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The Army Historical Foundation revealed plans for five public spaces to be featured in the National Museum of the United States Army. The Museum, a permanent tribute that will tell the storied history of America’s oldest and largest service, is expected to open at Fort Belvoir, Va. in 2015 and welcome 750,000 visitors each year. The U.S. Army is the only military service without a national museum.

Army Theater
This panoramic theater-in-the-round will engage, educate, inspire, and entertainusing a variety of dramatic theatrical techniques. The 360 degree projection display will immerse the audience in an auditory and visual experience as they travel alongside Soldiers from basic training to combat in defense of our nation, and from peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance to the advent of technologies and services that have transformed our daily lives.

Education Pavilion
The Education Pavilion will include an extensive experiential learning area dedicated to the Army’s interest in advancing geography, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (G-STEM) education programs among students of all ages. The Pavilion will feature classroom space and interactive learning tools such as motion-sensitive smart tables and desk-mounted computers. The spacewill grow and evolve in tandem with technology, allowing room for future state-of-the-art learning methods to be seamlessly incorporated into the Pavilion’s unique Experiential Learning Center. Last year, Lockheed Martin Corporation pledged $10 million to sponsor the Pavilion.

Medal of Honor Garden
The Medal of Honor, established by President Lincoln in 1862, recognizes the extraordinary service and sacrifice of recipients of the Army Medal of Honor. The garden, an outdoor rooftop space, will identify and honor the 2,403 Soldiers who to date have received this award, the highest recognition of valor bestowed upon members of the Army. The garden will feature three sections, dedicated to the intrepidity, gallantry, and valor of Medal of Honor recipients.

Veterans’ Hall
The Veterans’ Hall will be a multi-functional space for reunions, meetings, presentations, lectures, and other official events. The Hall will house interactive features such as the Registry of the American Soldier, artifacts, and special exhibits. Veterans’ service organizations and other affinity groups have the opportunity to sponsor the hall, and have their organization’s name permanently displayed on its wall. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc. were the first two major sponsors of the Hall, each having contributed lead gifts of$500,000.

Wall of Honor (Colors of Courage)
The Wall of Honor will be showcased in the Museum lobby to symbolize and chronicle the history of the 11 major wars the Army has fought in to date. It will feature replicas of 185 campaign streamers affixed to the Army flag in recognition of the selfless service and courage of our Soldiers.

For more information on the Foundation and the National Museum of the United States Army, visit www.armyhistory.org.

The PenFed Foundation is holding a video contest to find a caregiver of a wounded veteran who will be honored as the “hero at home” at its Eighth Annual Night of Heroes Gala this May. And you, the public, will help choose the winner on YouTube.

To enter to win, contestants must upload a one- to two-minute video on YouTube about a ‘hero at home’ who went above and beyond to care for an injured service member and then complete the entry form and include the URL of the video.

Contestants must also “like” the PenFed Foundation’s official fan page. Nominations may be made by veterans, their caregivers, or a third party. All submitted videos will be featured on the PenFed Foundation’s YouTube contest page and the top five finalists will be featured at http://bit.ly/heroathomefinalists for the public to vote on the winner.

Entries will be accepted between March 1, 2012 and April 12, 2012, 11:59 p.m. EST. Five finalists will be announced on April 16 and the public will be invited to help choose the winner on the PenFed Foundation’s YouTube finalist’s page at http://bit.ly/heroathomefinalists through April 22, 2012, 11:59 p.m. EST by “liking” their favorite video. The winner will be officially announced on April 23, 2012.

Congratulations to Capt. Bob Silah, USN-Ret., and the MOAA Tampa (Fla.) Chapter that runs Operation Helping Hand (OHH).

The Bolts honored Bob Silah as a community hero at the Lightning game on Tuesday vs. the Ducks. Bob was awarded a $50,000 grant to the charity of his choice, which is of course Operation Helping Hand!

Servant leadership at its best:

Find a local chapter near you and get involved!

The Pat Tillman Foundation is pleased to announce the fourth annual Tillman Military Scholars application process opened Monday, February 13, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. EST. The Tillman Military Scholars program provides educational scholarships for veterans, active servicemembers and their spouses.

For specific details on eligibility and to apply online please visit: http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/tillman-military-scholars/apply. The application will close on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m. PDT. All applicants will receive notification of selection results via e-mail no later than June 21, 2012. All scholarships will be granted for the 2012/2013 academic year.

In 2008, the Pat Tillman Foundation established the Tillman Military Scholars program to support educational opportunities for servicemembers and their families by filling the financial gaps in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The Tillman Military Scholars program covers direct study-related expenses such as tuition and books, as well as, other basic needs such as housing and childcare.

Over the past three years, the Pat Tillman Foundation has awarded over $2.2 million in scholarship funds to 171 Tillman Military Scholars pursuing education at every level from freshmen undergraduates to PhD candidates. Overall, Tillman Military Scholars represent 59 different universities across 32 states.

The scholarship funds awarded are just a portion of the Tillman Military Scholar experience which also focuses on guiding an engaged community and providing essential resources that empower Scholars to serve and lead in their local communities and ease the transition from military to civilian life.

Here are some exciting FREE opportunities for the injured, ill and wounded veteran community-

Free with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Wounded Heroes Foundation- A collaborating effort to offer a FREE camp for wounded, ill or injured military personnel who are interested to learn more about winter sports. The camp will take place February 23-26 in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin and includes introductions to the sports of: downhill skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, sled hockey and more. Check out their flyer for details: 2012WinterMilitaryCampFlyer Application: www.ricsports.org/military.

Free paralympic military camp opportunities in 2012 hosted by the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, AL. The application can be accessed online. Check out their flyer for details on events taking place February through September: Lima Foxtrot 2012.

MOAA is proud to support the Real Warriors campaign! They provide tips, resources and advice to servicemembers and their families learning to cope with the aftereffects of war.

In their latest newsletter, Real Warriors offers a new weekly podcast series in which servicemembers, veterans and military families highlight the importance of seeking care for invisible wounds and offer tools and tips on building and maintaining psychological resilience.

The first podcast, “Reaching Out for Support,” discusses how challenges coping with traumatic experiences can impact mission readiness.

The second podcast, “Leaders Can Make an Important Difference,” discusses how leaders can help strengthen force readiness by promoting psychological health, as well as encouraging and assisting those who need support to seek appropriate care.

Access and download selected episodes or subscribe to receive weekly updates automatically. And if you  know someone in need of help, please share these resources!

Have you checked out the podcast? Let us know what you think!

Our servicemembers, veterans, and their families all work on causes worthy of an award. Consider nominating a deserving government program or group you work with!

Applications are now being accepted for the $100,000 Innovations in American Government Award.

Offered by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, the Innovations Award is heralded as the nation’s premier award for the public sector. It recognizes programs that demonstrate creative and effective government at its best.

This year, the Center’s Innovations Program will also continue to identify and promote promising government efforts and partnerships through the Bright Ideas program.

All units of government — federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial — from all policy areas are eligible to apply for recognition.

The top winner of the Innovations in American Government Award will receive a $100,000 grant to support replication and dissemination activities. Top finalists will also receive monetary grants.

Applications and additional information for both initiatives are available at www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu.

Hurry, applications are due March 1, 2012!

First Lady Michelle Obama announces measures to increase support for caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members at the Labor Department in Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2012. These proposed rules would, in part, enable more military family members to take the time they need to care for their loved ones without fear of career repercussions. DOD photo by Elaine Sanchez

First Lady Michelle Obama today announced a series of measures intended to increase the nation’s support for caregivers of wounded, ill and injured service members.

Joined by Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis and senior military leaders, Obama announced the Labor Department’s proposal to expand military family leave protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

These proposed rules will, in part, enable more military family members to take the time they need to care for their loved ones without fear of career repercussions, the first lady said.

The Labor Department’s proposed expansions of the Family and Medical Leave Act will help more caregivers of troops and veterans tend to their wounded loved ones, Solis explained. FMLA, enacted in 1993, enables eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.

The proposal will, in part:

• Extend the 26-week unpaid leave entitlement to family members caring for recent veterans with a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty, including conditions that may arise up to five years after leaving the military;
• Allow family members to take time off from work before, during or after a spouse, child or parent’s deployment to tend to service-related matters, such as military briefings or making financial and legal arrangements; and
• Increase the amount of time an employee may take to spend with a loved one who is on rest or recuperation leave from five days to up to 15 days.

The Labor Department’s proposal is just a few of many steps the Obama administration is taking to support caregivers, the first lady noted, citing legislation the president signed to help caregivers receive stipends, training, counseling and other assistance. The Defense and Labor departments also have strengthened their caregiver support, she said, working together to support caregivers whose loved ones are dealing with TBIs and post-traumatic stress.

Additionally, she added, the VA has helped caregivers receive health insurance and helps connect them with support coordinators who can direct them to resources.

But the government can’t do it alone, Mrs. Obama said, citing examples of how other individuals and organizations are stepping up to help.

Building on successful pilot programs at Fort Belvoir, Va., and Fort Carson, Colo., the USO, Hire Heroes USA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce plan to host 14 career opportunity days focused on the employment of wounded, ill and injured warriors, their spouses and caregivers.

The Chamber of Commerce’s new Military Spouse Business Alliance has committed to hosting a career forum and hiring fair exclusively for wounded warriors, their spouses and caregivers at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., in May.

Finally, Operation Homefront and the Semper Fi Fund, both nonprofit organizations, have added volunteer opportunities that support caregivers and their families to the Joining Forces website.

Read the full release from the Department of Defense.

There’s a lot of information out there about which schools to go to — whether you’re using your G.I. Bill benefits or just looking for more information on colleges in general. Check out this tool provided by the Institute of Education Sciences:

Find the right college for you: College Navigator

This tool allows you to:

•  Refine your search with More Search Options to select additional search criteria.
•  Build a list of schools using My Favorites for side-by-side comparisons.
• Pinpoint school locations with an interactive map.
• Export search results into a spreadsheet.
• Save your session including search options and favorites.

Want to nominate your employer? You still have time:

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Defense Department agency, is calling on Guard and Reserve members to nominate their supportive employers for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award before the January 16 deadline. The Freedom Award is the Defense Department’s highest recognition for civilian employers supporting Guard and Reserve members. All employers – large, small and public – are eligible to receive the honor. Guard and Reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at www.FreedomAward.mil.

“Even as our nation scales down our combat missions abroad, Guard and Reserve members and their employers remain a critical component in our national security equation,” said James Rebholz, ESGR National Chair. “Just as our country has heavily relied on the more than one million men and women of the Guard and Reserve, these service members have counted on their employers for support and encouragement. I encourage all Guardsmen and Reservists to nominate their supportive employers today, so our Nation may acknowledge their extraordinary efforts.”

This year, ESGR’s Freedom Award website provides additional guidance to make it easier and faster for Guardsmen and Reservists to submit information about their supportive employers. Suggestions include ways for a service member to best tell the story of their employer’s support. Service members who have previously nominated their employers for the Freedom Award are encouraged to do so again. The Department of Defense recognizes nominees, semi-finalists and finalists each year, and all employers who have not received the award in the past ten years are eligible. One Freedom Award recipient was recognized as a semi-finalist or finalist for three years prior to being honored as a recipient last year.

The 2012 recipients will be announced in early summer and honored in Washington, D.C. during a special ceremony in the fall. Past recipients have met with the President of the United States and Secretary of Defense.