How an Economic Crisis Affects The Military

on November 1, 2011 · Leave a Comment

 

Many people have many ideas and concepts on what an economic recession actually is. To many people, an economic crisis is when there is a shortage of credit or it is an economic crisis when the stock market crashes or when a country goes into severe debt. All these are actually outcomes of a recession and not causes of a recession.

Economists define an economic recession as a period of time where there is reduced economic activity. It is referred to as the ‘recessionary phase of the economy’. What it basically means is that there is reduced production and consumption at this point of time.

We all know what the outcomes of a recession are. There is much lesser commercial activity, people lose jobs, and there is a shortage of credit, the stock market crashes, countries go into debt and a lot more.

In any country, there are 2 very important attributes. One is the economic capability and the other is the military capability. Both of these are essential for the prosperity of a country. Both of these attributes are interdependent. For a good economy, you need to secure it with astrong military and in order to sustain a strong military you need to have a good economy. Needless to say, that any problems in the economy will directly or indirectly affect the military

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During an economic recession, the military will feel the pinch of it. Any military requires funds to sustain it. Most militaries get their funds from their respective national governments.

During a recession, the government faces shortages in its budget. Many countries see negative growth. The government will be forced to cut down on their spending. Needless to say, the military is hit with the recession too. Most countries import their weapons from the few countries which manufacture weapons. Weapon procurement programs come to a standstill. Even the countries that produce weapons are affected as countries reduce their purchases of weapons.

The military is forced to spend much lesser on training and maintenance. Lesser military exercises are conducted. Even recruitment is not encouraged very much at this time. All military spending is carefully monitored and is reduced as far as possible.

The reader must note that this does not mean that there is a cut or a compromise in the quality or there is a complete downsizing. To many national governments, National security is a priority which cannot be ignored or compromised even at the time of an economic crisis. Only unnecessary costs are cut and effort is made to ensure the quality.

Sometimes, an economic recession can alter the entire focus, goal and objective of the military. For example, most militaries before the recession focused on preparedness for full-fledged war. However, the recession forced most militaries to change their focus to terrorism and national security.

Therefore, we can see that the economic crisis does have a large impact on the military. It is a feat to sustain a strong military in the absence of a strong economy.

Written by vanguard76
Part time writer and student from India

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Tips For Military Families Who Are Moving.

on October 21, 2011 · Leave a Comment

The life of a military family is never easy, nor is it very well paying, depending upon where you live, and what rank you possess.  Following some basic moving tips for military families will make your move all the more relaxing and simple.  In Canada, military families that are posted on a military base and are transferred to another military base have their moves paid for them.  In the USA, the moves are taken care of by the department of homeland security, and in Canada, by the department of defence.

A military-approved moving company will come to your home on the base, and pack everything the way it has to be packed, which is to a very strict military protocol.  They will pack everything that is in the home, so if there is anything that you want to take with you for the drive, or to have until you get to your new military home, you may want to have that out of the home before the movers show up.

If just one box of a certain size is out of place, the movers have to repack before leaving the home.  A military inspector will be on hand to approve of the packing of the truck(s).  The military family is responsible for leaving the home in move-in shape, with all cleaning, holes fixed and walls painted before moving out.  Failure to follow this basic part of human morality can be quite severe, including reprimands, fines and even rank suspension or demotion.

However, not all military personnel are housed on military bases, as there is just not enough housing for all soldiers, sailors, pilots and support crews that make up our fighting forces.  When a soldier’s family is transferred to another base, and they are staying outside of the base’s housing system, then they can move pretty much any way that they wish.  The military will reimburse the military family for almost all moving-related costs.

If the move is long-distance, for example from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast, then the family will be reimbursed for three night’s motel stays, and meals for the drive.  The driving time is based on an eight-hour driving day at 55 miles per hour, and meals are based on three squares, at reasonable diners, for each member of the family.  You may want to rent one of the cheaper trucks, though, as the cost of the truck rental is limited to the mileage between bases, as is the cost of the movers.

If a military family is moving across the pond, that is across the deep blue sea, then the flight is on a military “jumper” (a pre-scheduled flight for military supplies that has room enough for your belongings).  If that is not available, as it may not be during times of war, as in right now, then again the military will reimburse for the cost of the move, as long as the moving company is military-approved, and supervised by a military inspector.

As far as the home that you are moving into, if the home is on a military base expect it to be in the same shape that you left your own home just moved out of in.  If the home is not in perfect condition, take it up right away with the base commander’s office.

If you are moving off of military grounds, into civilian territory, then you are on your own, as far as finding a place to live, and the shape that it will be in when you get there.  The military will still reimburse you for the cost of the move, to the limits explained to you by the officer in charge.  Even moving is overseen by your superiors, and how you handle it reflects upon your service record.

If you are in the military, and on the move, the best tip is to have a military approved mover do the work, and take the family on a one-week camping trip.  See the country that you are protecting, or serving, with your life.  It is, after all, there, because of what you do.

Thank you for serving with the military, and may your move be stress-free.

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Military Style Watches

on October 17, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Wearing military style watch today is very stylish. These watches are accurate, stateliness, long-term. History of military watches have begun many years ago. Actually, all military watches have been made just for military forces. After some period of time this line of watch industry has been launched for usual people.

Military style watches are combinations of beauty and reliability. Now people are really confident in infinity working military watches. Expensive military style watch can show people your high status. It is the best accessory for man who has everything.

There are a lot of popular watches manufacturers from all over the world such as Timex, Wenger, Benrus, Bulova, Arctos. You can choose Swiss, German, American watches. Everything depends on your loyalty and preferences.

Switzerland has a fine reputation of watches manufacturer. You can see a lot of serious watches companies from Switzerland, such as Wenger. The inscription “Made in Switzerland” gives reliable that it will work all your life long. Swiss military watches are the approved quality mark all over the world.

American military style watches are not so popular due to quite limited production. But US has a really good and serious producer such as Timex with interesting history of initiation this brand. Timex is the manufacturer of the cheapest watches among military watches brands in the world. You can afford it in any time! Benrus watches company came from early twenties when watches were really expensive. Three young brothers, Romanian immigrants, started a wristwatch company that produced normally priced watches for civilians, but most of its efforts have been made for the needs of the military sector. American watches manufacturer Bulova makes very expansive watches. Bulova is the one of the leaders in manufacturing luxury wrist watches, making quite a big variety of unique timepieces.

German military watches are characterized by good quality and awesome looks. There are many German watches brands for example, Arctos. Arctos is a watch brand since 1923. Today, Arctos is the first German company to introduce an automatic watch made with zirconium oxide, high-tech ceramic, and titanium. This brand is famous for innovative technology and constant development.

Military divers watches differ from usual military line in particular functional like deep water resistance. The main idea of diver military watch is maintaining integrity and precision under adverse conditions. You can find diver line in manufactures such as Omega, Luminox and so on. It will be great present for soldier or diver.

Wish you to choose the best military style watch!

Written by Homer

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How to Pass a Military inspection When Moving.

on October 13, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Military families who are moving have to live to a code that is not so dissimilar to that of the rules that the member of the military has to follow, whether on the job, or off the base;  they are always representatives of the military and the country that they serve, and must act accordingly.  When it comes to moving, the rules and regulations are quite clear, so much so that there is a fairly thick specifications booklet explaining the dos and do nots of moving when in the military.  A military inspection is warranted when the military family lives on a military base, not when the family, or military member, is living off base.

How to pass a military inspection when moving is rather simple;  keep your home clean, and make sure that any and all damages are repaired, the walls painted and any ruined rugs replaced.  The outdoors, front and back yards have to be as clean as the interior, and any changes made when living in the house changed back to the way the house was when moved into.  Luckily, the military provides the materials that you will be needing at extremely reduced rates, and will even do the work for the moving member, at a greatly reduced rate than if they were to do the same off of base.

When living on a military base, the rules regarding how to pass a military move inspection begins with leaving the premises in completely clean, move-in condition.  The military inspectors will wear white gloves, and run their fingers along the tops of cabinets, under sinks and cupboards, walls, windows, basements and carpeting.  Stoves and refrigerators will be pulled out, and the floor, walls, and appliances will be checked for any signs of insects, grease or dirt.

If the military-provided home does not pass the inspection, they are given a very short time period within to make the home pass the inspection, and are normally given only one second chance, with no further leeway provided.  Professional cleaners can and will be called in if your home does not pass the military inspection, and the cost will be deducted from your pay check.

Cleaning is best done while packing your home before moving, or after the packers have left your home, if you are using a full-service moving company.  All full-service moving companies must be approved for military moves, and also must pass a military inspection that is even more rigid than the inspection for your military home.

As military bases are more of a family than an assortment of like-employed people living within the confines of a military compound.  Friends and neighbors are well known for chipping in with your cleaning, and the chores are done so quickly.  A party atmosphere is taken from the get-go, and food and drink are usually in high supply.  However, the men seem to do more talking, eating and drinking, while the women put their elbow grease to work.

And, thank you for all that you do, all that you have done, and all that you will do to keep us safe, and our country secure.  God bless you all.

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Tax reliefs for military taxpayers

on September 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Filing your taxes is normally a stressful exercise.  And when you are employed in the armed forces, attending to the tax matters becomes tough, particularly when you are in a combat zone.  The IRS provides a number of reliefs for such people.

Filing requirements

If you are a military taxpayer, you get the right of extending the date of filing tax return by six months like an ordinary taxpayer.  You must file Form 4868 to get extension until October 15 to file your returns.  You can submit this form before the April deadline date by e-mail or by post.  The amount of tax you owe must be sent along with the request for extension.  However if you are paying the tax by credit card or by an authorized electronic withdrawal, you need not send the form for extension itself.

There is no approval communication from the IRS after you send the extension request.  However if the request is denied due to the late filing, IRS will inform the denial to you.

Remember, all these extensions are for paperwork only.  If any amount is due towards your tax, it must be paid before the April deadline.  If you fail, interest will be charged on the unpaid tax and you may be subject to penalties for paying late.

If you are posted outside the United States, or you are abroad on duty for the entire period allocated for filing, then the situation changes. You get automatic further extension of two months to file your taxes.  There is no need to file any form.  You can just send your return and the tax due, if any, by June 15.  While filing, you need to write ‘taxpayer abroad’ on the top of your Form 1040 with a statement explaining your present posting situation.

Where to file

The place where you should file your return depends on where you are posted.  If you are posted within the United States, then you can send your return and the payment to the IRS center near to your place of posting.  For example if you are posted in New York but your residence is in California, then you should file your return to the service center for New York.  However if you are posted overseas and have an APO address, then post your return to the service center in Philadelphia.

These guidelines change drastically if you are posted in a combat zone.  In that situation most of your military pay and reimbursements will be exempt from the Federal tax.  You will also get automatically extended deadlines for tax return filing, payment of taxes, and submission of refund claims or similar actions with the IRS.

Let us see precisely the combat zone related extension for you.  As a normal taxpayer you get 3 ½ months –up to April 15-to file a return.  However you can get an additional extension for the number of days you were in combat zone during this period.  Suppose you enter the combat zone by January 1 and were in the combat zone during the entire extension period, then you could get total extension of 285 days.

In addition to this concession of extension, the dates for tax collection examination of your returns are dramatically extended. No penalties or interest on taxes will be charged.

Normally IRS works with the military in order to get information about personal serving in combat areas.  However if IRS is not up-to-date, then the military taxpayers, their spouses or their representatives have many options for extensions or exclusions.

You can contact IRS at a special e-mail combatzone@irs.gov with the name, address and date of birth.  You should never give your social security number in this email.  If the military taxpayer or his/her spouse receives from IRS a tax notice, it can be deferred by sending it back to the IRS with the words “combat zone” entered on top in red ink mentioning the date of deployment.

Deferment of payments

New military personnel can qualify for a deferment of taxes even though they are not in a combat zone.  If they meet eligibility guidelines, they can show their inability to pay taxes on time due to their military service.  Usually the payment deadline date is extended up to six months after the military service ends.  No interest is charged or no penalty is levied during this time.  The active military personnel must request this deferment, it is not granted automatically.  They should prove that they can’t pay the tax bill due to their military service.

The earned income tax credit for military personal

The combat pay, which is non-taxable, can be added to your earnings while computing the amount of the earned income tax credit.  This is a great break for military taxpayers.

When soldiers sell their home because they are re-deployed, they can get a break on capital gains even though they don’t own the property for a long time.  The military family tax relief act of 2003 exempts such homeowners from the requirement of keeping home ownership for a period of two years in the past five years.  So when they move towards their service commitments, they qualify for full exclusion.

Parents making use of education savings accounts for their son or daughter heading to a service academy can do so without any tax problems.  In the past, such distributions were subject to 10 per cent penalty, but now appointments in military school are considered scholarships, excluding the distributions from penalty provisions for them.

The National Guard and reserve personnel can deduct their travel and lodging costs while traveling overnight for training even though they don’t itemize these deductions when they file their return.

The HERO (Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities) Act provides a chance to military taxpayers to contribute to tax favored retirement accounts.  In the past, the combat pay being non taxable, contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA) out of that money was not allowed.  However under this act the combat pay money can be considered for contribution purposes.  As the law is enforced with retrospective effect, the military taxpayers can amend their returns for 2005 to make IRA contributions.

There is more tax help available now.  Service-persons can get information on tax at many U.S. embassies and consulates.  IRS has made available a special web page for military taxpayers giving relevant information and updates.  Don’t hesitate to talk with any of these agencies to get the help you need.

Written by Chintamani

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