Episode #79: Weekly News Roundup for Mar. 25

Filed under DoD News by on March 25, 2011 at 2:51 pm {no comments}

In the “This Week in the DoD” podcast for March 25:

The deadline for service members, veterans, and beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has been extended to April 8, as part of the continuing resolution funding government operations.

American Forces continue to assist in the Japanese recovery from the earthquake and tsunami that demolished some towns and damaged nuclear reactors, as part of Operation Tomodachi.

The U.S. has canceled all permanent change of station moves to Japan, and is facilitating voluntary departures for the families of service members stationed there.

Last weekend, the United Nations Security Council released resolution 1973, authorizing the use of force to defend Libyan citizens and civilians from further attacks by enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.

Friday, Mar. 25, is National Medal of Honor Day, a holiday set aside to acknowledge and salute those awarded the Nation’s highest military honor. Medal of Honor recipients will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and present four civilians with awards for courage and bravery similar to the actions of medal recipients.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is an opportunity to share information and remind people of the causes and effects of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Listen to the podcast.

Retroactive Stop Loss Pay Extended

Filed under DoD News by on March 22, 2011 at 3:58 pm {no comments}

By Dr. Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)

By Dr. Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)

Last week, I was blogging about the deadline looming for retroactive stop loss pay. The deadline has now been extended until April 8 to apply, so have you applied yet?  Time is running short to claim retroactive stop loss special pay if you or someone you know served in an involuntary stop loss status from September 11th, 2001 to September 30th, 2009.  The retroactive stop loss special pay is $500 for every month/partial month served in a stop loss status.

I am thankful for our nation’s remarkable response by rallying behind this effort and aiding the Department in expanding our reach to our Service Members, families, and Veterans about this issue.  Through individual letters, public service announcements, social networking and media stories we’ve reached millions of people.  The White House, Congress, Department of Veterans Affairs and military & veteran service organizations around the country have shared information and messages on stop loss special pay and the looming deadline.  Now that our time has been extended, we are again appealing to friends and families of Service members around the world, whether this applies to you or someone you know.

If you are reading this blog, I am asking you to help spread the word before it’s too late for those eligible to apply.  Please, talk about this incredible benefit (through blogs, tweets, Facebook, YouTube, etc.

Our Service members and Veterans worked hard and earned this benefit… please help me to remind them to claim it!

Information on the simple and straightforward application process is online at www.defense.gov/stoploss.

Other blogs relating to P&R and our issues:
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/category/bia/
http://health.mil/blog.aspx
http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/

Stop Loss Application Deadline Extended to April 8, 2011

Filed under DoD News by on March 21, 2011 at 11:32 am {no comments}

On Friday President Obama signed into law a continuing resolution providing funding for federal government operations through April 8, 2011. This includes Retro Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP).

RSLSP was established to compensate for the hardships military members encountered when their service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss Authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009.  Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service in order to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status.

Eligible members should visit their specific service’s Web site and submit their application on-line; on-line submission provides a claim number, allows for automated status updates, and provides a means for the military service to contact the applicant.

To apply, or for more information on retroactive stop loss, including submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.

Episode #75: Weekly News Roundup for Feb. 25

Filed under DoD News by on February 25, 2011 at 3:55 pm {no comments}

In the “DoD This Week” podcast for Feb 25: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, along with commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. James Mattis met with their counterparts in Oman as part of Mullen’s visit in the Middle East to reassure the U.S. commitment to regional stability there.

There have been some new changes to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. Those currently using their benefits on active duty will have a tiered structure applied to the amount of benefit they can receive.

The deadline for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has once again been extended to March 4, 2011. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit claims to their respective military service to receive $500 for each or partial month served in Stop Loss status.

Sailors from the USS Theodore Roosevelt held a virtual mentoring program for kids in the Hampton Roads, Va., area.

Carol Kando-Pineda from the Federal trade Commission provides a special message as part of Military Saves Week.

Listen here.

March 4: Stop-Loss Pay Deadline

Filed under DoD News, Pentagon Channel by on February 25, 2011 at 11:04 am {no comments}

The deadline for applying to receive Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is coming soon – after March 4, no more applications will be accepted.



So far, about 77,000 of the estimated 145,000 eligible service members have received their pay. More than 125,000 applied; some were found ineligible, some are still being processed by their service. If eligible, the service member is entitled to $500 for every month that person was held in service under Stop Loss between Sept. 2001 and Sept. 2009. The average benefit is slightly less than $4,000.

For more information or to submit an application, visit the Department of Defense Stop Loss page.

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    Famed Yankees pitcher “Lefty Gomez” once remarked “I’d rather be lucky than good,” but for one Tuskegee Airman, luck and good combined to make him one of the most successful combat pilots of World War II.

    During the summer of 1944, 2nd Lt. Clarence D. “Lucky” Lester was flying the P-51 Mustang over the skies of Italy’s Po Valley providing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers with cover support on their way to attack airfields in southern Germany.

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