5.2% Troop Pay Raise In 2024 Gets Support As Debt Ceiling Fight Subsides
Capitol Hill is turning its attention to a 5.2% pay bump troops are slated to get next year after lawmakers struck a deal to avert a default on U.S. debts that capped government spending.
Mental Health Resources Available For Women Veterans
About 10 years ago, Veterans Administration hospitals started to see a rise in women scheduling mental health appointments – a trend that seemed to catch healthcare workers off guard.
Red Hill Environmental Risks Will Persist After Military Tanks Are Drained
Ever since thousands of gallons of jet fuel spewed from a pipeline at Red Hill in November 2021 and made its way into the Navy's drinking water system, sickening military families, environmentalists and water officials have had their sights set on ensuring that the fuel in the facility's massive underground tanks that sit just 100 feet above an aquifer is permanently removed.
IMPORTANT TO REITERATE: Here Are The Big Military PCS Changes For 2023
By: Amanda Miller | Military.com
A big part of pulling off a successful permanent change of station (PCS) move is to be aware of the new rules the Defense Department rolls out each year.
After all, despite the best of intentions, local briefings from your base transportation office aren't always up to date.
Army veteran, Army spouse, 11-time PCSer and military movement expert Megan Harless rounded up some of the biggest changes for 2023 and what you need to do about them in an episode of the "PCS with Military.com" podcast. Here's what she said.
New Rules for Lithium Batteries in Household Goods Shipments
The Defense Department won't allow any lithium batteries in long-term -- aka "non-temporary" -- storage of household goods, and it announced new size limits on the batteries in typical PCS shipments starting this season.
"If you have something with a lithium battery for a non-temp storage shipment, you're going to either have to remove it and store it yourself or consider selling and getting rid of that item," Harless said.
The new rules call for PCSing households to know the difference between lithium metal batteries (generally single-use) and lithium ion batteries (generally rechargeable) and to set them aside for the movers if you think you're allowed to take them based on the size limits. Lithium metal batteries can contain up to 2 grams of lithium (1 gram for a single cell in a multicell battery); and lithium ion batteries may perform at 100 watt-hours of power (20 watt-hours for a single cell in a multicell battery).
"So the big piece that comes into play here is that we have to be able to identify, first, what is a lithium battery product? Second, how do we calculate all of these things as well? Because you have to know the formulas between the volts and the amps and the watt-hours to figure out the grams and the cells and all of that," Harless said.
She advised people not to try to hide oversized lithium batteries in their shipments "because the risk is just not worth it," she said. "We've seen this regulation come down the pipeline because, over the last several months, there have been cases of lithium batteries just combusting in shipments. And so it puts that shipment at risk, it puts other shipments at risk, it puts people at risk."
Higher Rate Paid for Broken Items You Don't Want to Replace
Whereas movers assigned by the military -- known formally as transportation service providers, or TSPs -- have to pay the full replacement value of items they damage, they have to do so only if they're allowed to take the item away.
In past years, Harless said, if a PCSing household decided they wanted to keep the broken item, such as for sentimental reasons, the TSP would have to pay only 50% of the full value to replace it.
However, in 2023, that number is going up.
"So, if you want to have the TSP waive their salvage rights and not take possession of something that they may pay full replacement value for, they will be allowed to offer no more than 25% less than the FRV amount" -- in other words, no more than 75% of the full replacement value.
In a related change, Harless said, if the TSP wants to replace the item with another one, it will have to check to make sure the item can be shipped to your location.
"So if you're stationed in Japan and that chair is broken, but Pottery Barn still makes that chair, if Pottery Barn doesn't ship to Japan, [the TSP is] unable to offer it as the replacement. They have to offer you something that is available where you are."
Privatized Process Starting in September
Starting in September, U.S. Transportation Command will hand off the running of PCS and move to a private company under the new Global Household Goods Contract, or GHC, Harless said. TRANSCOM will then provide oversight.
"This is going to be a big one," Harless said. "The entire program is essentially going to change. ... If you're looking at moving on Sept. 1 or later, there's a good chance you could be under the GHC. The current goal is that by peak season 2024, everybody will move under GHC."
The new company, HomeSafe Alliance, will take on many of the functions previously done by the base transportation offices.
"There's going to be more information released from TRANSCOM and from the services, more guidance put out as to what you need to do if you're going to be under that new program," Harless said.
Below are the campaigns that are currently located on our Action Center. Please take no more than 5-10 minutes to scan through each of the campaigns and click on the custom links provided below.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them.
Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities.
Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!
Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation.
Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Allowsthe receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!
The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity.
By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity.
Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families.
The Not Just a Number Act would oblige the VA to look into how veterans use their benefits in their yearly report on suicide prevention in order to assess the connection between VA benefits and suicide outcomes.
In its fight against veteran suicides, the VA evaluates which VA benefits have the best impact on preventing suicide and requires the Department to submit recommendations for an increase in such benefits.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
AFSA Professional Education, Personal Development Symposium Registration isLIVE!!!
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Registration is LIVE!!! This year’s Summit/AFSA International Convention will convene Friday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 9,2023,(Departures: Thursday, August 10, 2023) in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole Resort, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. For more details, please click on the link below:
THEME:The Theme for THE SUMMIT 23/AFSA International Convention is“Back to Basics and Beyond.”
NOTE:Main arrival and registration is on Friday, August 4, 2023.
THEME PARTY/ICE BREAKER:THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Theme Party/Ice Breaker is on Friday, August 4, 2023.The Theme for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is “Super Heroes & Sheroes.” The Dress Code for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is:
Dust off your Cape!
WELCOMING CEREMONY: The Welcoming Ceremony is on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The Dress Code for the Welcoming Ceremony is:
Business Casual, Military Personnel on Funded TDY orders: OCPs.
AFSA PRESIDENT’S DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY. The AFSA President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The Dress Code for the President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is:
AFSA Members: Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit, Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform;
Top Performer Club members (Formerly TwinFLIER, SKYHIGHER and/or HighFLIER Club members): Wear the AFSA blue blazer. If they are active-duty military members, they may wear the AFSA blue blazer, but are highly encouraged to wear their service dress uniform.
AIR & SPACE HONORS BANQUET AND CMSAF AWARDS CEREMONY. The Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The Dress Code for the Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is:
Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit,
Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention
REGISTRATION FEE: The registration fees are as follows:
AFSA International Convention
Complete Early Registration (1 April - 31 May)$275.00
Use Promo Code: AFSAEarly to save. Expires April 30, 2023
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$300.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $325.00
AFSA International Convention Plus PEDs and Air & Space Honor’s Banquet
Complete Early Registration (1 April - 31 May)$325.00
Use Promo Code: AFSAEarly to save. Expires April 30, 2023
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$350.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $375.00
On Monday, August 7-9, there will be a full day of Professional Development. All Professional Development Forums are open to all military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personal at no cost.
BEAUTIFUL EVENT LOCATION- Book your rooms now!The Summit 23/AFSA International Conventionis held at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Dallas, Texas where you'll find an entertainment complex designed to relax and delight you and your family. We've partnered with the Hilton Anatole to offer special AFSA/SUMMIT ROOM RATES at $154+ tax a night.
NOTE: Please identify that you are with the Air Force Sergeants Association group.
(This special rate includes the outdoor Jade Water Pool Complex with slides and a lazy river, the Verandah Fitness Club & V-Spa, dining options, and much more.)
NOTE:The last date to make hotel reservations at the AFSA contracted room rate is July 14, 2023.
Have You Read The Latest AFSA Magazine?
This edition features Port Mortuary and America’s Missing Heroes, Living with Bipolar Disorder in the Military, Fly-By Wire Defense and AFSA’s American Award Recipient – Don Ward. Read, download, print and share: https://www.hqafsa.org/fallmagazine.html
Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,
We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.
The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.
Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.
For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.
Please Update Your Contact Information Today!
Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,
In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.
We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways:
Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right
We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.
In sum, the agreement set spending caps for the defense budget for the following year at the same amount that the Biden administration had asked for in its budget proposal to Congress earlier this year, which also included a 5.2% increase.
One senator wants assurances that the pay increase will be protected in the impending military policy legislation. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, pleaded with the Senate Armed Services Committee chairmen in a letter dated June 5 to guarantee that a 5.2% pay boost for soldiers is included in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
In addition, in her long career working with military programs and women who are battling with their mental health, Jena Hedrick-Walker's role as director of strategic development for Loyal Source, a veteran-friendly healthcare organization, is the most recent stop.
The number of female service members who commit suicide has decreased as a result of the work of individuals like Hedrick-Walker. Less veterans committed suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006, according to a VA report released in September 2022. Age-adjusted suicide rates among female veterans decreased by 14.1%, and in 2020 they were at their lowest levels since 2013.
And lastly, that objective is anticipated to be accomplished on a hurried schedule as early as January. The fight to protect the environment, however, is far from over. The military's top official leading the defueling project said Tuesday that residual fuel that is stuck throughout the plant will continue to threaten the groundwater and that its removal will be difficult, while environmental rehabilitation of the site is expected to continue for decades.
In order to remove an estimated 99.85% of the fuel from the site, military officials intend to start emptying 104 million gallons of fuel from the Red Hill tanks through pipelines that go down to Pearl Harbor piers.
And that's the way it is for Thursday, June 8, 2023.
Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!
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