Rao bulletin 1 December 2015 html edition this bulletin contains the following articles

05 == Army Retention Program --------- (Re-Enlistment Opportunity | 2016)

06 == DCoE Webinar ----------------------- (How Blue Light Can Hurt Sleep)

07 == POW/MIA Recoveries ---------------- (Reported 151116 thru 151130)

11 == VA Privatization [01] --------- (New Poll Indicates Vets Not in Favor)

12 == VA Caregiver Program [30] --------- (Alzheimer’s Awareness Month)

13 == VA Scandal News ------ (Exorbitant Relocation Allowances | 151220)

14 == Agent Orange Exposed Ships [03] ----- (Nov 2015 Updated List | VN)

15 == VA Health Care Enrollment [05] ---- (Post-9/11 Combat Vets Denied)

16 == VA Vet Choice Program [25] ---------------------- (New VCP Proposal)

17 == VA Pharmacy [05] --------------------------- (2016 Copay | No Increase)

18 == VAMC Albany NY -------- (Director Placed on Administrative Leave)

20 == VAMC Washington DC [01] ------------------ (Home Care Wait Times)

20 == VAMC Richmond VA [01] ------- (OSHA Unsafe Workplace Notices)
. * VETS * .
21 == Homeless Vets [70] ---------------------------- (Small Decrease in 2014)

22 == Stolen Valor ------------------------------- (Reported 15115 thru 151130)

24 == Vet Documentaries ----------------------------------- (PBS Florida Links)

24 == Vet Data Source --------------------------------- (www.veteransdata.info)

25 == WGU Salute to Veterans --------------- (50 New Scholarships Offered)

25 == Vet Cemetery Hawaii [04] - (Construction Stopped at Maui Veterans)

26 == Retiree Appreciation Days ------------------------ (As of 28 NOV 2015)

26 == Vet Hiring Fairs --------------------------------- (1 Dec thru 31 Jan 2016)

27 == WWII Vets 95 --------------------------------------------- (Hudson~Frank)

29 == Vet State Benefits & Discounts -------------------- (Rhode Island 2015)

30 == VA Bonuses [29] ------------- (H.R.1338 | 2016 $2M Senior Exec Cap)

31 == NDAA for 2016 [17] ---------------------------- (Obama Signs Into Law)

32 == SSA COLA 2016 ---- (S.2251 | One Time Payment in Lieu of COLA)

32 == Vet Employment/Education/Healthcare Improvement Act - (H.R.3016)

33 == Vet Bills Submitted to 114th Congress ---------- (151115 thru 151130)

37 == USS Lake Erie (CG-70) Update [01] --------------------------- (Mascot)

38 == USS Milwaukee (LCS-5) -------------- (A Navy Ship Built for Speed)

39 == Gravestone Coins [01] --------------------------------------------- (Origin)

40 == Military Retirement System [20] -------------- (New Proposal Update)

41 == Military Retirement System [21] -------- (New One Signed Into Law)

42 == Military Enlistment Standards 2015 [07] ------------------- (Education)

42 == Medal of Honor Citations ------------------ (Hartsock, Robert W. | VN)

44 == Remember the 80’s Navy [01] --------- (Things that No Longer Exist)

45 == Military Trivia 115 --------- (Civil War Casualties & Troop Ethnicity)

46 == Military History ------------------------ (Nuremberg IMT Trial Results)

46 == Military History Anniversaries ------------------------- (01 thru 15 Dec)

47 == WWII Ads ------------------------------------------------------ (Baby Ruth)

47 == D-Day --------------------- (Recuing Survivor off Normandy Jun 1944)

48 == WWII Prewar Events ------- (Italian Fascist Party Headquarters 1934)

48 == WWII PostWar Events ----- (German Toxic Bomb Destruction 1946)

49 == Spanish American War Image 78 ----- (Presidential Campaign Poster)

49 == WWI in Photos 103 ------- (Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassination)

50 == Faces of WAR (WWII) ----------------------------- (Italy May 23, 1944)

50 == Ghosts of Time ------------- (Then & Now’ Photos of WWII Sites (05)
* HEALTH CARE * .
51 == TRICARE Online [03] ----------------------------------------- (Resources)

51 == TRICARE Webiner - (TYA, Open Enrollment &Health Care Options)

52 == TRICARE Help --------------------------------------------- (Q&A 151130)
* FINANCES * .
54 == Road Usage Tax --------- (Possible Traditional Gas Tax Replacement)

56 == IRS Audit [05] ----------------------------- (Now Less Than 1% Chance)

57 == Pet Owner Tax Deductions ------------------ (Six Allowable Write-offs)

58 == Saving Money ------------------- (Air Conditioning Operating Expense)

60 == Fake Customer Service Numbers Scam ----------------- (How it Works)

61 == Personal Email Impersonation Scam -------------------- (How it Works)

61 == DFAS SmartDocs Email Scam --------------------------- (How it Works)

62 == Tax Burden for Alaska Retired Vets ------------------ (As of Nov 2015)

63 == Tax Burden for Massachusetts Residents ------------ (As of Nov 2015)

64 == Thrift Savings Plan 2015 ------------------ (Returns as of 27 Nov 2015)

65 == Prescription Drug Advertising -------------------- (AMA Calls for Ban)

66 == Household Item Longevity ------------------------------ (What to Expect)

68 == Presidential Retirement Benefits --------------- (Former Presidents Act)

69 == Robocalls [01] -------------------------------------- (Blocker Test Results)

70 == Mexican Inventions ----------------------------------- (10 Amazing Ones)

71 == WD-40 -------------------------------------------------------------- (44 Uses)

72 == Brain Teaser ----------------------------------------------- (Odd Word Out)

73 == Vision Test ---------------------------------------------- (Hidden Image 01)

73 == Photos That Say it All -------------------------------------- (Remembered)

74 == Most Creative Statues ------------------------- (Oxford, UK | The Shark)

74 == Interesting Inventions ------- (No more Rear View Mirror Blind Spots)

74 == Moments of US History -------------- (Wall Street Crash Suicide 1929)

75 == Parking ------------- (Revenge Tactic #8 against Inconsiderate Parkers)

75 == Have You Heard? -------------------------------------- (Did You Know 3)

76 == Have You Heard? ------------------------------------------- (Beretta Story)

77 == Help!!! -------------------------- (Things that might make you say it (01)

77 == Brain Teaser Answer ------------------------ (Odd Word Out)

2. Numbers contained within brackets [ ] indicate the number of articles written on the subject. To obtain previous articles send a request to raoemo@sbcglobal.net.

Attachment - Veteran Legislation as of 30 Nov 2015

Attachment - Nuremberg IMT Trial Results

Attachment - Rhode Island Vet State Benefits & Discounts NOV 2015

Attachment - Military History Anniversaries 01 thru 15 Dec

Attachment - Retiree Activity\Appreciation Days (RAD) Schedule as of 28 NOV 2015

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  Expire before Oct. 1, 2016, the end of fiscal 2016.
  
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  Expire during fiscal 2017, which begins Oct. 1, and ends Sept. 30, 2017.
  

The retention effort for 2016 is comparable to the 2015 re-up campaign, which resulted in nearly 50,000 soldiers extending their active-duty service. Because the Army is entering a period of large force reductions, some 40,000 over the next two years, the retention program is tightly managed, especially for soldiers who are in over-strength specialties. The Army continues to manage retention by three general personnel categories: first-term soldiers with six or fewer years of service; mid-career soldiers with six to 10 years of service, and careerists with 10 or more years of service. Staff sergeants and senior NCOs with 10 or more years of service usually are required to take an indefinite enlistment to remain on active duty. The Army's long-standing practice of offering five re-enlistment options remains in effect for fiscal 2016. The options are:

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  Regular Army (E1). This option does not guarantee an assignment, training or stabilization. Soldiers will be assigned to meet the needs of the Army, unless they are re-enlisting to meet a service-obligation.
  
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  Current Station Stabilization (E2). This option generally provides stabilization of one to 12 months for soldiers who re-enlist for three, four, five or six years, except that soldiers who re-up for a location-specific retention bonus may be stabilized for up to 24 months, depending on their unit location.
  
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  Army Training (E3). This option guarantees attendance at a school of choice for specialty or language training for soldiers who re-up for three to six years.
  
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  Overseas Assignment (E4). This option is targeted at soldiers who re-enlist for such areas as Europe, South Korea, Alaska and the Pacific region. Soldiers must re-up for four to six years for a long-tour area, and three to six years for a short-tour area.*
  
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  Continental U. S. Station of Choice (E5). This option guarantees an assignment of 12 months or more at a stateside post for soldiers who re-enlist for three to six years. Note, however, that soldiers currently assigned to a non-tactical unit, such a non-deployable headquarters, must re-enlist for assignment to a tactical unit, such as a deployable battalion, brigade or division. Soldiers are not allowed to re-enlist for back-to-back assignments to TDA (non-tactical) units.
  

The availability of these options is determined by a soldier's management category (first-term, mid-career or career) and the strength status of his or her military occupational specialty as follows:

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  First-termers who are serving in an overstrength MOS (as displayed in the 9OCT In/Out Reclassification Calls) are limited to Options 1 or 2, but must reclassify to an understrength or balanced MOS. Exceptions are authorized for soldiers who re-enlist for assignment to an airborne position.
  
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  Soldiers who are serving in a balanced MOS are eligible for Options 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. However, if they chose Option 3 (Training), but they must reclassify to a shortage MOS.
  
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  Initial-term soldiers who are serving in a short-handed MOS are eligible for Options 1, 2, 4 and 5.
  

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  Soldiers who are in an overstrength MOS are limited to Options 1 or 2, but must reclassify to an understrength or balanced MOS. Exceptions are authorized for soldiers who re-enlist for assignment to an airborne position.
  
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  Soldiers who are serving in a balanced MOS are eligible for Options 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. However, if they chose Option 3 (Training), they must reclassify to a shortage MOS.
  
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  Soldiers who are serving in a short-handed MOS are eligible for Options 1, 2, 4 and 5.
  

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  Sergeants and staff sergeants with fewer than 10 years of service who are in an overstrength MOS are limited to options 1 or 3, but must reclassify to a Tier 4, or higher, MOS in the latest Selective Retention Bonus announcement.
  
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  Sergeants and staff sergeants with fewer than 10 years of service who are serving in a balanced or short-handed MOS are limited to Option 1.
  
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  Sergeants and staff sergeants with 10 or more years of service must re-enlist under Option 1. Staff sergeants in this category will be placed in the Indefinite Re-enlistment Program.
  
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  Soldiers in this category can request retraining and reclassification to a Tier 4 SRB specialty in conjunction with their assignment to the Indefinite Re-enlistment Program.
  
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  Promotable staff sergeants and higher, regardless of the strength status of their MOS, will be limited to Option 1 if they have fewer than 10 years of service.
  

While researching a possible job change, soldiers also should research the promotion potential for candidate specialties. A good information source for junior enlisted soldiers are the monthly cutoff scores for advancements to sergeant and staff sergeant. Soldiers who want to research NCO promotions should review the MOS selection statistics that are released with the annual senior NCO promotion lists. This information can be accessed from the "Career" link on the homepage of Human Resources Command, www.hrc.army.mil. When researching a job change, soldiers also should check out the Army's two major retention incentive programs for enlisted soldiers. Those are the:

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  Tiered Selective Retention Bonus program which offers cash bonuses of up to $72,000 for qualified first-term and mid-career soldiers. The most recent SRB charts took effect Oct. 9, and can be accessed at http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/benefits/pay/2015/09/28/new-re-up-bonuses-and-reclass-calls-take-effect-oct-9-nco/72748682 .
  
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  Critical Skills Retention Bonus program offers bonuses of up to $150,000 for senior NCOs in priority specialties who are at, or near, retirement eligibility. The most recent CSRB rates took effect Oct. 22, and are targeted at Special Forces soldiers.
  

For information and assistance in applying for re-enlistment and/or reclassification, soldiers should contact their local career counselor. Officials expect that fewer than 15 percent of the soldiers who re-enlist this year will come from the 2016 cohort, with the remainder coming from the cohort with ETS (expiration term of service) in fiscal 2017. Under instructions recently issued to career counselors in the field, a soldier's individual re-enlistment opportunity window opens 15 months in advance of their ETS, and closes 90 days before the ETS. The retention campaign described above will end Sept. 30, 2016.

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  Ways to measure circadian rhythms.
  
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  How lighting affects shift workers’ circadian rhythms.
  
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  How sleep and circadian rhythms are often disrupted in the military.
  

This Activity begins on December 3rd, 2015 and will be available until December 17th, 2015. To register for this presentation refer to http://dcoe.cds.pesgce.com/eindex.php. [Source: DCoE Public Affairs | Myron J. Goodman | November 24, 2015 ++]

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  Mail: Public Affairs Office, 2300 Defense Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301-2300, Attn: External Affairs
  
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  Call: Phone: (703) 699-1420
  
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  Message: Fill out form on http://www.dpaa.mil/Contact/ContactUs.aspx
  

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains belonging to Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth L. Cunningham, 21, of Ellery, Ill. He was assigned to the 225th Aviation Company, 223rd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. On October 3, 1969, pilot 1LT Paul L. Graffe and observer PFC Kenneth L. Cunningham departed Phu Hiep, South Vietnam, in an OV-1C Mohawk aircraft during the early evening on a surveillance mission of targets located in the northwest portion of MR2 (Military Region 2) in the tri-border area of Cambodia, Laos and South Vietnam. The aircraft (serial #61-02679) failed to return at the scheduled time. The last radio contact with Graffe and Cunningham was at 1800 hours when another OV-1 aircraft had been informed by Grasse that they were going to continue their mission for about 30 more minutes, and then begin the return trip to Phu Hiep. All further attempts at electronic contact with the missing OV-1 were unsuccessful. On the morning of October 5, search and rescue aircraft located the wreckage of an aircraft atop a 7,000 foot peak in a mountain range north of the city of Kontum. This wreckage was positively identified as that of Graffe and Cunningham. Efforts were made to insert a ground team at the site on October 5 and 6, but inclement weather prevented the team from being inserted. On neither occasion was either visual or electronic contact made with the downed crew. On the morning of October 7, another attempt was made to insert a ground SAR team. However, the SAR pilots noticed a change in position in the aircraft wreckage, and the SAR aircraft was receiving continuous beeper signals from the ground. Since this continuous beeper signal was not compatible with established emergency radio procedures, the SAR flight leader directed that the site was probably a trap and withdrew from the area. Both crewmembers were declared Missing in Action