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In the News
Notable Quality of Life developments and Department of Defense announcements and alerts.

Upcoming Hiring Our Heroes - Military Spouse Event
On October 23, 2012 there will be a one- of-a-kind Hiring Fair and Career Forum exclusively for spouses of active duty, guard, reserves and retired veteran population at the Surf's Edge Club, Tampa, FL.

Driver Beware; Concerned Calls Put Brakes on Automobile Ads
Recent advertisements in major metropolitan newspapers offering automobile sales through a company calling itself "Exchange Inc." have consumers calling the Army & Air Force Exchange Service for answers.

Electronic Payments Required for TRICARE Reserve Select and Retired Reserve Monthly Premiums
To avoid losing coverage, beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) who pay monthly premiums by check need to switch to an electronic form of payment before Jan. 1, 2013.

Commissaries to Offer New Innovations, Conveniences
The new commissary rewards card now offered at all 247 military commissaries worldwide offers a glimpse into what the Defense Commissary Agency is working to provide its customers: the same selection, conveniences and quality as the most popular commercial grocery store chains, but even better customer service and lower prices.

DoDEA Educational Partnership Awards $49 Million to Military-Connected Schools
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership awarded nearly $49 million to 38 public school districts supporting military-connected students through the Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Program (MCASP) for 2012.

New Transition Assistance Program Ready for Rollout
Parts of a new transition assistance program, or TAP, were tested this summer and TAP will be ready for separating service members over the next few months, officials reported to lawmakers.

Officials Confirm Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Deadline
Pentagon officials have confirmed the Oct. 21 deadline to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has not been extended by the recently enacted Continuing Resolution.