The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the quarterly Employment Cost Index (ECI) changes on October 31, 2008, which measures employee pay growth in the private sector. By law, ECI growth is the standard for military pay raises.
The ECI measured the last year's private sector pay growth at 2.9%. That means, unless the next Administration or Congress chooses to pick a different number, active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members will get a 2.9% raise in January 2010 (yes, 2010)

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The Department of Defense has received over 3.5 million doses of influenza vaccine. For the first time, the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) recommends children from age 6 months to 18 years receive the flu vaccination....

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President Bush signed an executive order allowing hiring managers for all federal agencies to hire qualified military spouses without going through the competitive process of advertising the job. The executive order will apply to spouses of active-duty members on PCS orders, spouses of 100% disabled, retired or separated military members, or unremarried widows or widowers of a military member who is killed while on active duty. The new hiring authorities will not be put into place until the next year.

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The Army announced on October 28th it has expanded eligibility for its Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)...

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Late last week, the Pentagon posted additional information on the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) on their website.
By law, the PDBR will reassess the accuracy and fairness of disability ratings assigned to servicemembers who were discharged by the services with a combined disability rating of 20% or less since Sept. 11, 2001. The purpose of the review will be to assess whether those ratings should be raised to 30% or higher, which would make the person eligible for retirement.
Separated members seeking to have their cases reviewed will have to apply to the PDBR. Application forms aren't yet available, but should be on their website by Dec. 1, 2008.

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The VA is now accepting online applications (VONAPP) for initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits....

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