Stand-To!- Online Soldier's Benefits Services Program - October 12, 2007

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 Stand-To!<http://www4.army.mil/news/standto/printheader.gif> 
Edition: Fri, October 12, 2007
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-10-12> 

TODAY'S FOCUS


Online Soldier's Benefits Services Program 

What is it? The Soldiers' Benefits Services (SBS) Web site is the most
robust, current, information-filled benefits website available on the
Internet today. Soldiers on active duty with an AKO password can access
personalized reports on the Soldier's survivor, disability, and retirement
benefits while on active duty. 

What has the Army done? The Army has created its official one-stop web-based
resource for all benefits information. The Army has integrated benefits
information and resources into one single location on the web so users don't
need to spend hours searching the Internet. 

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
Administrators will continually update the Web site as new information and
user feedback become available. The most important mission now is for
leaders to get the word out to Soldiers and Families about this great
resource.

Why is it important to the Army? A well-informed Soldier is an effective
Soldier. With literally hundreds of benefits available, it can be a daunting
task for Soldiers and Families to search the web for answers. The Soldiers'
Benefits Services Web site alleviates the stress on users by consolidating
benefits information into one Web site.

The SBS Web site features include:

* Benefit Resources- Local benefit resources at all major Army installations
worldwide.
* Survivor Planning- A calculator that projects the Family's benefits as
they would be delivered to the Soldier's beneficiaries.
* Retirement Planning- A calculator to "project" your retirement. Both the
Retirement and the Survivor Planning features allow Soldiers to perform
"what if" drills to see how one's retirement is affected by performance over
a period of time. 
* Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Assistance- A calculator and interactive tool
to calculate a Soldier's estimated disability rating and disability
retirement income based upon combat and combat-related injuries as listed. 
* Casualty and Survivor Assistance- This feature enables Casualty Assistance
Officers to provide surviving Family members with a clear, accurate and
integrated benefits report.
* Fact Sheets- Customized by Army component and Soldier status, these fact
sheets contain essential benefits information on more than 100 topics. They
are available in both English and Spanish. Additionally, 54 state and
territory fact sheets identify specific benefits and eligibilities for
Soldiers residing in those states and territories. 

The SBS Web site can be accessed by clicking here.
<http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/> 



INFORMATION YOU CAN USE


* 2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993>  - Read the 2007 Army Strategic
Communication Guide for key messages and updates.
* Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879>  
* Army Public Affairs Portal <https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363> 


NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY


*	Army making progress in Baghdad despite heavy losses for 2nd Cavalry
(SAS <http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49432> ) 
*	Army to accelerate leader development (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/10/11/5551-army-to-accelerate-leader-develop
ment/> ) 
*	Stryker Cavalry ridding Baghdad of bombs, 'bad guys' (AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47763> ) 
*	Army refitting more humvees faster with new approach (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/10/11/5566-army-refitting-more-humvees-faste
r-with-new-approach/> )


WAR ON TERROR NEWS


*	Iraqi officials meet to discuss security (MNF
<http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14554&Ite
mid=1> ) 
*	Gen. Petraeus: Al Qaeda remains 'wolf closest to the sled' (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071012552064.html>  | CSM
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1012/p25s01-wome.html> ) 
*	Relations sour between Shiites and Iraq militia (NYT
<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/world/middleeast/12mahdi.html?_r=1&oref=s
login> ) 
*	Troops kill 13 insurgents; Car bombs kill, injure Iraqis (AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47767> )


OF INTEREST


*	Grieving parents find comfort in each other (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/10/11/5565-grieving-parents-find-comfort-in-
each-other/> ) 
*	Before heading to Iraq, tank crews test abilities during live-fire
practice (SAS <http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49440> ) 
*	USAREUR commander wants to keep 40,000 American Soldiers in Europe
(SAS <http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49444> ) 
*	Guard Soldiers compete with Army's top 24 warriors (GXO
<http://www.gxonline.com/gxintelnews?id=52008> )


WORLD VIEW


*	Missing U.S. Soldier's weapon found (HS
<http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun>  | Story
<http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22573077-23109,00.html> ) 
*	Military: U.S. Soldier dies of wounds from combat in eastern Baghdad
(IHT <http://www.iht.com/>  | Story
<http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/11/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-US-Casualties.
php> ) 
*	15 women and children killed in U.S. assault (GN
<http://www.gulfnews.com/>  | Story
<http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iraq/10159799.html> ) 
*	U.S. military deaths in Iraq at 3,821 (GRD
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/>  | Story
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6990170,00.html> )


WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS


*	Civilian casualties are always a tragedy (BF
<http://blackfive.blogs.com/> ) 
*	Combat camera: Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah (TN
<http://thetension.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	Gas! Gas! Gas! (AR <http://www.americanranger.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	Former enemies join forces to rebuild Iraq for Iraqis (TR
<http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/> )

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