Hot Topics - USAWOA Online

U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association

USAWOA ONLINE

HOT TOPICS & NEWS

"The Quiet Professionals"

 

| Annual Meeting of Members | Army/Defense/Government News | Articles by/about WO | Awards & Decorations |

 | Chapters & Regions | Commissary, Exchange, MWR | Corporate Memberships | Downloads | Family Members |

| Guard and Reserve | Identity Theft | In Memoriam | Insurance | Interactive Portal | Job Bank | Join/Rejoin | Renew |

| Members Only | Members Only | National Officers and Officials | NEWSLINER (Login required) | Online Store |

| Pay and Allowances | Recruiting and Retention | Scholarship Foundation | TRICARE / Medicare | VA Benefits |

| Warrant Officers in the News | Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation | Warrant Officer History | Site Map |

 

(Many files throughout this web site are Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

If you cannot open a PDF file download the current version of the free Adobe reader.)

 

 

USAWOA News

Celebrating 40 years of service to the Warrant Officer Corps and the Nation.

 

Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation Moves Corporate Office - on January 18, 2012 the Corporate Office of the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation moved from 462 Herndon Pkwy Suite 207, c/o USAWOA, Herndon, VA to Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation, c/o Bay Life Consulting Group, 6743-1 Maddox Blvd, PO Box 438, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336-0438. Donations should continue to be sent to the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation c/o USAWOA, 462 Herndon Pkwy, Suite 207, Herndon, VA 20170-5235 for processing and deposit. 1/19/12

 

USAWOA Executive Director Selected - Last June our then Executive Director, CW5 (Ret) Charlie Wigglesworth resigned. We immediately began the search for his replacement. The job position was written and published on USAJobs.com for a period of 60 days. We reviewed more than 10 resumes of interested candidates. In the final analysis, the consideration of the Board of Directors (BOD) came down to just two individuals. Our selection was not an easy one, because of the breath of diverse experience the two brought to the table. Both offered impressive resumes working at the Department of the Army Staff level. Having said this, the BOD selected CW4 Jack Du Teil, based largely on his additional experience at both the National and Chapter-level of the USAWOA, in several positions, both elective and appointed. I strongly believe Jack will represent our Association with the same professionalism and unfailing dedication he exhibited while serving as our appointed National Treasurer. Please join me in welcoming our new Executive Director and providing him with the support you have continued to offer your National Officers. - CW4 (Ret) Kenneth N. B. "Pete" Hill, USAWOA National President - 1/17/12

 

Passing of the Founder of the European Warrant Officers Association (EWOA) - CW4 (Ret) George Gratchen passed away on December 28, 2011 in Virginia Beach, VA. He was diagnosed with Soft Tissue Sarcoma and with a tumor in his right thigh which required surgery, chemo and radiation. After a long battle for several years, including many operations, George passed away as his wife, Margot and their children were at his side. A memorial service was conducted for George on 31 December and the USAWOA was represented at the service by CW4 (Ret) Don Hess, USAWOA President Emeritus, CW4 (Ret) Robert Scott, USAWOA President Emeritus and CW4 Robert O’Day. As the NEWSLINER editor I asked George several months ago to share his thoughts with his fellow warrant officers on the efforts required in the formation of the European Region Warrant Officers Association (EWOA) in which he was the Founder and first president. CW4 (Ret) Gratchen was not only a strong advocate for the USAWOA, he was an outstanding warrant officer who was inducted into the Ordnance Hall of Fame on 12 May 1989. See also Warrant Officer Associations - A Recent History, with a challenge to all Army Warrant Officers,  by the late CW4 (Ret) Gratchen. 1/17/12

 

USAWOA Scholarship Foundation 2012-2013 Scholarships Application Window - The submission window opens January 1, 2012 and complete applications must be received by the Foundation not later that May 1, 2012 - see more. 12/20/11.

 

Must Reading - "Profession of Arms".....and Warrant Officers by CW4 Joel Lockhart. Updated 1/12/12

 

USAWOA Membership Directory to be Published - USAWOA has entered into a formal agreement with Publishing Concepts Inc (PCI) to produce a USAWOA directory. PCI is conducting a mailing solicitation to each member that has agreed to be solicited based on member information in our database indicating his/her concurrence either on a membership application or personal notification. (See * below for extract of membership application) You may select none, some, or all of the information obtained to be printed in the directory. USAWOA will receive approximately $10.00 for each Package sold. The total duration of the directory project is approximately 12 months at which time the directory will be published and distributed one year from the completion of the project. The name, addresses and information provided to PCI by the Member for the publication of the directory will be held confidential and not sold to a third party. The directory will be made available only to USAWOA Members participating in the publication. (See more)

 

Two Limited Edition "Quiet Professional" prints available for resale - see Resale Bulletin Board. Updated 11/22/11

 

The USAWOA Limited Edition "LET GO!" Print is now Sold-out - the USAWOA Serial Numbered Edition by the late Don Stivers is sold out. However a limited number of the public edition are available at a cost of $165 - see more.

 

Dues alone are not enough to provide the services you, the members, deserve!

Make a Donation to USAWOA, Scholarship Foundation and/or WO Heritage Foundation.

 

[ Top ]

 

 

Army, Defense, Government, and MWR News

 | Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention |  America Supports You | Support Our Troops |

| In Memoriam | Stories of Valor | Warrant Officer Net | USA.gov |

 

FY12 Reserve Component CW3, 4, and 5 Zone Messages released - see Guard & Reserve News for links to the messages. Updated 1/31/12

 

Centralized Selection Board Instructional Video - The short (10 minute) video at the following link, prepared by the DA Secretariat, provides information that will help Soldiers prepare for their next DA selection board. The video also provides insight into the overall board process. It is a great tool for individual review, or to use during unit OPDs/NCOPDs (AKO username and password logon required). To view the video go on the internet to: https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/protect/active/tagd/Video/The_Selection_Board_Process_Video.htm. 1/26/12

 

Officer Education System (OES) - The 2011 Army Posture contains an Information Paper on the OES for officers and warrant officers - see the paper.  See also the complete Army Posture Statement. 1/17/12

 

New law will expedite Soldiers thru airport security - A bill signed into law by the president Jan. 3rd means Soldiers in uniform and their families may soon have an easier time moving through security screening lines at the airport. The new law calls for changes to be implemented within six months - see more. 1/10/12

 

Defense Bill Affects Pay, Separation Bonuses, More - On Dec. 31, 2011  President Barack Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which increases active-duty and reserve pay by 1.6 percent and governs Defense Department activities, from procurement to military personnel policy. Several provisions in this year's act will potentially affect active-duty and retired service members and their families - see more with details. 1/3/12

 

Veterans Get Boost as Obama Signs Tax Credits Into Law - On Nov. 21, 2011 President Barack Obama delivered a clear message today when he signed two new tax credits into law to increase the hiring of military veterans and wounded warriors. “For businesses out there, if you are hiring, hire a veteran,” he said. “It's the right thing to do for you, it's the right thing to do for them, and it's the right thing to do for our economy.” In August, Obama called on Congress to enact tax credits, included in the American Jobs Act, that will help to get unemployed veterans back to work - see more. 12/24/11

 

MilConnect is new online portal for DOD beneficiaries - Share A range of information about Defense Department benefits information and eligibility is now available online. Two new online efforts — milConnect and eCorrespondence — give beneficiaries 24/7 access to personnel information; the ability to update information related to health, education and other benefits; and email notifications about changes in benefits - see more. 12/1/11

 

[ Top ]

 

 

Awards, Decorations, and Honors

Guard, Reserve Members Can Nominate Best Employers - A Defense Department agency has opened its annual selection process for the nation's employers that are the most supportive of employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, is accepting nominations for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the department's highest award for civilian employers supporting Guard and reserve members. (See more) 11/10/11

 

New Phase Applies to Afghanistan Campaign Medal - An additional campaign phase has been approved for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. An additional campaign star corresponding to the campaign phase is now authorized for wear on the campaign medal. Service members who have qualified for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each designated campaign phase in which they participated. The period for the additional phase, called Transition I, began July 1 and will run through a date to be determined. (See more) 11/10/11

 

Nominations for the 2012 AG Corps Hall of Fame and Distinguished Member of the Regiment - The AGC Regimental Hall of Honor opened in June 2010, and was established to recognize and honor persons who made positive, lasting and significant contributions to the AG Corps. Within the Hall of Honor its members are honored with a permanent display in the AGC HOF and DMOR sections at the AG School, Fort Jackson, SC. The 2012 AGC HOF and DMOR Nomination Announcement and the Memorandum of Instruction have been released - see memo. 11/10/11

 

General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Nominations for CY11 - The General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which General MacArthur stood: Duty, Honor, Country, and promotes and sustains effective junior officer leadership in the Army. A total of 28 officers will be selected for the award: 25 commissioned officers and 3 warrant officers as described in paragraph 6 of ALARACT Message 329/2011. 9/6/11

 

Military Decorations and Service Medals (The Institute of Heraldry, U. S. Army)

Ribbons - Order of Precedence

 

| Top |

 

 

Commissary, Exchange, & MWR News

 

| AAFES | Exchange Online Mall | USMC Exchange | USN Exchange | USCG Exchange |

| DeCA Commissary | Virtual Commissary | Army Moral, Welfare and Recreation |

 

 

2012 Scholarships for Military Children applications available - Applications for the 2012 Scholarships for Military Children program are now available at commissaries worldwide as well as online through a link on http://www.commissaries.com and directly at http://www.militaryscholar.org. The program awards at least one $1,500 scholarship to a student at each commissary. Scholarships are funded by donations from commissary vendors, manufacturers, brokers, suppliers and the general public. To be eligible for a scholarship, the student must have a current military ID card and be an unmarried child – no older than 21, or 23 if enrolled as a full-time student at a college or university – of a service member on active duty, reservist, guardsman, retiree or survivor of a military member who died while on active duty or survivor of a retiree. Applications must be turned in to a commissary by close of business Feb. 24, 2012.  1/3/12

 

Commissary Gift Cards help extend holiday cheer - During the holiday season, a Commissary Gift Card can be an easy option for anyone to extend the gift of groceries to service members and their families. Unveiled this summer, the Commissary Gift Card comes in denominations of $25 and $50. Anyone can purchase a card through the Defense Commissary Agency website, http://www.commissaries.com, or in a commissary. However, only authorized commissary customers can redeem it in a commissary. The gift cards can be used for in-store purchases, as long as they have a balance. They cannot be redeemed for cash, and there is no monetary change for unused portions of the card. There is no limit to the number of gift cards that a purchaser can buy. However, DeCA officials recommend organizations and activities consider purchasing online if they need $500 or more in gift cards. For customer service questions, call the toll-free phone number, 877-988-4438, which also allows the user to check the card balance. 12/13/11

 

AAFES Offer Holiday Layaways - With the holiday season here, Exchanges are offering expanded layaway options. Clothing, shoes and even handbags are eligible for 30-day layaway while all other merchandise (excluding fine jewelry, which is eligible for 120 days of layaway) can be put on layaway for up to 60 days. Additionally, layaway for toys and bikes has been extended to 90 days. Any purchase of $25 or more is eligible for layaway at the Exchange. A 15 percent deposit on the total purchase price is required to hold the product. For more information, contact your local Exchange. 12/8/11

 

| Top |

 

 

Identity Theft/Scams/Phishing

Deter. Detect. Defend. Avoid ID Theft

 

Net Threats: Knowing the dos and don'ts of posting on social media - see more. 5/3/11

 

| Top |

 

 

 

Pay, Allowances, Entitlements, and Insurance

(Military, Civil Service, Retirees and Veterans)

Filing Taxes When a Service Member Is Deployed - Filing state and federal income taxes may be the last thing you want to deal with right now, especially if you or your service member are deployed. But as overwhelming as it may seem, filing your tax return should not be difficult. The Internal Revenue Service has recognized that service members and their families often face special circumstances, and has put in place ways to make this annual obligation less of a burden. (see more) 1/17/12

 

DFAS end-of-year mailing holds tax documents, more - Retirees will be receiving some extra documents in their end of year mailing from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. DFAS officials state that every piece of paper in the mailing is important and will help retirees manage their pay matters through the tax season and beyond - see more. 12/6/11

 

Military Retiree Pay Dates to Change - Paydays for military retirees and those who receive portions of retired pay are changing for the months of September and December, as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service changes its pay schedule to comply with the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. The 2011 NDAA requires military retiree pay to be processed on the first day of the month. When that day falls on a weekend or national holiday, the pay date is moved to the previous business day. This year payments normally scheduled for Oct. 3, 2011 will be issued on Sept. 30, 2011 and payments normally scheduled for Jan. 3, 2012, will be issued on Dec. 30, 2011. For the calendar year 2011, this means military retirees will receive 13 rather than the normal 12 payments - see more. 9/8/11

 

| Top |

 

 

TRICARE, Medicare, and VA Benefits

 

TRICARE Young Adult Prime Option Available Jan. 1 - The TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Prime option is available for purchase on Dec. 1, 2011, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2012. TYA Prime will offer young adult beneficiaries TRICARE Prime coverage for monthly premiums of $201. To purchase TYA Prime, dependents must be under age 26, unmarried and not eligible for their own employer-sponsored health care coverage - see more. 12/13/11

 

TRICARE Reduces Pharmacy Home Delivery Co-Pays - Copayments for some medications provided through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery by mail are being reduced to zero. As of Oct. 1, 2011, Home Delivery beneficiaries may fill generic prescriptions at no cost to themselves. To read this news release, please visit: www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/news.aspx?fid=736.

 

Other Resources:

 

To download, view or print any TRICARE benefit information product on the Web, visit www.tricare.mil/tricaresmart.

 

 TRICARE beneficiaries can make staying current on their health benefits easy by signing up for e-mail updates to have the latest TRICARE news delivered straight to their e-mail inbox. Visit www.tricare.mil/subscriptions to sign up for TRICARE e-mail updates.

 

| TRICARE Fact Sheets | MEDICARE Fact Sheets | VA Fact Sheets |

 | Stop Medicare Fraud.gov |

 

| Top |

 

 

Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention

(Includes Bonus and Incentive Programs - read top to bottom)

 

MILPER MESSAGE 11-156, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR (MOS 311A) WARRANT OFFICER CRITICAL SKILLS ACCESSION BONUS (CSAB) PROGRAM, ISSUED 20 MAY 11.  The purpose of this management program is to attain the accession goals for the MOS 311A Warrant Officer active duty inventory by encouraging soldiers to pursue service in this career field.  This MILPER message establishes the Criminal Investigator Warrant Officer Critical Skills Accession Bonus (CID CSAB) program through 30 September 2012.   See the MILPER message for details.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 11-145 UPDATE TO THE ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVE PAY (AIP) PROGRAM FOR KOREA. This message provides updated guidance regarding the application process for Korea Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP) and payment of AIP for Korea assignments as specified in the message. This message applies to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers eligible for AIP-Korea. See the message for specifics.

 

FY 2011 ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AERO MEDICAL EVACUATION OFFICER BRANCH TRANSFER APPLICATION PROCEDURES ( COMMISSIONED AND WARRANT OFFICERS). This message solicits applications for the FY11 Medical Service Corps Aero-medical Evacuation Officer Branch Transfer Board.  See the MILPER message 11-076 for eligibility and other details. 3/10/11

 

SPECIAL FORCES WARRANT OFFICER CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS (CSRB) - see MILPER Message 11-061 for details. 3/3/11.

 

SPECIAL FORCES WARRANT OFFICER CRITICAL SKILLS ACCESSIONS BONUS (CSAB) - see MILPER Message 11-060 for details. 3/3/11.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER, 11-053, FY11 AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS AVIATION REGIMENT (SOAR), ISSUED 23 FEB 11. The ACP Program applies to Regular Army Aviation Warrant Officers IAW Title 37, Section 334, United States Code. Army Reserve, including AGR and mobilized Reserve Warrant Officers, are not authorized to participate in this program. For program details see the MILPER message.

 

MILPER MESSAGE 11-054, FY11 AVIATOR CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM FOR 152F/152H AVIATORS WITH TARGETED BASIC ACTIVE SERVICE DATE (BASD) - 19 TO 24 YEARS - AND SPECIAL QUALIFICATION IDENTIFIERS (SQI - C, F, H), ISSUED 23 FEB 11. The purpose of this message and the 152F/152H ACP program is to stabilize the active duty AH-64 Instructor Pilot inventory by encouraging the Aviators to extend their Active Duty Service Obligations (ADSO). This program applies to Regular Army Aviation Warrant Officers and does not apply to Army Reserve, AGR, and Mobilized Reserve Warrant Officers. See the MILPER message for bonus amounts and stipulations of this program.

 

Warrant Officer Applications for Active Duty and Reserve Veterinary Services Food Safety Officer (MOS 640A) - from qualified active duty and reserve enlisted personnel for the FY 2012 Veterinary Service Warrant Officer Training Program. HQ USAREC will convene a competitive selection board on 12 Jul 11. Basic eligibility criteria: that Soldiers must hold the 68R, 68S or 68T PMOS for a minimum of 5 years and no more than 12 years. See the MILPER Message 11-020 for information. 1/20/11

 

Army Warrant Officers Needed - The Army is looking for highly motivated soldiers, marines, sailors, and airman to fill its Warrant Officer ranks. Positions are open in all 45 specialties if you qualify. Soldiers with less than 12 years active federal service (AFS) are encouraged to apply. For active Army information, contact the Warrant Officer Recruiting Team at <www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/Warrant.htm> or DSN 536-0484, 0458. 0488, 0478, 0271, 1860. For Army National Guard Warrant Officer information see the website at <www.1800goguard.com/warrant> and for Army Reserve Warrant Officer information and applications see the website at <www.usarc.army.mil/retn/RTD/wo_oview.htm>.

 

Army Warrant Officer Recruiting Team Upcoming Visits - go to the USAREC WO Team Site, click on 'Warrant Officer Recruiting Site Quick Links' and select 'Briefing Schedule'. USAWOA encourages all serving Warrant Officers to support the effort to recruit the warrant officers of the future. Take time out to attend a briefing when it is in your area!

 

Army officer/warrant officer Call to Active Duty (CAD) program - This program is used to fill active component branch/functional area shortages (Army Competitive Category only) and is an opportunity for reserve component (RC) officers and warrant officers to serve in the active component. Though not directly discussed in recent CAD messages, this program remains open to RC CW2 – CW4 warrant officers in any of the basic branch MOS’.  Application procedures and eligibility criteria are provided in the MILPER message 10-199 FY11 Call to Active Duty. See the message for specifics.

 

Other Recruiting and Retention Resources:

[ Top ]

 

 

For Current News in additional topic areas see links at the top of this page.

 

 

| Top | Interactive Portal | Online Store | Members Only | Site Map |  |

 

USAWOA Online 1/31/2012