The fact that you landed on this very page is no accident. You are most likely here because you have a VA mortgage that needs to be refinanced. Perhaps you are just trying to gather information on how a VA refinance works when that day arrives. Before we proceed, let’s take a quick moment to reassure you that you are far from alone. There is certainly nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of when it comes to saving money on your VA Mortgage. In fact, with interest rates at an all time low,  it’s a wise thing to do!

When you select a mortgage company to refinance your VA mortgage with, what qualifications would you like the company to have? Does the number of years that they have been in business matter to you? How about the quantity of successful refinances that they have under their belts? Before you finalize how you feel, let us throw out a few facts about a company called Mortgage Investors Corp:

• They have been in the mortgage refinance business for 75 years!

• In the last 15 years alone, they have financed more than 30 billion dollars in veterans refinancing!

• Since they opened their doors in 1938, Mortgage Investors Corp has refinanced over 350,000 loans. That equates to a lot of satisfied customers!

• There are  two main qualifications to enroll. Just two! You need to have a VA mortgage that is current and not be late on any of your payments. That’s easy enough.

• Closing on your VA refinance can be super fast, and by fast we mean in as little as 8 to 10 days! If you blink, you may actually miss that closing period!

• Look at a calendar and put a big dollar sign on the date that is 30 to 45 days from today. That is when the savings on your mortgage may begin for you.

Here is how we can best summarize the above six characteristics of Mortgage Investors Corp, or MIC for short: working with MIC is efficient, fast, and easy. You could be saving a ton of money on your mortgage in the very near future.  You may have the opportunity to allocate those extra funds toward other necessities such as your credit card bills, items for your kids, groceries, and travel.

MIC is a VA Authorized Direct Lender operating in 24 states across the country. When you call to set up an appointment, you will be assigned a local representative who will be extraordinarily friendly, knowledgeable, and competent.  He or she will be working beside you every step of the refinance process.

Why not improve your financial future today? The interest rates are incredibly low at Mortgage Investors Corp, so now is the best time to refinance. Call them today at 866-659-2477.

Let’s face it, Austin and the rest of the world is a dangerous place and anything can happen.  Many bad actions can be prevented by hiring a good security company with good security officers, however.  Austin Security Officers work to eliminate risk and protect people and property from illegal actions.  Whether you need security for personal reasons or business reasons, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Many businesses often house important and valuable property and inventory that cannot always be totally insured.  A good example of this is a new technology that’s value has not yet been determined.  If somebody were to know of the potential value of this technology, they may try to steal it from the company.  A security company can step in and keep a constant watch while being prepared to take necessary action should a theft attempt occur.

Security officers are also important for important individuals.  Whether you work with the government, an important company, or you are wealthy you or your family could be at risk if others think that they could benefit from kidnapping or harming you.  Security officers are always alert and expecting the worst to occur which could possibly save your life.  If you’re in the Austin area and have reason for security, call an Austin security officer as soon as possible and start protecting yourself or business.

Flag Connections ( http://www.flagsconnections.com) is a company that is completely dedicated to paying tribute to our men and women who have served in all branches of the armed forces. Be it Marines, Air Force, Army Coast Guard or Navy, they have a line of products that pay tribute to retired and fallen soldiers.

They have a wide selection for American Flag Cases such as the American Flag Display Box ( for ex: http://www.flagsconnections.com/Burial-Flag-Display-Cases_c35.htm) that is made of high quality wood. It is made to hold a flag that is 5 feet by 9 ½ feet. The features of this cases include a glass front and hinged lid. The actual case size is 25 1/8 inches wide, 12 ½ inches high and 4 3/8 inches in diameter. This case can be engraved with a brass plate as an addition.

Military flag cases showcases ( http://www.flagsconnections.com/Flag-Display-Cases-for-3ft-x-5-ft-Flags_c32.htm) flag from all aspects of the military. The Air Force Flag Display Case fits the 3 feet by 5 feet Air Force flag. This flag can be seen flown over the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. and Air Force military bases. You can choose from various wood finishes such as Oak, Walnut or Cherry. It has a glass front and the case measure 17 inches wide, 8 ½ inches high and 3 ¼ inches in diameter.

Burial flag cases are used to honor our fallen soldiers. The Coffin Flag Case is made with solid walnut and is something that is ideal to be passed down to generations. This case is equipped to hold flags that are 5 feet by 9 ½ feet. The glass front and United States Seal are the impeccable qualities of this case.

Challenge coin display stands are an exquisite memory of time served in the service. They can be displayed in your home or office. The stands are shaped like a pyramid with three rows that are grooved to fit your coins. This makes the perfect showcase for a mantel, desk or coffee table. Each stands holds up to 50 coins and rotates around. The stands are 9 inches high and 9 inches wide.

Flagpole indoor kits can be used to display flags in schools, churches, homes, offices and courthouses. The kit comes with a 3 foot by 5 foot nylon American flag with pole hem and fringe. The 50 state stars are embroidered and the stripes are hand sewn. You have a choice when it comes to the topper of the flag pole. You can choose from a Metal Army Spear, Metal Texas Star, Gold Plastic Spear, & inch Metal Gold Eagle or a Gold Metal Parade Ball. These can be put on for an additional cost. The gold tassel and cord complete the ensemble.

A military shadow box is ideal to showcase all of your military mementos. The shadow box comes in your choice of Red Oak or Walnut and you can choose your background from the colors green, black, blue or red.

for more information visit: ( http://www.flagsconnections.com)

How hand held security metal detectors can protect your business.

Nearly everyone goes to work, and unfortunately, that means that you may not really know who is working where and whether guests are friend or foe. The amount of crime in the workplace is growing. In 2011, the crime rates in America rose for the first time in nearly a decade. Many businesses are implementing greater security measures to ensure the safety of their employees and guests. One of the most common ways to ensure safety is a security guard who wields not a sword, but a metal detector wand. Rather than cutting down threats, the security guard merely waves a wand around the individual to ensure that the person seeking passage is not concealing any weapons.

The mere presence of a security guard will ward off petty thefts, but those with a darker design will still aim to walk by without being noticed. If the security guard were to check every employee for weapons, greater threats would be exposed, and multiple crises could be avoided. Just adding one metal detector could make all the difference.

Though stated as a wand, these metal detector devises use no magic but science to detect guns, knives, and other metals. The user may consider the metal detector to be magic as some can distinguish between small and large pieces of metal, and others can even detect small metals that have been swallowed. For those businesses that sell fine metals such as rings, watches, and other jewelry, these elite metal detectors may be the best choice. If a person is thought to have stolen a valuable piece of jewelry, these metal detectors can verify his guilt or proclaim his innocence. It is an easy way for a business to avoid theft that could cost thousands or more.

For most businesses, however, a simpler version of a metal detector should be sufficient. These have been designed to specifically identify weapons such as guns and knives. They often have a long battery life, and have been constructed to withstand weather The Garrett Super Scanner V is an excellent example. This model even includes a discreet vibrating alarm so that there is no unnecessary embarrassment.

Whatever metal detector is chosen, the security staff should be well-trained and have proper instruction before using one. Rick was a security guard at a local office. He was always punctual, neat, and paid attention. Every person who walked through the door was checked by Rick, the security guard. Rick would pass the security scanner over the sides and the front and the back, and then let the man through. Rick had no idea that he was missing large areas until a man with a gun took the whole building hostage. Every metal detector has a range in which it can scan for metal. That limited range must overlap as the security guard sweeps over a person’s body. Otherwise the security guard risks letting a weapon pass the screening unnoticed and his oversight could lead to a great tragedy. While tragedies in the workplace are increasing, the number of responsible employers is growing. A greater number of businesses are seeking the safety that comes by way of greater security.

SUMMARY:  Federal Air Marshals not only protect passengers from terrorism but respond to emergencies as well.  They carry a firearm and can arrest anyone who gets out of control on the aircraft.  Their job is very demanding and they must work on flights all over the world.  All suspicious behavior is reported, analyzed, and shared with law enforcement agencies.

Can you believe there were only 33 federal air marshals (FAMs) in the USA in 2001?  The TSA was established in November, 2001 by President Bush as a result of the 9/11 attacks.  At that time, services provided by FAM were taken away from the FAA and assigned to the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.  As of October of 2005, this agency was integrated within the TSA.

At that point applications for Federal Air Marshal Service positions came storming in: over 200,000.  Those who applied were screened and those chosen received training and certification.  FAMs no longer are working in just the USA, but around the globe.  To protect the FAMs, the number of them employed today is confidential from the public.

It is the FAMs who are responsible in making life and death decisions within seconds, even at 30,000 feet.  All travelers aboard are protected according to how FAMs were trained.  Because they do not wear uniforms, they appear no different from regular passengers.  Still they must be alert of what goes on around them.

So if anyone tries to cause a ruckus with airport employees, travelers, flight crew or US air carriers, they will be discovered and subdued by FAMs.  Because they are not in uniform, only the airline’s workers know who they are.  What they are assigned remains unknown to travelers as a means of thwart hijackings and other unwanted events.

FAMs are armed with a gun and can arrest anyone even if there is no warrant.  Still, they intend to use as little violence as possible to control those who get out of hand.  Their main goal is to make the plane safe to all its passengers.  Also, if there is a need for first aid, say one has a heart attack: this person will be treated by an FAM.

It is necessary for each FAM to be familiar with techniques of law enforcement including surveillance, interviews, and the act of asking suspects questions.  Part of their job is to make arrests, do searches and seizures, and run background checks.  Operating wireless devices, cameras, and other equipment unknown to the public are skills they must possess.  They may be asked to testify in court and take on private duties.

The job an FAM has is usually stressful.  Marshals must fly around the world and are out of town for several weeks at a time.  They are on-call throughout the day and may work long and goofy hours.  Their vacation time is limited and some might not be able to see their families regularly.  FAMs also work long, lonesome hours either at an airport terminal or on a plane.

Making international trips is required of FAMs.  They must fly even to countries that are involved in dangerous political or economic activities.  Yet, there are other nations that pose health threats as those that have inadequate sanitation of have tainted drinking water.  Even if we’re at war with a specific country, they might be required to travel there.

Conquering terrorist acts encouraged the Federal Air Marshal Service to go one step further.  Not only do FAMs find and report potentially dangerous activities both on and off air craft, but consult the Surveillance Detection System (SDS).  This information goes into a database which later is analyzed.  Law enforcement organizations use this info to determine likely patterns of potential terrorism.

FAMs can whip out their PDAs and bring up SDS data and other reports.  They do so as an attempt to stop bombers in their tracks.  All this info flows to others in the community of the federal law enforcement agencies.

This article was provided by Protective Technologies Int’l. PTI manufactures and sells security products such as the garrett pd 6500i.

In modern times, counter-insurgency requires all types of people working together to successfully combat insurgent problems.  Militaries, private contractors, spies, and even civilians often work together to accomplish important missions and counter threats that we face every day.  Military civilians can often aid in many missions in many ways whether the mission is to secure an important area, search for or track a target or threat, aid in public democracy, or gather information for certain operations and missions.

Military civilians often transition to civilian work after their term has been served in the military.  There are also many civilians with certain skill sets that can aid the military and Army without any previous military service.  Some different types of work that civilians do to assist in counter insurgency are medical, administrative, information technology, and much more.  There are also many civilians that work overseas to assist in counter insurgency.  Many civilians work overseas to rebuild old combat areas while others work security in dangerous areas.  Some civilians also translate and gain intelligence by simple communications with those who are threats or linked to those that may have knowledge of threats.

With all of the conflicts occurring in the Middle East and other vital areas right now, civilian assistance is needed more than ever.  For more information about gaining employment as a military civilian or how the civilian workforce assists those in counter insurgency, visit civilianemployment.net/.

With so many shotgun manufacturers and each with several models how do you pick the best of any year? Should we fall prey to new technology that has yet to be proven in the field or default to tried and true mechanisms and features that are common and reliable? Each year we ask these questions and analyze the field in order to determine the best of the year.

Beretta leads the way with their a400 XPLOR and its tech heavy grip pod that monitors shell count as well as temperature. While this is an interesting feature, few truly have need for it. Benelli came out this year with an Ultra Light 28 gauge semi-automatic. This gun weighs under five pounds, but is limited to a two shell magazine. Weight is important, but when you are already carrying extra shells, the two shot capacity seems oddly limiting for a semi-automatic.

Franchi came out with their new Instinct series. Gone is the futuristic look of their old line, the Instinct series shotguns are lightweight and look as traditional as an old Remington or Winchester from the past. Weatherby has their PA-08 pump action 12-gauge that is a combination shotgun that includes a barrel rifled for slugs. This affordable shotgun is interesting, but a rifled slug barrel should not be the factor that leads it to greatness. After all, we are looking for the best shotgun, slugs can be important, but should not be the deciding factor amongst shotguns. Browning is keeping with their target and hunting focus by introducing a new Browning Citori 725 OU. This is a nice sporting gun with a price that sets it above many others, two to six times above compared to the pricing of the competition.

The Mossberg FLEX platform is an interchangeable shotgun system that allows the owner almost as many options as are available for the traditional Remington 870. With the limitation that the Mossberg, even with its standard tactical look lacks the abundance of available and affordable Remington 870 tactical accessories. Winchester has a fun camouflage model with their new Super X Pump that can chamber 3 1/2 inch shells. If nothing else, this gun is clearly the winner as far as artistic impression, hardly the standard by which a shotgun should be judged, but fun just the same. Browning’s A5 now boasts a lighter weight alloy receiver, the problem being of course that their alloy has yet to have enough years under its belt for the user to count on its reliability under stress.

The Saiga 12 drum has undergone few changes this year and is still a standard by which other combat shotguns can be judged. Winchester has lowered their price for the SX3 and this may in fact be the highlight of the year. Winchester has taken this proven light, reliable, and durable shotgun and simply lowered the price. What was once a great gun for the price is now better at a lower price.

Of all of these the Winchester SX3 is the winner. It is proven, durable, reliable, and includes a 3 1/2 inch shell model. It has a special recoil pad and shoots clean and even under variable circumstances. It is by far the highlight of the year. Not for its technological improvements, flexibility, or artistic look. Simply because it is a superb shotgun that will serve any owner well.

Admiral Mike Mullen flew into Afghanistan for talks on President Barack Obama’s sweeping new war strategy seeking to turn around the eight-year Taliban insurgency, deny Al-Qaeda a safe haven and train Afghan forces. ‘The key part of that strategy was the decision to surge an additional 30,000 United States troops in Afghanistan,’ Mullen told reporters. ‘Marines from Camp Lejeune will arrive this very week,’ he added, referring to the largest US Marine Corps base on the US east coast.

A 1,500-strong Marine contingent is expected to arrive this week in southern Helmand, one of the worst battlefields, as part of a vanguard set to prepare the logistics for thousands more due in the coming months.”

Nonaligned India was perceived by most analysts to be largely in the Soviet camp during the Cold War. But the demise of the Soviet Union prompted India to recalibrate its relationship with the world’s only remaining superpower: the United States.

Another major factor assisting in this realignment was India’s embrace since the early 1990’s of free market reforms, trade liberalization and privatization measures. These changes opened up the vast Indian market to U.S. exporters and foreign investors. While millions of Indians are still desperately poor, around 300 million Indians have joined the middle class. Thus a new and expanding Indian market is opening up for a wide variety of U.S. exports, and U.S. investment in Indian industry and infrastructure has risen appreciably in the last few decades.

As a rising regional power, India is anxious to be recognized as a major player not only in South Asia but on the international stage. The importance of India to the U.S. was highlighted by the choice of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the first foreign dignitary to be accorded the honor of a state visit.

A major impediment retarding India’s quest towards great power status is its perennial dispute with neighboring Pakistan over Kashmir. The two oldest conflicts on the agenda of the UN Security Council from the late 1940’s are the Arab-Israeli and Kashmir conflicts.

Despite a number of diplomatic meetings spread over five decades, India and Pakistan have yet to overcome the hurdle of Kashmir, over which they have fought three wars. For Pakistan, Kashmir remains the unfinished agenda of the 1947 Partition. For secular multicultural India, Kashmir is a symbol of its heterogeneity.

President Obama has publicly stated that the U.S. would help India and Pakistan to normalize their relations, including the dispute over Kashmir. The U.S. can help both countries. If the U.S. can persuade India to withdraw some of its forces on its border with Pakistan, this gesture would enable the latter to commit more of its troops now facing India to its lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

While the Pakistan army has achieved encouraging gains against the Pakistani Taliban in Swat and South Waziristan, its counterinsurgency efforts need to achieve more success. Once the tribal areas are pacified, they will no longer afford a sanctuary to the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda elements that cross the mountainous and porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border at will, to attack U.S. and NATO troops fighting the Taliban insurgents.

So it is patently in the U.S. interest to invest more diplomatic capital in New Delhi and Islamabad. India and Pakistan have both suffered from violent extremism. They continue to be plagued by domestic insurgencies. Whether they admit it or not, they have a shared interest in combating the ravages of terrorism in their territories.

As the U.S. footprint in both Pakistan and India assumes greater depth, hopefully the U.S. will nudge both countries to consistently focus on a resolution of the Kashmir imbroglio. A mutually acceptable settlement of this issue should be placed on the same pedestal as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in U.S. calculations.

- S. Azmat Hassan
The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has been ongoing since the 1940’s and impacts security throughout the region. Worldfocus contributing blogger S.Azmat Hassan argues that settling the conflict there should be as urgent a foreign policy goal for the United States as working towards peace in the Middle East.
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