November 7, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in News, Veteran Benefits
VA Mortgage Center.com’s newest feature is likely to surprise many readers. The new Statistics and Reports Section was compiled to educate visitors and dispel misconceptions about the VA Home Loan Program. The data presents facts in a number of categories including “Availability and Awareness,” “Qualifications and Typical Loans.” There are also statistics compiled from US Census data detailing the demographics of Veterans living in America.
Possibly the most surprising statistic is that 80% of VA Loan borrowers could not qualify for a conventional loan. Interestingly enough, VA Loan foreclosure rates have been dropping while other types of loans continue to have rising foreclosure rates. The census statistics offer interesting insights about the rising rate of Veterans in the Southern United States, while the rate decreases elsewhere. Another rise has been in the number of female Veterans, though it’s only been a 2% increase in the past 20 years.
For more facts and figures, visit our brand new Statistics and Reports Section. Click here.
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November 6, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Life in the Military
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has a slogan: “We save you money…Every Day!” For the most part, that is a very true statement. One of the benefits of being in the military is AAFES, otherwise known as a PX. Virtually every military post has a PX of some sort where troops can purchase clothes, electronics, jewelry, toys, camping gear, etc. Depending on the size of the post, the PX will be large and carry more items or small and have a limited selection. Shopping at the PX not only saves money by offering merchandise as a reasonable rate, but there is no sales tax either. Depending on what state you live in, that’s an additional 8% discount.
One of my favorite things to do is wait for the sales. Like most department stores, the PX stocks up on holiday items. After the holiday, any of that seasonal merchandise that is left is placed on sale and the price slashed. Generally, the day after a particular holiday means at least a 50% discount. Right now, for instance, all the Halloween items are 50% or more on ANYTHING Halloween related - to include candy.
A few years ago, my wife and I began purchasing our holiday items for the following year by waiting until after the holiday had passed. If you wait long enough, it’s possible to get stuff for up to 90% off. The longer it sits in the store, the more it is reduced in price. So, the things we hung up or decorated the house with were purchased last year or earlier when it was on sale. I’d say we’ve easily saved thousands of dollars. The Christmas tree we’ve been using for over five years was purchased for a mere $1. It was a $100 tree originally. I own literally thousands of Christmas lights - enough to create my own landing strip if I wanted. Each box was about $.50 per 100 lights! As a matter of fact, if Santa can’t find our house it’s time to put him on Social Security and medically retire him or take away his reindeer license.
In addition to reducing seasonal items, the PX is also very good at clearing away stuff that has sat on the shelves for far too long. Today I bought six CDs (Custom - Fast; BarlowGirl - Fervent; Emma Roberts - Unfabulous; Trick Pony - R.I.D.E.; Lit - Atomic; and The Corrs - Home) for under $9. As a DJ, I enjoy looking through the CD bins when they toss out the stuff they’re trying to get rid of. As you can tell from today’s catch, I listen to a wide range of music since I play for schools, corporations, various organizations and birthday parties.
Stay tuned because tomorrow I’m interviewing former Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Jack Tilley!!
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November 5, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
So diplomats (ie: government employees) are upset and angry that the State Department is going to force foreign service officers to man the Baghdad embassy. Boo hoo!! I’m sure I was supposed to cry or feel bad at some point for these government employees (did I already mention they were government employees?).
Normally, I probably wouldn’t care. At a State Department whine-fest recently, a “46-year Foreign Service veteran” complained that an assignment to Iraq was “a potential death sentence” even though only three State Department employees (none of whom were FSOs) have been killed out of the 1500 that have been assigned to the embassy. The guy that complained, Jack Croddy, obviously didn’t read his job description when he chose to become an FSO:
When making assignments, however, the needs of the Service remain paramount. Some officers may not serve in positions related to their career track during the first two assignments. Officers who come in with critical language skills should expect to serve in positions using their language skills in their first or second assignment. Later, as mid-career officers, they may be required to serve again in a country which uses that language skill. All officers are considered worldwide available and must be prepared to go where needed.
As a Soldier, I think it would be very easy to be offended by the comments of these diplomats (government employees). I just CHOOSE not to be offended. The military is a voluntary organization. We get sent to Iraq whether we want to go or not. We’re government employees. People volunteered to be FSOs. They get sent to Iraq whether they want to go or not. They are government employees.
What gets me is Croddy’s question “who will take care of our children” if they are killed. Mr. Croddy has insurance just like Soldiers have insurance. Maybe we should institute a military-style “family care plan” in the State Department if he is so worried about the unlikely chance that he will get killed. These people volunteered to work for the very department that is tasked with foreign service. It should be no surprise that they are being forced to do their jobs. Much like in the military when a Soldier refuses to go where he is legally told to go, I hope these FSOs face harsh punishment and/or get fired.
Another thing about this whole story that bothers me are the arguments these people are using about “if they’re so adamant that we have to serve in iraq, why doesn’t Bush send his children there?” This is a non-argument. I think it is absolutely hypocritical of these people who are so anti-military and enlistment and yet bring up the “make the Bush twins serve” argument. That’s an oxymoron. The military, like the State Department, is voluntary. I don’t know of ONE job within the government that people haven’t volunteered to serve in. The Bush twins aren’t over there because there is no draft. They are not over there because they did not VOLUNTEER to join the military or State Department where they can get sent. These arguments only make the originator of it seem petty, confused, and idiotic. The fact is that there are family members of Congressmen and Senators that are in or have been to Iraq. Granted, there aren’t very many, but that is their choice.
Stop whining State Department employees and do what I am paying you to do. I don’t care what your personal view of this war is. You have a job to do. You aren’t paid to have an opinion - you’re paid to do the work of the State Department. Man the embassy or find a job at Taco Bell!! No, not Taco Bell. I like it there. Go to McDonald’s!!
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