    • Harold Thacker of Raeford, NC

    •  Lily Zollinger, of Honolulu, Hawaii

USAWOA Scholarship Foundation Announces School Year 2010-2011 Scholarship Winners - see more. 7/20/10

 

Update on the Warrant Officer Memorial Benches - see more. 7/20/10

 

Two USAWOA Members Inducted into the Eagle Rising Society - On 9 June, 2010 CW5 (Ret) Robert L. Huffman and CW4 (Ret) Robert D. Scott were inducted into the Eagle Rising Society - see more. 7/1/10

 

USAWOA Honors Warrant Officer Career College Commandant - see more. 7/1/10

 

The fall 2010 Combined Federal Campaign season is rapidly approaching - we want all to understand how important this campaign has been and will be to the USAWOA Scholarship Foundation - see more. 6/15/10

 

Don Stivers’ Warrant Officer Print “LET GO!” - USAWOA offers the unique Warrant Officer art by the late contemporary military artist Don Stivers. One thousand prints were commissioned. Each bears the USAWOA logo, serial number, & the signature of the late artist's daughter . The artwork commemorates the birth of the Army Warrant Officer Corps: that being the July 1918 act of Congress founding the Army Mine Planter Service as part of the Coast Artillery Corps.  The act designated warrant officers to serve as masters, mates, chief engineers & assistant engineers of mine-planting vessels - see more.

 

For stories & pictures featuring Members, Chapters, & fellow Warrant Officers - see People in the News.

 

For issues and legislation supported by USAWOA - see Legislative Activities. See also Warrant Officer Pay Compression Chronology.

 

For Member Benefits and Services - see Member Services.

 

Make a Donation  to USAWOA by Credit Card or Check.

Dues alone are not enough to provide the services our members deserve!

 

 

Army, Defense, Government, and MWR News

 | Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention |  America Supports You | Support Our Troops |

| In Memoriam | Stories of Valor | Warrant Officer Net | USA.gov |

TRANSPOSED DATE OF RANK IN EVALUATIONS. HRC Evaluation Systems Office has advised that there is an issue with AKO My Forms transposing the DOR in evaluations (both OER and NCOER). It appears that the problem resulted from a date format change in iTAPDB when there was a recent server change. The change involved numerical dates (20041001) being changed to alpha-numeric dates (01 OCT 04). Therefore, AKO Forms cannot properly read the data now, which has resulted in the transposed dates. For example, 01 OCT 04 is being read and reflected in the forms as 20011004. APD is working hard to fix the problem (and looking at alternatives) but it will take some time to resolve. In the meantime, emphasis must be placed on Soldiers' careful review of the DOR on their evaluation reports. Corrections to the auto-populated date may be made manually. 8/26/10

 

U. S. Army Warrant Officer  Officer Career web site moved - new web address is http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/WOCC/index.asp. The new site contains much new and current information. Take a look. 8/24/10

 

Move.mil launches redesigned Web site - Officials at the U.S. Transportation Command this week launched an improved Web site to assist both the military and Transportation Service Providers in using the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS - see more. 8/5/10

 

Warrant Officer Career College website is moving to new location on 2 August 2010 - the new website address is http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/WOCC/. 7/29/10

 

Two Army Warrant Officers honored by Adjutant Generals Corps Regimental Association - see more. 6/29/10

 

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. JAN’s trusted consultants offer one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. Assistance is available both over the phone and online. For more information, please go to www.AskJAN.org or call (800) 526-7234 (V) or (877) 781-9403 (TTY). 6/24/10

 

 

Reminder - DD Form 214 Necessary for Social Security Benefit - Anyone who served on active duty from January 1957 through December 31, 2001 and are planning for retirement may qualify for a higher social security payment because of their Military service. Up to $1,200 per year of earnings credit credited at time of application - which can make a substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement. You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office and you must ask for this benefit to receive it! For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm.

 

[ Top ]

 

Awards and Decorations

Humanitarian Medal OK’d for Samoa, Chile - The Humanitarian Service Medal has been approved for soldiers who participated in the earthquake and tsunami relief operations in Samoa last fall and Chile this spring. The qualifying period for Operation Pacific Wave, the earthquake and tsunami relief effort within American Samoa, is Sept. 29-Oct. 10, 2009. 8/5/10

2010 Freedom Award Recipients Announced by the Department of Defense - see more. 8/3/10

 

1st Armored Division and some subordinate units awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation - The 1st Armored Division Headquarters Company,  1st Armored Division Band, 75th Fires Brigade Headquarters Battery, 30th Military History Detachment, 146th Signal Company and the 501st Military Police Company received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09. Soldiers who served with these units during the period of 28 October 2007 to 9 December 2008 are encouraged to visit their S1s to update their records accordingly. See Permanent Order. 7/8/10

 

 

Military Decorations and Service Medals (The Institute of Heraldry, U. S. Army)

Ribbons - Order of Precedence

 

| Top |

 

Commissary, Exchange, & MWR News

| AAFES | Exchange Online Mall | USMC Exchange | USN Exchange | USCG Exchange |

| DeCA Commissary | Virtual Commissary | Army Moral, Welfare and Recreation |

 

Commissary worldwide case lot sales offer massive savings in September - Whether you’re packing your pantry for school-day meals and munchies, or just staying “hurricane ready” until the official season ends Nov. 30, the Defense Commissary Agency’s worldwide case lot sale in September can help you do so with savings of up to 50 percent or more - see details. 8/19/10

 

Now is the ‘Time’ to let troops know they are not forgotten - Fortunately, the Department of Defense’s largest and oldest Exchange Service operates retail facilities, including more than 900 Exchanges, fast food restaurants, services and concessions throughout the Middle East, that accept gift cards. Exchange gift cards are an excellent way to send troops what they want as they can select their own gifts. While only authorized military shoppers can redeem AAFES gift cards, any American can send them by simply calling 800-527-2345 or logging on to www.aafes.org and clicking “Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops” icon. From there, AAFES gift cards, ranging in values from $10 to $500, can be addressed to a specific Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine or sent to “any service member” through the American Red Cross, Fisher House Foundation, USO, Soldier and Family Assistance Center, Air Force Aid Society or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.6/29/10

 

| Top |

 

Identity Theft/Scams/Phishing

Deter. Detect. Defend. Avoid ID Theft

 

Commissaries not affected thus far by massive egg recall launched due to salmonella contamination - see DeCA News Release. 8/24/10

 

Officials Warn of 'Phishing' Scams Targeting Troops - U. .S. Strategic Command officials are urging renewed vigilance against Internet-based identity theft after detecting a widespread "phishing" expedition against service members. Phishing is a term used to describe deceiving people into divulging personal information such as passwords or account numbers over the Internet. Beginning as early as May 2009 and lasting as late as March 2010, numerous fraudulent e-mails were sent to financial customers of USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union. While these e-mails may appear to be legitimate, it's important to remember USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union will never ask for [personal identification] or to verify financial institution data via e-mail. Although the e-mails have official-looking logos, headers and signature blocks, "these are all common cyber espionage 'spear-phishing' tactics used to trick recipients." - see more. 5/13/10

 

| Top |

 

 

Pay, Allowances and Insurance

(Military, Civil Service, Retirees and Veterans)

August DFAS Retired and Annuitant Payt Newsletter now available - go there now. 8/19/10

 

Time Running Out for Troops, Veterans to Claim 'Stop Loss' Pay - Eligible service members and veterans have less than three months to apply for Retroactive "Stop Loss" Special Pay. The special pay was approved by Congress as part of the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act. Servicemembers and veterans who involuntarily served or were on "Stop Loss" from Sept. 11, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to $500 for each month served past their contracted end-of-service, resignation or retirement date - see more. 7/29/10

 

U.S. Savings Bond program going all-electronic - If you have an allotment to buy U.S. savings bonds through your military pay, you need to take a couple of steps before the U.S. Savings Bond Payroll Savings Plan goes all electronic by the end of August. By July 31, you must:

• Contact your payroll officer to get copies of the necessary paperwork to handle the transition.

• Create an account on TreasuryDirect.gov, a secure website where you can purchase savings bonds and other Treasury securities. Civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will need to take the same steps by Aug. 31; all other government employees have until Sept. 30.  7/15/10

 

| Top |

 

TRICARE, Medicare, and VA Benefits

 

Tricare Overseas eliminates up-front payments - Overseas Tricare Prime beneficiaries will no longer have to pay up front for services under a new Tricare Overseas contract that begins Sept. - see more. 8/31/10

 

New E-Newsletter Available for TRICARE Standard Beneficiaries - see more. 8/31/10

 

TRICARE Overseas Beneficiaries Reminded to Update DEERS - The days are ticking down to the Sept. 1 start of the new TRICARE Overseas Program contract. TRICARE beneficiaries stationed overseas who want to keep up with the latest information about their health care benefits need to update their family’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) records as soon as possible - see more. 8/24/10

 

Be the First to Know About TRICARE Retired Reserve - TRICARE Retired Reserve, a new program being launched in the fall, will allow certain “gray area” retired National Guard and Reserve personnel, who are not yet age 60, the opportunity to purchase TRICARE health coverage - see more. 7/29/10

Bronze medallions available for headstones - The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering bronze medallions to attach to existing, privately purchased headstones or markers, signifying a deceased's status as a Veteran. The new item can be furnished instead of a traditional government headstone or marker for veterans whose death occurred on or after Nov. 1, 1990, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker - see more. 7/6/2010

 

TRICARE Enrollment Updates a Click Away - As many as 400,000 permanent change of station (PCS) moves could occur in 2010. Dr. Charles Rice, who is performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, is encouraging active duty service members and their families to head to the Web when transferring to a new duty station. To read the complete release, please visit: www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/news.aspx?fid=639

 

Preauthorization Now Required for Skilled Nursing Facility Care for Medicare-eligible TRICARE Beneficiaries - A new requirement means that skilled nursing facilities will have to preauthorize care provided to Medicare-eligible TRICARE beneficiaries once Medicare benefits are exhausted and TRICARE becomes the primary health coverage - see more.

 

TRICARE Provides Deductible-Free Hospice Benefit - The final stages of life can be difficult for patients and their families. To make these last days easier, TRICARE’s hospice care benefit is a service focused on patients to give them the supportive services they need near the end of life. Hospice is a zero-deductible benefit and it gives TRICARE beneficiaries access to personal care and home health aide assistance. It initially provides two 90-day periods of care, followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods. Each period requires prior authorization from the regional health care contractor - see more.

 

Other Resources:

 

To download, view or print any TRICARE benefit information product on the Web, visit www.tricare.mil/tricaresmart.

 
TRICARE beneficiaries can make staying current on their health benefits easy by signing up for e-mail updates to have the latest TRICARE news delivered straight to their e-mail inbox. Visit www.tricare.mil/subscriptions to sign up for TRICARE e-mail updates.

 

| TRICARE Fact Sheets | MEDICARE Fact Sheets | VA Fact Sheets |

 

| Top |

 

Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention

(Includes Bonus and Incentive Programs - read top to bottom)

 

Army Warrant Officers Needed - The Army is looking for highly motivated soldiers, marines, sailors, and airman to fill its Warrant Officer ranks. Positions are open in all 45 specialties if you qualify. Soldiers with less than 12 years active federal service (AFS) are encouraged to apply. For active Army information, contact the Warrant Officer Recruiting Team at <www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/Warrant.htm> or DSN 536-0484, 0458. 0488, 0478, 0271, 1860. For Army National Guard Warrant Officer information see the website at <www.1800goguard.com/warrant> and for Army Reserve Warrant Officer information and applications see the website at <www.usarc.army.mil/retn/RTD/wo_oview.htm>.

 

Army Warrant Officer Recruiting Team Upcoming Visits - go to the USAREC WO Team Site, click on 'Warrant Officer Recruiting Site Quick Links' and select 'Briefing Schedule'. USAWOA encourages all serving Warrant Officers to support the effort to recruit the warrant officers of the future. Take time out to attend a briefing when it is in your area!

 

The Army officer/warrant officer Call to Active Duty (CAD) program - This program is used to fill active component branch/functional area shortages (Army Competitive Category only) and is an opportunity for reserve component (RC) officers and warrant officers to serve in the active component. Though not directly discussed in recent CAD messages, this program remains open to RC CW2 – CW4 warrant officers in any of the basic branch MOS’.  Application procedures and eligibility criteria are provided in the MILPER message 10-199 FY11 Call to Active Duty. See the message for specifics. Updated 7/29/10

 

MILPER Message No. 09-228 FY10 Warrant Officer Applications for Health Services Maintenance Technician (MOS 670A) issued: [06 OCT 09]. This message solicits applications for the FY10 Medical Service Corps Health Services Maintenance Technician warrant officer training program. Please pass to all MOS 68A Soldiers. See message.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 09-246 FY10 AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION REGIMENT (SOAR) ISSUED: [22 OCT 09]. This program applies to Regular Army aviation warrant officers IAW Title 37, Section 334, US Code. Army Reserve, including AGR and mobilized reserve warrant officers, are not authorized to participate in this program. The Army continues to offer the SOAR ACP program to include most aviation warrant officer primary military occupational specialties assigned to the special operations force in FY10. See the message for specifics. 

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 09-246 FY10 AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION REGIMENT (SOAR) ISSUED: [22 OCT 09]. This program applies to Regular Army aviation warrant officers IAW Title 37, Section 334, US Code. Army Reserve, including AGR and mobilized reserve warrant officers, are not authorized to participate in this program. The Army continues to offer the SOAR ACP program to include most aviation warrant officer primary military occupational specialties assigned to the special operations force in FY10. See the message for specifics.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 09-247 FY10 AVIATOR CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM (TACTICAL OPERATIONS WARRANT OFFICERS (TACOPS - SQI I) ISSUED: [22 OCT 09].  This program applies to Regular Army aviation warrant officers IAW Title 37, Section 334, US Code. Army Reserve, including AGR and mobilized reserve warrant officers, are not authorized to participate in this program. The Army is offering an ACP for tactical operations warrant officer pilots - (TACOPS Off - SQI I) for FY10. See the message for specifics.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 09-268 CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS (CSRB) PROGRAM FOR MILITARY INTELLIGENCE WARRANT OFFICERS ISSUED: [09 NOV 09]. This message continues the critical skills retention bonus (CSRB) program for select MI warrant officers from 1 Oct 09 to 30 Sep 10. This program is for active duty warrant officers only. AGR and mobilized reserve/national guard are not authorized to participate in the program. This message extends the MI warrant officer CSRB program for retirement-eligible career warrant officers in specific MOS of 350F, 351L, and 351M with between 20 - 23 years active federal service, and who are fully eligible for continued service. These warrant officers may request CSRB entitlement up to 25 years active federal service. See the message for more information.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 10-052 FY 2011 WARRANT OFFICER APPLICATIONS FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE VETERINARY SERVICES FOOD SAFETY OFFICER (MOS 640A) ISSUED: [22 FEB 10]. This message solicits applications from qualified active duty and reserve enlisted personnel for the FY 11 Veterinary Service Warrant Officer Training Program. HQ USAREC will convene a competitive selection board on 20 Jul 10. See the message for eligibility criteria and application information.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 10-106 ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVE PAY (AIP) - 160TH SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION REGIMENT (AIRBORNE) ISSUED: [13 APR 10]. OSD P&R authorizes the Army to offer one of the two 160th SOAR(A) AIP program options to eligible aviation warrant officers as follows: Initial assignment: Aviation warrant officers (AWOS) who volunteer for duty with the 160th SOAR(A), successfully complete qualification training at the special operations aviation training company, and who have an MOS of 152C, 153E, or 154E are eligible for AIP. Eligible AWOS will execute a written agreement to serve with the regiment for a minimum 48-month assignment and will be paid a one-time lump sum payment of $10,000; Assignment continuation: AWOS with 21 years active federal service or greater who are assigned to the 160th SOAR(A) and have an MOS of 152C, 153E, or 154E are eligible for AIP. Eligible warrant officers will execute a written agreement to serve an additional 24 months with the regiment and will be paid $1000 per month for the obligated period. This ADSO may run concurrent with ACP ADSO. See the message for more information.

 

Other Recruiting and Retention Resources:

 

For Current News in additional topic areas see links at the top of this page.

 

 

| Top | Home | Hot Topics |Site Map |

 

USAWOA Online 8/31/2010