United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Charleston Base

THE USSVI CREED
TTo perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of duties while serving their country.
That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments.
Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.

Submarine Info Related Links
various links to Navy / Submarine / Retiree pages of interest -
to have something you like added please email Nick
Retired Affair Officer Information Page
(updated every two weeks)
 Veteran Information Articles
 Ralph H. Johnson Medical Center
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Primary Care Letter
Aid and Attendance And Housebound Benefits
  Sticker Renewal Goes Online Navywide
Shipmates Helping Shipmates - A Survival Guide
 Combat Related Special Compensation Board (CRSCB)

A one-time compensation payment, Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
is a benefit allowing certain career retirees to receive both retirement pay and
payments for combat-related disabilities.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ceremonial Bugle Approved for Use at Military Funerals Disabled Veterans Receive Priority at VA Facilities
VA Cemeteries Seek Volunteers DoD Tax Statements Now Posted Online 
VA Launches Web Portal Assist Vets DoD Announces Korean Defense Service Medal
VA Seeks Vets Exposed to Chemical Agents DD214 Request Online
Paid-Up SBP Legislation Introduced in House Scholarships for Active/Retired Military Children

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Ceremonial Bugle Approved for Use at Military Funerals
A ceremonial bugle, a small cone-shaped device that can be inserted into the bell of a bugle and plays a high quality rendition of Taps, is now available for use during military funeral honors.  The ceremonial bugle is not intended to be a substitute for live buglers when available, but will be offered to families as an alternative to the pre-recorded Taps played on a stereo and is intended to enhance the dignity of military funeral honors.
Visit www.ceremonialbugle.com for more information.
Copied from Naval Affairs, February 2004
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Disabled Veterans Receive Priority at VA Facilities
The VA has issued a new directive providing priority health care access to veterans with service-connected disabilities. New policy guidelines mandate that vets requiring treatment for service-connected disability, regardless of the extent of their injuries, must be scheduled for a primary care evaluation within 30 days of their request for care.  If the VA facility is unable to schedule an appointment for hospitalization or outpatient care in that time period, it must arrange for care at another VA facility, a contract facility or through a sharing agreement.  This new policy expands an earlier rule that offered priority access to vets with disability ratings of 50 percent or more, which includes care for non-service-connected medical problems.
Copied from Naval Affairs, February 2004
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VA Cemeteries Seek Volunteers

The VA is looking for volunteers to research and photograph monuments in its 120 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers' lots.  The VA began to inventory its memorials in May 2002, expecting to identify an estimated 300 monuments.  To date, more than 800 memorials have been identified, but more remain to be inventoried.

The National Cemetary homepage is:  http://www.cem.va.gov/

For additional information on the project or to volunteer, please contact Darlene Richardson at 202.565.5426 or email nca.memorials@mail.va.gov

copied from Naval Affairs, February 2002

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DoD Tax Statements Now Posted Online 

Tax statements are now posted on myPay for Army, Navy, Air Force Reserve, Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilian employees, military annuitants, and military retirees. W-2 and 1099 statements are available for these groups to view and print immediately, allowing them to submit their tax returns quickly. Marine Corps Reserve and active duty will be available no earlier than Jan. 13 and no later than Jan. 21. The Army, Air Force, Navy active duty members will have their statements posted no earlier than Jan. 16, but no later than Jan. 26. The statements are available at https://mypay.dfas.mil. For assistance call myPay customer support at 1-800-390-2348. myPay is an online pay accounting system that allows individuals to take control of their pay information in a safe and secure manner. The system offers faster enhanced services, security, accessibility and reliability to all customers. 

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VA Launches Web Portal Assist Vets

Robert Roswell, VA under secretary for health, invites veterans to visit www.myhealthevet.va.gov where they can learn about their VA health benefits, access the department’s health education library and read about breaking news regarding VA health care.  The site provides downloadable forms, a VA facility and state VA office locator, and a list of veterans’ service organizations, including FRA, and also spotlights VA non-health benefits.

Copied from Naval Affairs, February 2004

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DoD Announces Korean Defense Service Medal

            The Defense Department announced today the creation of the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).  The KDSM is a service medal to give special recognition for the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the U.S. armed forces who have served or are serving in the Republic of Korea. 

Public Law 107-314 legislated the creation of a new medal to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters.

Members of the armed forces authorized the KDSM must have served in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.  The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land and water areas. 

The KDSM period of eligibility is July 28, 1954, to a future date to be determined by the secretary of defense.

For more information see:  http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040209-0334.html

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VA Seeks Vets Exposed to Chemical Agents 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched a national campaign to locate veterans exposed to mustard gas or the chemical agent Lewisite during their military service. Lewisite is a blister-producing chemical to which many veterans were exposed as part of chemical testing programs during World War II. Veterans of this area were also exposed to mustard gas during testing sponsored by DoD. Any veterans who suspect they were exposed to either mustard gas or Lewisite during their service is strongly encouraged to contact VA by calling 1-800-749-8387 or visit the VA benefits Web site at www.vba.va.gov

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On-Line DD-214 Access

Pass to Every Vet - MILITARY RECORDS 

NPRC initiates online records request procedures. 

The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. 

Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180 which can be downloaded from the online web site. 

The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records center's mailroom processing time. 

Also, because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. 

Veterans and next of kin may access this application at http://vetrecs.archives.gov

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Paid-Up SBP Legislation Introduced in House

According to the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Rep. James Saxton (NJ) re-introduced legislation (H.R. 968) February 17, which would change the effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) from 2008 to 2005 for retirees who reach age 70 and have paid SBP premiums for 30 years. More than 135,000 retirees, age 70 and older, have been paying into the program for a longer period of time than their successors will. If the current paid-up date of October 1, 2008 stands, those who enrolled in the program at its inception in 1972 will have paid for an additional six years. In the Senate, S. 185 would change the effective date from 2008 to 2005. But the Senate legislation also includes language to end the deduction of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the survivor's SBP annuity. H.R. 968 focuses exclusively on changing the effective date of paid-up SBP coverage. How do you feel about these bills? Contact your public officials now. Let your voice be heard.

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Scholarships for Active/Retired Military Children

For those of you with kids that qualify this could be a good source of scholarship money for next year.  You may even apply the scholarship to a service academy.  The link to the website is below:

http://www.militaryscholar.org/

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