The U.S. Embassy and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs invite you and members of your organization to this year’s Memorial Day ceremony. This ceremony is held each year to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending liberty, freedom, and justice around the world. This year’s ceremony will be held at 8 A.M. on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

We hope that you and your fellow members will be able to join us in the observance of Memorial Day. Please plan to arrive in time to be seated by 7:45 A.M.

If you are planning on bringing a wreath, please obtain a form from us and submit it before the ceremony.

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Coming soon to TRICARE4u.com

In July, 2008, Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) and TRICARE4u.com is proud to present to our valued TDEFIC and Foreign Providers a new feature that will provide claims processing information on a weekly basis to you as a registered Provider.

Every Monday morning you will receive an e-mail reminding you to check the web site for your claims information along with a link to the TRICARE4u web site for your convenience. Simply log-in to your account with your username and password. Once you log-in, you will have access to all of the claims processing information for the previous week on an easy to read report. For your convenience, you will have the ability to download this report into an Excel format. The report will not only provide you with the previous week s claims information, but also access to up to three weeks prior.

The new web service will provide you with the following advantages:

No need to call TRICARE Customer Service to find the status of claims. This information will be provided in the report Save time, money, and resources
Receive timely and accurate claims processing information without any effort on your end.

Ability to print off up to 4 weeks worth of claims information for your records. The report will provide you with the following TRICARE for Life and Foreign claims processing information:

In-processing Claims Information
Processed Claims with information showing if a check has been generated
Denied Claims with a link to the claim detail so you can find out why the claim was denied

We invite you to take advantage of this new free service being provided by WPS and TRICARE4u.com at a computer near you in July, 2008. We look forward to hearing your feedback as we strive to provide you with excellent service in return for the service that you provide to our beneficiaries.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to working with you in the future!

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New Postal Rate 2008:  Effective 12 May the new postage rates go into effect.  If in doubt to how much postage to use refer to the USPS Postage Calculator at http://postcalc.usps.gov/default.aspx.  Following are the new rates as they apply to retirees using FPO mail service via RAOs overseas:

1.  First Class Mail:

Not Over Oz    Large envelopes
1     $0.42            $0.83
2       0.59              1.00
3       0.76              1.17
3.5    0.93              1.34
4       1.34              1.34
5       1.51              1.51
6       1.68              1.68
7       1.85              1.85
8       2.02              2.02
9       2.19              2.19
10     2.36              2.36
11     2.53              2.53
12     2.70              2.70
13     2.87              2.87

Over 13 oz use Priority mail rate of $4.60 up to 1 pound or $4.60 for a Priority flat rate envelop regardless of weight.  FPO regulations limit outgoing/incoming mail to one pound for retiree mail .  No packages are authorized other than checkbooks, personal cassettes, personal VCR/DVDs, or medicine shipped by TMOP.

2.  Post Card:  $0.27
3.  Certified Mail: In addition to regular postage add $2.70.  If return receipt is desired add another $2.20 for a mailed return w/signature or $1.00 for unsigned electronic delivery confirmation on the Internet.
4.  Registered & Parcel post:  Not authorized. 

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All,

On 17 – 19 June the ID Card Workstation located at the US Embassy in Manila will be closed in order to receive upgrades.

Normal operations will resume on 24 June, thank you.

V/R
SPC Babcock, Jeremy L
DEERS/ADMIN/SUPPLY
JUSMAG - Philippines
United States Embassy
1201 Roxas Blvd., Ermita
Manila, Philippines

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Release No. 05-04-08
May 5, 2008

E-mails claiming to come from IRS are bogus

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS) - The scammers are already
starting to bilk people out of their economic stimulus payments by
sending bogus e-mails claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service.

These e-mails advise people to click on a specific link and fill out
the necessary information in order to receive the stimulus payment.

IRS officials clearly advise against responding or opening any links as
scammers are hoping to glean sensitive personnel information, or
attempting to spread a computer virus.

According to the IRS Web site - the legitimate one — the IRS does not
initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail.  Also, the revenue
service does not request detailed personal information through e-mail
or ask taxpayers for any sensitive information such as personal
identification numbers, passwords or similar access information for
credit card, bank or other financial accounts.

People who receive e-mails claiming to be from the IRS should report
such activity by following the directions found on the service’s site
at

http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html.

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USCG Recruiter Visit: The U.S. Coast Guard will have recruiters on hand in the Philippines from 23 May thru 05 June. Their tentative schedule is to be at RAO Manila 23 thru 24 MAY, RAO Angeles the 26 thru 27 MAY, RAO Baguio 29 thru 31 MAY, and RAO Subic 02 thru 03 June. Those interested should contact the appropriate RAO in advance to ensure the recruiters will be available to talk to you. RAO locations are:

- MANILA: 2150 Roxas Blvd. corner of Quirino Ave. Unit P, Manila Bay Aloha Arcade, Malate. Tel: 02-522-2169 or [0919] 283-1470 or <raomanila@vasia.com>

- ANGELES: 1925 MacArthuer Hwy., Balibago, Angeles City 2009 Tel: [45] 888-2748 or <rao_cabr@mozcom.com>

- BAGUIO: Red Lion, 92 Glen Luna, cnr Leonard Rd & Brent Rd. Baguio City 2400 Cell: 0915-361-3503 or raoemo@sbcglobal.net /annieg@mozcom.com.

- SUBIC: 34 National Hiway (i.e. Beach Blvd.) in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo Tel: 47-222-2314 or <dir@raosubic.com>

The Recruiters will be available to explain benefits associated with service in the Coast Guard, answer questions, and interview applicants desiring enlistment. Those thinking about joining the Coast Guard must meet the following criteria:

1. US citizen or green card holder

2. Age 17 to 27. A two year waiver up to age 29 can be requested and are usually obtained.

3. Pass the ASVAB exam with a combined score of 45 or more.

4. Meet US Coast Guard Maximum Allowable Weight standards to be determined according to each individual’s height and bone mass structure crosschecked on a designated Coast Guard chart. Body fat is not factored.

5. Meet minimum High School education criteria. (Diploma, College credits, etc.)All education will be subject to evaluation thru the same agency used to evaluate all other armed forces applicants with foreign education.

6. Have no more than two dependents.(One must be the spouse)This does not mean you have to be married to join, it means you must be married if you have a child.

7. Bring all pertinent copies and ORIGINAL documents for verification (birth certificate, passport, social security card ,high school diploma, college credits, shot records, marriage certificate, spouse’s birth certificate, social security card, passport, all other ORIGINAL paperwork they may feel is necessary).

8. Tattoos are to be limited on the following areas: between the elbow and wrist, and knee and ankle. Limits for these areas shall not exceed 25% of such mass. In other words, if the applicant cannot cover the tattoo with his/her own hand it exceeds limitations. Tattoos above the T-shirt neckline or on the hands are disqualifying factors, and waivers will not be considered for such.

Applicants who meet or exceed the above standards will be commercially transported to Guam at government expense for official ASVAB testing, physical examination, and induction into the Delayed Entry Program upon completion of the National Security Questionnaire and all pertinent enrollment paperwork. Departure to basic training will be determined based on next available open date, or as vacancies become available. Regardless, all qualified personnel will be sent as soon as possible.

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