COLA, or Cost Of Living Allowance, is typically associated with overseas moves. When a military family is living overseas, the cost of living is typically quite different than that of a family in the United States. COLA was developed and provided to offset those costs, so the burden wasn’t solely felt by military families. Did you know there was COLA provided for some CONUS locations?

In the 1995 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress approved the CONUS COLA to help cover the additional costs of high-cost locations. Pay for civilian jobs are location-based, whereas military pay scales are the same across the ranks despite which location the service member resides in. CONUS COLA is provided for areas that have been determined to be 108% of the national average for non-housing costs. While the 7^th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation 9QRMC) recommended a threshold of 105%, Congress mandated that the threshold should not be lower than 108%. The threshold has remained at 108% since 1997.

In 2021, a new addition was added to the list of CONUS COLA locations – Washington D.C. As an area well-known for its high cost of living, it’s surprising it took until 2021 to provide a cost offset.

Which CONUS locations offer COLA?

A comprehensive list is available here through the Defense Travel Management Office.

Military Housing Areas that currently provide CONUS COLA:

• California: Oakland, San Francisco, Marin/Sonoma, Bridgeport
• Colorado: Boulder
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts: Nantucket, Boston, Worcester, Fitchburg, Plymouth, Essex County, Hampden County, Martha’s Vineyard, Hanscomb AFB
• Minnesota: Duluth
• New York: Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, Staten Island
• Virginia: Warrenton

Non-Military Housing Areas that currently provide CONUS COLA:

• California: Inyo County
• Colorado: Broomfield County, Clear Creek County, Gilpin County, Lake County, Park County, Pitkin County, Summit County, Washington County, Yuma County
• Massachusetts: Franklin County
• Minnesota: Aitkin County, Cook County, Itasca County, Kanabec County, Koochiching County, Lake County, Pine County
• Virginia: Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, Surry County, Sussex County

What if we are in an area that rates CONUS COLA?

If the service member is assigned to an area that rates CONUS COLA, it should be automatically included in the pay beginning the first day of work. If you are new to an area, the first day of CONUS pay is the day of check-in to the new duty station. The CONUS COLA rates range from 1% – 7% depending on the area. Check for the rate here.

CONUS COLA is paid as a monthly entitlement based on a 30-day month, just like BAH.

What does the “threshold “mean?

With a threshold of 108%, it means that the service member is expected to cover at least 8% of the average expenses above the national average cost of living. If the service member is assigned to locations where the local costs are above 8% of the national average for non-housing costs, a CONUS COLA provision would be provided.

How are areas determined to require CONUS COLA?

Data is collected from several sources:

1. A survey of costs is conducted every 3 years and used to determine the utilization rate and savings that are available at the military commissaries and exchanges.
2. Local market price data is purchased from a private contractor – beginning in 2021, Decision Point is used for all cost of living data.
3. The military commissaries and exchanges provide information on their availability in a given area.
4. The military commissaries and exchanges provide information on their average savings.

The data is collected with numbers in regards to an average family of four. This data is used to review costs annually, as required by law.

While there are many areas in the continental United States that military families would say the cost of living is far and above the area they moved from, the way to impact what decisions are made on CONUS COLA is to answer any survey you receive about the costs of living.

Are you in an area that provides CONUS COLA?

Recently, a tv show host shared his personal beliefs on women in the military during his news show. Fox News host Tucker Carlson was discussing updates to military uniforms on his tv show when he called the military’s integration of women a “mockery,” noting that “we’ve got new hairstyles and maternity flight suits. Pregnant women are going to fight our wars.” He stated further that “our military needs to become, as Joe Biden says, more feminine.”

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby responded to these comments in an off-camera press briefing, which is also found on the Department of Defense’s website defense.gov.  Kirby stated that “the diversity of our military is one of its greatest strengths. I’ve seen it for myself in long months at sea and in the combat waged by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve seen it up on Capitol Hill just this past month. And I see it every day here right at the Pentagon.” Furthermore, he pointed out that women serve in several military service capacities, like the civilian counterparts who serve in various career fields and are not only operating in certain areas. “They’re flying fighter jets and commanding warships. They’re leading troops on the ground. They’re making a difference in everything we do because of what they bring to the effort.”

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed similar sentiments. He stated that he and other top defense officials condemned Carlson’s comments and stated that America’s military force is better served when it represents all people.

While maybe unintentionally, Carlson’s comments have brought forward conversation about women in the military. Kirby said, “We still have a lot of work to do to make our military more inclusive, more respectful to everyone, especially women. We’re proud that two great leaders like Generals Van Ovost and Richardson have been nominated to combatant command, but we recognize the lack of female leadership across the senior ranks. We pledge to do better and we will.”

Different and surprising weather patterns of cold winter weather and storms like typhoons or hurricanes do not occur at every duty station a military family can live in, making it difficult to prepare for. The key with every move is to be aware of the weather patterns at the new duty station so you can prepare before arrival as much as possible. Move with as many of these items as you can so you can be prepared for power outages or emergencies as you travel. Keeping them in a tote or bin makes it easy to travel with and easily accessible in your home once you arrive. Moving during the summer limits concern for snow or ice storms – unless you are heading to Alaska – but hurricanes and thunderstorms can lead to power outages in the summer moving season.

What should you keep in a tote ready to for storm prep when at home or while actively PCSing?

1. Flashlight – Flashlights always needed for any power outages, and perfect for forts in the car, or in your new house.
2. Batteries – this is something to have on hand for flashlights, battery-operated radios
3. First Aid Kit – especially as you PCS, keeping a first aid kit in the car is important. Keeping a first aid kit that is stocked and ready for emergencies during winter weather and storms is key.
4. Candles – While not for use in the car, or in most hotels, traveling with small candles is smart so you are ready in your home if a power outage happens within the first couple of days of arriving at your new home. A power outage within four hours of moving into a new home has happened to this author. I’ll repeat – do not uses open flames inside your car or while staying in hotels.
5. Matches or a lighter – this is certainly something we don’t necessarily remember or travel with, but having a small lighter on hand for Irish pendants on uniforms is never a bad thing to have on hand if weather presents a need to use candles
6. Canned Soup – look for those cans that have a lid that does not require a can opener. Remember to get ones packed with beans or vegetables so you fill up with healthier options in canned items.
7. Chicken or Tuna packets – Especially those that have a spoon within them are perfect storm prep foods for power outages and for on the road travel. Bonus that it is protein and comes in a variety of flavors to please even the pickiest of palates.
8. Personal files in a container – birth certificates, passports, pertinent medical records, insurance policies, marriage certificates, home or property management records, etc. Keeping a condensed version of the necessary paperwork is important to have on hand while you move so nothing is lost in case something happens to your shipment. Keeping the files in a plastic bin also protects them from water or weather.

What do you PCS with to be prepared for weather or power outages while moving? What is in your emergency weather kit in your home? Let us know!

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently vaccinated its 1 millionth Veteran with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. They began vaccinations in December, 2020 and in just a month and a half administered 1 million does of the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans and VA health care workers. The VA is currently using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with second doses given 21 days after the first shot and the Moderna vaccine with second doses given 28 days after the first shot.

“In addition to administering 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, VA has begun publishing the number of Veterans who have received Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines at each facility across its enterprise,” said Acting VA Secretary Dat Tran.  “The number of doses administered to Veterans at each facility will be updated daily on the VA COVID-19 National Summary website.” The summary publishes vaccine date daily as well as information on COVID-19 cases. As of February 25, 2021, the VA has vaccinated 1,471,228 individuals with their first dose and 785,255 have completed their course by receiving their second dose of the vaccine.

Out of these numbers, 264,167 employees received their first dose and 228,521 received their second dose. The VA is the nation’s largest health care system and employs more than 322,030 full time health care professionals and support staff. They are well on their way to ensuring their essential staff can receive the vaccine. Employees are working to vaccinate the VA’s health care personnel and Veterans most at risk as soon as possible. The VA makes the data about vaccine doses public as a step toward being as transparent as possible during the pandemic.

Currently there are more than 215 VA sites nationally providing vaccines. Currently the supply of vaccines is limited but once supply increases the number of sites will expand. The VA is following the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the VA COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plan. “VA guidance encourages local flexibility to maximize COVID-19 vaccine access and efficiency while limiting potential vaccine waste,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “In this limited supply phase, our COVID-19 vaccination strategy is balancing site-specific resources, facility needs, vaccine availability and status of the pandemic locally, as well as strict storage, handling and transportation parameters of available vaccines.”

VA is reaching out to Veterans who are eligible for vaccination. Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team. The goal is to offer the vaccine to all Veterans and employees who want it as supply increases.

The Army has revised the grooming standards addressing the impact of grooming on females in this service branch. A special panel made up of soldiers from across the service representing all ranks, units, ages, career fields, age, and races making up the Army met to review proposed grooming and appearance modifications in 2020. Army senior leaders approved the modifications in December 2020  that take effect in late February 24, pending an Army memo to be sent out Sgt. Maj. Brian Sanders, Army G-1, Uniform Policy Branch sergeant major shared.

The panel included psychologists and dermatologists to make changes in standards for females, noting that Soldiers are not Soldiers 24/7 and have roles outside of the Army.

Hairstyle standard changes for females that will be authorized are:

•   No minimum hair length for female Soldiers – a change from the minimum hair length of ¼ inch
• Allow for multiple hairstyles at once – meaning braiding, twisting, or locs can be worn all at once
• Short and long ponytails allowed instead of a bun
• Long Ponytails allowed for Soldiers during physical fitness training and with the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), during tactical training where they are required to wear a helmet; Soldiers will be required to tuck long ponytails into the ACU blouse
• Highlights allowed as long as it presents as a uniform and natural appearance; the colors of purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright red, fluorescent or neon colors are prohibited

Other grooming changes that will be authorized:

• Option to wear gold, silver, and diamond earrings while Female Soldiers are wearing the ACU
• Solid lip and non-extreme nail colors for female Soldiers
• Clear nail polish for male Soldiers

These changes in approved hairstyles stem from medical considerations as tight hairstyles can lead to conditions of the scalp to include hair loss, and tight buns prevent properly wearing the helmet allowing for full visual fields for females while wearing the gear.  Female soldiers are currently able to wear earrings with service and dress uniforms, and these changes allow for the earrings to be worn with all uniforms. However, pearl earrings are still only authorized with the service and dress uniforms.

Extreme colors such as purple, gold, black, blue, white, fire-engine red, hot pink, yellow, and other neon colors will not be allowed for lip or nail polish colors for female Soldiers in uniform. The addition of the allowance of clear nail polish for male soldiers allows for men working in specialties that are in contact with harsh chemicals to protect the nails.

  The grooming updates will be included in the next update to the AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order which reversed the previous ban on transgender individuals serving in the United States military. This new order was signed in the presence of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and Vice President Harris.

The Executive Order states that “All Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States (“Armed Forces”) should be able to serve” and that gender identity should not prevent someone from serving in the military. Allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military does not negatively impact the DOD’s mission referencing the 2016 Rand Corporation study completed on transgender individuals serving in the Armed Forces to determine the costs and political readiness implications of transgender. The study was completed and provided several recommendations to include that the DOD include openly serving transgender service members to diversify their workforce based on the research that integrations of transgender individuals did not affect foreign military policy.

The order references further support for transgender service members being allowed to serve was demonstrated in 2018 when then Chief of Staff of the army, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force testified to Congress to that there was no morale or unit cohesion problem from those military members who were openly transgender. The executive order further states that “permitting transgender individuals to serve openly in the military was consistent with military readiness and with strength through diversity, such that the transgender service members who could meet the required standards and procedures should be permitted to serve openly.”

It further dictates that the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security in respect to the Coast Guard shall prohibit involuntary separations, discharges, and denials of reenlistment based on gender identity, retroactively review records of individuals who were involuntarily separated discharged or denied reenlistment or continuation of service based on gender identity, and to issue guidance to the Secretaries of each military section to correct military records.

Language within the Executive order repeals the previous Presidential Memorandum on this topic. Specifically, it states “The Presidential Memorandum of March 23, 2018 (Military Service by Transgender Individuals), is hereby revoked, and the Presidential Memorandum of August 25, 2018 (Military Service by Transgender Individuals), remains revoked.”

“Combating human trafficking is a responsibility the Defense Department (DoD) takes very seriously,” Anthony M. Kurta, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy, said during a recent seminar on Human Trafficking Awareness. “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It not only destroys the lives of those victimized, but also destroys countless families and poses a direct threat to the security and well-being of the entire world. Those who engage in human trafficking exploit the weak and the vulnerable and capitalize on those who patronize the sex-trade industry and those involved in forced labor. For those reasons, DoD is committed to continuing its aggressive stance against human trafficking, and will further training its personnel to expand awareness.”

One wouldn’t normally think of the DoD as working to prevent human trafficking, but the signs could be evident around DoD personnel. Some examples are a subcontractor could withhold passports and payments to employees. Some companies make workers pay a large fee to obtain a job on a DoD installation. The three most common forms of trafficking, according to the DoD’s Combating Trafficking in Persons office, are labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and child soldiering.

According to Kurta, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently received a presidential award for the development of the Memex program. It searches the deep web and connects open-source information to identify tracking patterns. U.S. law enforcements, military and intelligence entities are using it to stop human trafficking enterprises and bring traffickers to justice.

“Additionally, our Special Operations Command, partnered with the National Association to Protect Children and the U.S.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations to establish the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative Child Rescue Corps,” Kurta said. “Known as HERO, the group trains wounded, ill and injured service members in high-tech forensic and law enforcement skills to assist federal agents in the fight against online child sexual exploitation. HERO exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships to help combat trafficking in persons,” Kurta said.

The DoD also partners with the Joint Staff and combatant commands. According to Kurta, Joint training exercises are conducted that include trafficking in persons scenarios that will help ensure our forces understand their roles in preventing, recognizing, and reporting trafficking in persons incidents. The DoD will continue to invest in and develop a variety of robust training resources to help educate its total force to combat trafficking in persons. Such training also will include specialized training for DoD law enforcement and acquisition professionals, in addition to toolkits to assist leaders in developing their specialized training.

During the month of January, the DoD recognizes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Military and DoD civilian personnel must take at least one Combating Trafficking in Persons training course every fiscal year. Kurta quoted from the proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: “There is no place in our world to allow modern slavery to persist,” he said. “We will do our part to strive for its total abolition.”

DoD says everyone can do their part in fighting trafficking. Incidents of human trafficking can be reported to the DoD Inspector General hotline at 1-800-424-9098, 703-604-8799 or DSN 664-8799, or at www.dodig.mil/hotline.

The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included a bipartisan agreement made by the House and Senate members requiring that the Secretary of Defense implement a plan submitted by a commission to rename 10 military bases that are named after Confederate Generals. The 10 bases that will be renamed are Ft. Bragg in North Carolina; Camp Beauregard and Fort Polk in Louisiana; Fort Benning and Fort Gordon in Georgia; Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Lee and Fort Pickett in Virginia, Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Rucker in Alabama. The army bases were named by the War Department during World War I and II and are now getting a name change.

Part of the 2021 NDAA was that a commission is formed to plan the 10 Army bases’ renaming. The NDAA stated that the commission would be composed of eight members, four of which would be appointed by the Secretary of Defense and appointed no later than 45 days after the bill passes. On January 8, 2021, Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller announced the appointment of four people to the commission assigned with the task of renaming these military bases. Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller selected Sean McLean of California, Joshua Whitehouse of New Hampshire, Anne G. Johnston of North Carolina and Earl Matthews of Pennsylvania to the Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense that Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America. The other four members will be selected by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees’ ranking members.

The NDAA provides specifics on the meetings and reports required as part of the commission. Per the bill, the commission must hold its first meeting within the first 60 days after the bill becomes the law and must brief the Armed Services Committee on the current plans no later than October 1^st, 2021. The commission has been given three years to complete the plan for the name changes. By October 1, 2022, the commission must brief their plan of the costs associated with the “renaming or removing the names, symbols, displays, monuments, or paraphernalia that commemorate the Confederate States of American or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America” including the procedures for the renaming. For further details about the Commission can be read in Section 377 of the National Defense Authorization Act here in the Senate version of the bill. While H.R. 6395 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 has become a public law as of 01/01/2021, the full public text is not currently available as of this writing.

Like many health care providers, the VA is hard at work to distribute vaccines to Veterans in a phased plan based on the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information is constantly changing so it is important to check with the VA for updates. You can also sign up to stay informed by filling out this simple form.

Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine?

The VA’s phased plan is in effect and these groups listed below are now being vaccinated at some VA health care facilities. (From the VA official website) There is a limited amount of the first 2 COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will be available at some VA health care facilities.

• VA health care personnel. Vaccinating our VA health care personnel helps us continue to provide care for Veterans.
• Veterans living in our long-term care facilities
• Veterans who receive care at VA and are at high risk from COVID-19 based on VA and CDC risk criteria. At many VA health care facilities, this group includes all Veterans who are at least 75 years old. Each facility will determine when Veterans in this group can receive a vaccine. They’ll base this decision on vaccine availability, local needs, as well as the strict storage and handling requirements of the vaccines.
• Family caregivers who are enrolled in our Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) are eligible for vaccination when the Veteran they care for becomes eligible. If the Veteran you care for meets the criteria above, both you and the Veteran may be able to get vaccinated now. Vaccinating caregivers helps us support and protect Veterans.

Do not contact the VA about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are receiving care at your local VA health facility, they will contact you and let you know when you can make an appointment. Only those who are currently eligible for the vaccine based on the VA and CDC risk criteria can receive a vaccine. Some VA health care facilities are hosting, large vaccination events or requesting Veterans to call for an appointment. They options are for those in the risk categories mentioned above at this time.

How was the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan Created?

The VA based their phased COVID-19 plan on guidance from the CDC (from the VA website).

• Risk of becoming infected with the virus
• Risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19
• Risk of spreading the virus to others
• Risk of harm to society if essential workers, including health care personnel, are unable to work

There are many factors that can determine what your risk of server illness is. Death or severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. If you have certain health problems like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity it will increase your risk of severe illness of death. Lifestyle factors such as living in a group home also increases your risk.

Going Forward

Currently the 2 authorized COVID-19 vaccines require special handling and storage which limits its distribution to VA facilities with proper storage. There is a limited supply of vaccines but as soon as more vaccines are available VA care teams will let you know your options. Veterans have the choice if they want to get the vaccine or not. Your choice will not affect your VA health care or benefits. Once more vaccines are available the VA plants to offer a free a COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans who receive VA health care that want one.

Resources for More Information

• Apply to receive VA health care.
• Updates on the VA COVID-19 vaccine plan.

For answers to general questions about getting a vaccine call 800-698-2411 TTY:711