FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 8, 2010 – The Military Health System has launched a new www.health.mil web site that provides a single point of entry to military health news, information and resources.

The site is part of the Defense Department’s continued commitment to make health information available and easy to find, [...]]]> American Forces Press Service

FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 8, 2010 – The Military Health System has launched a new www.health.mil web site that provides a single point of entry to military health news, information and resources.

The site is part of the Defense Department’s continued commitment to make health information available and easy to find, officials said. Content is categorized by topic or audience, including servicemembers, retirees and families; health care providers; educators and researchers; Military Health System staff; Defense Department leaders; and the media.

“We’ve listened to the feedback from our users and redesigned the site to make it better-easier to navigate and easier to find information,” said Dr. Michael Kilpatrick, director of strategic communications for the Military Health System. “The new Health.mil is better organized, better looking, and more seamlessly integrated with our social media efforts.”

The new design better serves the system’s health care beneficiaries by providing links to Tricare and eBenefits up front. An easy-to-navigate layout provides multiple paths to the information, including an exposed site map and a topic index on every page. The new site includes improved Section 508 compliance for the disabled and is easier to use with mobile devices. A robust search function pulls in results from across multiple organizational Web sites within the Military Health System.

America’s Military Health System is a unique partnership of medical educators, medical researchers and health-care providers and their support personnel worldwide. This Defense Department enterprise consists of the office of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs; the medical departments of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Joint Chiefs of Staff; the combatant command surgeons; and Tricare providers, including private-sector health-care providers, hospitals and pharmacies.

(From a Military Health System news release.)

The program, [...]]]> Military spouses can now apply to the competitive FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program to increase the financial knowledge of military service members and their families. The program provides fellowship recipients with the education necessary to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) designation and to provide financial counseling and education within the military community.

The program, which began in 2006, is administered in partnership with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) and the National Military Family Association. The fellowship covers the costs associated with completing the AFC® training and testing. Applications and information are available at www.MilitaryFamily.org and are due by April 15, 2010.

Many military employers, such as credit unions, financial aid offices and community service centers, need well-trained financial counselors to meet the increasing demand for financial counseling services—from budgeting and credit management to financially preparing families for PCS moves and deployments. With this training, military spouses can apply their own experiences and help more military families while building a rewarding career that is flexible and can conform to the demands of the military family lifestyle.

The program is open to spouses or surviving spouses of active duty or retired Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army or Air National Guard or reserve component service members, as well as spouses of U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration professionals.  

http://www.militaryfamily.org/publications/enewsletters/military-family-topics/finra-foundation-military.html

Operation Homefront and Lockheed Martin Corporation have partnered together to recognize the service and sacrifices of the nation’s youngest heroes with the Military Child Award. This award honors children in military families who learn [...]]]> Do you know a deserving child that you would like to nominate for a special award? Operation Homefront is currently accepting nominations!

Operation Homefront and Lockheed Martin Corporation have partnered together to recognize the service and sacrifices of the nation’s youngest heroes with the Military Child Award. This award honors children in military families who learn patriotism at a very young age and understand sacrifice and service. The Military Child Education Coalition has also partnered to help with this recognition. Nominations for the award are open to military children between the ages of 8 and 18. The winner will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for the $5,000 award and special recognition ceremony on April 8, 2010.

Please don’t forget to pass this on to your military colleagues so every special military child has a chance at this great opportunity.

Anyone can nominate a deserving child for the award, but the nominee must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System, DEERS. To nominate a child of both active duty and reserve families please visit www.homefrontonline.com  today.
Nominations end February 25, 2010.

For more information about Operation Homefront please visit www.operationhomefront.net

The Air Force Space Camp is a residential six-day program that shows youth firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut. Activities include simulated Space [...]]]> SYRACUSE, N.Y., (2/9/10) – The Air Force Services Child & Youth Program is sponsoring the AF Space Camp Program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., July 25-30.

The Air Force Space Camp is a residential six-day program that shows youth firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut. Activities include simulated Space Shuttle missions, training simulators, rocket building and launches, scientific experiments and lectures on the past, present and future of space exploration.

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

* A dependent of active duty military assigned to or living on an Air Force installation, Air Force retired military, Air Force civilian employees, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve, who have been activated within the last 12 months

* Must have a GPA of 2.8 (must provide documentation)

* Must demonstrate an application of leadership abilities and social maturity through involvement in school and community activities

* Must demonstrate skills and achievements outside of the realm of science and outside the realm of academic pursuits

* Must demonstrate a curiosity and an eagerness to explore many and varied topics

HQ USAF/A1SA has funded all lodging, meals, and activity fees after arrival at Space Camp at no cost to attendees or their installation.

Airline or POV travel costs to Huntsville are the responsibility of the attendees. Spending money for snacks and souvenirs are the responsibility of the participants.

Scholarships are available for youth ages 12 to 18. An electronic copy of the application form is available at www.afyouthprograms.com.

Interested youth must complete the application package by April 16 and send to: Sandra Mason, NGB/A1SA, 3500 Fetchet Ave, Andrews AFB MD 20762-5157.

More information about the Space Camp is available at www.spacecamp.com.

This Web site is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs (VA) [...]]]> The Department of Defense announced today that its National Resource Directory (NRD) Web site for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them, recently received a comprehensive system upgrade to provide users with easier access.

This Web site is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs (VA) and Labor (DOL), and compiles federal, state, local and non-profit resources for wounded warriors, veterans, family members and caregivers in a single, searchable site.

“We worked closely with users of the National Resource Directory to find out how to make the information they need easier to find,” said Noel Koch, deputy under secretary of defense for Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy. “The resulting re-design is easier to navigate and adds useful new features.”

The upgrade makes the latest wounded warrior and veteran issues easier to locate and follow. A new “bookmark and share” application helps visitors alert others to the content they’ve found most helpful through social bookmarking, Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking tools. Visitors can also subscribe to Really Simple Syndication (RSS) or e-mail updates to receive new content, events and features based on their specific interests and needs.

“There are thousands of programs and benefits available to wounded warriors and their families, from healthcare and housing to education and employment assistance,” said Koch. “Our people must have an easy way to sift through it all to find the resources that are most helpful for their circumstances, especially while they’re dealing with what can be overwhelming challenges. That’s why we’ve partnered with the VA and Department of Labor to offer the National Resource Directory. And with the feedback mechanisms we’ve added in the re-design, we’ll be able to keep improving our service to our wounded warriors and families.”

The faster, enhanced search engine ranks information based on the popularity of the sources among other site users, so the most valuable resources rise to the top of the search results. Visitors can tailor searches for resources in specific states and territories, and apply filters to narrow their searches.

The re-designed site also highlights resources to assist homeless veterans. NRD users can also recommend additional resources. All resources are thoroughly vetted prior to inclusion on the National Resource Directory, and as always, content is updated and reviewed daily by a content management team which includes veterans and subject matter experts.

More information is available at http://www.NationalResourceDirectory.gov .

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Cynthia Rasmussen, RN, MSN, CANP, PN, Director Psychological Health, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator will provide an overview of service member/veteran and family reintegration issues with the goal of informing communities, families, service members, employers, and health care [...]]]> A program of North Central Area Health Education Center in partnership with Northcentral Technical College. 

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Cynthia Rasmussen, RN, MSN, CANP, PN, Director Psychological Health, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator will provide an overview of service member/veteran and family reintegration issues with the goal of informing communities, families, service members, employers, and health care providers of ways to support and assist in reintegration. She will describe differences between warrior skills and home skills together with a review of Combat Operational Stress Reaction, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and other Behavioral Health issues. 

LTC Rasmussen is an Adult Nurse Practitioner currently serving in the Army Reserve as a Mental Health Nurse in her fifth year, mobilized to support the Global War on Terrorism. 

She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Nursing from Marquette University. She has represented the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at the National Polytrauma Convention, testified before the Senate Committee on Veteran’s affairs, and presented at numerous military and civilian organizations throughout the country.

Join us to learn more about the challenges people face who have served in the military as they return home.

Thursday, March 18, 2010
12:30 to 3:00 pm (registration check-in starts at 11:45)
at Northcentral Technical College

Room E101, Main Building
1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau, WI
Cost is $35 for General Registration

$20 for Students with ID

Military Veterans are invited to attend at NO COST as our honored guests.
.2 CEU (2 hours) of UW-Extension Continuing Education Units will be awarded on request for full participation.

 To register and for program information go to, https://www.ahecmanager.org/nahec/CurrentEvents.asp.

 For additional assistance contact Bobbie Kolehouse at bkolehouse@nahec-wi.org or 715.340.9111.

 Homecoming: Understanding Emotional and Physical Issues of Veteran Reintegration  is a presentation of the North Central Wisconsin Area Health Education Center, affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, in partnership with Northcentral Technical College.

 Have you returned from military deployment during the past six months?

Participants are needed for a 30-minute study about romantic relationships after military deployment. 

Participants will earn a $15 Target or Wal-Mart Gift Card (your choice) by completing an online questionnaire. 

You are eligible if (1) you are 18 years of age or older, [...]]]> EARN A $15 GIFT CARD!

 Have you returned from military deployment during the past six months?

Participants are needed for a 30-minute study about romantic relationships after military deployment. 

Participants will earn a $15 Target or Wal-Mart Gift Card (your choice) by completing an online questionnaire. 

You are eligible if (1) you are 18 years of age or older, (2) you are currently in a romantic relationship, (3) you returned from deployment during the past six months, and (4) you are a U.S. citizen. 

Participation is limited to only one partner per couple. The study will take approximately 30 minutes of your time.

To participate, visit this website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N8B2QTY

Questions? Email Professor Leanne Knobloch, University of Illinois (knobl@illinois.edu) or Professor Jennifer Theiss, Rutgers University (jtheiss@rutgers.edu).

During the showcase event at Lambeau Field on May 22 we will remember those who did [...]]]> In May of 2010, Vietnam Veterans and their families are invited to a special Welcome Home celebration at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The big event will include several days of concerts and reunions, and exhibits including The Moving Wall™.

During the showcase event at Lambeau Field on May 22 we will remember those who did not return from combat with music, readings, and a preview of the Wisconsin Public Television documentary, Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories.

The intention of the event is to provide Vietnam veterans with the Welcome Home that which was denied them 40 years ago. In this effort, Wisconsin Public Television, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the Department of Veterans Affairs became partners in the Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories Project. But for the effort to create the event called LZ Lambeau, the partners are joined by the Green Bay Packers, the City of Green Bay, the State of Wisconsin, several of Wisconsin’s Indian Nations, and a growing group of veterans’ organizations.

Designed by the veterans and veterans service organizations, Wisconsin’s Vietnam War veterans and Vietnam Era veterans, and all their families, are invited to a weekend of activities that will include a motorcycle ride across the state from La Crosse to Green Bay, concerts, The Moving Wall™ exhibit, Vietnam War military exhibits, photo exhibits, vehicle and helicopter displays, and social get-togethers.

The Welcome Home Weekend will culminate with the veterans and their families filling Lambeau Field for an official Memorial Ceremony for their fallen colleagues. This presentation will feature music and spoken word performances, and screenings of excerpts from the Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories documentary on the Tundravision.

A special outreach effort is underway to encourage the participation of the families of the more than 1,200 Wisconsinites who did not return from the war, and the families of those returned veterans who did not live long enough to be welcomed home.

This event, certain to attract nation-wide attention, is a chance for our veterans to finally be able to take public pride in their service, and to receive the appreciation and recognition they deserve.