January 29, 2008
1. President Bush Addresses Military Families in State of the Union
4. Autism Conference to be Held at Camp Pendleton
5. Determining Residency for Voting Purposes
6. Scholarships Available for Military Children - Deadlines Approaching
7. Apply for the NMFA Military Spouse Scholarship
1. President Bush Addresses Military Families in State of the Union:
In the State of the Union address delivered on January 28, President
Bush spoke directly to military families. He said "Our military
families also sacrifice for America. They endure sleepless nights and
the daily struggle of providing for children while a loved one is
serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So
I ask you (Congress) to join me in expanding their access to child
care, creating new hiring preferences for military spouses across the
federal government and allowing our troops to transfer their unused
education benefits to their spouses or children. Our military families
serve our nation. They inspire our nation, and tonight our nation
honors them."
The National Military Family Association thanks the President for
recognizing the important role that families play in support of the
Global War on Terrorism and for championing issues that have been
highlighted by NMFA for several years. We will continue to pursue these
issues as we prepare our testimony for this year.
2. 2008 NDAA Signed Into Law: After
months of political maneuvering and an unexpected Presidential veto,
the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986) was signed into
law yesterday, January 28, 2008. Among other provisions it contains a
3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel and significant
enhancements in programs for wounded service members. In coming weeks
NMFA will highlight specific provisions of this legislation in the
Government and You ENews.
3. New PTSD Study Published: On
January 15, 2008, the British Medical Journal published an article on
new onset and persistent symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in
U.S. service members after deployment and exposure to combat. Data was
extracted and analyzed from the Millennium Cohort that was gathered
prior to the Global War of Terror (July 2001 to June 2003) and compared
to health outcomes data (June 2004 to February 2006).
The findings were:
- Those who deployed to theater and experienced combat were three
times more likely to self-report PTSD symptoms or be diagnosed than
those who forward deployed but did not experience combat. - Those
who were female, divorced, or enlisted and self-reported as a current
smoker or problem drinker were at a higher risk for PTSD. - There were no differences found between Services.
- More than half who self-reported PTSD symptoms prior to deployment no longer self-reported PTSD after deployment.
Their findings suggest new onset self-reported PTSD symptoms or
diagnosis may be attributed to combat exposure in those who deploy. It
also suggests that deployment in itself is not the determinant factor,
but rather the exposure during deployment is the key factor. Those who
initially self-reported PTSD, but did not during the follow-up implies
the presence of resiliency or recovery in the service member. The
unpredictability and intensity of urban combat, constant risk of
roadside bombs, multiple and prolonged tours, and complex problems of
differentiating enemies from allies was not examined further and was
felt it could leave service members with high stress levels and
possible long lasting health effects.
(Source: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39430.638241.AEv1)
4. Autism Conference to be Held at Camp Pendleton:
The second annual Marine Corps Installation West and Naval Hospital
Camp Pendleton Autism Conference will be held on Thursday, 21 February
at the Staff NCO Club at MCB Camp Pendleton. The conference is intended
for policy makers, senior executives, military and civilian health care
providers and support personnel, other Navy and Marine Corps leaders,
TRICARE Regional Office West Staff, TriWest Staff, education community
representatives and military family members. Information and
registration information can be found at http://www.cpen.med.navy.mil/nhcp.cfm?xid=wap&f=x833A678B.
5. Determining Residency for Voting Purposes:
Determining residency for voting purposes can be complex for military
family members. These general guidelines from the Federal Voting
Assistance Program may be helpful.
- Generally your state of legal residence is the state in which you
vote. While you may have only one legal residence at any time, you may
adopt a new legal residence each time you move. - To establish legal residence in a state one must have physical presence in that state and the intent to remain in the state.
- Each
state has specific physical presence and other requirements for
residency, check with your state to determine specific requirements. - Once legal residence is changed, a person may not revert to the previous residence without re-establishing physical presence.
- Military spouses do not automatically assume the state of residency of the military member when they marry.
- Military
children typically assume the legal residence of either parent when
they turn 18, however, they also have the option of establishing their
own legal residence, which may be different from either parent. They
must, however, meet the individual requirements for the state in which
they wish to establish residency. - Once established, legal residency remains intact until legal residency is established in another state.
Family members with questions about residency should contact their
installation legal office for information specific to their situation.
6. Scholarships Available for Military Children - Deadlines Approaching:
Scholarship deadlines are fast approaching! Don't miss your opportunity
to apply for the Defense Commissary Agency's annual scholarship.
Applications are currently being accepted and must be submitted by
February 20th. For complete information, visit the website at: http://www.militaryscholar.org/.
In addition, The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation "Honors Marines
by Educating Their Children." Since its founding in 1962, the
organization has distributed over 21,000 needs-based, college
scholarships and bonds totaling over $34 million. The Foundation
provides assistance to the children of Marines, or Navy Corpsmen
serving with Marines, with special consideration given to children
whose parent was killed or wounded in action.
To be eligible to apply, a student must be the child of a current
U.S. Marine or the child of a Marine retired or deceased. Applicants
must also be high school graduates, or registered as an undergraduate
student at an accredited educational institution. Scholarships are not
offered for graduate study. Scholarship recipients must have a family
income $77,000 or less. This limit increases if siblings apply.
Children whose parent is participating or has participated in Operation
Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom may qualify for additional
scholarship funding.
Upcoming application deadlines are March 3, 2008 for graduating high
school seniors and first-time college freshman; and April 15, 2008 for
all other students. To learn more about the Foundation and its
scholarships, visit their web site at http://www.mcsf.org/ or call 800-292-7777.
7. Apply for the NMFA Military Spouse Scholarship:
The National Military Family Association's Joanne Holbrook Patton
Military Spouse Scholarships are awarded to spouses of Uniformed
Services members (active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees,
and survivors) to obtain professional certification or to attend post
secondary or graduate school. Scholarships range in amount from $500 to
$1,000, and the number awarded each year varies depending on funding.
Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, and school room and
board.
Scholarship selection is based on completion of some survey
questions that will help NMFA advocate for education changes on your
behalf, short-answer questions, and an essay question that will help us
get to know you better. To be considered, applications must be
completed by midnight March 15, 2008. Apply Now!
