Throughout the 1930s until the 1970’s, United States Navy Vessels utilized asbestos as insulation. Due to its flame resistant, durable and inexpensive properties, asbestos was viewed as the ideal choice for military applications. Over 300 asbestos-containing products are said to have been used by the Navy during this time period.

Shipyard workers, sailors and tradesman aboard these ships were wrongfully exposed aboard navigation rooms, sleeping quarters and mess halls. These shipyards played significant roles in efforts to build and repair ships on the west and east coasts of the country.

The carcinogenic affects of asbestos exposure were well documented at the early part of the 20th century, but manufacturers repressed this evidence from the public. These manufacturers have been struck hard by scandals, and rightfully so. Hundreds of thousands of military veterans have been plagued by asbestos related illnesses as a result of negligence and conspiracy.

Frequent exposure to asbestos can lead to related ailments such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. These forms of asbestos lung cancer account for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. alone. One of the hardest diseases to accurately diagnoses, mesothelioma has a latency period that can last 20 to 50 years, making mesothelioma prognosis from physicians a difficult task. In many instances, these veterans do not become aware of their disease until they have aged significantly. Mesothelioma treatment has varied effects on victims. More often than not, it is fatal.

The danger for asbestos exposure is still present today with over $194,000 worth of asbestos imported to Iraq in 2003. Aside from daily threats from military assignments and enemy fire, soldiers stationed in Iraq based in the country are at risk because intense desert winds can carry asbestos dust many miles.

Veterans who seek to receive compensation and assistance for their medical ailment find themselves in a tricky situation. Although mesothelioma is not listed as a service-related disease, they can still apply for Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits but most demonstrate evidence that exposure occurred at the time of their service. Many are hopeful the new presidential administration will push through policies that will help veterans and their families receive their rightful compensation and assistance for their condition.

Related posts:

1. Did You Know Military Members Have it too Good?
2. VA Loans
3. Veteran’s Day Discounts

How to Order a Beer in Fifty Languages

“Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” –Dave Barry

If there’s one universal constant in human society, it has to be alcohol. Rare indeed is the culture that hasn’t worked out the tricksy process of fermenting and/or distilling some type of vegetable matter — be it malted barley, potatoes, honey or grape juice — into a brew containing a significant percentage, as the dictionary puts it, of an “organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group.” In other words, booze.

Among the mildest and most variable of these alcoholic beverages is that fine elixir known as beer. A true beer connoisseur would never pass up an opportunity to try the local brew, no matter where on Earth where they found themselves, and so it behooves the serious beerologist to know how to order a beer in as many languages as possible. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide you with a handy guide on how to order a beer in 50 different languages. Where the pronunciation isn’t obvious, or in which the term is normally written in non-Roman characters, we’ve rendered it phonetically. Cheers!

One beer, please!

Afrikaans A beer, ah-suh-bleef!
American Brewski here, please!
Arabic Waheed beera, meen fadleek!
Basque Garagardo bat, mesedez!
Belarusian Ad-no pee-vah ka-lee lah-ska!

“You can’t be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.” — Frank Zappa

Bengali Eka handoiya, doya koray!
Bulgarian Edna beerra, molya!
Catalan Una cervesa, si us plau!
Cheyenne Nok hee-sevo-tamah-peh, mas-eh-met-ah-no!
Chinese Ching gay woh ee bay pee joh!

“Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink, I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, ‘It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.’” — Jack Handy

Czech Pee-vo, pro-seem!
Danish Yay vil geh-neh heh en url!
Dutch Un beer, ahls-yer-bleeft!
Egyptian (Ancient) Wekha henqet!
Esperanto Unu bieron, mi petas!

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.” — Abraham Lincoln

Estonian Ooks ur-loo, pah-lun!
Finnish O-loot moolek kee-tos!
French Une bière, s’il vous plait!
German Ein Bier, bitte!
Greek Mee-a beer-a paraka-loh!

“Remember: I before E, except in Budweiser.” – Anonymous

Hawaiian ‘Ekahi pia, ho’olu!
Hindi Eka biyara, krupaya!
Hungarian Edj pohar shurt kayrek!
Icelandic Ay-dn byohr, tahk!
Interlingua On bira, per favor!

“He was a wise man who invented beer.” — Plato

Irish Byohr awoyn, lyeh doh hull!
Italian Una birra, per favore!
Japanese Bee-ru ip-pon, ku-da-sai!
Korean Mayk-joo hahn-jahn, joo-se-yoh!
Kurdish Dan min yek bire!

“Give me a woman who loves beer, and I will conquer the world.” – Kaiser Wilhelm

Lakota (Sioux) Wan-jee m’nee-pee-gah, ee-yo-kee-pee!
Latin Cervisiam, sodes!
Lithuanian Pra-shau vie-na, al-lows!
Norwegian Ehn url, tahk!
Old English An beor, nu!

“24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?” — Stephen Wright

Pig Latin One-ay eer-bay, ease-play!
Polish Yed-no peev, proshe!
Portuguese Uma cerveja, por favor!
Romanian Oh beh-reh ver rohg!

We old folks have to find our cushions and pillows in our tankards. Strong beer is the milk of the old. – Martin Luther

Scots Gaelic Lyawn, mahs eh doh hawl eh!
Serbo/ Croatian Yed-no pee-vo, mo-lim!
Slovene Eno pee-vo, pro-seem!
Spanish  Una cerveza, por favor!
Swahili Moja pombe, tafadhali!

“I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety.” — Shakespeare, Henry V

Swedish Ehn irl, tahk!
Twi Mah-me bee-ye bah-ko, mee pow-che-oo!
Turkish Beer beer-ah, luht-fen!
Welsh  Koo-roh ohs gwel-ookh-un-thah!
Yiddish A beer, zeit a-zoy goot!

“Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.” — Dave Barry
Now so I do not get in trouble this was found at www.etiquettesystems.com/how-to-order-a-beer/

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1. Congrats Ladies and Gentlemen

Now here is the kicker if you do transfer those benefits but are unable to complete the 4 year service obligation that you incur because if it you could be forced to repay the amount used.  With benefits expected to average $80,000 over 36 months (four years of college) that could mean a repayment of 20 grans for every year of benefits used.  While the four year repayment won’t affect anyone with less than 16 years come Aug 1, 2009 (when it goes into effect) those military members approaching high year/tenure may have a problem.

High year/tenure is in place to force retirement of personel that are not getting promoted (IE a SSgt in the Marine Corps must retire when he gets 20 years of service MSgt’s can stay in for 26 years).  So those SSgt’s that are at 17+ years and decide to pass their benefits on to a child or spouse but doesnot get promoted to Gunny would be on the hook for 60 grand potentially.

The new GI Bill is a great recruiting and retention tool.  This Bill is also to honor those that have served in the military since 9/11.  It would be a disgrace to freeze out those personnel that have spent almost 8 years serving their country since the devastation on that day that has led us into the war on terrorism.  It is out duty to make sure that this doesn’t happen.  Any Marine, soldier, sailor or airman that has served since 9/11 needs to be grandfathered in and no monies should have to be repaid if the service member cannot complete 4 years due to involuntary retirement.  Call your Congressman and make sure that these military members are not excluded from this great bill.

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MarAdmin 661/08 announces that Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software will be made available via MARINENET.  Access to this software is to facilitate Marines in learning a second language.  FOr those of you unfamiliar with Rosetta Stone Software it is a self-paced computer based education tool.  This software provides 150 hours of language familiarization in 31 different languages.

The following language are available:

SPANISH (LATIN AMERICAN), SPANISH (SPAIN), ENGLISH (US), ENGLISH (UK),
ARABIC (MODERN STANDARD), FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE,
RUSSIAN, CHINESE, JAPANESE, HEBREW, IRISH, DUTCH, FARSI, GREEK,
HINDI, KOREAN, POLISH, SWEDISH, DANISH, INDONESIAN, LATIN, PASHTO,
SWAHILI, TAGALOG, THAI, TURKISH, VIETNAMESE AND WELSH

Of those 31 the following 15 are operationally relevant:

SPANISH (LATIN AMERICA), ARABIC, FRENCH, PORTUGUESE, RUSSIAN,
CHINESE, FARSI, HINDI, KOREAN, INDONESIAN, PASHTO, SWAHILI,
TAGALOG, THAI, AND TURKISH.

By making this software available to Marine the Marine Corps is doing itself a great service.  The opportunity for Marines to learn a second language is something that all should take care of.  Not only to help themselves but also to help the their unit and the Corps in the long run.  Also depending on the language and the level of proficiency that a Marine achieves it could help their pocket book as well.

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For those of you unfamiliar with MCI’s they are distance education courses for Marines.  They are a part of your Professional Military Education (PME).  Marines in the ranks of Sgt and above are required to complete certain MCI’s to be considered PME complete and be eligible for promotion to the next rank.  For Cpl’s and below completion of MCIs add additional points to their cutting scores (100 max).  The higher your score the better chance you have to get promoted.

Well now LCpls are going to be required to have completed the “Leading Marines” MCI to be eligible for promotion to Cpl.  The following is an exert from MarAdmin 330/07

THE NEW LEADING MARINES MCI HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO MEET THE OPERATING FORCES’ EXPECTATIONS FOR  THEIR MARINES’ PERFORMANCE IN CURRENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS.

This new policy is intended to develop the leadership traits in young Marines and prepare them to be Cpls of Marines.  While this sounds like a great idea I think there is a more sinister underlying issue at large here.  When I was a young Cpl and Sergeant I did not have an MCI to teach me leadership.  I learned my leadership the old fashioned way.  I learned from my NCOs and SNCOs.  I learned what was a good leader (and a bad leader) by observing.  It was the job of the NCO to ensure that the Marines under his charge were ready for the next rank.

I am not saying that the new requirement is bad but I also dont think that it is fair across the board.  now Marines in the rank of LCpl, Sgt, SSgt, GySgt, MSgt, 1stSgt, are required to complete certain MCIs in order to be promoted.  Why is there not a requirement for Cpls to complete some type of MCI to get promoted to Sgt?  Why did the Commandant determine that LCpls needed more education to get promoted?  Does the Commandant feel that his Sgts and Cpls are not strong enough to make quality leaders?  Regardless of what the answers to these questions are it is our duty as leaders to ensure that our Marines complete the rquirements for promotion to Cpl and that those that do not complete the requirements are properly held back from promotion.

If you are a LCpl it is your duty to ensure that you get the MCIs on order and complete them in a timely manner.  If you do not get this MCI done you will not get promoted.  So get out there and get it done.

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What do I have to do to get it?

You really don’t have to do too much to receive this money to go to school.  You need to go down to the Joint Education Center take a college 101 class which explains Tuition Assistance (TA) and all that good stuff.  you then find a school that you want to attend find the classes you want to attend take your TA form to your CO or education officer that has been filled out so they can sign it.  Take the TA form back to JEC and go to the classes that you have signed up for.

As you can see getting your Tuition Assistance is not a complicated endeavour and the paybacks are outstanding.  You can easily achieve an AA degree in a 4 year enlistment or if you are determined you can even get that bachelor’s degree as my brother during his 1 enlistment in the AF.

Investing in yourself with an education is one of the best things that you can do to improve your chances for promotion.  Corporals and below receive 10 points per class on their composite score.  Sgt’s and above are going to get favorable recognition on FitRep’s and on the promotion boards.  Even if you do not expect to stay in the Corps you can use a degree to help you negotiate a higher salary when you do get out.

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1. VA Loans

• Education
• Technology
• Health Care
• Trade and Industry
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Business Administration
• Hospitality Management 
• Homeland Security

The eligibility can be extended for 1 year for a total of $6000.

Who is Eligible?

Originally only spouses of Junior Marines (Sgts and below on the enlisted side and Capt and below on the officer side) it has recently been expanded to all ranks.  Marines must have at least one year remaining on station.  Also the  applying spouse must have a HS diploma or GED.

What do I need to do?

To get the 3 grand the spouse of a Marine stationed aboard Camp Pendleton must attend a brief at the Marine and Family Services Building13150 located on mainside.  The spouse needs to bring either a copy of the PCS orders to Camp Pendleton or the Marine’s unit or a phone number to the Marine’s OIC in addition:

•  Military ID Card
• Application forms if you have them, otherwise they will be provided.
• Right to work in the United States; Passport or Driver’s License and Social Security Card.
• School Information: If you have chosen a school that you will be attending, be sure to bring their information with you. Required information includes the school address, their phone number, the number of semester hours, quarter hours, or clock hours of the program you will be choosing, and the length of the program.

Where is the program available?

• California: Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps); Naval Base San Diego Metro (Navy)
• Colorado: Fort Carson (Army); Peterson AFB (Air Force)
• Florida: Eglin AFB (Air Force); Hurlburt Field (Air Force); NAS Jacksonville (Navy)
• Georgia: Fort Benning (Army)
• Hawaii: Hickam AFB (Air Force); Kaneohe Bay (Marine Corps); Pearl Harbor (Navy); Schofield Barracks (Army)
• Maine: NAS Brunswick (Navy)
• North Carolina: Fort Bragg (Army); Pope AFB (Air Force)
• Washington: McChord AFB (Air Force); Fort Lewis (Army); Naval Base Kitsap (Navy) 

Jarhead’s Thoughts

This is one of the best things that has been offered to a Service Member’s family since the Commissary and the PX.  With a spouse that has training that is easily transferable can make a change of station orders much less stressful.  A happy family at home makes for a happy Marine at work.

More information cabout this program can be found at the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (CAA) website.

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MarAdmin 370/08 publishes the bonus amounts for FY-09.  It states that the combined bonus can not exceed $90,000 in FY-09. 

To get that 90G’s you are going to need to be in a Sgt or below (SSgt selectee’s are ineligible) in a combat arms MOS eligible for a $65,000 or more bonus or more AND agree to spend 2 more years in the OPFOR.  Read the two more years OPFOR as at least 1 more deployment.

After a quick scan of the MARADMIN there are only a few MOS that rate the $25,000 SRB kicker to stay in the OPFOR, and only a handful of them have SRB’s high enough to get them to the $90,000 max out limit.

Now effective Aug 1st 2009 EVERY MARINE that gets out after their 4 year tour will be eligible for 80G and all they have to do is start going to school.  That’s right no more formation, getting DD, field day, deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan, or getting shot at or blown up.

Now I know none of us do this job for the money (although it could be worse) but has the new GI Bill gone too far?  Is it too good?  Will it lead to decreased retention at all levels?  How many young Marines are going to turn down 90G to get shot at when they can take 80G to go to school?

If this bill leads to decreased retention in the middle of a war what will the DOD do?  What will Congress or the White House do?  Will we see bonuses of 100,000 125,000 or will we see a repeal of the greatest benefit for American troops since the GI Bill was instituted after WWII.

I’m not sure what is going to happen but I have a feeling that things could get really interesting between now and the time that I retire.

Related posts:

1. The Money is Running Out
2. Approved Selections to SSgt

Who is covered?

• Active duty enlisted and officer who have served at least 90 days since Sept 11 2001.
• To qualify for the full benefit you must have served at least 3 years since 9/11.  If you served less than 3 years since 9/11 you can see your benefits here.
• Veterans who served at least 30 days of active duty service and were discharged due to a service connected disability qualify for the full 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

How much will the bill pay?

• It will vary from state to state due to the fact that you will be paid the full tuition up to the most expensive in-State public university.
• Monthly housing stipend equal to the with depepndants rate for an E-5 in the zipcode that the school is located in as long as you go to school 3/4 time or more.  The housing stipend is only paid if the student is physically attending the school (not online).
• Yearly book stipend up to $1,000 a year.
• Up to $1,200 for tutorial assistance.
• Up to $2,000 for licensing or certification.

Who can I transfer benefits to?

• A spouse of a service member that has served at least 6 years and re-enlists for for more years (for a total of 10 years) would be eligible.
• Children of a service member that has served 10 years would be eligible.
• It may be possible to split benefits between spouse and children or between mutiple children, DoD and the military services will issue policy on use of transferability in the coming months.

How are benefits paid?

• Tuition will be paid directly to the institution of learning.
• The housing stipend will be paid monthly to the service member.

What is not covered?

• Unlike the Mongomery GI Bill apprenticeships, on-the-job training, correspondence courses and flight training are not covered under the new bill.
• Students not attending a brick and mortar school (taking classes on line) will not recieve the housing stipend.

When do the new benefits begin?

• Benefits go into effect Aug 1, 2009 and will not be retroactive.

Jarhead’s Thoughts

• These new benefits are great.  It is awesome that the majority of service members will nw be able to go to school once they get out. 
•  Also the transfer bit will make it so that alot of kids of service members may be able to get a free education as well. 

Now I just wonder what this will do to retention?

•  Will more Marines get out after 4 years since they have increased education benefits? 
• How may  people will get out once they have the oppurtunity to trasfer those benefits (10 years)? 
• If this bill does in fact reduce the number of Marines that re-enlist after their first term I am sure that SRB’s will go up to even higher amounts as long as the Corps is growing.

For more inforamtion visit www.va.gov

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