Homefront Help is SIGNAL Connections’ effort to support U.S. service members, veterans and their families. The column highlights programs that offer resources and assistance to the military community ranging from care packages to benefits and everything in between.

In that same spirit, Homefront Help presents opportunities for readers to donate time, offer resources and send words of thanks to those who sacrifice for freedom. Programs that provide services to the troops are listed in red. Opportunities for the public to reach out to service members are listed in blue. Each program description includes a link to the organization's Web site, when available.
 
Combat-Related Special Compensation
Enacted by Congress, the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) replaces the Veterans Affairs (VA) disability offset by giving retired veterans a monthly compensation. Under the program, eligible veterans with 20 or more years of service and “combat-related” VA-rated injuries will not have retirement benefits reduced by their VA disability compensation but will receive full retirement and disability pay. To qualify for the compensation, veterans must be active, reserve or medically retired with 20 years of creditable service and receiving military retirement pay. In addition, they must have sustained a 10 percent or greater VA-rated injury and must be receiving military retirement pay that has been reduced by VA disability payments. Finally, veterans must have documentation that their injuries were a result of hazardous duty, an instrumentality of war, armed conflict or training that simulates war.

The CRSC is not the same as Concurrent Receipt Disability Pay. The CRSC is for combat-related injuries only and is not subject to taxation or division with a former spouse. Eligible veterans can receive assistance through their particular branch of service and through several veterans’ service organizations. Visit https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/crsc/apply.html and scroll down for a list of contacts from each service branch as well as the U.S Coast Guard. Additional information is available online, including a downloadable claim form, combat-related definitions, an eligibility questionnaire and tips for a successful claim.

Free Holiday Calls for U.S. Troops in Iraq
For the fifth consecutive year, Verizon Business will offer free telephone calls for Iraq-based military personnel. The calls will be made through a state-of-the-art mobile communications facility outfitted with telephones. The facility was first made available around the Thanksgiving holiday and will be opened again from December 21 through January 3.

The Soldiers Project
A group of licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists comprise The Soldiers Project, which offers free therapy sessions to members of the military community. Those eligible for services include: any troops from the four military branches, the National Guard, Reserves and Coast Guard who served in operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom; extended family members during and after deployment; and families and loved ones of service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The therapy is subject only to availability and not limited to a certain number of sessions. The project offers individual, couple and family counseling, and project coordinators hope to offer group services soon. The therapy is available in the Southern California area and in Chicago. Contact information, a list of other resources and additional information are available on the Web site.
 
Operation American Spirit
Operation American Spirit makes a difference in the lives of wounded warfighters and their families by offering support and funding during and after rehabilitation. The organization aims to aid the troops by teaching self-sufficiency, offering scholarships and job and trade assistance, performing home modifications and improving morale through activities and outings. The group counteracts the accumulated financial and psychological stress for many in the military and their dependents who have endured multiple deployments. Operation American Spirit’s objective is to mitigate the financial crises military families often face as a result of major combat-related injuries. The organization continually raises money to build handicap-accessible homes, to support families of wounded heroes and to help veterans find jobs. The goal is to raise $50 million over several years. More information is available on the Web site.


The SIGNAL Connections staff encourages readers to take advantage of the programs mentioned in this column and to pass along the information. In addition, if you know of a program that is helping service personnel, please let us know about it. Submit that information to SIGNAL's news editor.

The SIGNAL Connections staff has made every effort to verify the legitimacy of these programs and to include information accurate at the time of publication. Inclusion in this column does not constitute an endorsement by AFCEA International or SIGNAL Connections.