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| December 21, 2017 |
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Military Times
A consumer group and five military advocacy organizations have asked for information from six federal agencies about their enforcement efforts to protect service members and their families from predatory lenders. The organizations have asked for complaints the agencies have filed in federal court or through administrative proceedings alleging violations of the Military Lending Act. That law, among other things, limits the interest rate to 36 percent on certain loans to service members and their families. The law doesn’t cover retirees and other veterans who have left the military.
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Stars and Stripes
Sailors in Japan seem unfazed by the cancellation of a Navy program that allowed some to leave the service up to two years prior to their scheduled separation date.
The Enlisted Early Transition Program, launched by the Navy in 2014, allowed some servicemembers in noncritical jobs to apply for early release. It was touted as a way of cutting down on involuntary separations.
Two other programs — one through which senior offices could retire early and another that allowed sailors to request early separation because of family or personal hardships — are also being canceled.
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403rd Wing/Public Affairs via DVIDS
A hiker who climbs a mountain without a guidebook could probably still reach the summit, but they might run into obstacles they could have avoided or miss things like shortcuts and unique landmarks. Career assistance advisors are like a guidebook. They can help Airmen avoid obstacles, find the shortest path to where they want to be in their careers, and discover enriching stops along the way. As the career assistance advisor for Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Senior Master Sgt. Tiffany Patterson is charged with leading professional development efforts for the base.
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Military Times
Service members will see an average $10 uptick in Basic Allowance for Housing even as they see the amount of housing costs that they are required to pay out of pocket rise. The Pentagon released the housing rates for 2018 on Friday. California and Hawaii saw the largest percentage changes for 2018, whereas Alaska, Alabama, Connecticut and Florida saw small decreases. Service members will absorb more of the housing cost — four percent of the national average — in 2018 as well, based on pay grade.
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Army Times
After years of arguing that a new round of base closures is needed to save the Pentagon money, the department has a new strategy — but members of Congress are already expressing skepticism. In a November interview, Lucian Niemeyer, assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment, said lawmakers felt the messaging for a new round of the base realignment and closure process, or BRAC, from the department “wasn’t compelling enough” and said his team has “done some re-messaging a little bit.”
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U.S. Army
Eighth United States Army senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard E. Merritt, took time to visit and address senior enlisted leaders of the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command over breakfast Aug. 29 at the Camp Walker's Evergreen Community Club here.
In a large dining area, leaders broke bread with one another as Merritt addressed Soldiers on a variety of topics concerning leadership, readiness for Soldiers and families, current trends on building and transformation, and also educated senior noncommissioned officers on the military history of Korea.
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D.C. National Guard State PAO via Pentagram
Few people can say they’ve served in the nation’s oldest active duty infantry unit: The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The Army’s official ceremonial unit and escort to the president. Soldiers of The Old Guard also maintain a 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns and funeral escorts at Arlington National Cemetery, a role mostly known to the general public. Command Sgt. Maj. Michael F. Brooks, the District of Columbia National Guard’s senior enlisted leader, calls the role a “defining honor” for a rising Soldier.
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201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade via DVIDS
In a timeless ceremony that illustrates the importance of the Army Noncommissioned Officer Corps through the ages, nine new leaders were welcomed into the 502nd Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion in an NCO induction ceremony Dec. 13 at the Evergreen Chapel on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
The ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted sergeants joining the ranks of the Army's NCO Corps with an emphasis on the pride they share as members of that elite corps. The ceremony also honors the memory of those men and women of the NCO Corps who have served with pride and distinction.
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Military.com via Task & Purpose
In a push to streamline the selection process for the Marine Corps‘ high-profile and demanding special duty assignments, the service is paring down the billets that qualify as special duty to just three and planning major rewrites to the assignment manual. At the guidance of Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, the Corps is rolling out a new strategy in which only the jobs of recruiter, drill instructor, and Marine Security Guard detachment commander fall under the category of special duty assignments.
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