TDY - Stand by!

Bill would enhance credit rating protection

A Pennsylvania congressman wants the financial protections of the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act to better protect troops’ credit ratings.

Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa., wants consumer credit bureaus to include a notation in the files of service members that any report of a late payment or nonpayment of a bill could be the result of military service.

This would apply to active and reserve members but would be limited to accounts opened by a person in the military before starting military service, which, in the case of Guard or reserve members, would be before they are mobilized.

Brady introduced his bill, HR 513, Wednesday, and it was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act. He sponsored similar legislation in 2003 that drew 32 co-sponsors. His earlier bill was assigned to the veterans’ benefits subcommittee, which did not include it in updates made in legal and financial protections when Congress overhauled the law.

Under that law, formerly known as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, creditors are limited in collecting debts while a service member is deployed or mobilized, and interest charged on consumer credit is capped.

Brady’s concern is that while the law may protect service members, creditors who are not getting paid or are getting reduced payments may include this information when notifying credit bureaus about the status of accounts, and those statements — without a disclaimer about military service being a factor — could have long-range implications for service members.

More NASCAR News

With Kelly Clarkson partnering up with NASCAR and the Casey Mears news, the only other thing we need for a great season is for JR to rock and roll this year!!

War vet featured on Esquire

Triple amputee gives his idea of the meaning of life

Army National Guard-sponsored NASCAR vehicle

Casey Mears was officially presented Friday as the new driver of the Army National Guard-sponsored NASCAR vehicle.

Mears, his Hendrick Motorsports team and Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the National Guard, mingled with soldiers and others at a reception at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Va.

Mears, 28, will make his first recruiting appearance Jan. 24, Guard officials said.

This will be his fifth season as a driver in the Nextel Cup series. He moved to NASCAR in 2002 from the Indy Racing League.

The Guard will be sharing sponsorship of Mears’ No. 25 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with GMAC.

Source

Vets Fight Changes in N.J. Curriculum

What is wrong with this picture and with NJ?

Don't forget to visit....

SpouseBUZZ

Lots of great conversation goes on over there and great information updates too!

Take your six and get out of my husband's military LT!

Conscientious Rejector?

First Lieutenant Ehren Watada still refuses Iraq deployment orders, calling the war illegal. A six-year prison term could result. Preliminary hearings are set for Thursday.

U.S. Central Command Launches NEW Podcast on Website

Encouraging youths to consider aviation careers

Group aims to give free flying lessons to military kids

A nonprofit corporation in Florida hopes to raise money to give free flying lessons to select teens who have lost a parent in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Students would complete the Private Pilot Ground School and receive a minimum of 20 hours of flight, said retired Marine Col. Jack D. Howell, president of Fightertown USA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

“We are optimistic that we will be able to solicit corporate sponsorships which will cover all costs involved, Howell said.

His goal is to conduct an aviation summer camp in August in Jacksonville, Fla.

As to grieving parents’ concerns about their children’s safety, “There’s always an element of risk, but we’ve never had an incident,” he said, adding that he is the recipient of several aerospace and aviation education awards and hand-picks his instructors.

“There are parents who want to hold close and shield their children, but there comes a time when they want to spread their wings,” he said.

His group wants to encourage youths to consider aviation careers, he said.

A notice on the organization’s Web site said more information on the proposed program will be posted soon.

P.L.109-364

Law Catches up to Private Militaries

Contractors are now subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the same set of laws that governs soldiers. Embedded reporters are now under those regulations, too.

P.L.109-364

Sir, why did the chicken cross the road?

I love this post over at MilBlogs!

Every now and then I stumble across this old chestnut.

Suitably updated,
naturally, from Being All that It Could Be in the
Army of One to being Army
Strong.

"Sir! Why, Sir, did the chicken cross the road, Sir?!?"

Go read the rest of the story!

Postings to have a look at....

That fun time of year, tax season!

Continue to Support Our Wounded Troops

H/T Love My Tanker

The Freedom Project begins today

Start the new year out by supporting The Freedom Project!