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Charles R. Figley

“Each day as we read accounts of our American troops fighting, dying, and getting hurt in the current wars so far away, my heart goes out to them and their families. But my heart also goes out to the physicians, nurses, and technicians who will be working with these war fighters. It was with them in mind that I offer this brief article on compassion fatigue.” To read more, please visit Gift From Within at http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/artscien.html.

“ Why do combat veterans struggle so much with resolving conflicts or coming to terms with many situations in civilian life? One reason may be the issue of “rank.” In the military, the troops don’t make decisions as equals. You get an order and you follow it. You don’t discuss your feelings. You don’t hear the reasoning behind the order. You simply obey the one who outranks you.

The same is true if you are a leader. When you give an order, you don’t expect to explain yourself, or to have to listen to everyone’s feelings about your order. You expect obedience. Military members often carry this hierarchy of rank over into their personal lives.” To read more, please visit Gift From Withinat http://www.emilitary.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5139.

Note: Gift from Within is a non-profit organization dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals; develops and disseminates educational material, including videotapes, articles, books, and other resources through its website; maintains a roster of survivors who are willing to participate in an international network of peer support; is designated by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) public charity, eligible to receive tax-exempt grants, gifts, and donations.

GovBenefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government, with information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.

http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal

The nation’s governors are finding new ways to support the men and women of the U.S. military and their families, according to a recent survey by the National Governors Association (NGA). Visit

http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/07GUARDSURVEY.PDF to learn about programs in your state regarding Family Support Education Benefits, Licensing and Registration Benefits, Tax and Financial Benefits, State Employees Benefits, Protections, Recognition and Employment Support.

NACCCRA and the Department of Defense (DOD) have partnered to provide families of severely injured military members with assistance to find and pay for safe, licensed child care services for a period of six months during their period of recuperation. http://www.naccrra.org/MilitaryPrograms/severely_injured/

Child Care Aware is committed to helping parents find the best information on locating quality child care and child care resources in their community. We do this by raising visibility for local child care resource and referral agencies nationwide and by connecting parents with the local agencies best equipped to serve their needs. http://www.childcareaware.org/en/

 This bill is in its first stage of consideration to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require a State to charge in-State tuition rates to active-duty members of the Armed Forces domiciled or stationed on active duty in that State and to the dependents of such members. Visit http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3780 to follow its progress.

 2007 catch-up contributions — If you are — or will be — age 50 or older during this calendar year and you are already contributing the maximum amount in regular TSP contributions, you can still make additional catch-up contributions up to a total of $5,000 in 2007.  Check with your agency or service TSP representative for information about how to make your election. To learn more, visit http://www.tsp.gov/index.html

And, if you are a Federal civilian employee and a member of the Ready Reserve (including the National Guard), there’s important information about your TSP account that you should know — especially if you are called to active duty. Visit http://www.tsp.gov/curinfo/specint/RReserves-intro.html to learn more.

One way to help protect your identity is to check your credit reports on a regular basis. By doing so, you can ensure that there are no loans, credit cards, or other financial obligations that have been fraudulently initiated in your name.

By law, you are entitled to 3 free credit reports every 12 months—one each from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, the national consumer credit reporting agencies. If you haven’t requested free credit reports in the past year, visit USA.gov’s link to AnnualCreditReport.com. 

 A private company is currently sending out letters nationwide offering to sell property owners certified copies of deeds. The letters refer to information found in FCIC’s “Managing Household Records” 2003 online consumer focus article.

The company cites that article as a reason for purchasing a certified deed. Consumers should be aware that it is not necessary to use a private company to obtain a certified copy of the deed to your home. You can obtain one from your local Register of Deeds for free or at a low cost.

 A copy of your deed is just one of the important documents that you should keep in an organized records system. You should also include your birth and marriage certificates, wills, advance directives, titles of cars, and passports. It’s a good idea to store the original papers in a safe deposit box, and keep copies in a secure place at your home.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/buying/loanfraudfaq.pdf

Real people. Real experiences. Really fun and helpful.

That’s how people are describing the Federal Citizen Information Center’s new blog: GovGab.gov. This weblog gives Americans a new way to get information about the services and opportunities of the U.S. government. And, you’re invited to comment and share your own experiences.

 Read along each weekday as the bloggers talk about the business of everyday life: figuring out what to do when an airline loses your luggage; preparing your lawn for fall and winter; learning how to roll over a 401(k); experiencing the thrill (and trauma) of buying a new car; and much more. Gov Gab talks about the same issues you deal with in your busy life.

 Find out who’s talking, what they’re saying, and offer your two cents on GovGab.gov—Your U.S. Government Blog.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new rankings on fuel economy for 2008 models. Rankings include:

• Top ten leaders in fuel economy
• Ten models with the lowest overall fuel economy
• In each class, models with the best fuel economy
• In each class, models with the lowest fuel economy

See if your vehicle—or a vehicle you’re considering buying—appears on any of the lists

TRICARE / Health Benefits Information

MFN Book Club

Order Now and Save- Your Military Family Network

Everything you need to know from Enlistment to Retirement! The Military Family Network and Capital Books in Washington DC are publishing the Nation's first military family resource book. This 850-page book will cover all major military support topics from moving and deployment to money and employment. Find out what you need when you need it.

To order your copy of Your Military Family Network or copies for your organization, please Visit Your Military Family Network online or call 1-866-205-2850 for more information. Military discounts apply.

Mission Critical Information

MFN Military Friendly Deals

Glamour Shots in the Southeast Offers Free 8x10 Portraits for Military Families

The Military Family Network has teamed up with Glamour Shots located in the Southeast to provide a free session and 8-by-10-inch portrait to active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and retired service members and their families.

The Military Family Network is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the way Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation's service members.

"As a retired member of our armed forces, I know how important it is to have high quality portraits of our loved ones, for those families who are at home and for our (service members) serving away from home," Al Sciarrino, veteran and owner of Glamour Shots stores in the Southeast, said.

Families can make an appointment at the Glamour Shots stores in Newport News and Richmond, Va., Jacksonville, Fla., Nashville, TN, Augusta and Savannah, Ga., and Bel Air, Al., to have their free portrait taken. Apart from the free 8x10 portraits and special pricing on other packages offered, Glamour Shots offers an ongoing 10% discount to the military on all Glamour Shots services.

"Mr. Sciarrino knows first hand what it is like to be a military family and how special photographs can be to our families," Caroline Peabody, President of the Military Family Network, said. "Our service members are doing their best every day to protect our nation, we are proud of Glamour Shots for giving this wonderful gift ... that will keep giving throughout their lives.

Shopping-Bargains.com Offers Free Discount Coupons and Promotions for More than 1,000 Stores

Continuing its tradition of creating value for the military community, The Military Family Network is excited to be teaming up with Shopping-Bargains.com which offers military service members, Reserve and Guard, veterans and their families an opportunity to enjoy tremendous savings on various quality retail products and services for less. Shopping-Bargains.com provides a free, private, no registration shopping experience for bargain hunters, coupon clippers and online shoppers. The website offers online coupon codes, free shipping bargains, printable grocery store coupons and other promotional discounts.

Shopping-Bargains.com is an online shopping network of more than 1,000 stores and websites including favorites like JCPenney, Target, Macy's, Amazon.com, Dell, Overstock.com and eHarmony. More than just a listing of secure and reputable stores, Shopping-Bargains.com publishes coupons for free shipping, discounts including dollar off and percentage off savings, special Internet-only promotions and exclusive online bargains for these stores.

"You really can pay less if you shop with us first," said founder and president of Shopping-Bargains.com, Mike Allen. "Our free shipping and coupons savings are perfect for military families who want brand name savings and online shopping convenience."

"We invite our military community to discover the advantages we offer by visiting us today," states Allen.

The founder of Shopping-Bargains.com, Mike Allen, moderates the Military Deals Forum located at http://www.emilitary.org/forums/index.php?showforum=128.

The founder of Shopping-Bargains.com, Mike Allen, moderates the Military Deals Forum located at http://www.emilitary.org/forums/index.php?showforum=128

Organization Spotlight

Nomination Season for 2008 Secretary of Defense Freedom Awards Opens November 1 - Nominate Your Employer!

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given to employers for their support of their employees who also serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Nominations must come from a Guard or Reserve member who is employed by the organization they are nominating, or a family member of the same. The nomination period for the 2008 Freedom Awards will be open on November 1st.

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 by Secretary of Defense William Perry. The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the lead Department of Defense agency for gaining employer support, is charged with planning, coordinating and executing this program.

The award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The award is the highest in a series of ESGR awards that include the Patriot Award, the Above and Beyond Award, and the Pro Patria Award.

Process takes into consideration specific support provided by an employer, including pay policies, benefits and leave policies, previous ESGR awards, supervisor training, ESGR advocacy, service member recognition, family support, deployed member support, hiring preferences, and general military support.

Veterans

TurboTAP is an easy to use, interactive Web portal that provides life-long support to separating military servicemembers (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve) and their families.

http://www.transitionassistanceprogram.com/register.tpp

2008 COLA Gives 2.3% Raise to Military Retirees, Disability Retired Pay and Military Survivor Annuity Recipients

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are effective each December first. More information on COLA: COLA is a cash allowance intended to enable an equitable standard of living in areas where cost of living is unusually high. Mambers permanently assigned to designated areas receive this entitlement. If the cost of living in the area where the member is assigned is the same or lower than average in the U.S., COLA is not authorized. Soldiers deploying from an area not qualifying for COLA are not entitled to COLA while deployed, even if the deployed location is a designated COLA area. Visit DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service) for more information including pay tables and pay dates: http://www.dfas.mil/

Retired and Annuitant Pay: Paid-Up Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

Effective October 1, 2008, no reduction in the retired pay of a participant in the SBP will be made for any month after the later of (1) the 360th month of paid premiums; and (2) the month during which the participant attains 70 years of age. Visit http://www.dfas.mil/retiredpay/paid-upsurvivorbenefitpaymentsbp.html to read more.

Prepare for Flu Season

November is prime time to prepare for the 2007/2008 flu season. While flu vaccines are recommended for most people, they are particularly encouraged for those who could suffer most severely from flu-related complications. The most vulnerable populations include children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic health problems. To find a convenient location to get your flu shot, check out the Flu Clinic Locator. Veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) health care system can get free flu shots at many of VA’s 153 hospitals and more than 900 outpatient clinics. Find a VA facility near you.

Let's Say Thanks!

Xerox and others in the business community have designed a website
called "Let's Say Thanks". If you go to the site at ww.LetsSayThanks.com,
you can pick out a card and Xerox will send it to a service member currently in Iraq. You can't personalize it to any one soldier, but you can be certain that a soldier will receive your appreciation. It's FREE and literally takes one second. Try it out - You'll be glad you did.