Federal Daily - June 25, 2009

Five-Day Delivery Could Lead to Collapse of U.S. Mail System, APWU Says

American Postal Workers Union (APWU) President William Burrus warned that switching Postal Service delivery to just five days a week could force the downfall of the country’s mail system. In a June 22 posting on the APWU Web site, Burrus said that a decision by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to reduce mail delivery by one day would be a mistake. USPS officials are considering reducing delivery and shrinking the workforce as they attempt to close a budget gap brought on by declining mail volume and exacerbated by the bad economy. USPS last month recorded a $1.9 billion net loss at the end of the fiscal year second quarter, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31. Reduction of delivery assumes that the economy will never recover and mail volume will in no way return as a viable medium for commercial activities, Burrus said. If five-day delivery is enacted, “history will record this act as the first step in the dismantling of the United States mail system,” Burrus said. “This decision is the worst possible response to unusual circumstances that have adversely affected mail volume.” To see more, go to: http://apwu.org/news/webart/2009/09-071-five-daydelivery-090622.htm.

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DoD Announces Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefit Transferability Guidelines

DoD on June 23 announced guidelines for servicemembers who want to transfer educational benefits to their spouses and children under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The new rules take effect Aug. 1. Depending on their eligibility, servicemembers may be able to transfer all or a portion of their education entitlement to one or more family members. To be eligible, servicemembers must have served in the armed forces for at least six years and agree to serve four additional years from the date of election to transfer, DoD said. Servicemembers with at least 10 years of service, but who cannot under DoD policy commit to an additional four years, may still transfer their benefits provided they agree to serve for the maximum allowable time. Those eligible include a servicemember’s spouse and children. A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to be eligible for transfer, according to the DoD guidance. A child’s subsequent marriage will not prevent him or her from receiving transferred benefits; nor does a spouse’s divorce. However, DoD notes that a servicemember retains the right to revoke the transfer at any time.  In general, servicemembers must use the benefits within 15 years of discharge. “This is as it should be in a volunteer force where families also serve,” said Bill Carr, deputy under secretary of defense for military personnel policy. “Transferability of GI Bill benefits is the most requested initiative we receive from our servicemembers.” Beginning June 29, eligible servicemembers may make transfer designations by visiting: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB. To see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12762.

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Army Increases Medical and Dental School Benefits

The Army Medical Department (AMD) on June 22 announced that it is increasing the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) stipend to $1,992 per month in an attempt to attract qualified medical personnel. The new stipends will be effective July 1.  In addition, HPSP recipients in the Medical Corps and Dental Corps are eligible for a one-time $20,000 sign-on bonus, AMD said. The scholarship is available in one-year increments from one to four years and provides benefits during school and after graduation for those who are currently enrolled in a graduate medical, dental or veterinary program. It also provides benefits for those pursuing psychiatric nurse practitioner degrees or other medical service degrees such as optometry or clinical/counseling psychology. “Now more than ever, it’s important that students know there is financial support available to help them achieve their dreams of a health care career,” said Col. Rafael Montagno, commander of the Army Medical Recruiting Brigade. HPSP recipients have an active-duty service obligation of one year of service for every year they receive the scholarship. The minimum obligation depends on the field. To see more, go to: www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp.  

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