MCRA News

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Monday, March 28, 2016 / VA News

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans are just that…designed for veterans. Knowing about these authorities and identifying your eligibility will enhance your job search. These special authorities represent a few of many appointing authorities that agencies can use entirely at their discretion. Veterans are not entitled to appointment under any of these authorities. Check the vacancy announcements, which should clearly state "Who May Apply."  

Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA)


Asymmetric Warriors: Maximizing the use of the Marine Corps Reserve

Sunday, February 14, 2016 / Marine Corps/DoD News

A symmetric threats are multidimensional and include “military operations [that involve] the application of dissimilar strategies, tactics, capabilities, and methods to circumvent or negate an opponent’s strengths while exploiting his weaknesses.”1 Today, these asymmetric threats increasingly threaten U.S. security and interests and include transnational crime, terrorism, and the destabilization of sovereign, friendly nations by internal as well as external forces. Further, these asymmetric approaches seek a psychological impact that affects an opponent’s advantage and/or freedom of movement and are applied at all levels of warfare. ARTICLE CLICK HERE


The appeals process: Appeals at the regional office level

Sunday, February 14, 2016 / VA News

Most Veterans are aware that claims are rated at the VA regional office (RO), usually in their state. However, a lot of Veterans are not aware that appeals are also reviewed at the regional office before they go to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board).  In this piece I will discuss the RO’s appeal process, your role in the process, and the things you can do to help expedite your appeal.

Appeals at the local regional office level

Once a VA office issues its decision on your claim, you have one year from that date to file an appeal. Read the decision letter closely:  it will tell you why VA made the decision it did.  If you are unsure why or how VA made its decision, ask a Veterans service officer for help.  You can also call VA or go to your regional office.



DoD Comptroller: Budget Deal Offers Relief, Uncertainty

Saturday, December 26, 2015 / Legislative News

WASHINGTON, — Defense Department funding from the recent two-year budget deal was hard to achieve and sets the department up fairly well for the near future, the Defense Department Comptroller said here this week, adding that uncertainty remains in the long term.

Mike McCord, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the increase provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, or BBA15, gave the department 98 percent of what it asked for in fiscal year 2016 -- not counting $8 billion in relief for overseas contingency operations, or OCO.


VA to change disability claims rules for Camp Lejeune veterans

Friday, December 25, 2015 / VA News

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it plans to propose expanded disability compensation eligibility for Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Based upon VA’s review of current medical science and ATSDR’s findings, Secretary McDonald intends to propose creation of a  presumption of service connection for the following conditions:

  • Kidney Cancer
  • Liver Cancer

Do you know the new tax requirements under the Affordable Care Act 2015?

Friday, December 25, 2015 / Legislative News

Get Prepared for Tax Season by Electing to Receive your 1095 IRS tax form electronically! Log into myPay today!  Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the federal government, state governments, insurers, employers, and individuals are given shared responsibility to reform and improve the availability, quality, and affordability of health insurance coverage in the United States.

For the 2015 tax year, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is required to furnish a Form 1095 to each employee that worked any full time hours.  MyPay has been updated to allow you to elect to receive this tax form electronically.  Civilian employees are highly encouraged to log into myPay to turn on electronic delivery.  Go to myPay and from the main menu of myPay, select "Turn On/Off Hard Copy of IRS Form 1095."


Budget Deal Offers Relief, Uncertainty

Friday, December 25, 2015 / Legislative News

WASHINGTON, December 2, 2015 — Defense Department funding from the recent two-year budget deal was hard to achieve and sets the department up fairly well for the near future, the Defense Department Comptroller said here this week, adding that uncertainty remains in the long term.  Mike McCord, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the increase provided by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, or BBA15, gave the department 98 percent of what it asked for in fiscal year 2016 -- not counting $8 billion in relief for overseas contingency operations, or OCO.  "For '17 it's a little less, about 96 percent without the OCO relief, maybe 97 percent with it," McCord said.


Congress and VA evaluate Facilities and Resources

Friday, December 25, 2015 / Legislative News

An independent panel set up by Congress said that in order for the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the problems plaguing its health system, an independent panel should be formed to “optimize facilities resourcing and lines of service.” READ THE STORY


2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION

2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION
Sunday, December 20, 2015 / Marine Corps/DoD News

On 18 November the MCRA presented Rep. John Kline (MN-2) with the Maj. Frank Tejeda Congressional Leadership Award.  The MCRA was privileged to have the CG, Marine Forces Reserve, LtGen Rex McMillian, present the award.


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