Uniform Updates
Lots of different ways to read about the uniform updates that are getting a lot of press:
Navy Times – Finally, sailors can put hands in their pockets under policy update
Task & Purpose – Navy allows sailors to put hands in pockets as hell freezes over
Task & Purpose – Navy now allows sailors to wear leggings under PT shorts
Virtual MC Chief’s Call – 20 FEB and 7 MAR
· The next Virtual Corps Chief Call with Admiral Valdes via MHS Teams is scheduled for Tuesday, 20 February, and Thursday, 07 March. There will be two sessions on two different days.
· Topic: To discuss the Secretary of Defense Memo, Stabilizing the Military Health System and answer any question you may have related to the memo. Admiral Valdes and the Corps Chief Office will discuss this topic and be available for a Q&A session.
· Please find the Teams Link information below and on the flyer. The links in the flyer work on a phone; however, on your work computer, hover over the link and right-click and paste the link into your browser.
· Date and Session information:
o Session 1: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
§ Time: 2000-2100 PM EST, 1700-1800 PM PST
· Call in Audio: :+1 410-874-6757, Phone Conference ID: 507 384 260#
o Session 2: Thursday, March 7, 2024
§ Time: 0800-0900 AM EST, 0500-0600 AM PST
· Call in Audio: +1 410-874-6747, Phone Conference ID: 609 822 260#
Finance Friday Articles
- Fear of Heights
- How Often Do Bear Markets Occur?
- How Physicians Are Affected When a Government Shutdown Is Looming
- How to Empower Our Future Generations with Financial Literacy
- Principles for investing success in four figures
- TSP Stays Mum on Some Details of I Fund Transition (details pasted below)
- We Redid All of Our Estate Planning: Here’s How We Made Sure to Find Emotional Peace
- When Should You Hire a Financial Advisor?
- Why People Mistakenly Think the US Economy Is Terrible
Here is the latest “blurb” on the I Fund TSP transition that is supposed to happen in 2024:
Expanding Investment Options
I’m excited to announce we’re changing the International Stock Index Investment Fund (I Fund) benchmark from the MSCI EAFE Index to the MSCI ACWI IMI ex USA ex China ex Hong Kong Index. The new benchmark increases exposure to non-U.S. stocks from 55% to 90%, the number of countries from 21 to 44, and the number of stocks from roughly 800 to more than 5,000. It will also add access to international small cap, emerging markets, and Canada for the first time. This change should produce a higher risk-adjusted return for the I Fund over the long term.
Chairman’s Leadership Library Introduction
Joint Teammates,
As we move into 2024 and beyond, it is an opportunity to start anew and find ways to better ourselves. As a learning leader, I have always valued different perspectives to broaden my knowledge. In this first iteration of the Chairman’s Leadership Library (https://www.jcs.mil/Library/Leadership-Library/), I have chosen a few titles that I hope will expand our outlook. Every quarter, I will offer books, podcasts, articles, and documentaries designed to challenge our thinking, enhance our perspective, and make us a stronger Joint Force.
Sincerely,
CQ BROWN, JR.
General, U.S. Air Force
21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
DHA Clinical Community Series
Clinical Communities Speaker Series (CCSS): Clinical Considerations and Current Trends in Women’s Health
February 22, 2024 7:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (ET)
Earn up to 6.0 CE/CME credits!
MC Chief Letter for O4 or O5 Board Requests – Due 1 March 2024
Packages will be submitted to the Medical Corps Chief’s Office from the CMO/TYCOM/Fleet Surgeon with CO endorsement to the MC Career Planner, CAPT Shauna O’Sullivan, with the Deputy Corps Chief, Captain Terri Allen. CC’ed for awareness. The packages will include:
i. Officer Summary Record (OSR)
ii. Performance Summary Record (PSR)
iii. Last two Fitreps
iv. Draft Letter for Admiral Valdes to sign if the officer is selected
·The Corps Chief’s Office will score and rank packages. The top 3 will be presented to RMDL Valdes for consideration.
·The Corps Chief will notify the command of the selected officer and provide the signed letter by RDML Valdes for records maintenance.
MHS Award Winners
2023 MHS Allied Health Leadership Awards – 1 winner award per category competed against all services (different than the other 2 Corps, AF won the non-provider categories)
Junior Provider: LT Julia Vandrak, Physician Assistant
Senior Provider: LCDR Kyleigh Hupfl, Pharmacist
2023 Military Health System Military Nursing Leadership Excellence Awards
USN Senior Officer: CAPT Accursia A. Baldassano
USN Mid-Grade Officer: LCDR Sarah M. Chilson
USN Junior Officer: LTJG Christopher R. Jones
USN Senior Civilian: Jean A. Thurber
2023 MHS Award for the Advancement of Women Physicians in Military Medicine
Senior Award: CAPT Juliann Althoff
Junior Award: LCDR Ayeetin Azah
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 