Content Manager posted on March 01, 2010 00:08
March 2010 Navy
by CAPT Tom McAtee
Requested 1.4% Pay Raise for 2011
The Administration will seek a 1.4 percent military pay raise for 2011 as part of the defense budget request. If approved by Congress, it would be the smallest annual military pay raise since the birth of the all-volunteer force in 1973. Fundamentally, it is a reflection of the lingering recession’s dampening effect on wage growth and living costs. The next-smallest raise in the volunteer era was a 2 percent increase in 1988. In contrast, the pay raise for 2010, which took effect 1 Jan., was a robust 3.9 percent.
CNO Approves Service Dress Khaki Uniform
The new Service Dress Khaki (SDK), featuring a contemporary design, was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations for development as an optional uniform for E-7 and above. NAVADMIN 020/10 contains the complete announcement. It is anticipated the uniform will be available for purchase in approximately 18 months, after issues identified in the wear test are resolved. Costs for the uniform will be determined following the final development phase, including a second wear test to evaluate final uniform components, manufacturer selection and final manner of wear decisions. It is anticipated this process will be complete by fiscal year 2012. Once available, SDK will be approved for optional wear in lieu of summer white and service khaki when wearing a tie in civilian attire is appropriate, such as in an office environment. It will be available by special order from Navy Exchange uniform centers for purchase. For more information on uniforms and uniform policy, visit the Navy Uniform Matters Web site at http://www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/usnavyuniforms/.
VA Issues List of Ships that Qualify for Presumptive Agent Orange Exposure
The VA has issued their Compensation and Pension Service Bulletin for January 2010.
Included in the bulletin is a list of ships and boats that qualify for presumptive herbicide exposure. The Compensation and Pension (C&P) Service has initiated a program to collect data on Vietnam naval operations for the purpose of providing regional offices with information to assist with development in Haas-related disability claims based on herbicide exposure by Navy veterans. The complete list of ships can be found on our Web site at www.ausn.org.
Do you need to verify or update DEERS?
There are several ways you can ensure your information on the DEERS system is correct:
- In Person: To add or remove family members, visit a local ID card office. You can search for an office near you by ZIP code, city or state by visiting the ID card office locator at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home. Call the office first to verify location and business hours.
- By Phone: Call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-800-538-9552 to update your addresses, e-mail address and phone numbers.
- By Fax: You may fax address, e-mail address or phone number changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-831-655-8317.
- By Mail: Mail changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office. You must include supporting documentation if you are updating a family member’s status: Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office Attn: COA 400 Gigling Road Seaside, CA 93955-6771
- By On-line: You can update personal information on-line.
Visit the DEERS Web site at https://www.mdc.osd.mil/swg/owa/webguard.login?appl=9012&rule=02