We're in full swing into 2021 with a new administration and new benefits!
We're incredibly grateful for our continued community growth!
- 100% Increase in Website traffic above 1,000 visitors a month -
- Our Instagram has grown to almost 300 followers -
- Our LinkedIn page has surpassed 100 followers -
Check out our newest article to take some stress out of your next PCS!
Stay tuned for our upcoming article on Deployment Benefits.
In this Newsletter We'll Recap
Executive Order 14004
EO 14004 - ‘Enabling All Qualified Americans To Serve Their Country in Uniform’ Revokes Presidential Memorandum of March 23, 2018 ‘Military Service by Transgender Individuals’ Immediately terminates any involuntary separations, discharges, and denials of reenlistment or continuation of service on the basis of gender identity Based on a 2016 DoD Independent Study and Secretary of Defense conclusion that permitting transgender individuals to serve openly in the military was consistent with military readiness and with strength through diversity, such that transgender service members who could meet the required standards and procedures should be permitted to serve openly
Read EO 14004 HERE
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2. Updates to Spouse License Portability
Good News for Military Spouses! Friday, March 12th, the DoD received approval for a series of grants to start the development of job license portability for
- Teaching - Social Work - Cosmetology - Message Therapy - Dentistry/Dental Hygiene
It’s a fantastic milestone to keep military families together and thriving!
“Military spouses can call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to speak with a Spouse Education and Career Opportunities career coach to learn about free tools and resources to help them achieve their education and career goals.”
Read the official announcement HERE
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3. Updates to Space-A Availability
Memo Published 15 March Updated Exemption Categories to COVID Travel Restrictions
The following categories remain eligible: - Category I travelers: Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel. Transportation by the most expeditious routing only for bona fide immediate family emergencies, (items 1 – 6)
- Category IV travelers: Unaccompanied EML (only items 26 and 27)
- Category VI travelers: Miscellaneous (only items 42 and 46)
All other categories and sub groupings not stated still remain ineligible such as Accompanied EML, Ordinary Leave, P-TDY, Foreign Mil, ROTC, Retired members for casual travel,
View Space-A Update Memo HERE
Air Transportation Eligibility Reg view ‘Chart 3’ on pg 38 HERE
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4. Vaccines for all Veterans, Spouses, & Caregivers
Good News For Veterans, Spouses, and Caregivers! As of March 24th the VA has received authorization from the Save Lives Act to provide COVID-19 vaccines to veterans (regardless of VA healthcare enrollment status), their spouses, and caregivers This authorization increased the individuals eligible to get lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines from 9.5 million to more than 33 million from the VA Covered Individuals are:
- Non-enrolled Veterans as defined in the new legislation, including those without service-connected disabilities and who have incomes above VA’s threshold.
- Overseas Veterans who rely on the Foreign Medical Program.
- Veteran caregivers who are enrolled in either the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers or the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.
- Veteran caregivers enrolled in certain Geriatrics and Extended Care Programs, such as Veteran Directed Care, Bowel and Bladder, Home Based Primary Care and VA’s Medical Foster Home Program.
- Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs recipients.
- Veteran spouses.
Signup to get a vaccine with the VA HERE
Read the official announcement HERE ---
5. Remembering April Month of the Military Child
In honor of our kids, we wanted to share some excellent resources all families should be aware of to make life a little easier for our resilient youngsters
-Free Tutors from Kindergarten to College- The DoD & Coastguard fund free live online tutors for all military kids through college https://military.tutor.com/home
-Free family entry to some top attractions with Active DoD ID-
All National Parks with Free America the Beautiful Pass https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Waves of Honor provides mil member & 3 dependents 1 free admission per year to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, or Sesame Place:
Free entry to over 2,000 Children & Science museums, nature centers, & Zoos through the Blue Star Families, Blue Star Museums program-Effective Armed Forces Day in mid-May through Labor Day early September: https://www.arts.gov/.../blue.../frequently-asked-questions
-Great Discounts to other top attractions- Check your local installation Information, Tickets, & Travel (ITT) office for the best rates on Disney, Universal, and local attraction discounts: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.../information.../
Free Club membership to Boys & Girls Clubs of America https://www.bgca.org/about-us/military
Operation Homefront 501(c)(3) Free school supplies (Back to School Brigade), baby showers (Star-Spangled Babies), meals, holiday toys, military child of the year award https://operationhomefront.org/events/
Operation Purple at Home Virtual camp & activities for military families https://www.militaryfamily.org/operation-purple-at-home/
Hundreds of Scholarship Opportunities
http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/children.htm
Sesame Street for Military Families Education and activities for preschool aged children to help them cope with the challenges of military life such as deployments, frequent moves, and being away from loved ones https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
-USO Youth Outreach-
Find your local USO: https://www.uso.org/locations
Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program connects military families around the globe through reading: https://hrcv.uso.org/prog.../bob-hope-legacy-reading-program
Little Patriots Kids Korner is a virtual program design to get kids crafting, creating, and cooking: https://hrcv.uso.org/programs/little-patriots-kids-korner
-Installation Moral, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) Program- For access to installation pools, activities, libraries, movie theaters, & even party inflatables To find your local MWR program:
MWR Digital Library to access audiobooks, music lessons, documentaries, national geographic kids, and more:
-Other great resources at militaryonesource- https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.../children-youth-and.../
As always thank you for your support!
Jeff Mitchell
CEO, BLUF Military Benefits
jefferson.mitchell@blufmilitarybenefits.com
