Dec. 16, 2009

Minuteman of the Year Announced  
ROA will honor Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) with its Minuteman of the Year Award for her contributions to national security and special efforts on behalf of America's National Guard and Reserve members at the National Convention Feb. 9, 2010. 
Read ROA's MMY press release
Sen. Blanche Lincoln biography

PHILANTHROPY:
It's Time to Postmark Year End Gifts!
Sometimes in the final rush of the holidays a charitable gift doesn’t get mailed until after the first of the year. It will not qualify as a 2009 charitable deduction unless it is postmarked by Dec. 31; if it is, your gift will qualify as a 2009 gift even if it is not received by us until the first week of 2010. ROA extends our most sincere thanks for your generosity throughout the year.
 Donate Now!

Consider an ROA Gift This Holiday Season
Make an Honor Donation
Give the gift of ROA membership
Shop ROA for holiday savings

LEGISLATION AND MILITARY POLICY:
Omnibus Spending Bill Passes
Both the House and the Senate took action on a mini-omnibus last week. Now, with five of 12 annual spending bills already complete, action is necessary on the unfinished Defense Appropriations bill (H.R. 3326). The current plan is to use it as a vehicle to carry other measures. One of these measures could be the anticipated increase in the debt ceiling, a controversial decision that has raised strong opposition in Congress. 
Read Washington Post article
Read the bill (HR 3326)

Skelton Appoints Members to Independent Panel to Assess the Quadrennial Defense Review
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Robert Scales (USA, Ret.) and Dr. Richard Kohn to the Department of Defense’s independent panel to assess the 2009 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR).
House Armed Services Committee

Deputy Secretary of Defense Responds to TMC Letter
DoD responded to concerns regarding TRICARE Standard copays, expressing interest in a continuing dialogue about how to address "the overall increases in the cost of health care while keeping beneficiary contributions reasonable."
Read the full text of DepSecDef's letter

NEWS FOR CITIZEN WARRIORS:
Recent ROA Blog Entries
Has the QDR process approved a new bomber?
 Eligibility Criteria for Reemployment
Determining Our Nuclear Course

ROA's "Intersect" Weekly News Clips
Current "Intersect" Edition
Archived editions  

CONVENTION UPDATES:
Legal Seminar Prices Reduced
The 2010 ROA Convention's Legal Seminar, "Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act," has reduced prices for admission. Check out the new prices online.
Read more about the legal seminar

2010 RCJOPDS Schedule Posted
The current 2010 Reserve Component Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar (RCJOPDS) schedule is now posted.
Read RCJOPDS tentative schedule (pdf)

ROA Convention Speakers Posted
The current 2010 Convention Speakers schedule is now posted.
Convention Speakers (pdf)

SERVICEMEMBERS' LAW CENTER:
New Law Reviews
No. 0964 Held a Position of Employment
No. 0965 What is Service in the Uniformed Services?
No. 0966 Relationship between the Uniformed Service and the Absence from the Position of Employment
No. 0967 Prior Notice to Civilian Employer
No. 0968 The Five Year Limit
No. 0969 Only Really Serious Miscreants Lose Their Reemployment Rights for Misconduct During Service
No. 0970 Timely Application for Reemployment

ROA NEWS:
No OFFICER Issue to be delivered in December
There will be no Officer mailed this month: instead, there will be a December/January edition delivered the first week of January. Beginning in 2010, The Officer will move to a bimonthly format, supplemented by a quarterly, direct mail newsletter and this e-newsletter). More details to follow.
 The Officer Online

2010 CIOR/CIOMR Mid-Winter Meeting Registration and Information Posted
CIOR/CIOMR Mid-Winter Meeting registration and location, meeting, guest participation, dinner, hotel, and transporation information is now posted.
 2010 CIOR/CIOMR Mid-Winter Meeting Page

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Recall Opportunity for Navy Reserve Officers
Navy Reserve Officers with advanced degrees (master's and above) are currently being recruited to teach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Read the full announcement

NORAD to Track Santa's Flight
The North American Aerospace Defense Command is getting ready to track Santa. On Dec. 24, NORAD's website will stream videos, captured by NORAD “Santa Cams,” from numerous cities along Santa’s journey.
NORAD Tracks Santa

Military Families Cope with Change' Initiative
Sesame Street's Sesame Workshop has created a new online space, Sesame Street Family Connections, where "children from military families can express themselves" and "family members can stay closely connected from across the globe."
Check out Sesame Street Family Connections website

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Scholarships and Summer Internships
DHS announced its scholarships and summer internships open to undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.
DHS Education Programs