United States Army Warrant Officers Association

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USAWOA News

 

| Annual Meeting of Members | Annual Meeting Registration Form |

 

USAWOA Annual Fund Raiser Drawings - Congratulations to CW2 Ronald B. Fisher, the winner of second "Early Bird Winner" $500 Savings Bond drawn on June 20, 2008. Ronald, a member of the AZ ARNG, is assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters. The winner of the first $500 Savings Bond was WO1 Chrisandra Hayes of Columbia, SC. The winners of the $10,000 Savings Bond Grand Prize, $5,000 Bond Second Prize, the $1,000 Bond Third Prize, and the three (3) more $500 Bond Prizes were drawn on July 18, 2008. The inners names will be posted after the winners have been notified. 7/22/08

 

USAWOA Member receives the Distinguished Service Cross - see more. 7/15/08

 

USAWOA Chapter Forms in Saudi Arabia - see more. 7/15/08

 

USAWOA Welcomes New Corporate Member XOTECH LLC - see more. 7/10/08

 

Star of the North Chapter holds Fund Raiser - makes challenge donation towards construction of a "Memorial to Our Fallen Warrant Officer Comrades" - see more. 7/8/08

 

USAWOA Scholarship Foundation publishes "EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: An ever increasing need" - see article. 7/8/08

 

USAWOA People in the News - updated to add stories and pictures - go there now. 7/8/08

 

USAWOA Scholarship Foundation Announces 2008/2009 Awards - see more. 7/3/08

 

USAWOA Scholarship Foundation Changes it's Fund Raising Tactics - No more summer Raffle - There are several ways each of you can contribute to insure we can meet our award commitments.  First, you can set up an allotment to the USAWOA Scholarship Foundation.  Second, you can have your financial institution create an Automatic Clearing House (ACH) transaction to be taken from your account on a recurring cycle, weekly, bimonthly, monthly, quarterly, etc.  Third, you can choose to make a pledge during the Combined Federal Campaign. And finally you can write a check and mail it to the Foundation. See more about the rational leading to this change and how the above methods work. 7/1/08

 

More "WO HERITAGE SUPPORTER" Streamers Presented or in Process of Being Presented - see more. 7/1/08

 

Four USAWOA Members Recognized at AGC 233rd Birthday Ball - see more. 6/17/08

 

Please help us find our Lost Members - see listing. 6/16/08

 

USAWOA ANNUAL AWARDS - Do you or your Chapter know of a really outstanding member or spouse who is always out front supporting your Chapter, USAWOA, our Corps and the members and family of our military? If so check out www.usawoa.org/downloads/AlbertMHolcombeAwd-IP-appl.pdf and www.usawoa.org/downloads/VirginiaHolcombeAward-IP-appl.pdf. Any member may nominate another member for consideration.  For the Albert M. Holcombe Memorial Warrant Officer of the Year Award and/or the Virginia M. Holcombe Memorial Warrant Officer Spouse of the Year Award. Chapter members must forward their nominations through their respective chapters and regions. Members not affiliated with a chapter may submit nominations directly to the Home Office. Nomination forms for the awards are available at the chapter level or at the Home Office. Nominations must be submitted to arrive at the USAWOA Home Office by August 15th in order to be considered for award at the Annual Meeting of the Members in October 2008. 6/10/08

 

Nominations Solicited, deadline coming up - In October 2008, USAWOA members will elect its Board of Directors for the next two years. The Bylaws require that the Nominations Committee, in conjunction with National Headquarters, begin soliciting nominations and declarations of candidacy for elective office on the National ballot approximately eight (8) months prior to the Annual Meeting of the Members. The goal is to be able to place at least two (2) or more candidates for each elective office on the National ballot. The following elective positions on the Board of Directors are open for nomination: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Northeast Region Director, Southeast Region Director, Mid-South Region Director, Mid-North Region Director, Western Region Director - see advertisement and forms. See also Word Processor Version of the Nomination Form and Resume. Deadline for receipt of Nomination Packets is 1 July 2008. 6/10/08

 

"The Quiet Professional" prints by noted military artist Don Stivers for sale - these sales are listed on our Resale Bulletin Board. 6/5/08

 

NEWSLINERs for Deployed Members - We will mail a package with several NEWSLINERs to any deployed USAWOA member who wants to gather a few warrant officers together to hold a "field" WO Professional development session. Use the session as a time to discuss issues, problems and solutions and also to recruit new members. Tell us how many and where to send them.

 

Don Stivers’ Warrant Officer Print “LET GO!” - USAWOA offers the unique Warrant Officer art by contemporary military artist Don Stivers. One thousand prints commissioned. Each will show the USAWOA logo, serial number, & the signature of the artist. The artwork commemorates the birth of the Army Warrant Officer Corps: that being the July 1918 act of Congress founding the Army Mine Planter Service as part of the Coast Artillery Corps.  The act designated warrant officers to serve as masters, mates, chief engineers & assistant engineers of mine-planting vessels - see more.

 ( Member and Chapter data)

 

Make a Donation  to USAWOA by Credit Card or Check.

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

 

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Army, Defense, Government, and MWR News

 (See also Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention)

| America Supports You | Support Our Troops | In Memoriam | Stories of Valor | Warrant Officer Net | USA.gov |

 

May to July 2008 - Season of Remembrance

See Military Memorial Events 2008. See also www.Remember.gov.

 

New G. I. Bill Clarified - The new G.I. Bill, signed into law on June 30th, included full tuition benefits and a stipend for additional expenses. However, the benefits will not take effect until August 1, 2009. Starting August 1st of this year, there will be a twenty percent increase in benefits for Servicemembers. Chief sponsor of the bill, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), was surprised that the benefits would not be retroactive for Servicemembers. Even though the new bill provides free education benefits, those currently enrolled in the Montgomery G.I. Bill must continue to make their $100 monthly installments until they have fully paid the $1,200 contribution required to participate in the program. For more information, go to www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/military_gibill_benefits_070708w/. 7/22/08

 

New Policy to Prevent Loss of Leave - The new military leave policy, part of the fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, allows troops to carry over 75 days of leave (rather than the previously allotted 60 days) into the next fiscal year. The policy will begin September 30th and will remain in place until December 31st, 2010. For more information, please visit www.military.com/military-report/policy-aims-to-prevent-loss-of-leave. 7/22/08

 

DoD Approves New Social Networking Website  - see more. 7/22/08

 

AAFES "Back to School Essay Contest" Offers Prizes - see more. 7/22/08

 

President Bush signs war funding, GI Bill overhaul - On June 30, 2008 the President signed a $162 billion supplemental bill that principally will fund U.S. military operations abroad. Bush announced the temporary 33,000-troop surge in January 2007 to tamp down violence in Iraq and help prepare Iraq's national security forces to maintain security. The first surge brigade returned home in March, and the final redeployment next month will reduce the number of brigades in Iraq to 15. "We welcome them home," Bush said, referring to redeploying troops. "And with this legislation, we send a clear message to all that are serving on the front line that our nation continues to support them. "The funding also provides servicemembers a more generous education package, which for the first time could be passed to family members if troops opt not to use it themselves. President Bush said transferability of GI Bill education benefits helps fulfill a debt of gratitude the nation owes military families - see more. 7/1/08

 

Increase in FY Leave Carryover from 60 to 75 days (From S1 Net)  - Based on a DFAS newsletter published in Mar 08 which advised that effective October 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010, leave carryover at the end of the FY will increase from 60 to 75 days, we have been receiving many questions on when the "policy" would be published.  Army policy has not been published as the Army has not received guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).  OSD has advised that they are working the revision of DoDI 1327.6 which will allow service members to carryover 75 days during the FY changeover (i.e. if they have up to 75 days accumulated leave on Sep 30, 2008, they will not lose that leave on Oct 1, 2008. OSD expects that the updated DoDI 1327.6, showing this policy change, will be signed in June.  At that point the services can prepare and issue their policy guidance.  Please stand by.  As soon as policy is published (through ALARACT or MILPER) we will get it out to the field. 5/22/08

 

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Awards, Decorations, Uniforms and Insignia

 

Army provides guidance on the criteria, applicability and standards on awarding and wear of service stars on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal - Service Stars recognize soldiers for participating in designated campaign phases within the areas of eligibility for the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals. Service Stars provide our soldiers with tangible recognition for the sacrifices and contributions they have made in support of the Global War In Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. See the message. 5/13/08

 

Presidential Recognition on Retirement from Military Service - message and guidance supersedes MILPER MSG 05-112 for Presidential Recognition upon retiring with at least 30 of active service, 30 years of Reserve Component Service, or 30 years of combined service - see MILPER MSG 06-124, 4/28/2006.

 

 

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Pay, Allowances, and Insurance

(Military, Civil Service, Retirees, & Veterans)

Social Security’s New Homepage - Social Security has redesigned its homepage to make it more welcoming and user- friendly.  The new page is cleaner, easier to navigate and makes better use of graphics.  While the look of our homepage has changed, the web addresses have not.  Favorite sites that you and other frequent users have bookmarked will not change. See for yourself how easy it is to use at www.socialsecurity.gov. 6/19/08

 

VA Announces SGLI and VGLI Premium Reductions - Veterans and military personnel with life insurance policies managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will see a reduction in their premiums, thanks to improved investment earnings and a reduction in non-combat claims. On July 1, 2008, the premiums for basic SGLI will be 6.5 cents per month for $1,000 of coverage, down from 7 cents per month for $1,000.  This translates into a 7 percent savings - see more. 5/22/08

 

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Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention

(Includes Bonus Information and Incentive Programs - Read top to bottom)

 

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!

 

The 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.  The current CAD program is being expanded to include RC LTs assigned to the IRR.  All officers are also encouraged to seek opportunities for active duty in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program.  See ALARACT message for specifics & applications.

 

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>.

 

Become a Special Agent, Get $20K - A $20,000 lump-sum Critical Skills Accession Bonus (CSAB) is being offered to active-duty enlisted Soldiers who complete the Criminal Investigation Command Special Agent Warrant Officer Basic Course by Sept. 30, 2008. The CSAB targets the 31 series Military Occupational Specialty for military police NCOs selected for appointment to warrant officer positions in the 311A MOS. Enlisted special agents with at least 24 months of CID investigative experience, a minimum of 60 hours of college credit, and who are no longer on probationary status are eligible to receive the bonus. The application process and checklist forms are available on the Army's Warrant Officer Recruiting website.

 

Special Forces Warrant Officer Critical Skills Retention Bonus - Army message announces the Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) Program for Special Forces Warrant Officers in MOS 180A, as well as eligibility and processing procedures.  The effective date for the beginning of this program was 18 May 2005.  This CSRB is targeted to retirement-eligible warrant officers in MOS 180A with 19 – 24 years active federal service who are fully eligible for continued service.  This message is for active duty SF Warrant Officers only.  TPU, AGR, and mobilized Reserve/National Guard officers are not authorized to participate in this program. See MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 07-327.

 

Special Forces Warrant Officer Accessions Bonus - Army message announces the accession bonus program for specified warrant officer MOS 180A, as well as eligibility and processing procedures.  This accession bonus is targeted to NCOs in specific MOS of 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, or 18Z, who have not more than 17 years of active federal service, and who are selected for appointment as warrant officers in MOS 180A.  Those with more than 17 years active federal service require a waiver approved by AHRC for participation in this program. This message is for active duty enlisted Soldiers and officers only.  TPU, AGR, and mobilized Reserve/National Guard Soldiers are not authorized to participate in this program. See MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 07-328.

 

FY08 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) Program (Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP) and Maintenance Test Flight Evaluators (MTFE)) - see more.

 

FY08 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) Program (Special Operation Aviators (SOAR)) - see more.

 

FY08 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP) Program (Tactical Operations Warrant Officers (TACOPS - SQI I) - see more.

 

Updated Military Intelligence Warrant Officer Critical Skills Accession Bonus (CSAB) Program Issued - This message continues the Military Intelligence Warrant Officer Critical Skills Accession Bonus (MI CSAB) Program announced by MILPER message number 06-081, effective 8 Mar 06 until 30 Sep 08.  This program applies to active duty enlisted Soldiers and officers only.  AGR and mobilized Reserve/National Guard Soldiers are not authorized to participate in this program.  See the MILPER Message 07-348 for specifics.

 

Looking for a new and exciting direction in your life? Check out the Army Reserve Military Technicians Program.

Military Technicians are valuable assets.  They have an important dual role, as both a civilian employee and dedicated Army Reserve Soldiers tailored to meet the day-to-day management necessary to maintain mobilization readiness of an USAR unit. The program employs more than 8,500 MTs in occupations such as aircraft operations, personnel, supply, financial management, logistics, operations, and marine mobile equipment maintenance. Employment benefits include: annual, holiday, and other leave; dual retirement and matching contributions; and health benefits and life insurance. Plus, new MT's can receive a $3,000 bonus. For learn more information click here. Applicants for the Military Technician Program must meet specific qualifications for the general schedule (GS) or wage grade (WG) federal employment, as well as for Selected Reserve duty. You must meet the qualifications for the specific job you are interested in.

 

MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 08-180FY08 AVIATOR CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM (154C/F - 7 TO 14 YEAR BASD - INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP); SENIOR INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXAMINER (IFE); AND STANDARDIZATION INSTRUCTOR PILOT (SIP) Issued: [07/02/2008].  This program applies to active Army aviation warrant officers in PMOS 154C/154F with SQI C/F/H and BASD 1 Oct 94 to 30 Sep 01 (must have completed initial six years ADSO from initial flight school).  Army Reserve, including AGR and mobilized reserve warrant officers are not authorized to participate in this program.  The Army is offering an ACP "IP" program for 154C/154F in FY08.  The purpose of this program is to stabilize the active duty 154C/154F warrant officer Instructor Pilot - (IP - SQI C); Senior Instructor Pilot/Instrument Flight Examiner (IFE - SQI F); and Standardization Instructor Pilot (SIP - SQI H) inventory by encouraging these aviators to extend their active duty service obligations (ADSO).  See the message for more information.

 

 MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER: 08-181  FY08 AVIATOR CONTINUATION PAY (ACP) PROGRAM FOR 152F/152H AND 154C/154F AVIATORS WITH TARGETED BASIC ACTIVE SERVICE DATE (BASD) - 19 TO 24 YEARS - AND SPECIAL QUALIFICATION IDENTIFIERS (SQI - C,F,H,G,L) Issued: [07/02/2008].  This program applies to active Army aviation warrant officers only.  AGR and mobilized reserve warrant officers are not authorized to participate in this program.  The Army is offering a 152F/152H, 154C/154F BASD (1 Oct 84 to 30 Sep 89) ACP program to aviators within warrant officer PMOS 152F/152H and 154C/154F who are fully eligible for continued service.  See the message for more information.  

 

Other Recruiting and Retention Resources:

 

 

For Current News in additional topic areas see index above.

 

 

  ( Member and Chapter data)

 

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USAWOA Online 7/22/2008