United States Army Warrant Officers Association

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USAWOA News

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

 

Two Members take honors in the 2008 AG Regimental Awards Program - see more.   5/15/08

 

Retired CW5 USAWOA Member is Officer in Charge and Senior JROTC Instructor - see more.   5/15/08

 

USAWOA People in the News - has been updated to add stories and pictures about USAWOA Regional Chapter gatherings and much - go there now.  5/13/08

 

The Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation publishes a short Warrant Officer history - see more.  5/6/08

 

"WO Heritage Supporter" Flag Streamers Presented, More Chapter Donations Received - see more. 5/6/08

 

New Feature on USAWOA Online - The USAWOA Members Welcome and Listing has moved from the NEWSLINER to USAWOA Online. This month we have listed all the new members who joined in January, February, and March 2008. In future months we will welcome and list the new members for the previous month - see listing. 4/29/08

 

Foundations receive Public Charity Ruling from IRS - In 2003 the USAWOA Scholarship Foundation and the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation were incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and received an Advance Ruling from the IRS as Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charities for the first five years of operation. Recently both Foundations submitted a Support Schedule for Advance Ruling Period package to establish that we were a Public Charity and not a Private Foundation. Both received a final ruling from the IRS that they were classified as Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charities. Therefore all past and future donations to the Foundations are tax deductible. For more information about the USAWOA Scholarship Foundation visit www.usawoa.org/WOASF and for the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation visit www.usawoa.org/WOHERITAGE. 4/29/08

 

Five Warrant Officers selected for ILE Pilot Program - selected were CW4 Percy Alexander (QM), CW4 Timothy Feathers (AV), CW4 Nathaniel Jones (AD), CW4 Richard Myers (OD, and CW3 Robert Russell. CW4 Alexander is currently the USAWOA Crater Chapter Treasurer. These fine officers will attend Intermediate Level Education (ILE), formerly C&GSC, at Fort Leavenworth, KS this summer. The intent of this program is not for all Warrant Officers to attend, but for a select few who are the best candidates for strategic level positions within the Army. Congratulation to these officers for being selected and we wish them the best with their studies. 4/24/08

 

"Quiet Professional" prints by Don Stivers available for sale - see more. 4/17/08

 

USAWOA National Bylaws Revised - The National Board of Directors approved revisions to USAWOA Manual 200-2, National Bylaws during their April 5, 2008 meeting in Herndon, VA. All National, Regional, and Chapter officials should download and read the revised Bylaws. All members are also invited to read them - see revised Bylaws. 4/15/08

 

Sprint/Nextel Employee Value Program - Newest Member Benefit - Sprint/Nextel offers a 15% discount off monthly service charges to all USAWOA Members and their families, as well as waived activation fees and one free month of service. Go on the web to www.evpdiscount.com/USAWOA where you can add the discount, upgrade their phones, or start new service. This website is also currently listed on the AKO “Slick Deals For Soldiers.” For more information on this and other programs see our Member Benefits & Services page. 4/10/08

 

Warrant Officers at War on Warrant Officer Net is an effort to preserve the history of the U. S. Army Warrant Officer Corps. We will be submitting some of the stories we have received and encourage all Warrant Officers to consider submitting their noteworthy stories - see more. 4/3/08

 

2008 USAWOA Annual Fund Raiser is underway - by now you should have received in the mail your books of tickets for the USAWOA Annual Fund Raising Program - 2008.  Before you forget, the first "Early Bird" drawing is on April 18, 2008.  The second "Early Bird"  drawing is on June 20, 2008.  Plus, the winners of these early bird drawings remain eligible for the other great prizes to be awarded on July 18, 2008!   Bottom line - get your tickets filled out and sent in with your money in time for the Early Bird Drawings.  After all,  many of the prizes are better than the Fed's tax rebate program! Dues alone are not enough to provide the services our members deserve! 3/25/08

 

Grantham University welcomes USAWOA members. Members in good standing can take advantage of a special tuition rate of $250 per credit hour. Required textbooks and software are covered, at no additional cost to the student, by a textbook and technology grant. Proof of membership is required to apply for the tuition grant - see more. Grantham University is a USAWOA Corporate Member. 3/11/08

 

Please help us find our Lost Members - see listing. 4/23/08

 

2008 USAWOA Annual Meeting of the Members Registration Form -  The 36th AMM will take place from 20 - 24 October at the Holiday Inn Aberdeen-Chesapeake House, in Aberdeen. MD - see more. 3/6/08

 

Nominations Solicited - In October 2008, USAWOA members will elect its Board of Directors for the next two years. The Bylaws require that the Nominations Committee, in conjunction with National Headquarters, begin soliciting nominations and declarations of candidacy for elective office on the National ballot approximately eight (8) months prior to the Annual Meeting of the Members. The goal is to be able to place at least two (2) or more candidates for each elective office on the National ballot. The following elective positions on the Board of Directors are open for nomination: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Northeast Region Director, Southeast Region Director, Mid-South Region Director, Mid-North Region Director, Western Region Director - see advertisement and forms. See also Word Processor Version of the Nomination Form and Resume. Deadline for receipt of Nomination Packets is 1 July 2008.

 

NEWSLINERs for Deployed Members - We will mail a package with several NEWSLINERs to any deployed USAWOA member who wants to gather a few warrant officers together to hold a "field" WO Professional development session. Use the session as a time to discuss issues, problems and solutions and also to recruit new members. Tell us how many and where to send them.

 

Don Stivers’ Warrant Officer Print “LET GO!” - USAWOA offers the unique Warrant Officer art by contemporary military artist Don Stivers. One thousand prints commissioned. Each will show the USAWOA logo, serial number, & the signature of the artist. 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.

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Army, Defense, Government, and MWR News

 (See also Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention)

 

Support Our Troops

 Stories of Valor

In Memoriam

Warrant Officer Net

 

May to July 2008 - Season of Remembrance

See Military Memorial Events 2008. See also www.Remember.gov.

 

AAFES Holds Contest to Salute Military Spouses - see more.  5/13/08

 

Results of the Active Army CW3, CW4, CW5 FY08 Promotion Selection Boards announced. See FY08 CW5, CW4 and CW3 selectee lists . Congratulations to all those selected. 5/8/08

 

Army message clarifies physical fitness and height and weight requirements for military institutional training -   Policy established in ALARACT 075/2007 regarding physical fitness and height and weight requirements for military institutional training remains in effect.  AR 350-1, dated 3 Aug 07, inadvertently re-established policy which had been in effect prior to publication of ALARACT 075/2007.  See the message for specific changes to the latest version of AR 350-1. 5/8/08

 

Department to Phase Out Full Social Security Numbers on IDs - As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed onto them. Between 2009 and 2010, all department-issued identification cards will feature only the last four digits of a holder's Social Security number. Plans are to remove the Social Security numbers from identification cards issued to military family members by the end of this year, those cards still would display the sponsors' SSN, for now - see more. 4/15/08

 

Degree Completion Program Information issued by HRC - Active duty warrant officers who have previously completed an associate degree are eligible to obtain a baccalaureate or associate degree through the Degree Completion Program (DCP). Officers can apply to attain a baccalaureate degree if they meet eligibility requirements.  The optimum time required for completion is 12 months, but is not to exceed 18 months in accordance with AR 621-1, para. 4-1c (Training of Military Personnel at Civilian Institutions, 28 August 2007) - see Eligibility and Application information . (Courtesy of WO Net) 4/3/08

 

2009 Presidential Inauguration Opportunity - Are You Ready to Soldier Up? Are You Army Strong? Want to be Part of a Change Era? - Here is an exciting opportunity for Reserve Soldiers to be a part of history! Army Reserve Soldiers and Retirees are needed for various missions in support of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC) has immediate openings to be filled with Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Soldiers and Retirees. The AFIC wants to hear from dedicated Soldiers ready to support this historic event. The AFIC wants to hear from you. Interested Soldiers should contact Reserve Operations - HRC-STL. Contact Information: Phone: 1-800 318- 5298 ext 0355 or Email: note to: HRCSMissionRequirement@conus.army.mil.  4/1/08

 

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Awards, Decorations, Uniforms and Insignia

 

Army provides guidance on the criteria, applicability and standards on awarding and wear of service stars on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal - Service Stars recognize soldiers for participating in designated campaign phases within the areas of eligibility for the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals. Service Stars provide our soldiers with tangible recognition for the sacrifices and contributions they have made in support of the Global War In Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. See the message. 5/13/08

 

Secretary of the Army & Chief of Staff, Army FY 2007 Army Safety Awards recipients - Congratulations to CW5 John Green, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Third Army/U.S. Army Central for receipt of the SA and CSA Individual Award of Excellence in Safety -- Officer - see more . 4/29/08

 

General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Winners Announced - All Army Activities Message 068/2008, 11Mar08, announced and extends congratulations to the 28 winners of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award for calendar year 2007. Congratulations the Warrant Officer winners CW2 Robert J. Hunt, USA, USASOC; CW2 Robert K. Goldsberry, UT ARNG,; and CW2 Matthew S. Pearce, USAR, 89th RRC. Award ceremony and related activities will take place in Washington, DC in May 2008. (See Message ) (Courtesy of WO Net) 3/27/08

 

CW4 Novosel Warrant Officer of the Year Award presented at ROA Mid-Winter Conference - see more. 3/25/08

 

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Pay, Allowances, and Insurance

(Military, Civil Service, Retirees, & Veterans)

With Troops’ Freedom to Choose Beneficiaries Comes Greater Responsibility - Starting in July, servicemembers can choose to whom a $100,000 death gratuity will be disbursed if they’re killed in action. Currently, troops can assign half the posthumous payment to recipients of their preference, with the remainder paid according to a hierarchy determined by the Defense Department: first to the spouse, or if unmarried, to children, then grandchildren, followed by parents and, barring these antecedents, the next of kin. But when the policy shift becomes effective July 1, troops should use caution while exercising their new freedom to bequeath - see more. 5/6/08

 

Tenth Quadrennial Review Of Military Compensation Released - On March 12, 2008 The Department of Defense released today the first volume of the report of the Tenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC), which assesses the effectiveness of military pay and benefits in recruiting and retaining a high-quality force. Every four years, DoD conducts a complete review of compensation principles and concepts for members of the armed forces. The 10th QRMC began in 2006.  DoD will study the recommendations for potential implementation and send selected proposals to Congress as proposed legislation - see more. 3/27/08

April, May bring good SBP news for annuitants, retirees  - As you may have read, this April marks a milestone in the history of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Effective April 1st, the SBP benefit will be 55% of the base amount covered – regardless of the age of the beneficiary. When SBP was introduced in 1972, it was designed to work with the Social Security benefit. Therefore, there were two levels of benefits, a higher level before the survivor was eligible for Social Security and a reduced level after age 62 and Social Security eligibility. Effective April 1st, that reduction is gone. May will bring good news for Military retirees enrolled in SBP. That’s when those of you who have been enrolled in SBP for at least 30 years and who are at least 70 years old will get a letter from DFAS telling you that you can stop paying for SBP effective Oct. 1, 2008. Those of you who will reach "paid up" status shortly after Oct. 1st will also get your notice in May. Remember that Congress set the "paid up" date at Oct. 1, 2008 – even though some retirees reached age 70 and 30 years of payments before that date.  (Courtesy Army ECHOES, Jan-Apr 2008) 3/11/08

 

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Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention

(Includes Bonus Information 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.  The current CAD program is being expanded to include RC LTs assigned to the IRR.  All officers are also encouraged to seek opportunities for active duty in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program.  See ALARACT message for specifics & applications.

 

Presidential Recognition on Retirement from Military Service - message and guidance supersedes MILPER MSG 05-112 for Presidential Recognition upon retiring with at least 30 of active service, 30 years of Reserve Component Service, or 30 years of combined service - see MILPER MSG 06-124, 4/28/2006.

 

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>.

 

Become a Special Agent, Get $20K - A $20,000 lump-sum Critical Skills Accession Bonus (CSAB) is being offered to active-duty enlisted Soldiers who complete the Criminal Investigation Command Special Agent Warrant Officer Basic Course by Sept. 30, 2008. The CSAB targets the 31 series Military Occupational Specialty for military police NCOs selected for appointment to warrant officer positions in the 311A MOS. Enlisted special agents with at least 24 months of CID investigative experience, a minimum of 60 hours of college credit, and who are no longer on probationary status are eligible to receive the bonus. The application process and checklist forms are available on the Army's Warrant Officer Recruiting website.

 

Special Forces Warrant Officer Critical Skills Retention Bonus - Army message announces the Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) Program for Special Forces Warrant Officers in MOS 180A, as well as eligibility and processing procedures.  The effective date for the beginning of this program was 18 May 2005.  This CSRB is targeted to retirement-eligible warrant officers in MOS 180A with 19 – 24 years active federal service who are fully eligible for continued service.  This message is for active duty SF Warrant Officers only.  TPU, AGR, and mobilized Reserve/National Guard officers are not authorized to participate in this program. See MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 07-327.

 

Special Forces Warrant Officer Accessions Bonus - Army message announces the accession bonus program for specified warrant officer MOS 180A, as well as eligibility and processing procedures.  This accession bonus is targeted to NCOs in specific MOS of 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, or 18Z, who have not more than 17 years of active federal service, and who are selected for appointment as warrant officers in MOS 180A.  Those with more than 17 years active federal service require a waiver approved by AHRC for participation in this program. This message is for active duty enlisted Soldiers and officers only.  TPU, AGR, and mobilized Reserve/National Guard Soldiers are not authorized to participate in this program. See MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 07-328.

 

FY08 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) Program (Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP) and Maintenance Test Flight Evaluators (MTFE)) - see more.

 

FY08 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) Program (Special Operation Aviators (SOAR)) - see more.

 

FY08 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) Program (Tactical Operations Warrant Officers (TACOPS - SQI I) - see more.

 

Updated Military Intelligence Warrant Officer Critical Skills Accession Bonus (CSAB) Program Issued - This message continues the Military Intelligence Warrant Officer Critical Skills Accession Bonus (MI CSAB) Program announced by MILPER message number 06-081, effective 8 Mar 06 until 30 Sep 08.  This program applies to active duty enlisted Soldiers and officers only.  AGR and mobilized Reserve/National Guard Soldiers are not authorized to participate in this program.  See the MILPER Message 07-348 for specifics.

 

Warrant Officer Applications for Active Duty and Reserve Veterinary Services Food Safety Officer (MOS 640A) - This message solicits applications from qualified active duty and reserve enlisted personnel for the FY 09 Veterinary Service warrant officer training program.  HQ USAREC will convene a competitive selection board on 21 Jul 08.  Applications must be postmarked by 27 Jun 08. Applications postmarked after 27 Jun 08  will be returned to the originator without action.  See MILPER Message Number 08-085 FY 2008 for eligibility criteria and application procedures. 

 

Looking for a new and exciting direction in your life? Check out the Army Reserve Military Technicians Program.

Military Technicians are valuable assets.  They have an important dual role, as both a civilian employee and dedicated Army Reserve Soldiers tailored to meet the day-to-day management necessary to maintain mobilization readiness of an USAR unit. The program employs more than 8,500 MTs in occupations such as aircraft operations, personnel, supply, financial management, logistics, operations, and marine mobile equipment maintenance. Employment benefits include: annual, holiday, and other leave; dual retirement and matching contributions; and health benefits and life insurance. Plus, new MT's can receive a $3,000 bonus. For learn more information click here. Applicants for the Military Technician Program must meet specific qualifications for the general schedule (GS) or wage grade (WG) federal employment, as well as for Selected Reserve duty. You must meet the qualifications for the specific job you are interested in.

 

Other Recruiting and Retention Resources:

 

 

For Current News in additional topic areas see index above.

 

 

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USAWOA Online 5/15/2008