Archive for December, 2007
December 29, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
When I joined the Army a couple of years ago (silence! from the peanut gallery), official military travel was much easier. When we had to travel, we went to finance with our travel orders and submit vouchers or getting cash advances to pay for all travel expenses (airfare, hotel, rental car, etc). At the end of the travel, Soldiers were required to file their travel voucher to “clear” their advances within five days. If the advances exceeded the total cost of the travel, the servicemember had to pay back the difference. If there was money left over after the vouchers were cleared, the money was deposited in the servicemembers bank account.
However, about 10 years ago or so the military changed travel claim procedures and the card carrier of choice switched from American Express to Bank of America. This is when things got bad and Soldiers began getting screwed by the system. Continue reading this post…
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December 27, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
Recently, the military finally caved into all the dialogue about how inferior the M4 is and allowed it to be tested against three seemingly superior weapons – the H&K XM8, the FNH USA’s Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle and the H&K 416. Both have been touted by SF units as being more reliable and less prone to jamming. The military stuck behind the M4 Carbine, manufactured by Colt. A big roadblock to ensuring the military has the very best personal weapon are the politicians trying to protect Colt. Let’s face it: Colt is an American company and H&K is German owned. No matter how crappy their product is, they want our military to buy American instead of forcing weapon manufacturers to make better quality arms.
However, after years of telling us the M4 IS the best weapon available to troops, the test results said otherwise.
Continue reading this post…
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December 20, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
President Bush visited Walter Reed today and spent some quality time with wounded troops there. While at Walter Reed, President Bush made some comments that I haven’t been able to find in the MSM reporting of the event that I think are very important for the country to hear:
Continue reading this post…
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December 19, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts, Uncategorized
“(I saw) what happens to regular soldiers, the hate, the racism, the total disrespect for humanity that develops,” [Mexican-born combat medic Agustin Aguayo] said, noting that as a medic he had not killed or hurt anyone.
I find this interesting considering the good Soldier hails from California – the home of “disrespect for humanity” (my apologies to the rest of you from California). The fact is that the military is most racially diverse organization in the country. We have more minorities employed and in leadership positions than any other organization. Our Equal Opportunity is robust and consistent. Those that ARE racist or hateful are immediately dealt with.
Continue reading this post…
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By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Veteran Benefits
The House of Representatives Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman, Rep. Bob Filner, a Democrat from California, called the current VA loan program “irrelevant” for a number a reasons including the loan caps, high fees and strict underwriting and appraisal requirements all of which discourage homebuyers, real estate and mortgage brokers and sellers from using the program.
That’s why he and other members of his committee are working on legislation that would raise loan rates and possibly cut through some of that red tape in order to encourage use of the program.
Filner’s plan has yet to be completed but he says the maximum loan limit in his plan would be $620,000, up from the current $417,000. He is also considering a provision that would prevent lenders from foreclosing on the home of anyone on active duty.
Rep. Steve Buyer, an Indiana Republican, and Mike Michaud, a Democrat out of Maine, introduced their bill last week would raise the maximum loan amount the Department of Veterans Affairs can guarantee. While their proposed limit is not as high as Filner’s uncompleted plan, theirs is still worth paying attention to. Buyer and Michaud’s bill would raise the maximum from $417,000 to $521,250.
Buyer was the former committee chairman and cites the low maximum loan limit as the primary reason the veterans are straying away from the program. In high cost areas of the country the $417,000 cap is much to low and forces service members and veterans from using the program.
Buyer says, “Rising housing costs are keeping many veterans out of the market. And those who are able to purchase the American Dream are paying significantly higher closing costs.”
Buyer and Michaud hope to increase some of the guaranty of the program, making refinancing using the VA loan program a viable option. Right now it isn’t really an option. “With affordable housing so scarce in many areas of the nation,” says Michaud, “the increased guaranty and closing cost assistance should be very advantageous to both our nation’s veterans and home builders.”
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December 18, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” the well-dressed man towering over our table asked. “How is your food?”
“Delicious,” I replied with a mouth full of burrito. My commander echoed my sentiments. “However, you didn’t have any Big Red soda and this is a TexMex restaurant, I joked, thinking thinking I was talking to the restaurant manager.
“Oh, I’m not the manager. I just wanted to thank you for your service. Lunch is on me today.”
Continue reading this post…
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December 17, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in News
In our efforts to be a contributing member of the Military and Veteran community, VA Mortgage Center.com has become a corporate sponsor of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Other NCHV sponsors include Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Lilly Pharmaceuticals.
Under our $17,000 grant, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) will be working with several partners to create housing opportunities for low-income and homeless veterans, including National Guard and Reserve troops now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Other priorities include ensuring access to health care and employment services, as well as peer counseling and community support systems for veterans returning home from combat operations.
The corporate sponsorship, a first for us, was inspired by recent reports of the high numbers of homeless veterans. In particular, a story in the Kansas City Star about homelessness levels in Missouri prompted action.
1 Comment »
December 15, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
Last night, my unit had its annual Holiday Ball. I haven’t been to a formal Army ball in a long time and looked forward to the opportunity to don my Dress Blues and admire the heroes that surrounded me. But, what most impresses me about military balls is a ceremony we call the Fallen Comrade Ceremony. It happens at every ball without fail. Now, more than ever, that table signifies something personal to me. For those that aren’t familiar with the ceremony, I want to tell you about it.
Continue reading this post…
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December 10, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
About a year ago, I had an epiphany: I’ve been in the Army for 12 years and I’ve given away over $54,000!!
Continue reading this post…
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December 9, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Top Posts
A friend and fellow Soldiers has been nominated for the Most Inspiring Person of the 2007 Award, Major Scott Southworth. Please, help spread the word about the following.
Vote for the Most Inspiring Person of 2007
Beliefnet has chosen 10 nominees for the Most Inspiring Person of 2007 Award. We need your help in choosing the final winner. You may vote once each day for your favorite candidate. You can vote again in 24 hours. Voting will end on December 10th. On December 12th we will announce the winner of the People’s Choice Award–the nominee who received the most votes–and the Most Inspiring Person of 2007 winner, who will be chosen by Beliefnet editors from the three finalists with the most votes. We will also make a donation to the nonprofit organization of his or her choice.
As always, vote for who you think is most deserving!
You can vote here:
http://www.beliefnet.com/mipy/2007/vote.html
You can only vote once a day, and remember *VOTING ENDS DEC.10.* (sorry I didn’t receive this sooner,but please spread the word.) Thanks.
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