Archive for June, 2007
June 28, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Veteran Benefits
This post contributed by Marcus from A Solider’s Perspective.
The federal government’s retirement plan, called the Thrift Savings Plan, is one of the more overlooked benefits when examining the benefits of military service. I’ve been contributing a very small portion of my salary for the last four and half years or so and I can’t say I thought about it at all until about a week or so. The only reason the program came to the front of my mind because I was asked if I was investing for the future. My first answer was no, then I remembered TSP.
TSP works by allotting a percentage of your pay before taxes and then investing it into one of the funds offered. There are several funds with differing amounts of risk to your investment, but all of them performed pretty well over the last ten years or so considering dips in the overall market including the dot com bubble burst in the late 90s and post 9/11.
This week I started an aggressive investment strategy with TSP that included upping my contribution and taking advantage of the Lifecycle funds, or L fund for short. I specifically invested in the L 2040 fund since my target retirement date is somewhere in the area of 2040. The fund automatically invests your money between the other TSP funds based on how close you are to your horizon date.
This means I start out with a majority percentage of funds that give a high return rate with a bit of risk and a small percentage of the lower return rate and more secure funds. Every year the percentages will slowly shift to a more conservative strategy as I grow closer to retirement. I think this is a great investment for me at this time. This is only one option open to those involved with TSP.
Making wise investments early is the key to a secure retirement. Investments are not generally something young Marines making a career of the military think about. We are more concerned with getting the top of the line car, stereo system, electronics, etc than ensuring our future years will be free of worry.
I am in a great position to help impress on Marines looking to make a career of the military the importance of investing in addition to the portion of our base pay we receive for the rest of our lives after serving 20 years. TSP is a great option since our contribution into TSP is taken before taxes and is at less risk compare to other investment options since we don’t have to worry about a company going under and taking our retirement with it.
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June 27, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in News
VA Mortgage Center.com’s “You Served” military and veteran blog is looking to hire 1-2 writers who are U.S. veterans or active-duty military to contribute weekly articles.
Interested parties should contact us at blog@vamortgagecenter.com with their personal information and any writing examples.
This is a paid position and we are hoping to team up with highly-motivated, intelligent individuals from within the mil/vet community. We strive to provide our readers with the most recent industry news, updates on their VA benefits, and offbeat stories that are fun to read.
To learn more about “You Served”, browse our most recent articles. You may direct any questions about the position to the email address above and we look forward to hearing from you!
** If you know of anyone within the military community that would be interested in this position please pass along our information.
Thanks everyone,
You Served Editorial Staff
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June 25, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Veteran Benefits
Representative Michael Michaud, a Democrat from Maine currently has a bill before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. This bill would allow for U.S. veterans to acquire home equity conversion mortgages, or reverse mortgages, from the Veterans Affairs Department.
The bill would allow veterans over the age of 62 to receive monthly payments based on their age and the amount of equity in their homes. Once the home is not the primary residence of the borrower or if the home is sold by the veterans or their survivors the loan would get paid back, with a fee.
Unfortunately for Rep. Michaud, his bill has met some stiff opposition from the Bush Administration. The Federal Housing Administration already offers reverse mortgages and is available to veterans.
Keith Pedigo, the loan guaranty service director for the VA, has actually said that the FHA may program might be better. While the reverse mortgage bill for veterans is similar to current legislation allowing the FHA to provide reverse mortgages there are some differences.
Typically only a percentage (25%) of the mortgage is guaranteed by the VA loan as opposed to the FHA program that insures the full loan.
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June 21, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Military News
Stephanie Woolhandler, a Harvard Medical School professor, testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs yesterday. She presented the results from a study she recently conducted that found 1.8 million Veterans are uninsured.
That number is up 290,000 from 2000.
Republicans on the committee were hesitant to fully trust her findings. Woolhander, in the past, has been a strong advocate for a universal health care system which they feel might bias the results of her study.
Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) expressed his concerns, “The difficulty would be that because of your desire for universal health care, that could influence how you felt about veterans.” Woolhandler defended the results ensuring the accuracy of the data.
About half of the 1.8 million uninsured are classified as Priority 8, veterans who don’t have a service-connected disability and earnings above 80% of median income in their area.
The hearing was focused on whether VA Hospitals should open their doors to these veterans. Doing so would dramatically increase the VA’s costs, although estimates range widely from $366 million to $3.3 billion annually.
There are also concerns that adding the Priority 8 veterans would make it more difficult for the veterans with service-related injuries and health problems to get the care they need.
The two sides of debate are exemplified by the quotes from Representatives Steve Buyer (R-Ind) and Bob Filner (D-Calif). Buyer feels the VA should focus on its core constituency: “Some say the government is obliged to provide essentially free health care for life to anyone who served a year or two, I intend to protect the core constituency first.”
Filner holds the opposing opinion: “All veterans should have access to their health care system. This is a rationing health care to veterans, those who have served our nation. And I think it’s unacceptable for a nation of our wealth and our ability.”
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June 20, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in News
To an outsider, military service might almost appear mandatory for those hoping to become president of the United States. All but 11 of the country’s 43 commanders in chief have listed some semblance of service on their records. Of the last half-dozen presidents, only one — Bill Clinton — did not engage in some form of military service, although there’s been plenty of debate and conspiracy theories about whether current President George W. Bush actually spent time with the Texas Air National Guard.
Here’s a look at the past six presidents and their legacy of service to our country:
-George W. Bush
First Lieutenant, Texas Air National Guard
He remained in the United States during the Vietnam War. The “Bushgate” flap at CBS regarding allegations that the president failed to fulfill his duty led to a major shakeup at the network, after scores of experts started to question the authenticity of the evidence presented.
-Bill Clinton
No military service.
The Rhodes scholar and skilled orator bypassed the draft because of student deferments. He finally entered in the draft in 1969 but received a high enough number that he was never called to serve.
-George H.W. Bush
Lieutenant, Junior Grade, United States Navy.
The first president Bush served as a Navy pilot in World War II. His plane was shot down by the Japanese, and the future president was the sole survivor. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
-Ronald Reagan
Captain, United States Army
He remained stateside during World War II. Apparently plagued by bad eyesight, Ronald Reagan continued working as actor during the war, making films for the Army.
-Jimmy Carter
Lieutenant Commander , United States Navy.
His service included sea duty and stateside service from 1946-1953. The future Nobel Peace Prize winner spent seven years in the Navy, earning the second-longest military stay of any U.S. president (Dwight D. Eisenhower tops the list).
-Gerald Ford
Lieutenant Commander , United States Navy.
A phenomenal athlete at Michigan, Ford applied for a commission in the Naval Reserve less than a week after the Pearl Harbor bombing in December 1941. He became an ensign in April 1942 and eventually served on the USS Monterey from May 1943 to December 1944.
Eleven (11) presidents had no military service:
Bill Clinton
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Calvin Coolidge
Warren G. Harding
Woodrow Wilson
William Howard Taft
Grover Cleveland
Martin Van Buren
John Quincy Adams
John Adams
- Thanks to the Associated Press for the content of this post.
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June 19, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Life in the Military
We asked Troy Steward from the Afghan Blog about what he’s learned since joining the military. What better source of advice than someone with Troy’s experience? Here’s what he had to say about the top 10 things he’s learned while in the military:
1. What cool things Combat Control Team members get to do in the Air Force.
2. That the Army can always change your new duty station orders at a moments notice.
3. Not to talk smack to my Army buddies when I got a new duty assignment, because it would usually change ( i.e. From Italy to Ft. Hood Tx).
4. Never turn down a school, even if it means losing out on a new duty assignment.
5. What being stationed in Korea had to offer prior to getting there.
6. Despite the fact that the Alaskan-Canadadian (ALCAN) highway was celebrating its 50th anniversary in 1992, it did not mean the whole thing was paved or safe at the time.
7. Driving from Texas to Florida to Alaska with a new wife, kid and dog is the fastest way to get through the Honeymoon period of a new marriage. We accomplished in 2 weeks what most people take 1 year to get through.
8. There is no such thing as a Weekend Warrior in the National Guard after 9/11.
9. There is no greater pain the Army than losing one of your own soldiers in combat and not being there with them.
10. Everything is waiverable in the Army, EVERYTHING!
If you haven’t been by Troy’s blog yet, do so now. It’s one of the top mil blogs on the net and did well in our recent contest. Thanks for the guest post, Troy, from all of us at You Served.
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June 18, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Military News
A bill was sent to President Bush for his signature late last week that would order all federal agencies in a state to fly their flags at half-staff if requested by that states governor.
Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich) wrote authored the bill as a response to “inconsistent, patchwork display of respect” for troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill was backed in the Senate by Carl Levin, also from Michigan. Senator Levin is the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee and said that lowering the flag is “one of the most powerful ways we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The bill moved through the House earlier this year and was approved by the Senate last Thursday, which happened to by Flag Day. The bill will merely alter the current federal law, allowing the governor to require federal facilities to lower their flags in the instance of the death of active duty servicemen/women from that state.
This is an issue found to be painfully relevant in rural communities in which a funeral procession might pass through multiple communities, some with their flags still raised, and some showing the proper respect.
President Bush is expected to sign the bill named for Joseph Micks, a 22-year-old Army Specialist from Rapid River Michigan. Micks was killed in Iraq last year. He is one of more than 3,800 members of the United States military that have died fighting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan since March 2003 and November 2002 respectively.
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June 15, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in News
This is a guest post to You Served.
Established in 1949, Flag Day is a day reserved to reflect on what the American flag means to each of us. It is a day when we recognize the connection between our flag, our country, and ourselves. This year, I think about all of the veterans of wars past; those who died in service and those who lived to tell stories of heroism. It is because of the sacrifices made by these brave men and women that we are able to live free today. I also think about our courageous men and women serving today, whose will continue to sustain freedom for years to come. These soldiers make sacrifices in the name of freedom, and it shines through in the waving red, white and blue.
To each veteran and soldier reading this today I convey my highest respect and regard for your efforts to defend the rights and liberties of freedom loving people. And to the family members who have loved ones supporting the Global War on Terror – you are the most essential source of encouragement to them, and it is your continued support and love that sustains our troops here at home and abroad.
I extend my most heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones and friends in the current conflict. We cannot repay the selfless spirit of America’s fallen but we can ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten. Those who grieve and have experienced a loss are in our prayers, and I join all patriotic Americans in honoring the valor of our fallen men and women.
The cost of freedom is measured not in currency – but in the selfless spirit of those willing to serve our Nation in the Armed Forces. We must never forget that the freedoms and liberties we all enjoy are because of the sacrifice of patriots. We salute our U.S. forces, veterans, military retirees and the families who love and support them. Our troops hold our future in their hands and our legacy in their hearts. They continue to make our country proud, and we salute them for a job well done.
And above all, our flag of red, white and blue serves as a constant reminder of pride, patriotism, freedom, and an undying commitment to the United States of America.
May God richly bless you, your families and the United States of America.
Sincerely,
K. Michael Conaway
Member of Congress
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June 14, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Military News
1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
This war novel published in 1961 is the ultimate satire. Readers follow protagonist John Yossarian and his comrades through a madcap existence on the island of Pinosa during the second half of World War II. The lives of the Soldiers are run by the laws of Catch-22, which are always contradictory and leave those faced by them in a bind. Most Soldiers probably picked up Catch-22 while back in school, but this classic is always worth a second look.
2. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Loosely based on Remarque’s own experiences during World War I, the story of Paul Bäumer is an intensely personal and powerful novel. The experiences of Paul and his fellow Soldiers completely reshape their beliefs and offer a dark perspective on the life of a World War I Soldier. One of the most classic war novels of all time, All Quiet on the Western Front offers readers a glimpse of the brutality of WWI combat and the effects on the men who fought in it.
3. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
The Things They Carried is a series of related short stories that stretch from the Vietnam draft to twenty years after the war. Most of the stories are narrated by Tim, the author; though he admits that he often blurs the truth in order to really tell the story the way it’s meant to be told. The stories offer personal insights about the motivations of Soldiers and the stories they have to share.
4. Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill
This newer nonfiction title takes a look into the United States’ use of civilian contractors in Iraq. Based primarily around the business dealings and actions of members of Blackwater USA, Scahill offers an openly liberal look at the use of mercenaries in modern warfare.
5. Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles
This novel published in April 2007 examines a side of the Civil War that has rarely been looked at closely. The story follows the trials and tribulations of Adair Colley an 18 year old woman living in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri during the Civil War. Adair will stop at nothing to save her family, and her heroic efforts make for a page-turning read.
6. 1776 by David McCullough
Though many historical works about the year of 1776 focus on the politics of that momentous year; McCullough takes a different angle by focusing on the military happenings. The book focuses in particular on the military strategizing of George Washington and King George III. Since its release in 2006, 1776 has been a hit with critics and audiences alike. With all of the gripping drama, readers may just forget that they are experiencing a work of nonfiction written by a historian.
7. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Arguably one of the most classic war novels of all time, War and Peace tells of the struggles of characters living through Napoleon’s conquest across Europe. The epic tale of the challenges war presents for all types of individuals will be difficult to put down as readers find themselves drawn further into the world of early 19th century eastern Europe.
8. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway’s classic war novel tells the story of Lieutenant Frederic Henry and his struggle with choosing between love and duty. In the end, the protagonist’s love for the woman Catherine wins over, only to be marked by tragedy shortly thereafter. A Farewell to Arms is Hemingway’s artistry at its finest and an absolute must read for all ages.
9. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Published in 1974 and still a top seller today, this war novel centers around the Battle of Gettysburg and makes use of the real heroic individuals who put their lives on the line. The book delves deep into the intricacies of the military and the strategies involved in successful battles. Whether you’re a civil war buff or fan of great literature, The Killer Angels is guaranteed to make for a compelling read.
10. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Always a critical success, Cold Mountain gained mainstream attention following the hit movie based on the novel. The book follows the intertwining lives of soldier-on-the-run Inman and his true love Ada. Inman’s journey takes many twists and turns along the way, but his goal to find Ada remains strong. This is a dramatic story of love and courage during the Civil War that is not to be passed up.
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June 12, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Military News
More than a dozen Democrats and Republicans are vying for the presidency as the 2008 General Election nears. Health care and immigration are among the most hot-button of topics, but the war in Iraq will likely remain the single largest issue for candidates from both parties. Despite the talk about battle and warfare, only one of the 14 declared candidates — Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona — has any significant military service.
It turns out that being battle-tested is becoming less and less important for American voters, though. Polls conducted in the past few months indicate that voters don’t give the kind of weight and importance to military service that they once did.
The tipping point may have been the election of President Bill Clinton, who bested two World War II veterans, incumbent George Bush and Sen. Bob Dole. Despite the shift in cultural thinking, many voters still consider military service when examining a candidate’s credentials and experience as a whole.
Here’s a look at the military service records of some of the most likely candidates for the presidential nod in 2008:
Democrats
- Delaware Sen. Joe Biden: None. Rejected for medical reasons, but would have been eligible in a national emergency.
- New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: None.
- Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd: Army Reserve (1969-75).
- Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: None. Draft number was never called.
- Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich: None. Was rejected for military service because of a heart murmur.
- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: None. Too young to have been drafted for the Vietnam War.
- Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico: None. Received student and medical classifications. Draft number was never called.
Republicans
- Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback: None. Came of age as draft was ending.
- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani: None. Received student and occupational deferments. Draft number was never called.
- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: None. Came of age as draft was ending.
- California Rep. Duncan Hunter: Served as an Army paratrooper and Ranger in Vietnam (1969-71).
- Arizona Sen. John McCain: Served in the Navy (1958-81); prisoner of war in Vietnam (1967-73).
- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: None. Received a deferment as a Mormon missionary in France. Was eligible for the draft upon his return to the states but was never selected.
- Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo: None. Received student deferments. Was available for military service in 1969. Reclassified in 1970 because of stress-related anxiety and could have been called up only during a pressing national emergency.
Source: The Associated Press
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