Replacing U.S. Military Medals and Decorations

Replacing U.S. Military Medals and Decorations Replacing U.S. Military Medals and Decorations During your time of service in the military, you will receive many items that are part of your history. From unit patches, training qualification badges and patches, and ribbons and medals, these items are part of who you are today. Having them displayed somewhere in your home or in family members home is certainly up to you, but for most people, younger family members tend to revere older veteran members of the family. Having something to show them and stories to tell is part of family lore. Enjoy it and help them understand that freedom isnt free. Finding Your Veteran Records and Awards Unfortunately, over the years many veterans have lost, misplaced, or discarded the medals and ribbons they earned while in the Military. Sometimes, the servicemember never received the medal or award for some reason, even though the citation was written and the award approved. Many pawn shops, military surplus stores, and vendors sell military medals, ribbons, and awards, but there is also a way to obtain replacements (sometimes for free) from the Government from the National Archives website. Personal Family Story of Veteran Awards Found There is nothing quite like the feeling of making sure members of your family or close circle of friends are remembered for their service. One Christmas, our family was able to get all of my grandfathers ribbons, medals, unit patches, and badges and made a case of them that he had prominently displayed in his home for the rest of his life. He was a World War II veteran in the 3rd Army under General Patton travelling from Normandy to Berlin. We were able to do this with his social security number and a request form. Because he was Army, I was able to make the request as I was Next of Kin (NOK) eligible: For the  Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps Coast Guard, the NOK is defined as:  the un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sisterFor the  Army, the NOK is defined as:  the surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest sibling or eldest grandchild Contact the Branch of Service Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army personnel, the National Personnel Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with the verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals. Generally, there is no charge for medal or award replacements, if requested by the Veteran. Only one replacement is allowed per medal or decoration. There may be a small fee charged for replacements requested by family members of deceased servicemembers. The length of time to receive a response or your medals and awards varies depending upon the branch of service sending the medals, but the process can take several months (up to one year) due to manning and funding shortfalls at the National Military Personnel Records Center. See link to the National Personnel Records Center for more information. The Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, is recommended for requesting medals and awards. Provide as much information as possible, make sure you specifically request medal/decoration replacement in the remarks  and send the form to the appropriate address below: Army and Air Force (write here for medals) National Personnel RecordsCenter 1 Archives DriveSt. Louis, MO 63138 orREQUEST MEDALS ONLINE! Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard National Personnel Record Center1 Archives DriveSt. Louis, MO 63138 or REQUEST MEDALS ONLINE! Coast Guard Coast Guard Personnel Service Center4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 900 (PSC-PSD-MA)Stop 7200Arlington, VA 20598-7200 If you have any issues with receiving the medals, there are people to contact within each branch of service. Where to write in case of a problem or an appeal Army U.S. Army Human Resources CommandSoldier Program and Services Division - Awards and Decorations BranchATTN: AHRC-PDP-A1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept 480Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408 Air Force Active Duty VeteransReserve Air Guard Veterans Headquarters Air ForcePersonnel CenterAFPC/DPPPR550 C Street West, Suite 12Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714 Air Reserve Personnel CenterHQ ARPC/DPTARA18420 E Silver Creek Ave Bldg 390 MS 68Buckley AFB, CO 80011 Navy Department of the NavyChief of Naval Operations (DNS-35)2000 Navy PentagonWashington, DC 20350-2000 Marine Corps Commandant of the Marine CorpsMilitary Awards Branch (MMMA)2008 Elliot RoadQuantico, VA 22134 Coast Guard Commandant U.S. Coast GuardMedals and Awards Branch(PMP-4)Washington, DC 20593-0001 Seriously, if your family member does not have his or her awards, get them for you and your kids, if the veteran does not want them. They make a tremendous keepsake of your loved one who served.

25 Things To Do While Waiting To Hear Back From a Job Interview

25 Things To Do While Waiting To Hear Back From a Job Interview 25 Things To Do While Waiting To Hear Back From a Job Interview While wondering when youll hear back from an employer after an interview, time seems to come to a standstill or maybe even crawl backwards! But there are things you can do while waiting for the employer gets back to you that will help keep you sane and possibly position you even better as a result no matter what the outcome.Things to make the time go more quickly while waiting Find a book to get lost in This is a great time to pick up a book (or two or three) that you always meant to read or go find a new one. Dont forget the local library for some olds)Create a career story If you dont have one yet, you want to create a unified story that pieces together where youve been with where you are going in a way that is logical and engaging.=   Are You the Author of Your Own Career Story?Make a list of more people to contact for networking Should this job not come through (and of course I hope it does), be ready to start contacting additional people to connect with.=   How To Contact Connect with LinkedIn MembersSnoop around online for more companies you might be interested in Use Google, LinkedIn, newspapers and magazines, trade organizations, job search engines, etc. to try to find new companies to explore and perhaps target for a job.Keep looking for jobs I know its tempting just to wait and see. But looking for and applying to new jobs NOW gives you a head start just in case and it also might bring you an even better job. Ive seen it happen, even when the person thought what they were waiting for was IT.Find a project to take on Look for a freelance or pro bono job, something related directly to your career and where you want it to go.Look for online or local groups to join You want things related to your field as well as alumni groups and / or organizations that you somehow feel connected to. Also you may find some support groups that can help you through this time and with job search as a whole.Find local networking events or conferences Even if you are hoping this one is THE job, you can still meet people whom you can connect with for later. Dont forget to have a card that has your name and contact information as well as your field and / or desired position.Take time to research yourself online If you can find it, they can find it. So if there is anything you need to clean up online that doesnt reflect well on you (not THAT picture!) use this time to take care of it. Or add some new things (publications, LinkedIn articles, your blog, etc.) that will show up to strengthen your reputation.Things to help with this particular job Whether youre looking for something to use in a follow-up note or preparing for a possible next interview:Set up a Google alert(s) and keep track of whats happening in the company. (Also good for tracking other companies and people youre interested in.)Stay connected to social networking for the company and industry.Learn even more about one of the skills you would need for this job.Follow up when approp riate  using some things you learned during your snooping or sharing something new about yourself, like a new skill or accomplishment.Look for people in the company who might be willing to be your champion or at least clue you in to whats happening with the position. But you need to be careful. Dont just randomly go after someone for this purpose. Only try it if you have a close connection who knows someone there. And even then tread gently and politely. And dont forget that if the answer is no, you still send a short, polite thank you note expressing regret and also continued interest in the company. You never know when a new position may come up and you definitely want them to think of you in a good light!Final thoughts about keeping your spirits up Self-image and attitude are key to a successful job search. So do whatever you can to keep your spirits up. If you let the wait get to you, if you allow it to eat at you, you can start to question your own value and marketability. An d that shows on the outside even if you dont realize it.We carry on the outside what we feel inside. And when you do finally get that call, if youre still carrying some of those self-doubts, it colors your whole interview.   As a person who has interviewed many people, we see it more often than you might think and it matters!So use some of the suggestions above or create your own spirit boosters. It can make a huge difference for your job search and even for your next contact with the job youre still waiting to hear back from!=   Job interview follow-up DOs and DONTs Some more posts to help while waiting to find out:?   How Soon After a Job Interview Should You Follow Up??   SAMPLE:   Combination Late Thank You Follow-Up Note?   What Happens AFTER You Apply for a Job

How to overcome a bad day at work

How to overcome a bad day at work How to overcome a bad day at work Did you have a rough day at work and wind up googling how to make it better?We understand.We all have those occasional bad days at work, even if we love our jobs.Why?Because if you work a full-time job, you are spending a considerable number of your waking hours working, and eventually, something will come up that will make you leave work at the end of the day with one large “ugh.”Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!If that happens, does that mean the job is not the right one for you?Not necessarily - people tend to believe that when they are working on something they are passionate about and have their dream job, everything will be perfect.But that is sadly not the case.Everyone has bad days: your coworkers, your boss, and even you.So how do you overcome these bad days and go back in the next day with a smile, happy to be there?Here’s how.QUICK METHODS TO IMPROVE A BAD DAY AT WORK Leave the situation and take a breather away from others. Find an activity like walking, calling a friend, journaling, or even playing video games to distract you from the bad day for a few minutes. Find the root cause of your bad day, and work on not repeating the same mistakes again. Ready to feel better about this crappy day?HOW TO GET OVER A BAD DAY AT WORKSitting at your desk fuming about something a coworker said?Angry your project got dumped or that your boss doesn’t take your ideas into consideration?What if you flunked a presentation and feel like you are the company’s newest failure?No matter the reason, you are most likely spending too much time ruminating on it, going back through the event in your mind over and over and wishing your day had gone differently.Plus, you probably aren’t getting any work done at this point.If this is happening to you, the first thing you must do is leave the situation. Now that doesn’t mean you need to storm out of work, rev the engine of your car, and speed away to freedom. You don’t even need to leave work for the rest of the day to accomplish this.Leaving the situation can be as simple as shutting your office door or going to the bathroom and taking a breather away from everyone else.While you are taking a brea ther, do just that: Breathe.When we mean breathing, we mean from your stomach.Take a moment and pay attention to your breathing. Does your chest rise and fall, or does your belly go up and down? If it is the first, you are not breathing in a way that reduces stress. Take some time to breathe from the belly and visualize yourself somewhere happy.Feeling better already? Good.Now we can work on some steps to improve the day after the initial setback.WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A BAD DAY AT WORKThe next step to stopping that ruminating cycle of doom is to get active. Do something to distract yourself from the situation.Here are some key things you can do to help keep your mind off your bad day at work:1. Go for a walk.  Go for a short, brisk walk. Have you ever noticed that you feel less stressed after working out? That is because you are burning that adrenaline during exercise and releasing all the good-feel endorphins.Walking around your building during lunch or your next break is a grea t way to make that happen.2. Tune in to your happy place.  Listen to  music  or a podcast. Listening to music or a podcast will distract you from background noise at work and will help create a comfort zone around your space.That way, it’s just you, your work, and a good tune or two. Who needs frustrating people?3. Write it out - clear your mind.  Open up a blank Word doc, and do a brain dump of your feelings. It’s venting, but without needing to step out to make the call.Type as fast as your mind and get it all on one document. Read it over, think about what really is happening and whether you can change anything about the solution, then delete the document.It is quite the cathartic approach to overcoming a bad day.4. Vent it out to a friend.  If you really need that one on one vent, go to your car and call up a friend during your break. We’ve all needed this at some point.Get the frustration out so that it doesn’t hurt your job performance.5. Play some video games, or do whatever else floats your boat.  Video games take a lot of brain attention, so it is a great way to distract you from the situation.Just don’t do it on the clock - grab your phone and load your favorite game during a break.By this point, you have taken yourself away from the situation, done some deep breathing, then did something to distract you from the bad day for a few minutes.Now what? How can you prevent bad days from happening or make the next ones not as terrible?HOW TO PREVENT BAD DAYS AT WORK?If this bad day is just one out of the blue, then maybe you don’t have to think about ways to prevent future bad days, but reflection is always important.If this bad day is one among many that seem to be more frequent than good days, you may want to spend some time seriously thinking about what makes your bad days so bad.Is it because one coworker is just terrible?Is your boss overly demanding?Do you feel like a failure and always underperforming?Take out a pen and some paper or o pen a new Word doc and brainstorm the cause of your bad days. You mind find some interesting conclusions.IS YOUR OWN ATTITUDE TO BE BLAMED?If so, give yourself some perspective. What would other feasible options be? Is there a way you can improve your outlook on your job?IS IT A COWORKER OR A BOSS?Try giving them the benefit of the doubtâ€" maybe something is happening in their lives that is causing the work disturbance. Don’t be afraid to speak with them about ways to improve the work atmosphere. Maybe reaching out to them and showing some empathy would help more than you think.IS IT YOUR FEELINGS OF SELF-DOUBT AND FAILURE?Time to give yourself some self-empathy. Are you working hard? Are you giving an honest effort at the job but still feel like a failing employee? Talk with your friends, coworkers, or your  boss  about some feedback. You might not be doing poorly at all in their eyes. Try  writing  down the positives: what did you do right?BAD DAY AT WORK MEMESAfter you have do ne all the above, you likely need a pick me up.It was a rough day, and you deserve it.Find something funny to lighten the mood, so that you can continue on your day and put the bad day behind you.Have you ever looked up “bad day at work” memes?If not, we suggest you try. It can give you the chuckle or two you need, to lighten your step for the rest of the day.SUMMARYNow that you are at the end of our how to overcome a bad day at work  guide, we hope you are feeling a bit better.Just remember, a bad day at work is only one day.Don’t let the hours at work dictate your happiness for the rest of the day and night. If you follow the steps detailed above, you will likely find some relief so you can go home feeling content.It’s normal to feel angry, frustrated, unhappy, bored or annoyed at work sometimes, but try not to make that a habit.Reflect on your day and move on - you’ve got this.This article first appeared on Zippia.

Customize this Outstanding Chapter Relations Administrator Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Chapter Relations Administrator Resume Sample Customize this Outstanding Chapter Relations Administrator Resume Sample Create Resume Kelley Ashland100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell: (555) 987-1234example-email@example.comProfessional SummaryProactive Chapter Relations Administrator capable of maintaining a strong network of organizations and encouraging new chapter and member registration. Proven history of organizing successful registration events, establishing clear channels of communication and delivering emergency correspondence in a timely manner. Dedicated to the maintenance and growth of the entire organization.Core QualificationsWebsite ManagementDigital Communication AdministrationEvents CoordinationCorporate CorrespondenceMembership Sales PromotionCorporate NetworkingExperienceChapter Relations Administrator, September 2010 May 2015Car Club Of Northern California New Cityland, CADeveloped a website specifically for chapter communication.Published a monthly newsletter that acted as critical correspondence to all chapter organizers.Assisted in putting together several events th at helped to boost membership at all chapters.Chapter Relations Administrator, June 1995 March 2006The Car Network New Cityland, CAIntroduced the idea of virtual chapters that helped to add revenue.Created a sanctioning system to sanction chapter events.Offered a variety of service to chapters including bookkeeping and recruiting.Education1995 Bachelor of Science, Public RelationsGlennville College New Cityland, CACustomize Resume

You May Love Work, But Does Work Love You Back

You May Love Work, But Does Work Love You Back You May Love Work, But Does Work Love You Back? You May Love Work, But Does Work Love You Back Yesterday was Valentines Day, the annual celebration of love between couples, and the love of skyrocketing revenue for chocolatiers, florists, jewelers, and restaurants. OK, reality and cynicism aside, it would also be nice if employers used Valentines Day as an opportunity to express their appreciation for their employees. It wouldn't be love, exactly, but it could feel close to it if you'd been devoting a lot of energy to your work and had received little appreciation in return. At one of my former employers, which at the time employed nearly 9,000 around the globe, the founder and president would meet with everyone (really!) once a year at their office. He would then hand each person a card with $500 cash inside. But heres the better part: Before he met with you, he'd find out some things you accomplished in the previous year and would commend you for your work. This was the only time of the year most employees saw him. But the fact that he made an effort to find out what you did and how it helped the organization was beyond impressive, and one of the reasons the company was a great employer. The money was nice, but the recognition made the gesture so much better. Thats the case for manyif not mostemployees today. Its the recognition that makes them want to come to work each day. Its the satisfaction that a job well done does not go unnoticed, such as bringing in a project ahead of deadline or under budget, taking on extra work to cover for someone elses leave of absence, or putting in extra time to ensure a customer got what it wanted. In short, you like to feel that they love having you there! If you dont feel the love, chances are youre going to look for something new.

What Really Happens Backstage at a Fashion Show

What Really Happens Backstage at a Fashion Show What Really Happens Backstage at a Fashion Show Gorgeous collections, gorgeous models, gorgeous crowds- fashion shows are like one big glamorous party, right?  Well...not quite. From the front row, yes, fashion shows seem like an effortlessly chic way to bring together models, designers, celebrities, editors, and of course the latest styles. But have you ever wondered what goes on backstage? The truth is, despite the glam factor, fashion shows are one of the most demanding events to produce. Behind the scenes, there’s an army of people working day and night to make sure the show goes off without a hitch. It takes months and months of preparation and tons of hard work. In fact, the planning for the next fashion show begins as soon as the last one ends! Not All Glitz and Glam Even Carolina Herrera admitted fashions shows aren’t all glitz and glam. As she told Vogue, “The fashion shows are so fabulous, but you go backstage and you see what is really happening: You see the work.” Most of the big stuff, like the stage construction, lighting, and sound, are set up well in advance. But the moments before the show are a flurry of last-minute activity and, well, madness. Organized madness, but madness nonetheless. So, what really happens behind the scenes of a fashion show?   Quick Fixes Even though designers have been preparing for months in advance, there are always last-minute fixes. Stylists work under pressure to make sure everything is absolutely perfect, even if that means hemming a skirt moments before a model walks onto the runway or quickly scoring a pair of slippery heels to make sure a model won’t pull a Naomi Campbell, circa 1993. Last Minute Changes A fashion show is a whole lot of unknowns. Sometimes models are late. Or, they show up late and covered in glitter and hairspray from a previous show and need to be cleaned up and re-done in a matter of minutes. And sometimes, models don’t show up at all because they got an offer from a bigger name. It’s not uncommon either for a VIP to show up unannounced and demand a front-row seat for an already packed show or for a stylist to reconsider her shoe choice 30 seconds before a model is supposed to hit the runway. Is it any wonder why things can get a little frantic behind the scenes of a fashion show? A Whole Lot of Running Around When it comes to fashion shows, timing is everything. And if that means a model has to run to the catwalk to make sure she’s in line or sprint backstage (in 5-inch heels, no less) to change outfits before she’s due to walk again, well, that’s just another day at the office.   Fashion weeks are even more hectic. Sometimes models will have to crisscross the city to get from one show to the next, leaving mere minutes to get scrubbed clean and start all over again. Photographs Galore Backstage is always packed with models, designers, managers, stylists, makeup artists, hairdressers, publicists, and other fashion elite who are there to ensure a fabulous show. Oh, and then you also have to squeeze in a few dozen photographers who are all jostling to document the big event.   Designers have caught on that their fans are dying to get an all-access pass to something they may never get to experience in person. Fans want to see what their favorite models get up to backstage, to learn how to get the hottest runway looks, and to see how it all comes together. Basically, they just want to get a taste of all that mysterious backstage action! And of course, despite the madhouse atmosphere, there’s always time for a few selfies. Hop on to any model’s Instagram and you’re sure to see some wacky faces, some fiercely glam looks, and some unforgettable photobombs.

Electrify Your Personal Brand

Electrify Your Personal Brand Electrify Your Personal Brand Jane Harding, a top medical pharmaceutical sales representative, says that investing more in her personal brand could have gotten her hired faster. Here’s her story:She interacted daily with regional medical health centers, gave educational presentations and felt strongly that her portfolio of drugs helped patients recover more quickly from surgery. She made $100K+. One drug she represented was recalled and lawsuits piled up. The company she worked for abruptly laid off even top performers like Jane.After a successful career, Jane now found herself unemployed. Weeks turned into months during her job search. It began to take a toll on her financially and emotionally. The job search dragged on. A topsy-turvy pharmaceutical market caused competitor companies to brace for uncertainty in the industry and thus slowed their hiring during this time. The future for Jane looked bleak.Previously, when she was at the height of her career, she found that her passionate involvement in volunteeri sm waned. She was too busy to support events for organizations that meant a great deal to her like the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Autism Speaks, and the United Way. Her commitment to children and adults through volunteerism, however, never waned in the slightest. “In my mind I was really committed to my company and my passions,” Ms. Harding expressed. “But that’s the problem â€" it was in my mind. I really feel that had I made more of my natural abilities in reaching out at a time when I was comfortable, I may have had an easier road in my new job search.”Although Jane Harding’s career path may differ from yours, her dilemma probably does not. She became so focused on work that she ignored an important part of her life. She neglected the volunteerism that gave her great personal satisfaction. When you have a great job most people focus on that work. Most of your time and creative energy tend to be invested where you will get the most monetary return. Accolades and a wards may result â€"and they did for Jane. But, like Jane, you may have lost the focus of your personal brand. What is your personal brand and why is it important to your career?Simply put, personal branding can be defined as the initial and authentic lasting impression you want to give people. True career entrepreneurs understand that personal brands should be built during times of career comfort.Pushing yourself to build your personal brand when your career is soaring can be inconvenient. But, success is often built on inconvenience. “I recommend inconveniencing yourself,” says Jane Harding. “That would have made my job search much easier. I could have made this voltage happen earlier, though I finally did.”Whether you are job searching or you are at the height of your career, here are five ways to electrify your personal brand :Check and Refine Your Existing Online BrandYour personal life is part of your professional brand, so inventory every part of it â€" in person and online. “I realized that I was casually on MySpace, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook and even YouTube,” Jane Harding says. “I didn’t have anything embarrassing out there, but I wasn’t doing anything to properly network and raise my positive impressions when you Google searched me.” Jane Harding reduced and focused her social status online and immediately posted professional images and short videos, as well as gained references and referrals.Associations Work, So Work ThemImmediately after noticing her lack of participation in groups supporting her volunteering efforts, she jumped back into those groups and took on leadership roles. “My network probably increased directly by 200 professionals overnight,” says Ms. Harding. “I put the causes and organizations first in my efforts, but also utilized this time to professionally let people know what I was looking for inside and outside of healthcare.”Use Your Expertise to Contribute“With some coaching,” says Ms. Harding, â €œI developed and delivered three speeches, filmed them and posted them on YouTube and to my online web portfolio. I started my own blog and wrote book reviews on Amazon and Barnes Noble online. Additionally, I authored four articles and published them in a volunteer magazine, on an online blog and in a regional sales magazine. It’s really stuff I could have and should have done while I was working; I learned that looking for a job is about branding yourself, not just pumping resumes out. The funny thing was that by doing this I got more responses from Ladders and other postings too!” Join groups like Toastmasters and industry-related associations. Network and find ways to contribute productively first then ask for advice. Build relationships first and focus on what you can do for others. Then find subtle ways to introduce your needs.Stop Making Excuses about Building Your BrandMs. Harding states, “On the surface I was successful and busy, but when I visited some young cancer patients during my job search I realized how lazy I was. I always had time, no matter how busy I was, to give back. I will never make excuses like that again.” For example, Ms. Harding hated writing, but she did it anyway because publishing helped her personal brand. She always seemed to be too busy to do the fundraiser, put in an hour at the hospital for volunteer stuff or to capture and edit video during her educational and other appearances. “So many opportunities are available to you to build your personal brand while you are deeply focused on your work. Even my former boss asked me why I hadn’t thought of it while I worked with him.” Ms. Harding also states, “I did things during my job search to take my own excuses away and it worked.”Define Personal Branding for You“What I found out is that personal branding is not a phony line made up by an advertising person,” says Ms. Harding. “For me it was about reinventing myself to be more like myself, if that makes s ense. I decided to start by committing to things that mattered most to me â€" kids, volunteer activities, causes â€" and this inspired me to push myself way out of my comfort zone. I developed new, strong and enduring relationships. I became more like myself.”This advice can work for you. It simply does not matter if you find yourself in a high-flying sales position or in a low-profile operations position; you need to light a fire under your career and the core values of your personal brand. In today’s world of intense competition for the best jobs, becoming and staying proactive in developing your personal brand alongside your career is a must. Don’t wait until a layoff like Jane Harding.Staying proactive about your personal brand while employed is mandatory. Lightning can hit any global or highly-exposed industry at any time. For Jane Harding, the skies didn’t seem to be gray. It may take a forward-thinking friend or career coach to push you to work on your personal brand when you’re comfortable. So, what should you do now? Stay proactive about personal branding and it will drive current and future career opportunities.