IN THIS ISSUE

http://= www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sc9207.doc.htm=

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

October 3= 0, 2008

This is= an official publication of the Enlisted Association of the National Gu= ard of the United States. Feel free to forward and share this informati= on. EANGUS is non-partisan. We report the facts - you decide on your position.

Quote of the Week--

"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote." (William E. Simon)

Does Your Vote Really Count?<= br>
Almost 125 million people voted in the 2004 presidential election. = And every vote counts. Here's a smattering of close elections.

In 1972, Dorothy Wilson was re-elected as a Nevada justice of peace= by the flip of a coin.

Campaigning for a seat on the Massachusetts Governor's Council on t= he day of the primary election in 1988, Herbert Connolly lost track of time - and got to his polling place too late to vote. The polls had closed just minutes before. When the ballots were counted later that night, he'd lost by one vote.

In 2000, the Presidential election was decided by 537 votes, between George Bush and Al Gore.

In 2002, in a Congressional race in the 7th District of Colorado, o= nly 121 votes separated the top two candidates, Bob Beauprez and Mike Feeney.

In 2004, the Washington state governor's race came down to 133 important voters who favored Christine Gregoire over Dino Rossi.

In 2006, Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District was decided by on= ly 83 votes, giving Joe Courtney the seat over Rob Simmons.

In 2008, make sure you vote.

Spring Ahead; Fall Back; Blame Golf<= br>
The prominent English builder and outdoorsman William Willett conce= ived Daylight Savings Time in 1905 during a pre-breakfast ride, when he observed with dismay how many Londoners slept through a large part = of a summer day. An avid golfer, he also disliked cutting short his roun= d at dusk. His solution was to advance the clock during the summer month= s, a proposal he published two years later. He lobbied unsuccessfully for the proposal until his death in 1915.

Germany, its World War I allies, and their occupied zones were the first European nations to use Willett's invention, starting April 3= 0, 1916. Britain, most of its allies, and many European neutrals soon followed suit. Russia and a few other countries waited until the ne= xt year; and the United States adopted it in 1918. Since then, the wor= ld has seen many enactments, adjustments, and repeals.

Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. = on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a diffe= rent time. This began in 2007. The 2007 U.S. change was part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; previously, from 1987 through 2006, the = start and end dates were the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October, and Congress retains the right to go back to the previous dates once an energy-consumption study is done.

In the U.S., 2:00 a.m. was originally chosen as the changeover time because it was practical and minimized disruption. Most people were= at home and this was the time when the fewest trains were running. It = is late enough to minimally affect bars and restaurants, and it preven= ts the day from switching to yesterday, which would be confusing. It is early enough that the entire continental U.S. switches by daybreak,= and the changeover occurs before most early shift workers and early churchgoers are affected.

For the U.S. and its territories, Daylight Saving Time is NOT obser= ved in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, t= he Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and Arizona. The Navajo Nation participates in the Daylight Saving Time policy, even in Arizona, due to its large size and location in three states.

So this weekend, turn your clocks back one hour in observance of Daylight Saving Time.

Pay & COLA Raises for 2009&= nbsp;

Military pay raise: 3.9%, effective January 1st

Civil service pay raise: 3.9%, effective January 1st (does not include locality pay)

Military retirees COLA: 5.8%, effective December 1st (t= hose who retired in 2008 receive partial COLA)

VA disability and pensions: 5.8%, effective December 1st

Social Security COLA: 5.8%, effective December 1st

SBP annuities COLA: 5.8%, effective December 1st <= br>
Military pay raises are based on private sector pay growth, as meas= ured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Cost Index (ECI). Their intent is to ensure military p= ay is kept reasonably comparable to private sector pay, to allow the services to compete successfully for manpower over time.

Retired pay COLAs, on the other hand, are cost-of-living adjustments that track to inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).= Their purpose is to ensure that whatever purchasing power a member's reti= red pay represented on the date he or she left service isn't eroded by = inflation over time.

Over time, the two tend to even out. During the 1970s, COLAs were higher in 5 years and pay raises won out for the other five. In the '80s, pay raises beat COLAs (6 - 4); in the '90s, it was 50-50 spli= t (5 - 5). The first half of this decade, pay raises were higher, but wi= th COLAs higher for three of the last 4 years, the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way again.

Will We Stay or Wil= l We Go?<= o:p>

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was authorized by = his cabinet this week to reopen discussions with the U.S. on the vital status-of-forces agreement.

The Status of Forces Agreement, known as SOFA, is a pa= ct that determines how the U.S. military operates on foreign soil. The United States has SOFAs with more than 100 nations, including Afghanistan, Japan and the Philippines.

A spokesman said "essential amendments" to the deal were proposed by some cabinet ministers, although not all would be subje= ct to negotiation.

If approved by parliament, the agreement would keep American forces in Iraq through 2011. If legislators don't OK it by Dec. 31, there would be no legal basis for the US to continue opera= ting there. The U.S. has been operating in Iraq under a United Nat= ions Security Council mandate of multinational force which expires on De= c. 31, 2008.

Free Park City Lodging for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans-No Strings Attached

In an effort to express our heartfelt gratitude for your honorable service, All Seasons Resort Lodging would like to invite you to enj= oy a complimentary night to any of our nine Park City vacation propertie= s.

To view our Park City locations please go to www.allseasonsresortlodging.com. To reserve your room call <= b>888-575-2775. When calling, please pro= vide your company and unit information.

Details:
---Each serviceman is eligible to enjoy this offer up to two times = per year.
---Additional nights beyond the first free night can be purchased at 50% off regular rates.
---Certain blackout dates may apply and currently include: 7/6 - 7/26/08, 12/22 -1/3/09, 1/15 - 1/25/09, 2/13 - 2/21/09, and 3/14 - 3/21/09. Additional blackout periods at the Silver King Hotel: 1/4 - 3/31/09. Additional black out periods may be added without notice.<= br> ---Other restrictions may apply.

Humana Partners with MinuteClinic<= br>
Humana Military Healthcare Services (HMHS) and the TRICARE Contract= or for the South Region, is pleased to announce an innovative service available to its beneficiaries. The addition of MinuteClinics= to the HMHS network will increase access for TRICARE beneficiaries, wh= ile providing services in a timely and convenient setting. The clinics = that TRICARE beneficiaries may utilize beginning October 1 are in the fo= llowing locations; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Austin, Houston, and Dallas/= Fort Worth in Texas. Additional locations will be added to the net= work in November.

MinuteClinic healthcare centers are located inside CVS pharmacies a= nd staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners specializing in fami= ly healthcare, with physician oversight. They are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses= and provide vaccinations. In addition, the clinics administer a series = of wellness services designed to help beneficiaries identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health. Beneficiaries are able to receive services that are TRICARE covered benefits.

MinuteClinics are open seven-days-a-week; Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.= to 8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are not necessary and most visits take between 10-15 minutes. = The clinics are conveniently located in a retail setting, with pharmacy= and over the counter medications available in the same location.

To promote quality and personal attention for patients, MinuteClinic healthcare centers are staffed by board-certified nurse practitione= rs with college degrees and graduate-level training in family healthca= re. Nurse practitioners work in collaboration with physicians and may prescribe medication when it is part of the treatment plan. E= ach MinuteClinic receives support from a local physician that serves as medical director and is on call during hours of operation to provide guidance when needed.

For more information and to find specific MinuteClinic locations, please visit the HMHS provider locator, http://= hmd.humana-military.com/MinorCareList.asp.

VA Decides Not to Outsource =

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced October 13, 2008 that = it will rely upon its own workforce to set up the information technolo= gy programs needed to implement the educational benefits of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. In other words, it will not outsource the process to non-VA vendors.

The Department's announcement came after VA officials did not recei= ve enough proposals from qualified private-sector contractors to creat= e an information technology program that implements the new benefit. At no time did VA consider contracting out responsibility for actually administering this educational assistan= ce.

"Many private contractors were apparently reluctant to offer proposals because of external misconceptions as to the scope of the work involved. While it is unfortunate that we will not have = the technical expertise from the private sector available to assist us = in developing the information technology solution, the VA can and will deliver the benefits program on time," said Secretary of Veter= ans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.

"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is unusually complex, with payments bei= ng tailored to tuition costs and going to both students and educational institutions," said Patrick W. Dunne, the Under Secretary for Benefits. "Some benefits are determined by a school's zip code= and others by in-state rates for tuition."

Dunne said the Department would have been remiss if it had failed to assess the ability of the private sector to assist VA to set up the technology aspects of the program's implementation.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will provide educational assistance to vetera= ns, military members, reservists and National Guard members who have se= rved since Sept. 11, 2001. By law, the new benefits are sched= uled to start on Aug. 1, 2009.

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009

Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South

5821 Richmond Highwa= y, Alexandria, Virginia 22303 (703) 329-1400 F= ax (703)329-1424

** Hotel room rate is $139
**Hotel has 57 new studio suites as well as 133 regular rooms
**Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to Metro Station and= Old Town
**Hotel provides hot breakfast every morning at no additional charg= e
**Hotel does not charge for parking
**No registration fee for workshop

Monday March 2, 2009

**Track I and II combined training sessions
** Catered lunch (Subway-provided by EANGUS) with all day track training
**Icebreaker social Monday night at Hampton

Tuesday March 3, 2009

** Awards Breakfast and Tracks I session (new attendees) continues = on the Hill. Track II attendees (past attendees) ends at the end= of Awards Breakfast, with Hill visits the rest of the day. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotel to the hill for the Awards Breakfast only. Getting back to the hotel will be on y= our own.

Wednesday March 4, 2009

** Hill visits (you provide your own transportation)

Travel days March 1 and 4 or 5

Arrive Sunday March 1; fly into DCA Reagan National Airport. Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to/from DCA; IAD Dulle= s is 40 miles away; BWI Baltimore is 30 miles away

Depart either Wednesday afternoon March 4 or Thursday March 5

Make your own appointments = with your Hill lawmakers before attending the workshop<= o:p>

EANGUS Travel Advantage Deal of the Week

<= /span>

Follow this link for travel values:

More troops to Afghanistan

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

Defense Bill Sign= ed

Year of the NCO

Military Ride Sha= re

2d Fisher House i= n SD

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

= EANGUS= MINUTEMAN UPDATE

October 1= 6, 2008

Quote of the Week--

"When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil."

--Max Lerner

Defense Bill Signed

President Bush signed the fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill in= to law Tuesday morning.

The measure (S 3001), authorizes about $611 billion for national-security programs in the Defense and Energy departments in= the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. It includes about $68 billion for expenses related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the initial months of the fiscal year. The funding itself has been appropriated= in separate measures.

The measure's most politically resonant element is its authorizatio= n of a 3.9% pay raise for military personnel, a half percentage point mo= re than Bush sought. The raise - as well as other special pay and bonu= ses - cannot take effect unless enacted as part of the authorization bi= ll, even if congressional appropriators already have allocated the mone= y.

The bill's clout also resides in its policy provisions. For instanc= e, it requires the administration to bring to Congress for review - but not approval - any agreement reached with Iraq on the future of U.S. forces there.

The legislation bans fee hikes for certain participants in the military's health care network, and it includes provisions that gov= ern weapons procurement; address waste, fraud and abuse in Pentagon spending; and stipulate the size of the armed forces.

Signaling Congress' reluctance to maintain further high spending for Iraq, the bill bars the use of Pentagon funds for large-scale infrastructure projects in Iraq, with certain exceptions. And it ca= lls on the federal government to begin negotiating a cost-sharing agree= ment for joint U.S.-Iraqi military operations and to ensure that Iraq pa= ys for the costs of its own security forces.

The bill would authorize spending on several advanced weapons syste= ms. For example, it authorizes $2.9 billion for 20 F-22 fighter jets, p= lus $523 million in advanced procurement for additional planes, while limiting the amount that could be spent on parts for future F-22s to $140 million, pending a decision by the next president to continue producing the jets. Bush deferred that decision to his successor. <= br>
Leaders of the two Armed Services committees rewrote or deleted provisions that had triggered veto threats, including two items that were in both the House and Senate versions of the measure: a ban on using private contractors as interrogators in U.S. military detenti= on facilities and a freeze on competitions involving private firms vyi= ng for Defense Department work.

The Senate cleared the final measure by voice vote on Sept. 27.

Senate Republicans, concerned about their inability to get a vote o= n an amendment related to earmarks, had objected to a formal conference committee on the bill. As a result, the final version was written mainly by the senior members of the two Armed Services panels.=

More U.S. troops needed in Afghanistan 'quickly,' gene= ral says

Allied forces are facing a tougher fight in Afghanistan than was expected and need an infusion of American troops "as quickly as possible," the top U.S. commander there said last week.

The warning by Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of the NATO-= led International Security Assistance Force, served as a counterpoint to Bush administration plans to delay a significant shift in forces fr= om Iraq to Afghanistan.

"We are in a tough counterinsurgency fight, we are in a higher level of violence this year than we were this time last year," McKiernan said, hours before a meeting with President Bush in Washington. "In the east and south we are seeing a greater amo= unt of insecurity in certain areas. So I wouldn't say things are all on= the right track."

McKiernan was in Washington to take part in a review of U.S. strate= gy in Afghanistan by the Pentagon and White House. After meeting with the general, Bush said McKiernan had offered a candid assessme= nt but did not say whether the administration would move more quickly = to send additional troops to Afghanistan. Bush acknowledged there had = been "tough fighting" there but cited improvements in educatio= n, healthcare and roads. "Obviously, this is a situation wh= ere there's been progress and there are difficulties," Bush said.<= br>
The administration has promised an additional combat brigade for Afghanistan by early next year. But three additional brigades that McKiernan has requested will not be available until later in 2009, after the U.S. withdraws more forces from Iraq. McKiernan did= not say whether he considers that soon enough but was blunt in his appraisal. "We're in a very tough fight," McKiernan said. "The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility."

McKiernan's Washington visit came amid growing Pentagon concern over violence in Afghanistan. In addition to the overall level of violen= ce, suicide attacks by militants have grown more lethal, one senior def= ense official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorize= d to speak on the matter. The number of suicide attacks this year, 121 through late September, is up slightly from the same period last ye= ar, which saw 118 attacks. But the death toll has grown markedly, with a 126% increase in the number of noncombatants killed.

McKiernan attributed the rise in violence in part to an influx of foreign fighters, including Chechens, Uzbeks, Arabs and Europeans. = They are coming in through the porous Afghan-Pakistani border, he said.<= br>
McKiernan endorsed a proposal by Afghanistan's defense minister to create a joint force that could patrol the border. "It is a ve= ry powerful idea, and I would like to pursue that," said the gene= ral, who hopes the Pakistan military endorses a version of the plan.

McKiernan said many strategic decisions must be left to the Afghan government, including whether to pay tribes not to fight or to reconcile with Taliban leaders. Afghan President Hamid Karzai reportedly made an overture this week to Taliban leader Mullah Moha= mmed Omar, who is believed to be in Pakistan. Previously, U.S. commanders have considered top-level Taliban members as "irreconcilable."

Pointing to the potential difficulty ahead, McKiernan shook off a question about an "exit strategy." "I am not e= ven looking at an exit strategy right now," he said.

(By Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer)

Army Secretary Announces 2009 Will Be 'Year of NCO'<= o:p>

The Army will recogn= ize the value of its enlisted leaders at all levels of command as it observes "The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer" in 200= 9, Army Secretary Pete Geren said October 6, 2008. <= /p>

"At the front of every Army mission in the United States or overseas, you'll find a noncommissioned officer," he said. "They know their missi= on, they know their equipment, but most importantly, they know their soldiers."

The secretary said that during the year, the Army will develop new initiatives that enhance the training, education, capability and us= e of the NCO corps, showcase the NCO story to the Army and the American people, and honor the sacrifices and celebrate contributions of the= NCO corps, past and present.

"Today's NCO operates autonomously, and always with confidence= and competence," he said. "Our NCOs are empowered and trusted like no other NCO in the world, and most advanced armies in the wor= ld today are going to school on our model."

Military Ride Share

A recently launched website offers servicemembers a place to find someone to share a ride with and save a little money.

The free website ena= bles servicemembers to connect with other servicemembers who are traveli= ng in the same direction on liberty, leave, and PCS transfers.

This rideshare conce= pt has never been targeted specifically to military members before, but since the site's launch on Sept. 13, 2008, the response has been gr= eat and many servicemembers posted offers and requests for rides. =

Servicemembers can s= tart saving money on travel by logging on to MilitaryRideShare.com. E-ma= il jen@militaryrideshare.com for more information.

http://= www.militaryrideshare.com/

2nd Fisher House In San Diego Opens For Military =

A second Fisher House was opened last week adjacent to Naval Medical Center San Diego to accommodate family members of military personnel undergoing treatment at the center. The $4-million project was unde= rwritten by the Fisher House Foundation, the T. Boone Pickens Foundation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

The center's first Fisher House, with eight bedrooms, was opened in 1992 and has served more than 4,000 families.

The second house, wi= th 12 bedrooms, is the 41st Fisher House across the nation under a pro= gram begun by the late New York real estate magnate and philanthropist Zachary Fisher.

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009

Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South

EANGUS Travel Advantage Deal of the Week

<= /span>

Follow this link for travel values:

Noyce Merino name= d NCO of Year

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of = other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

New NGB Chief!

Blum Moves to NOR= THCOM

Respite for Careg= ivers

Easing Bankruptcy= Rules

Easing Federal Employment

New Benefits Hand= book

Family Benefit Permanent

http://= turbotap.org
https:/= /www.nko.navy.mil
http://= www.npc.navy.mil
https:/= /www.aw2.army.mil
https:/= /www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/AFP40/d/1073755231/Files/C&BHandbook=

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

October 9= , 2008

This is= an official publication of the Enlisted Association of the National Gu= ard of the Unite= d States. Feel free to forward and share this information. EANGUS is non-part= isan. We report the facts - you decide on your position.<= o:p>

Senate Confirms McKinley as Guard Bureau Chief<= /b> = <= o:p>

The Senate confirmed= Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley October 2nd to receive his fourth = star and to serve as the 26th chief of the National Guard Bureau. McKinl= ey, the current director of the Air National Guard, will become the fir= st four-star general in the nearly 372-year history of the National Gu= ard.

Nominated for the post in September by President Bush, McKinley will succeed Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, whom the Senate also confirmed to become the first National Guard officer to serve = as deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command.

As chief of the National Guard Bureau, McKinley will be the senior uniformed officer representing nearly 468,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen. He will also serve as the principal advisor to the chairma= n of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on National Guard issues.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates recommended McKinley for the upgr= aded four-star position in July following the recommendations of the Commission on the Guard and Reserves and the fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. The act also established the Guard Burea= u as a joint activity of the Defense Department. "General McKinley = has earned this place in history," Gates said. "I trust he wi= ll continue to lead the Guard to new heights."

A Florida National Guard member, McKinley has served as director of= the 107,000-member Air National Guard since May 2006. Prior to that, he served as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and programs at= Air Force headquarters. He is a command pilot with more than 34 years of military service.

A date has not been set for McKinley's promotion and assumption of office, bureau officials said.

Senate Confirms Blum as Deputy Combatant Commander = 3D"Steven <= br> On October 3, 2008, the Senate confirmed Army LTG H Steven Blum as = the Deputy Commander of U. S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). Blum will replace Army LTG William Webster. He is the first National Gu= ard three-star general to be assigned to a combatant command, and the f= irst National Guard general to be a Deputy Combatant Commander.

Blum, the current Ch= ief of the National Guard Bureau (and EANGUS Life Member), has led the = Guard Bureau since April 2003. Prior to becoming the Chief, Blum was the Chief of Staff at US NORTHCOM.

As authorized by President George W. Bush April 17, 2002, the Department of Defense announced the establishment of USNORTHCOM to consolidate under a single unified command those existing homeland defense and civil support missions that were previously executed by other military organizations.

A Unified Combatant Command is a United States joint military command composed of forces from two or more services, has a broad and continuing mission, and is organized either on a geograph= ical or regional basis or on a functional basis. Those with region= al responsibilities are:
---United States Africa Command - USAFRICOM (HQ: Stuttgart, Germany= )
---United States Central Command - USCENTCOM (HQ: Tampa, FL)
---United States European Command - USEUCOM (HQ: Stuttgart, Germany= )
---United States Pacific Command - USPACOM (HQ: Honolulu, HI)
---United States Northern Com= mand - USNORTHCOM (HQ: Colorado Springs, CO) <= br> ---United States Southern Command - USSOUTHCOM (HQ: Mi= ami, FL)

Those Combatant Commands with functional responsibilities:
---United States Joint Forces Command - USJFCOM (HQ: Norfolk, VA) <= br> ---United States Special Operations Command - USSOCOM (HQ: Tampa, F= L)
---United States Strategic Command - USSTRATCOM (HQ: Omaha, NE)
---United States Transportation Command - USTRANSCOM (HQ: Bellevill= e, IL)

Guard Member n= amed Army NCO of the Year 3D"Noyce

October 6, 2008--Today the US Army announced the selec= tion of Staff Sergeant Michael Noyce Merino of the Montana Army National Guard as the Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 2008<= /span>. An EANGUS member and infantryman from B Troop 1st Squadron 163rd Cavalry Regiment in Missoula,= Noyce Merino has served three deployments. You can find more about him at this site. Congratulations Michael--well done!

TRICARE Offers Respite for Caregivers of Severely Inju= red = Service Members
TRICARE now offers primary caregivers of Active Duty Service Members much needed rest, relief and reprieve thanks to section 1633 of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The respite benefit specifically helps homebound Active Duty Service Members who need frequent help from their primary caregiver. Active Duty Service Members include National Guard members on Title= 10 active duty orders.

It is important to know that "homebound" members are serv= ice members whose conditions or injuries make them unable to leave home without taxing effort. "Frequent" means that service memb= ers need more than two interventions during the eight-hour period per d= ay that the primary caregiver would normally be sleeping.

To provide the best possible help and respite for caregivers, this benefit will provide a maximum of eight hours of respite per day, f= ive days per week.

Active Duty Service Members, or their legal representatives, can su= bmit receipts for reimbursement of respite care services that were provi= ded after Jan. 1, 2008, by a TRICARE-authorized Home Health Agency.&nbs= p; For more information about this benefit visit this TRICARE= Web site.

Respite Care is an option for those who need relief from the demands of providing cons= tant care for the recovering service member. It gives the regular caregi= ver some time off to breathe, relax, regroup. Respite care reduces caregiver stress and can allow the caregiver to do activities that = may also relieve some sadness. Respite care includes adult day care and home-care services, as well as overnight stays in a facility, and c= an be provided a few hours a week or for a weekend.<= /p>

Easing Bankruptcy Rules for Military Reservists

The House Thursday cleared a bill to ease bankruptcy rules for mili= tary reservists and National Guard members who have been on active duty.=
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-IL, passed 411-= 0. It now goes to the White House for the president's signature.

The legislation was drafted to address complaints from reservists a= nd guardsmen whose small businesses and personal finances have flounde= red as a result of recurring combat deployments.

The bill would prevent courts from dismissing bankruptcy cases base= d on means-testing if the debtor has been on active duty in the reserves= or National Guard since Sept. 11, 2001, and for more than 90 days. The= ban would be effective for the first year and a half following the reservist or guardsman's return home.

"Many service members are small business owners who have to put their businesses on hold while they serve their country, and some a= re forced to sacrifice those businesses altogether and, of course, some may face losing their homes when they return because of their finan= cial distress," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL "The bill would allow National Guard and reservists to file for bankruptcy without = the burden of the means test that assesses their eligibility for bankru= ptcy protection."

The means test sometimes has an adverse impact on reservists and guardsmen because their combat pay is often higher than their salar= ies at home, where they have higher expenses than they face overseas. T= he means test factors in a person's income and expenses for the six-mo= nth period preceding their bankruptcy filing.

"Often it will take several months for a service member to gai= n an understanding of his or her financial situation after returning hom= e, so this bill expands the time of eligibility to a year and a half a= fter the service member has been released from active duty," Rep. D= ana Rohrabacher, R-CA.

The Senate passed the bill Sept. 30.

Executive Order Eas= es Federal Employment for Military Spouses

President Bush signed an executi= ve order that will make it easier for spouses of servicemembers to get federal jo= bs. The order authorizes noncompetitive hiring of spouses and should ma= ke the hiring process easier and faster for those in this category.

"It shall be the policy of the United States to provide for the appropriately expedited recruitment and selection of spouses of mem= bers of the armed forces for appointment to positions in the competitive service of the federal civil service as part of the effort of the United States to recruit and retain in military service, skilled and experienced members of the armed forces and to recognize and honor = the service of such members injured, disabled or killed in connection w= ith their service," Bush wrote in the ord= er, issued Sept. 26.

To be eligible, individuals have to be the spouse of an active-duty member or of a reservist on active duty called on to relocate. Also= eligible are the spouses of servicemembers listed as 100 percent disabled and separated or retired, as well as widows or widowers of servicemembe= rs who died on active duty and who have not remarried.

The objective of this appointment is to actually get their foot in = the door, and then they will be able to move around the federal governm= ent that much easier. This authority gets them into the door. It doesn't waive the qualifications for the job. The director of the Office of Personnel Management will issue the implementing regulations.

DOD Develops Compensation & Benefits Handbook
&= nbsp;
DOD has developed a comprehensive handbook describing compensa= tion and other benefits service members and their families would be enti= tled to upon separation or retirement as a result of serious injury or illness.

"The Compensation and Benefits Handbook is the one source of information that covers everything a seriously ill and injured serv= ice member will need during his or her recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration," said Ronald A. Winter, principal deputy assist= ant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.

The handbook was compiled in cooperation with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education a= nd the Social Security Administration. Additionally; there are references to assistance provided by other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations.

"The handbook describes the disability eligibility proce= ss, various program qualifications, application procedures, and numerous resources with associated contact information," said Sharon Gunselman, policy and resource analyst for the Department of Defense.

Web sites and toll-free numbers are provided, and the electronic version includes hyperlinks. The electronic version of the handbook will be updated frequently and the hard copy of the compensation and benefits handbook will be updated annually.

The electronic version of the handbook can be found on the five Web sites listed below:

TRICARE Reserve and Guard Family Benefit Now Permanent

Eligible families of activated National Guard and Reserve members w= ill continue to save up to $300 in annual deductibles now that a TRICARE "demonstration" program is a permanent benefit.

Eligible family members of Guard and Reserve personnel activated for more than 30 days under federal orders in support of a contingency operation are made eligible for TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra, which have annual deductibles. While they may be eligible to enroll into TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members, which have no deductibles, many may choose to stay = with TRICARE Standard or Extra.

Introduced as one of the first TRICARE healthcare enhancements after Sept. 11, 2001 to assist the increasing number of National Guard and Reserve service members activated to support the Global War on Terrorism, the benefit waiving annual deductibles has been a demonstration project for over seven years.

Guard or Reserve families often meet annual deductibles under their commercial plans before they get activated. Waiving the TRICARE Standard and Extra deductibles means eligible families will not hav= e to pay additional deductibles under TRICARE. The annual deductible for Standard and Extra is $300 for families.

The published regulation also contains provisions that make it easi= er for Reserve and Guard members to continue to see their family physicians by potentially increasing the amount that can be paid to out-of-network health care providers.

Since eligibility for TRICARE benefits is determined by the service= s, to ensure family members are eligible for the TRICARE Reserve Family Benefit, activated Reserve and Guard members should visit their loc= al military ID card issuing facility and update their information in t= he Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception=
March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009=

Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South =

5821 Richmond Highw= ay, Alexandria, Virginia 22303
(703) 329-1400 Fax (703)329-1424

** Hotel room rate is $139
**Hotel has 57 new studio suites as well as 133 regular rooms
**Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to Metro Station and= Old Town
**Hotel provides hot breakfast every morning at no additional charg= e
**Hotel does not charge for parking
**No registration fee for workshop

Monday March 2, 2009

**Track I and II combined training sessions
** Catered lunch (Subway-provided by EANGUS) with all day track training
**Icebreaker social Monday night at Hampton

Tuesday March 3, 2009

** Awards Breakfast and Tracks I session (new attendees) continues = on the Hill. Track II attendees (past attendees) ends at the end= of Awards Breakfast, with Hill visits the rest of the day. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotel to the hill for the Awards Breakfast only. Getting back to the hotel will be on y= our own.

Wednesday March 4, 2009

** Hill visits (you provide your own transportation)

Travel days March 1 and 4 or 5

Arrive Sunday March 1; fly into DCA Reagan<= /st1:PlaceName> National Airport. Hotel provi= des complimentary shuttle service to/from DCA; IAD Dulles is 40 miles a= way; BWI Baltimore is 30 miles away

Depart either Wednesday afternoon March 4 or Thursday March 5

Make your own appointments with your Hill lawmakers before attending the workshop

EANGUS Travel Advantage Deal of the Week

<= /span>

Follow this link for travel values:

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

Defense Authoriza= tion

Defense Funding a= nd CR

Free YMCA Members= hips

Membership Worksh= op

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

= EANGUS= MINUTEMAN UPDATE

October 2= , 2008

Quote of the Week:

"You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move = and does, use the duct tape."

Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2009<= br>
The 2009 NDAA is on the President's desk, ready for signature.

The NDAA has almost $6 billion each for the Air Guard and Army Guard for operations and maintenance. It sets the end strength for = the Army Guard at 352,600 and for the Air Guard at 106,756. It al= lows for 32,060 AGRs for the Army Guard and 14,300 AGRs for the Air Guard. It allows for 27,210 mil techs for the Army Guard and 22,459 mil techs for the Air Guard. The bill has $750 million= for National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account.

It increases military pay by 3.9% and extends special pays and bonuses. It extends prohibitions on increased premiums and co-pays for TRICARE recipients and increased user fees for the TRIC= ARE retail pharmacy program. It includes waiver of copayments for preve= ntive services such as annual physicals and colorectal screenings. = It requires the recalculation and reduction of monthly TRICARE Reserve Select premiums being charged. It includes a tuition assistance pro= gram for military spouses seeking degrees or careers that are portable, = such as nursing or financial planning.

Defense Appropriati= ons and the Continuing Resolution

<= o:p>

The President, on Tuesday, signed the massive appropriations bill into law. Aside from Defense, Veterans Administration, and Homeland Security, it will fund the government through March 6 2009 on a continuing resolution and includes $22.9 billion in emergency spending for disaster relief. The Department of Defense has its annual appropriation and is not under the continuing resolution. <= o:p>

<= o:p>

The Defense portion - the largest annual spending meas= ure - would provide $487.7 billion to the Pentagon in discretionary spending. $750 million for National Guard and Reserve equipment is = included, as is $72 million for a new initiative to pay troops $500 for every month their term of service will be involuntarily and arbitrarily extended in 2009 due to stop loss. <= /p>

<= o:p>

It funds 20 new F-22A fighters, 14 new F-35 Joint Stri= ke Fighters, 7 new C-27 Joint Cargo Aircraft, and 12 Armed Reconnaissa= nce Helicopters. It raises military pay 3.9%, a half percentage p= oint more than the President's request. It denies increases in TRI= CARE fees, and includes $300 million for TBI and mental health programs.= It does not contain any language that calls for the withdrawal of US forces from = Iraq.<= /p>

Free YMCA Membershi= ps for Guard, Reserve=

The Defense Department signed a new contract with the National YMCA= that will provide free family YMCA memberships to families of National G= uard or reserve members at the more
than 2,000 participating centers in local communities.

Beginning in October 2008, free family memberships will be available for 18 months -- while the service member-spouse is deployed -- and= for three months before and after the deployment.

YMCAs offer fitness centers with free child-watch while the parent works out, as well as family and youth programs, swim lessons, personal development classes and more. Detailed informatio= n is available at the Military OneSource website.

Education Program R= ewards Good Grades=
=
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is moving military studen= ts who excel in the classroom to the head of the class with its "= You Made the Grade" program.

Now in its eighth year, the education rewards initiative recognizes students who maintain a "B" average or better with a book= let chock full of complimentary prizes for every qualifying report card= .

AAFES' "You Made the Grade" booklet includes coupons for a variety of free offers such as admission for two to a Reel Time Theater, a Burger King Hamburger Kid's meal, a magazine of the student's choice and even a slice of pizza along with a medium drin= k. Each booklet also contains an entry form for a quarterly drawing in which three winners are randomly awarded savings bonds in $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 denominations.

"'You Made the Grade' is a great vehicle for recognizing milit= ary students who excel, oftentimes through adversities that the average student does not face such as a deployed parent or frequent moves," said AAFES public affairs officer Maj. Edwina Walton. =

To receive the AAFES "You Made the Grade" booklet, studen= ts must present a valid military ID card and proof of an overall "B" or better average to their local BX/PX. Students may receive one coupon package for every qualifying report card, but may enter the savings bond drawing only once per calendar year. Military families can contact their local AAFES main store manager or general manager for more information.

= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

= Membership Workshop in Gulfport

= EANGUS President Frank Lever welcomes you to Gulfport MS in October for a membership workshop. Motivational speakers, software training, and answers to all your questions will be part of the agenda. Register on-line on our home page at www.ean= gus.org. No internet or wi-fi access will be publicly available, so if you b= ring your laptop, plan accordingly.

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception
March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009

Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South =

**Track I and II combined training sessions
** Catered lunch (Subway-provided by EANGUS) with all day track training
**Icebreaker social Monday night at Hampton

Tuesday March 3, 2009

** Awards Breakfast and Tracks I session (new attendees) continues = on the Hill. Track II attendees (past attendees) ends at the end= of Awards Breakfast, with Hill visits the rest of the day. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotel to the hill for the Awards Breakfast only. Getting back to the hotel will be on y= our own.

Wednesday March 4, 2009

** Hill visits (you provide your own transportation)

Travel days March 1 and 4 or 5

Arrive Sunday March 1; fly into DCA Reagan<= /st1:PlaceName> National Airport. Hotel provi= des complimentary shuttle service to/from DCA; IAD Dulles is 40 miles a= way; BWI Baltimore is 30 miles away

Depart either Wednesday afternoon March 4 or Thursday March 5

Make your own appointments with your Hill lawmakers before attending the workshop

EANGUS Travel Advant= age Deal of the Week

Follow this link for travel values: =