Archive for July, 2009
July 16, 2009 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Guest Blogger, Veteran Benefits
Many years ago, before the government became involved with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit reports and credit scores were hidden from the public. We all knew there were credit reports and credit scores, but we couldn’t get access to them. It was terrible, which is why the government stepped in to protect consumers rights.
However now we face a whole new set of challenges. Many years ago, the reports and scores were used mostly to decide whether to accept a loan and at what terms. A good score meant the interest rate on your 30 year mortgage was lower, a bad score meant your car loan cost a little bit more. Today, your credit score is used for a lot of things, only a few of which actually have to do with credit.
Potential Employers
The biggest and scariest new application of your credit worthiness is with new jobs. Employers are starting to pull credit to determine whether or not to offer you a job. They aren’t allowed to make decisions based on bankruptcies, but apparently they like to use other parts of your report to decide whether or not you’re a risk. Miss a few payments? Maybe you’re more likely to steal something.
Insurance Premiums
For whatever reason, and they won’t disclose it, insurance companies believe that the lower your credit score, the greater your insurance risk. The lower your score, the higher your premiums. Their actuaries have analyzed the statistics and the end result is that your score is being used to determine how risky it is to insure you, your car, your house, and everything else.
Cell Phones & Services
Finally, service companies use your credit to decide whether or not they will give you a service contract. If you have trouble making a credit card payment, they worry that you’ll have problem making a cell phone bill payment. The cell phone business model is especially sensitive to this because they often give you a phone for free, hoping to earn it back on a two year service plan. If they are worried you can’t pay, they won’t give you the phone.
As you can see, your credit score is starting to be used in areas it was never intended, so it’s important that you make sure you regularly review your credit reports, check your free FICO credit score, and ensure it’s as accurate as possible.
Jim is the editor of personal finance blog Bargaineering.com and writes about money issues from budgeting to investing, from credit cards to banking. To learn more, check out Bargaineering or follow Jim on Twitter.
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July 14, 2009 By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family, Veteran Benefits
I got the following video link in an email from Ray Flores from the VA. The video below explains the following components of the new Post 9/11 GI Bill
Some of the question the videos tries to clarify are:
Who is eligible?
What are the benefits?
What about officers and college loan enlistees?
What kind of education does it cover?
Does it cover Advanced Degrees?
How does the Spouse/Dependent Transfer Option work?
Who might not need this benefit?
How does the Yellow Ribbon Program work?
YOUTUBE Post 911 GI Bill Guide
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By Marcus
Posted in Uncategorized
Shifty surely was an amazing man. I received the following story from Seamus’ All Hands list this morning and intended on posting it later this evening. In light of CJ’s post on Shifty, I decided to move it up a bit.
This story was sent from MG Larry Lust to Commodore Dick Catone and then to Seamus.
We’re hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.
I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell “Shifty” Powers.
Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you’ve seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.
I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn’t know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the “Screaming Eagle”, the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.
Making conversation, I asked him if he’d been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.
Quietly and humbly, he said “Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . ” at which point my heart skipped.
At that point, again, very humbly, he said “I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?” At this point my heart stopped.
I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said “I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem.” I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.
I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said “Yes. And it’s real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can’t make the trip.” My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say.
I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I’d take his in coach.
He said “No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy.” His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.
Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.
There was no parade.
No big event in Staples Center.
No wall to wall back to back 24×7 news coverage.
No weeping fans on television.
And that’s not right.
Let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.
Rest in peace, Shifty.
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By CJ
Posted in Military History, Military News
Weeks after the death of a mentally unstable pop star, the press is still pawing over Michael Jackson. They missed the boat on 1LT Brian Bradshaw and they missed the boat on Daryl “Shifty” Powers. Who is Shifty? He was a WWII hero portrayed by Peter Youngblood Hill in the HBO series “Band of Brothers.”
The following eulogy was written by Jim Radel.
It is 11 March 2006, 11:35pm somewhere on Interstate 81 just south of the Pennsylvania border. It is raining and everyone in the vehicle is asleep, except for me of course. I have been up for the past 40 hours, with the exception of a one-hour nap at the gas station waiting for the Burger King next door to open, yet I am feeling pretty good and a sense of accomplishment has settled over me. Even the fact that I need to be back at work in less than 14 hours does not bother me. What would make a group of grown men and a small boy get in a van and drive 11 ½ hours each way without a break? It is the once in a life time chance to spend a few moments with an elderly man who also happens to be an American hero.
Let me explain, my name is Jim Radel and I am a WWII re-enactor. I participate in several big re-enactment events on the east coast, and go to local middle and elementary schools to give hands on living history programs about the life and equipment of the WWII soldier. I am also an avid service rifle shooter and competitor, which led me to combine my favorite hobbies and enter the John C Garand and Springfield Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio sporting my WWII military gear.
Since 2002, I have attended the Matches portraying a WWII paratrooper. After the 2002 Matches, I returned home and as soon as put my gear away I got a call from a friend who was an actual WWII paratrooper with the 101st airborne 506th E Company. The guys of the famed E Company were brought to the public’s attention recently by the mini-series Band of Brothers, written by Stephen Ambrose. The re-enacting group I belong to had worked with the 506th before, so I knew several of these heroes. My friend called to ask my re-enactment group to provide our biggest honor yet, a memorial jump in the Currahee Veterans Memorial Jump at Chambersburg, PA. We were also invited to the E Company’s 58th reunion and a flag presentation for Maj Richard Winters. At the reunion we provided an honor guard dressed in WWII uniforms complete with weapons and equipment. While attending the event, we got to talk to all the attending vets quite freely. Being a shooter as well as a re-enactor most of my conversations turned to weapons and different tactics. While at the reception we were dressed in full combat gear. Along with my gear, I had my CMP rifle with me and was doing my usual impression. That was when a soft-spoken gentleman approached and asked if he could see my rifle. When I turned around much to my surprise there stood Daryl “Shifty” Powers. Shifty was considered by the men of 506th to be the best shot with an M1 rifle in the entire E Company. I handed the rifle over to him, and watched this surprisingly quiet man from Virginia. If you didn’t know his past you would never guess this man jumped from airplanes to strike fear into the enemy in WWII. As Shifty handled my M1 he related some stories about his personal M1 rifle from the war. He remarked at how nice his rifle was and at the condition it was in. What he said next completely caught me off guard; he asked if he could buy my rifle! I told him as politely as I could that this rifle was not for sale. Though he asked again and stated that he had wanted one ever since he turned his in at the end of the war. I asked him if he could remember the serial number of his rifle, I thought he might since soldiers were required to memorize the serial number of their weapon and failure to do so often resulted in push-ups. He never batted an eye and gave me the last three digits. He then told me he had only bothered to memorize the last three digits because the chances of someone else having the same last digits were really slim. As soon as he told me the number I had an idea.
I told Shifty I thought I knew where I could locate a rifle as nice as mine for a reasonable price, so he agreed to let me find him one and not purchase anything until I contacted him. When I returned home I approached my local CMP club and laid out my plan. I wanted to present a CMP rifle to Shifty Powers as a gift from the Northumberland Point Township Sportsman’s Association. That’s when Denny Chapin, our club president, contacted CMP Chief Operating Officer, Orest Michaels, at CMP South and told him Shifty’s story. We hoped to find a rifle with the same last three digits as Shifty’s wartime rifle, and asked for CMP’s help. Orest thought for a moment and then asked how soon we needed the rifle. We told him we could wait for the right serial number, and that’s when he agreed to help us. I then contacted Boyd’s Stocks to see if they could supply a walnut stock set for this project. The people at Boyd’s were great! They thought that this was a very worthwhile project and were happy to be a part of it. I let them know what I had in mind for the stock and they set to work. Three weeks later a package arrived at my home with a beautiful carved and finished M-1 stock set. It had the 101st airborne patch, tab paratroop wings and 506th Currahee crest. It was just gorgeous, but I still did not have a rifle to put in it.
Months passed then Denny got a call from CMP, “we have your rifle.” He called me and we got the funds shipped out right away. The rifle arrived and I set to work cleaning and installing the new wood.
Shifty had only one requirement for his rifle, it MUST shoot as well as his old one did. A close inspection of the rifle revealed it was an original barrel receiver combination with a 42 dated barrel. After checking and gauging the bore and muzzle, I took the rifle out to the range. I started with 5 clips of M-2 ball and set out to zero the rifle. After 5 shots I had it in the black on an SR1 target, so the second clip was for group. It held the nine and ten rings at 100 yards so I felt it would be just right. Now it was time to call Shifty and tell him I found a rifle for him.
I called Shifty and asked him if he remembered the conversation we had at the reunion. He did, and he asked if I had found him a rifle. I let him know we did, though I did not tell him about the serial number because that was to be the big surprise. He asked if it shot ok, and I assured him that he would be pleased with it. Then he wanted to know how much it cost and I told him it would be a gift for the sacrifice he made for his country. Shifty did not want to accept something so valuable, though I told him he had little choice since the deal was done. I wanted to find a good time to present it to him and in talking with him on the phone I found out his birthday was in mid March; I knew that would make an unforgettable birthday present. I discussed it with Denny and we set the date.
The Friday before Shifty’s birthday I set out with my dad, Richard Radel, my son, James Radel Jr., Dennis Chapin, the club president, and my friend, John Gilligbauer, an NRA Instructor. We left right after work for the 11 ½ hour drive to Shifty’s home in the mountains of Virginia. Shifty greeted us with a warm smile when we arrived at his house around 8:30 a.m. We handed Shifty the plain brown box that CMP ships all its rifles in, the simple box did not to give a clue about the gem that was held inside. As he opened the box and pulled out the beautifully re-finished rifle Shifty gave a small gasp. “This was too much, I can’t believe how nice it looks!” he said. He looked at the stock; saw the carved jump wings, 101st screaming eagle and Currahee crest. He ran his fingers over the carvings and along the full length of the stock. I asked him to look at the serial number. Shifty just stared for a moment and then he started to shake his head. He simply could not believe we were able to track down his old serial number. Was it Shifty’s wartime rifle? We do not really know, but I would like to think that in the big scheme of things this was just one of those small things that worked out for the best.
After the presentation, we took Shifty’s rifle outside and with some ammo we just happened to have in our van, we put some rounds downrange. I had the opportunity to shoot with one of the best rifleman of WWII, and as an added bonus Shifty spent time that day helping my young son with his shooting. It was a moment I will always treasure. After a much too short visit we had to leave and begin our long journey home. As we gathered our things to leave, Shifty was still shocked that a bunch of Yankees from Pennsylvania would go so far out of their way for a southerner like him. But for us, Shifty Powers is so much more. We said our goodbyes and started the long trek home, which brings me back to the beginning of my story. It’s dark, raining and I’m exhausted though right now I feel great!
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July 13, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
It’s nice to know that the Premier or Iraq has his priorities straight and understands where his newfound freedom came from. This would NOT have been possible had the elected naysayers in our own government who advocated tirelessly for defeat had their way.
BAGHDAD – Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki struck a conciliatory tone ahead of his trip to Washington, talking about his gratitude for U.S. sacrifices in Iraq, and offering to negotiate a settlement between Iraq’s federal government and the country’s Kurdish enclave as tensions heighten between the two.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal as he prepared for a visit to the U.S. on July 21, Mr. Maliki said he planned to thank America for its shared sacrifice with the Iraqi people in the tumultuous post-Saddam Hussein years since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
“We have [achieved] a combined victory against terrorism, and there have been sacrifices from both sides that brought fruitful results and democracy to Iraq,” Mr. Maliki said.
Nouri al-Maliki
During the June drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities, Mr. Maliki praised the Iraqi security services’ ability to take over from American forces. But he shied away from offering praise or thanks to U.S. soldiers.
Some American commanders have said they understood that Mr. Maliki’s seeming slight was driven by domestic politics. Still, a gesture by Mr. Maliki acknowledging U.S. sacrifice could help to placate some rankled American commanders on the ground.
May I give Mr. Maliki a bit of advice? When you thank America, make sure you single out the troops who worked tirelessly, bent over backwards, and sacrificed their very lives and physical health securing peace and freedom for your country. Make sure you ONLY thank those Americans that supported our troops. After you thank our troops and their patriotic supporter, make a point to single out the American defeatists in this country like Kerry and Murtha who said we couldn’t do it – that you weren’t worth the sacrifice. Make sure they know they should hang their heads in shame for even suggesting that the US pull out before your country was on its own two feet. Tell them to their faces that the lives of thousands of Iraqis would have been lost had they won and securing the premature withdrawal of those troops you just thanked.
Mr. Maliki, we made some mistakes in securing your freedom. Some of our troops were ignorant morons who thought they were above the law and treated some of your citizens with disrespect and dishonor. Lives were lost at the hands of people who have soiled the good name of our troops. But, sir, I can assure you they were few and far between. They did NOT represent this country or our troops. To the greatest extent possible, they have been punished and will never wear the uniform again. I truly hope that is enough the families affected by those few people. However, I say again: they do NOT represent our military or our country! All we ever wanted to do when we crossed that border was bring peace to your country, bring freedom to your citizens, and kill or capture the terrorists trying to kill both! The fact that you will thank us means we have succeeded in our mission!
Read the rest of the article at the Wall Street Journal.
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By Marcus
Posted in Uncategorized
The Marine Corps has been performing exceptionally well in the recruiting and retention fields during the years we’ve been at war. Our Career Planners are doing a great job, as are the recruiters despite a few bumps. However, the Corps may be doing too well.
According to Gen James Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, there just isn’t enough money in the Marine Corps’ budget to exceed the final end strength authority of 202,000 by much. The Marine Corps is currently sitting at active duty end strength of 203,768. Recruiters are going to be beating the streets less and less and retention goals are going to be dropped to account for the 1,768 overage.
The article also notes that fiscal year 2010 reenlistment bonuses are slashed as well. I can give a bit more insight, as I’m a Career Planner myself.
Compare the bonus amounts for FY2009 and FY2010. You’ll see a lot of amounts are less, if not gone completely. I attribute this to several things. First, the Marine Corps had a goal to grow our force from about 182,000 active duty Marines to 202,000 over a period of about fours years. We accomplished the goal in about two and a half years. Recruiting and retention was very solid during those years leading to the early goal.
Additionally, politics in Washington has changed. The military budget is going to shrink and there won’t be enough money for as many jobs to get a bonus, and those that do get a bonus will see a drastic drop. With the shift in politics, the current operations in Iraq are going to be drawn down over the next few years leaving Afghanistan the only major front in the war on terror.
Overall, the Marine Corps should be proud of itself for being able to exceed recruiting and retention goals month after month. Now the Corps just has to concentrate on not exceeding them by too much.
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By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 25, 2009, this nation lost an important citizen. This individual died loved and respected by many. Most had never even met him, yet were honored just to know he was there. This individual was NOT Michael Jackson and the media largely ignored everything but!
Followers of milblogs know the name 1st Lt. Brian Bradshaw because we DID honor his passing while the rest of the nation honored a false idol. Bradshaw was never accused of molestation or any other evil deed. Bradshaw never had to pay off family member to avoid going to court. Bradshaw was a true American hero. This video was done by his mother and it saddens me that the media didn’t report these things until July 12th!!
Watch CBS Videos Online
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By Marcus
Posted in Uncategorized
Joshua Fry had a difficult time at boot camp. It isn’t uncommon for many young men and women to struggle a bit, but Joshua had some pretty extreme troubles.
He was confused by the orders drill instructors shouted at him. He was caught stealing peanut butter from the chow hall. He urinated in his canteen. He talked back to the drill instructors. He refused to shave.
Drill Instructors helped Joshua make it through the rest of recruit training, but he soon faced trouble again. He was arrested for dissertation and possession of child pornography. Those two actions are enough to make a lot of service members shoot for some kind of personal vengeance and not wait for the legal system to run its course. However, Joshua really couldn’t help his behavior even if he wanted to.
At the age of 8, Joshua was diagnosed as autistic. His parents, both of whom were addicted to drugs, were not fit to raise him, which led to bouncing from foster home to foster home. He was even ordered to a 15-month stay at a facility for psychologically disturbed youth. His grandmother was given conservatorship over him shortly after his 18th birthday, which prevents him from signing any type of contract without her permission. Joshua should have never been able to enlist. Joshua now sits in a Camp Pendleton brig waiting for the Marine Corps to complete the legal process.
Needless to say, there was a sever breakdown in the recruiting process. The investigation is still on going, so I’m not here to lay blame. My point is rather simple. Joshua should have never enlisted. Since he was able to break the recruiting screening process, he should be discharged and not prosecuted. There is nothing to gain, no example to set, for this young man to be sitting in the brig. He needs treatment and to return to the group home in Irving where he lived prior to enlisting.
I truly hope the Marine Corps administratively separates him so that he gets help, not prison.
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July 11, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
Think about some of the images from past wars and conflicts. Now, compare and contract those images in your mind and tell me what you see as the common denominator. If you’re thinking of the same images I am, it’s the cigarette. As far back as our military goes, you can bet that tobacco played a large role. For decades, cigarettes were even included in MREs for deployed troops. Well, “Pentagon health experts” want to put an end to that.
Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco by troops and end its sale on military property, a change that could dramatically alter a culture intertwined with smoking.
Jack Smith, head of the Pentagon’s office of clinical and program policy, says he will recommend that Gates adopt proposals by a federal study that cites rising tobacco use and higher costs for the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs as reasons for the ban.
I’m not a smoker or any sort of tobacco user. I refuse to even buy cigaretters for another person even if they give me money. When I was younger, my parents used to smoke in the car with the windows rolled up and I absolutely hated it. After trying a puff at 11, I was convinced it was the most disgusting habit in the universe!
However, that doesn’t mean it’s right to ban military members from smoking. I do agree that the costs of treating health conditions caused by smoking should NOT be borne on the backs of American taxpayers. Smokers should have to pay for any smoking cessation classes in the military. Currently, patches, gum, and other treatments don’t cost military members a dime. If Soldiers want to kill themselves by smoking, then I sure don’t want to pay for it. Smokers should have to pay a higher premium for their SGLI, but they shouldn’t be banned from smoking. I also don’t think it should be subsidized in military commissaries and PXs. Let them pay full price like off post.
Banning smoking in the military is asinine. We have enough trouble as it is controlling and managing stress without taking away the one thing that most troops turn to for relaxation and calming. From what I’ve heard, smoking a cigarette after a stressful day is a great way to relieve stress. If troops can’t find a way to relieve that stress, what do you think will happen?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t smoke and I’ve found ways of dealing with stress without slowly killing myself with a cancer stick. We just seem to be going in the wrong direction lately. First we tell Soldiers what kind of magazines they can read. Now we’re going to tell them whether or not they can smoke. We may very well solve the health care crisis, but banning smoking in the military is sure going to prevent people from signing up!
For the sake of argument, let’s assume we do ban cigarettes in the military. Will the military adopt a urinalysis program to test for tobacco use? Will Soldiers be kicked out of the military for testing positive for tobacco use? This is just insane to me and I’m not even a smoker. Probably right up there with one of the dumbest ideas in military history!
Update: I know I’m behind on this and just saw that Marcus also commented on this. I’ll keep this up since my point of view is a little different.
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July 10, 2009 By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family
I appreciate the editorial below, and I understand the need for publicity on this matter. I still can’t help but want to scream when I see these headlines. The other day I walked into a local grocery store and the Wall Street Journal had a headline that read something like “Soldiers children feel the toll of war!” What drives me insane about these headlines is I have to wonder how many non-military American citizens stop to think about the full ramifications of war. We need headlines to declare what should be painfully obvious. We also need advocacy to get what should be entitled to military families — mental health support as needed.
The editorial takes a good stab at some of the reasons for the mental stress. I don’t agree about the economy being a huge stress and strain, because I feel that we are a tad less affected and we are more resilient than that. Forget the economy…. who needs to blame our stresses on that when: 1. We get very little time to truly recover in between deployments. 2. The media LOVES reporting bad news from the front lines and they love doing it as much as possible. 3. Our Country is divided so on any given day we may hear our soldier called a horrible name, and then 10-minutes later get a “thank you” for his service. 4. He comes home wore out, stressed out, and needing mental health care that he may or may not feel safe seeking. 5. We bury more friends and comfort more widows than most Americans will ever know about. 6. Our children know other children who have lost a father or a mother in the war… and now their daddy or mommy is heading over next. Oh, the list could go on and on.
Help needed for children of soldiers
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 09, 2009
EXCERPT
Much has been written about the psychological stress plaguing U.S. soldiers cycling in and out of war zones, but now comes news of an alarming spike in depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among children of active-duty military families.
The findings have grave implications in Hawaii, where many spouses and children remain while their active-duty loved ones are repeatedly deployed to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some families, being based so far from extended family elsewhere in the United States compounds the stress and sense of isolation.
A concentrated effort to provide a range of services is strongly encouraged.
Internal Pentagon documents show that children of U.S. military troops sought outpatient mental health care 2 million times last year, double the number at the start of the Iraq war. The number of military kids actually hospitalized for mental health reasons also sharply increased.
The number of children and spouses of active-duty personnel and Guard and Reserve troops seeking mental health care steadily increased over the past few years, but the reasons are not clear from the documents, according to the Associated Press.
Last year’s increase in child hospitalizations coincided with the “surge” of tens of thousands of additional U.S. troops into Iraq to stabilize the country, but military families have coped for years now with their loved ones serving repeated tours in war zones.
The severe economic recession that has affected most American families could be a factor, as could the fact that the military has urged families not to avoid seeking help, encouragement that might reveal mental health issues unrelated to the stress of deployment. READ ON
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