New Commissary Reform Plan to Protect Savings

The Department of Defense is modifying its approach to reform the commissary benefit with new guarantees to preserve overall shopper savings and also to avoid pay cuts for current employees, according to a source who has seen fiscal 2017 budget planning documents. The guarantees are part of a revised commissary overhaul proposal that officials believe Congress, shopper advocates and store suppliers will view far more favorably than the department’s push the past two years to slash funding of base grocery stores and, in effect, hope the benefit survives.

For more details, see this Military Advantage blog post.

What makes an employer a top veteran employer?

Depending on who you ask and what factors you use, you’ll get a bunch of different answers.

See more.

In keeping with VFW’s commitment to student veterans’ success, the VFW is once again partnering with Student Veterans of America to host the 2016 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program, providing 10 exemplary student veterans with the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and in their community.

Apply Now

Forty years after the end of the Vietnam War, a new study has found that troops who served there continue to struggle with post-traumatic stress. The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study concludes that 271,000 Vietnam War veterans suffer from varying levels of post-traumatic stress, and that one-third of that number have a major depressive disorder 40 years after the war. The study offers a close look at post-traumatic stress and what it might mean for future veterans. The study is available in the September 2015 issue of JAMA Psychiatry.

For more on PTSD and treatment options, visit the Military.com PTSD section.

From Fall to Finals

Our chapters have started the school year stronger than ever, and we continue to be amazed by the work they accomplish. SVA chapters are welcoming new faces, celebrating improved and brand new Vet Centers, and we have seen the determination of our members firsthand throughout our Local Leadership Summit series. As the fall semester gets underway and mid-terms near, it’s important to keep in mind the upcoming events and opportunities, as we look ahead to the end of the year and the largest student veteran event of the year, NatCon 2016.

Here in Washington, D.C., in addition to working to roll out new scholarship opportunities and plan for the remaining events in the Leadership Institute Series, we are also extremely excited to unveil our brand new SVA National Headquarters. The new facility, which is located in the heart of Washington, just blocks from the White House, is designed to accommodate our growing support staff. In addition, SVA HQ will also provide work space accommodations for visiting student veterans and Board of Directors members, and supply our support staff with the cutting edge resources to better serve student veterans across the country. We can’t wait for you to visit and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events in your region!
Sincerely,
Student Veterans of America

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The White House and Senate FY 2016 budget proposals include a 1.3 percent increase in military pay for 2016 — a small increase over the 1 percent 2014 and 2015 pay increases. The military pay tables apply to active members of the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. For the proposed pay charts, see the Military.com Pay Chart page.

An individual or individuals using the “Exchange Inc.” name to handle vehicle purchases has once again been placing advertisements in auto magazines and commercial newspapers, leading Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) shoppers to believe they are purchasing a vehicle through the AAFES. Military exchanges do not have the authority to sell vehicles or represent private sellers. Also, the Exchange does not advertise in civilian outlets such as metropolitan newspapers or automobile sales magazines. Shoppers who believe that they may have been taken advantage of can file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

For more on discounts for military members, families and veterans, visit the Military.com Discount Center.

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Doctor and hospital bills are expensive even when you’re covered by TRICARE. Help minimize or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses with the MBA-sponsored TRICARE Insurance Supplement Plan.

The Wozniak Project (featuring Steve Wozniak co-founder of Apple Computers)

November 2, 2015;

The SPC Foundation Speaker’s Event

Palladium Theater St. Petersburg, FL

Join us for a lively, interactive discussion with one of the most important innovators of our time.  Steve Wozniak, or “Woz”, takes a customized approach to each appearance to ensure a topical focus that is unique and conversational.

Proceeds from the event will support the Foundation’s Scholarship Initiative. With more than 60% of the College’s annual enrollment of 45,000 relying on tuition assistance, scholarships play a critical role in the success of our diverse student population and help ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to sustain the economic vitality of our community.

Ticketing information coming soon.