From Chuck Weber, your Veteran Service Officer...
 
 
Notes of Interest -  1 thru 15 DEC 2016
 
TRICARE pharmacy network. As of 1 DEC, CVS and CVS pharmacies in Target stores are no longer part of the TRICARE pharmacy network; but Walgreens now is, so beneficiaries need to transfer all prescription fills or refills from CVS pharmacy to another TRICARE pharmacy to avoid paying the full retail prices. Read more at   Pharmacy Network Changes

PTSD. The Food and Drug Administration has given the go-ahead for clinical trials of the club drug ecstasy as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. In earlier research, the drug showed promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD.

USS Zumwalt. The largest and most expensive destroyer built for the U.S. Navy has resumed its voyage after a breakdown in the Panama Canal. The Navy said 1 DEC that the ship departed Panama after repairs to the propulsion system by the ship's crew and a team from General Electric and the Naval Sea Systems Command. The 610-foot destroyer was in the Panama Canal when it lost propulsion on 21 NOV. 

Retiree Firearms. The Pentagon's new policy for carrying firearms on base is intended for uniformed service members and civilians working for the U.S. military -- not for retirees, Defense Department officials maintain.

Federal Workforce. Veterans make up almost one-third of the federal workforce, up 5 percentage points since President Obama took office, according to new data released by OPM on Veterans Day. That translates into more than 623,000 veterans working in civilian federal posts, 31% of the 2 million individuals working in civilian government jobs. 

Grocery Shopping. Amazon is doing away with checkout lines and cashiers in concept 'Go' grocery stores. To see how they will do it go to Go Grocery Stores.  First store in Seattle will be open to the public in early 2017.

Okinawa. The U.S. and Japan announced 6 DEC that Washington will give back to the Japanese government nearly 10,000 acres of land on Okinawa that U.S. Marines use for jungle warfare training.

Nuclear Waste. The Navy and U.S. Department of Energy have announced that they'll build a $1.65 billion facility at a nuclear site in eastern Idaho that will handle fuel waste from the nation's fleet of nuclear-powered warships.

Fidel Castro. Castro’s ashes were put inside a rock. The funeral procession was halted when the jeep carrying his ashes broke down and soldiers had to push it. Kind of a mini analogue of communism right there for all to see.

Foundation for American Vets. A Michigan fundraiser (Associated Community Services Inc) that targeted veterans and seniors will be banned from operating in Minnesota and has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused it of engaging in deception and failing to provide required disclosures about what it does.  ACS was allegedly sending out false “pledge reminders” and making other deceptive statements to solicit donations for the Foundation for American Veterans, 

Obama Vacation Costs. Judicial Watch announced 10 DEC that it obtained records from the U.S. Secret Service revealing that its travel expenses for the First Family’s 2015 Hawaiian vacation cost taxpayers $1.2 million, which bring the total cost of the vacation trip to at least $4.8 million. This was the Obamas’ eighth Hawaiian family vacation. The trip has become an annual event for the Obamas. To date, Obama’s and his family’s travel expenses total at least $85,029,819.

Senate Last Seat filled. Louisiana voters Saturday chose to send Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy to the U.S. Senate, filling the nation’s last Senate seat and giving the GOP a 52-48 edge in the chamber when the new term begins in January. 

RP President. Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted he personally killed criminal suspects as mayor of Davao. Speaking to business leaders at the presidential palace on 12 DEC he stated, "In Davao I used to do it personally. Just to show to the guys [police] that if I can do it why can't you."

Kirk Douglas. Former movie star Kirk Douglas celebrated his 100th birthday on 9 DEC.
 

Top

©1997 - 2016 by USS RICH Association, Inc. - All Rights Reserved