IVMF Survey on Vet Ed, Veteran 'Nerds' Wanted, Pets for Patriots Success Stories, SVA Not-Recommended Schools, POW/MIA Family Survey, Federal Hiring Preference

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families wants to hear more about how education matters to you.  Military members, vets, and families -- Please complete the IVMF survey at: http://tinyurl.com/service2student and share your story with #VetEdMatters

Here’s a great article about how Veterans who are ‘nerds’ (adept at technology) are needed in many fields: http://taskandpurpose.com/emergency-management-field-needs-nerds/

If it is one of those days when you’d enjoy reading some good news about Veterans rescuing homeless pets, see the Pets for Patriots blog.  You’ll never lack a good story at: http://blog.petsforpatriots.org/

The Student Veterans of America (SVA) has taken another step in their advocacy role for Veterans seeking to attend college by creating a list of schools that engage in questionable practices that are not helpful to student success and/or target Veterans.  See more at: http://studentveterans.org/media-news/press-releases/250-sva-announces-not-recommended-list.html

Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel: To learn about recent recoveries or identification of lost servicemembers, much information can be found at: http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/  An outside organization called ‘The Clearing’ is conducting a survey to learn more from family/friends of the missing about their experience/satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the many agencies involved with recovering missing servicemembers.  Families wishing to participate only, please email: voiceofthefamilies@theclearing.com

Veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and their families looking for jobs have special priority when it comes to federal jobs.  Check out the resources and listings at: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

New Art of Hooping, July 28 Deadline to Register to Vote, Think Before You Ink

This hooping genius combines art and athleticism, martial arts, dance, and a lot of balance at: http://youtu.be/GLlpi-0_lB0

Deadline to register/or re-register to vote in the upcoming election is July 28.  You can do this at your county election office, MVD, most public libraries, and online at: https://servicearizona.com/webapp/evoter/selectLanguage  Need some incentive to participate?  Then see Sandra Day O’Connor explaining the importance of every Arizonan voting in this PSA: http://youtu.be/rFPSFR0Vbrs

There are pros and cons to any body art that can’t easily be changed or removed, so it pays to be an informed consumer.  Some employers, like law enforcement and health care, won’t allow any visible tattoos for new employees.  But after several soldiers ended up in the hospital, this article from Military.com shows health concerns, and the questions to ask before you get a tattoo at: http://www.stripes.com/questions-to-ask-before-you-get-a-tattoo-1.292437 and the CDC discusses other health-related matters at: http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2012/08/the-hidden-dangers-of-getting-inked/  So, think (and research), before you ink!

Congressional Gold Medals, Hiring Heroes Job Fair in Tucson, Free Legal Help, Expanded Access to Exchanges, Addiction Recovery, College Planning

Today, July 9, a Congressional Gold Medal will be presented to Raoul Wallenberg, credited with saving countless lives in WWII.  See more about Wallenberg at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-brzezinski/honoring-raoul-wallenberg_b_5561725.html and recent recipients, such as the Doolittle Raiders and Monuments Men at: http://history.house.gov/Institution/Gold-Medal/Gold-Medal-Recipients/

July 17 is a Hiring our Heroes Job Fair in Tucson, AZ – see the full list of their Veterans Job Fairs at: http://www.hiringourheroes.org/hiringourheroes/events

Low-income individuals may be able to get low-cost or free legal help.  Check out http://www.americanbar.org/portals/public_resources/aba_home_front/directory_programs/arizona.html or contact Community Legal Services at 928-445-9240.  Community Legal Services has several July workshops and open-intake events in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

A potential benefit for 22 million more Veterans: A recent proposal would allow all honorably discharged Vets to shop at the exchange online, a savings of up to 25% on many items.  Read more at: http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2014/06/aafes-chief-let-22-million-vets-shop-exchanges-online/

An interesting article about addiction on Dr. Oz’s blog is at: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/addicts-anonymous-people#cmpid=em070214  The article promotes a national conversation, bringing addiction out in the open, so more people will seek treatment and join the 23.5 million Americans in recovery.

Thinking of going to college?  Check out http://www.fastweb.com/ to learn more about financial help available – or if you are a Northern Arizona Veteran, contact www.yc.edu/vub for free services to assist you with financial aid, college applications, career decisions, and more.
Need an incentive to get a degree?  Check out this chart, showing the effect of a parent's education level on their children's lifetime income level.

Parents with Bachelor's Degrees Impact their Children's Earning Level too.