December 2, 2011 (Senate approves its version of the FY 2012 NDAA.  AFSA International Legislative Committee chairman calls for legislative targets.  Military retiree end-of-year documents to be sent out soon.  TRICARE Young Adult Prime program available January 1.  Special Bob Hope and Teresa Villages move-in offer.  Bulletin below provided for our viewing pleasure by CMSgt [Ret] Jiim Lokovic in Div #12);

 1.  Senate Approves $662B Defense Bill.  Last night, the United States Senate passed S. 1867, its $662 billion version of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, by a vote of 93 to 7.  The bill provided $27 billion less than requested by the Administration.  Despite a presidential veto threat, the bill included a provision that would require the military to hold suspected terrorists linked to al-Qaida or its affiliates—even those captured on American soil.  President Obama maintains this provision would unconstitutionally tie the hands of the executive branch and prevent it fulfilling its constitutional role by significantly increasing the military role in dealing with terrorism suspects.  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and FBI Director Robert Mueller have given voice to the Obama position.

 Before passage of this bill, the Senate further considered several amendments and adopted provisions to:

·      authorize space-available travel on military aircraft for members of the reserve components, a member or former member of a reserve component who is eligible for retired pay but for age, widows and widowers of retired members, and dependents.

·      provide for the participation of military technicians (dual status) in the study on the termination of military technician as a distinct personnel management category.

·      authorize a death gratuity and related benefits for Reserves who die during an authorized stay at their residence during or between successive days of inactive duty training.

·      provide for employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty.

·      provide that the basic allowance for housing in effect for a member of the National Guard is not reduced when the member transitions between active duty and full-time National Guard duty without a break in active service.

·      repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) by veterans’ dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC).  Note:  If it is included in the final defense bill, and it is signed into law, this provision would eliminate the SBP-DIC Offset—a long-sought goal of the Air Force Sergeants Association.

 The Senate bill, which duplicated the House provision to provide a January1, 2012, military pay raise of 1.6 percent, now must be reconciled with H.R. 1540, the House version of the defense bill.  In the coming days, if all goes as expected, the two chambers will meet in conference, iron out their differences, and send an agreed-upon bill to the President.  All 26 members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will participate in the conference committee proceedings.  The House has yet to announce who will represent it when the two chambers go into conference. 

2.  AFSA Legislative Committee Chairman Calls for Legislative Targets.  AFSA International Legislative Committee Chairman Dale Nelson passes on the following:

“AFSA’s chapter and division members are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Association.  Their first-hand knowledge of issues affecting Air Force enlisted members has been extremely valuable over the years in charting the course our lobbyists pursue each year.

 “With this in mind, the AFSA International Legislative Committee is now seeking proposals for possible inclusion the 2012-2013 AFSA Legislative Platform

“Proposals must be received by Military and Government Relations and (cc:)Trustee Nelson (Legislative Committee Chairman) NLT January 15, 2012, to ensure there is sufficient time to research each issue.  Items received by this time will be considered by the AFSA Legislative Committee in the spring of 2012 when it meets to prepare a new draft platform for the AFSA International Executive Committee.”

3.  Air Force Retiree End-of-Year Documents to be Sent Out Soon.  Yesterday, the Air Force Retiree News Service published the following: 

DFAS end-of-year mailing holds tax documents, more

CLEVELAND (AFRNS) – Retirees will be receiving some extra documents in their end of year mailing from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. DFAS officials state that every piece of paper in the mailing is important and will help retirees manage their pay matters through the tax season and beyond.

Included in the mailing will be:

 – A Retiree Account Statement dated Dec. 2 show the new payment amount as of Dec. 30. This includes the cost-of-living allowance adjustment for 2012.

 – A Retiree Account Statement dated Dec. 12 show the new payment amount as of Feb. 1. This includes any federal income tax adjustments caused by changes to the 2012 tax tables.

 – Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R reflecting all payments retirees received in 2011. DFAS officials remind retirees that because of the pay date change approved by Congress earlier this year, the 1099-R will reflect 13 payments rather than 12.

 – The DFAS retiree newsletter including important updates from retired and annuitant pay officials, as well as information about tools people can use to manage their retired pay account year round.

 For people with online myPay accounts, the statements will be posted Dec. 4, and the 1099-Rs will be posted Dec. 15. For people who get these documents via the U.S. Postal Service, DFAS official will mail these documents to retirees Dec. 19 through Jan. 10.

 The Annuitant Account Statements and 1099-Rs will be available Dec. 14 on myPay. Annuitants who get these documents via mail can expect to receive them Dec. 19 through 31.

 Retirees and annuitants must keep their contact information current, according to DFAS officials who say the top reason a retiree or annuitant doesn’t receive their 1099-R is because it is sent to an old address.

 If a retiree or annuitant does not have their correct address on file with DFAS by Dec. 5, they will experience a significant delay in receiving their end of year documents, said official. People who do not have an active myPay account must call, mail or fax a written request to DFAS-Cleveland; processing a change of address and reissuing a new 1099-R takes at least 30 days, said officials.

 Retirees and annuitants with an active myPay account can decrease their wait time for an address change and new 1099-R by logging in and updating their own account. Changes take effect in three to five business days, and a copy of their 1099R can be printed directly from myPay.

 For more information about account maintenance, 1099-R requests, and logging in to myPay visit the DFAS website at www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary.html. People without an online account can contact DFAS at 800-321-1080.

 4.  TRICARE Young Adult Prime Option Available January 1.   A DoD announcement, through TRICARE officials, provides the following information:  “The TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Prime option is available for purchase on Dec. 1, 2011, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2012.  TYA Prime will offer young adult beneficiaries TRICARE Prime coverage for monthly premiums of $201.  To purchase TYA Prime, dependents must be under age 26, unmarried and not eligible for their own employer-sponsored health care coverage.”  To read more, go to:  http://www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/news.aspx?fid=740

 5.  Move-in Offer for Bob Hope and Teresa Villages in Florida.  The Air Force Retiree News Service provides the following information:

 Officials at Air Force Enlisted Village are offering a “New Year, New Beginning” move-in special for Bob Hope Village and Teresa Village.  The special features no waiting time and no first-month service fee when a lease is signed for either community between Dec. 15 and Feb. 15.

 Located within minutes of Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, a Veterans Affairs clinic, shopping, dining, fishing, golfing and the beaches of the Emerald Coast, Bob Hope Village and Teresa Village are exclusive communities for retired enlisted military widows and couples.

 Residents of Bob Hope Village and Teresa Village say that downsizing is liberating, and they enjoy the affordable, active, worry-free lifestyle that living at either community offers, according to Air Force Enlisted Village officials.

 Bob Hope Village and Teresa Village have spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with carpeting, major kitchen appliances, storage areas and patio.  The monthly service fee includes basic cable, water, sewer and trash; maintenance and grounds keeping; free laundry facilities; ample parking; and security.

 Bob Hope Village and Teresa Village offer transportation; a café with delivery service; guest quarters; a convenience store; beauty salons; libraries; chapel program; banking; and RV parking. Activities have an emphasis on socializing, and there are swimming pools; fitness rooms and classes; special events, parties and community trips; a children’s play park for visiting grandchildren; gardening plots; and social clubs.

 Residents have access to an on-site doctor office and preferred providers; on-site out-patient physical, occupational, and speech therapy; on-site mobile lab; prescription pick-up; medical-alert system (Bob Hope Village only); wellness seminars; blood pressure checks; hospice care; and when needed, assisted living and memory care at nearby Hawthorn House.

 For more information, call the admissions office at 800-258-1413 to discuss eligibility regarding this special offer. This special is available for a limited time and some restrictions may apply.

 People can learn more about Air Force Enlisted Village by visiting http://www.afenlistedwidows.org/.

 6.  Bill of Interest Introduced December 1^st.

H.R. 3540, by Rep. John R. Carter, R-Texas, would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the tax benefits for child care assistance for military families.

(end)

November 22, 2011 (“Super Committee” fails to reach an agreement; sequestration next?  Bulletin below provided by Div #12 Trustee Ret CMSgt Jim Lokovic);

 Super Committee Fails.  Sequestration Coming?  As expected, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, a.k.a. the “Super Committee,” made up of six Republicans and six Democrats, failed to agree on a plan on how to cut $1.2 trillion over 10 years, starting in January 2013.  While both sides express disappointment (and blame each other), the ramification (in accordance with August 2011 legislation) is that the cuts will be made across the board (through a process known as sequestration)—with half coming from Defense.  As reported in the past, Defense Secretary Panetta has said such cuts would be devastating, especial since the August legislation has already “cost” Defense $450 billion in programmed budget cuts.  He said yesterday, “. . .  as Secretary of Defense, my primary responsibility is to protect the security of the nation.  The half-trillion in additional cuts demanded by sequester would lead to a hollow force incapable of sustaining the missions it is assigned.  If implemented, sequester would also jeopardize our ability to provide our troops and their families with the benefits and the support they have been promised.  Our troops deserve better, and our nation demands better.”  House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon, R-Calif., echoed Secretary Panetta in saying yesterday, “Unfortunately, America’s military is facing cuts that will devastate the armed forces and force us to break faith with service members.  I do not accept that outcome. . . I will not let these sequestration cuts stand.”   Senator John McCain and others have said they will soon introduce legislation to eliminate Defense accounts from such large-scale sequestration.  However, in response to the Super Committee’s failure to reach a compromise, President Obama said, in part, “My message to them is simple:  No.  I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending.  There will be no easy off ramps on this one.”  It is important to keep in mind that President Obama can veto any legislation that is introduced prior to January 2013—even if he loses election in November—and since the Senate is essentially in lock step with the Administration on nearly every issue, a veto override is extremely unlikely.  An override would require a two-thirds majority in each chamber of Congress.  However, since each seat in the House and one-third of the Senate seats face re-election in November, anything is possible.  Those interested can read the President’s entire statement at:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/21/statement-president-supercommittee

 (end)

November 21, 2011 (“Super Committee” to fail to meet deadline; no progress on other important bills.  Military-Veteran Suicide Study.  President signs bill for tax credits to employers of homeless vets.  New TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Prime Remote Handbook.  Bulletin below courtesy of Jim Lokovic in Division #12);

 1.  Little Congressional Movement on Any Front; Super Committee Almost Certain to Fail.  Since last report, Congress has still not completed a FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.  Nor has it settled on appropriations bills to fund national programs during FY 2012; it is still passing short-term continuing resolutions as stop-gap measures.  It is important to keep in mind that FY 2012 began over a month ago.  Nor has the “Super Committee” solved the problem of identifying $1.2 trillion in future budget cuts; as we approach the November 23^rd deadline and a (possible) impending across-the-board spending cut trigger (cuts effective starting  January 2013), the matter has faced little more than inter-party squabbling.  As a matter of fact, if the Super Committee does not reach a decision today, it will not be able to meet the November 23^rd deadline due to legislative processing time, and congressional members want to depart for the Thanksgiving break.  There is some discussion that if the Super Committee fails to do its duty (which is now almost certain), Congress may punt on the issue and, instead, seek to pass alternative legislation to reduce or delay a Super Committee decision and/or an implementation of the automatic budget cut trigger.  The competing philosophies/priorities of the two major parties account for the impasse on these matters.  The House is controlled by the Republicans, the Senate by the Democrats.  No doubt each political party will blame the other for the failure as we move toward the November 2012 elections.  It will be important to watch the news during the next few days to see if Congress will even tackle these tough issues before they seek to adjourn for the remainder of the calendar year.    

2.  Bill that Could Provide Montgomery GI Bill Benefits to Older Veterans Still in Senate Committee.  H.R. 2433, the “Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011,” sponsored by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., would, among other features, “direct the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), from January 1, 2012, to March 31, 2014, to provide for monthly payments, through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, of up to 12 months of retraining assistance, except as specified, to certain veterans from 35 to 60 years of age applying by October 1, 2013, who: (1) were last discharged from Armed Forces active duty service with an honorable discharge, (2) have been unemployed for a designated period of time, and (3) are ineligible for specified veterans’ benefit educational assistance.”  This bill passed the full House on October 12^th and was sent to the Senate (which referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs).  The legislation remains in that committee.  For more information on the text and status of H.R. 2433, go to:   http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2433

3.  CNAS Make Recommendations to Combat Suicide among Servicemembers and Veterans.  In October 2011, the Center for a New American Security (a highly respected Washington-based think tank) published a report entitled, “Losing the Battle:  The Challenge of Military Suicide.”  This report detailed the increasing problem of military/veteran suicides and makes recommendations to combat the growing challenge.  Some of the recommendations provided in the report were:

• Ensuring information about a service member’s mental health moves with them to their next duty location.
• Having unit leaders encourage their unit to complete the Post Deployment Health Assessment truthfully.
• Ensuring that both policy and military culture prohibit hazing.
• Eliminating the stigma in the military associated with mental health, holding unit leaders accountable for the ridicule someone might face for seeking treatment, and ensuring that military funerals are provided to eligible service members who die by suicide.
• Urging mental health-care providers to tell a unit when a service member is a high risk for suicide.

To read the full report, go to:  http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_LosingTheBattle_HarrellBerglass.pdf

To read a summary article on this report provided by the National Security Law Brief, go to:  http://nationalsecuritylawbrief.com/2011/11/18/the-new-battle-combating-the-rise-of-military-suicides/

 4.  President Signs Bill to Give Tax Credits to Companies who Hire Jobless Veterans.  Today the President signed H.R. 674, the “3% Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act,” sponsored by Rep. Walter Herger, R-Calif.  The legislation will provide tax credits to companies that hire unemployed veterans.  The tax breaks, which range from $5,600 to $9,600, are part of a bill that repeals a requirement that federal, state, and local governments begin withholding 3 percent of payments to contractors in 2013.  According to the Labor Department, the unemployment rate for military veterans who joined the service since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was 12.1 percent in October.  Tax credits, as reflected in H.R. 674, are one element of the President’s $447 billion jobs bill and represent one of the few areas of agreement between the White House and congressional Republicans.   

To view the full text of the bill, go to:  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-674

5.   TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Prime Remote Handbook.  The newly combined TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Prime Remote handbook is an 88-page handbook that “provides an overview of the TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Prime Remote program options.  The handbook discusses regional contractors; DEERS; providers; enrollment and disenrollment; access standards; emergency, urgent, specialty, and routine care; referral and prior authorization requirements; health (including behavioral), pharmacy, and dental benefits; filing claims; other health insurance; third-party liability, explanation of benefits; life events; appeals; grievances; and reporting fraud and abuse. Stateside and overseas contact information is also included.”  The handbook is available for download at: http://www.tricare.mil/tricaresmart/product.aspx?id=836&CID=71&RID=3

 6.  Legislation of Interest Introduced, November 4-20.

H.R. 3369, by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on the provision of traumatic brain injury care in rural areas.

H.R. 3384, by Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., would provide a tax credit for the employment of wounded warriors.

H.R. 3385, by Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa., would establish a combat badge for helicopter medical evacuation ambulance (Medevac) pilots and crews.

S. 1820, by Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., would authorize the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance to State National Guards to provide counseling and reintegration services for members of reserve components of the Armed Forces ordered to active duty in support of a contingency operation, members returning from such active duty, veterans of the Armed Forces, and their families.

S. 1823, by Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., would provide for employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty.

S. 1838, by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to

H.R. 3402, by Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, D-Pa., would provide a credit for employing returning heroes and wounded warriors.

S. 1839, by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would provide for the retention of members of the reserve components on active duty for a period of 45 days following an extended deployment in contingency operations or homeland defense missions to support their reintegration into civilian life.

S. 1846, by Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colo., would establish the National Veterans Support Foundation to carry out activities to support and supplement the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

S. 1847, by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., would reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees.

S. 1849, by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., would require a five-year strategic plan for the Office of Rural Health of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for veterans in rural areas.

H.R. 3419, by Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, D-Md., would expand the Operation Hero Miles program to include the authority to accept the donation of travel benefits in the form of hotel points or awards for free or reduced-cost accommodations.

S. 1867, by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., would authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.  [Note:  This is the Senate Armed Services Committee’s most recent version of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.]

H.R. 3435, by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., would improve the prevention of and response to sexual assault in the Armed Forces.

S. 1876, by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, would require the establishment of a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.  [Note:  A CPI-E would include the cost of health care in the determination of COLAs for senior citizens.]

H.R. 3455, by Rep. Steven M. Palazzo, R-Miss., would include the Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reestablish the position of Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

H.R. 3462, by Rep. Hansen Clarke, D-Mich., would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make tuition payments for veterans enrolled in institutions of higher learning who are receiving assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program by not later than the tuition due date for the quarter, semester, or term.

H.R. 3473, by Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va., would provide employment opportunities for veterans in transportation construction projects.

H.R. 3483, by Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C., would provide equity for tuition and fees for individuals entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are pursuing programs of education at institutions of higher learning.

(end)

November 1, 2011 (DoD says no near-term changes to tuition assistance policy.  Health effects of burn pits inconclusive.  DoD offers member-designated benefits to all members regardless of sexual orientation.  Losing the suicide battle?  Bulletin below provided to us courtesy of CMSgt [Ret] Jim Lokovic);

1.  No Near-term Changes in DoD Tuition Assistance Policy.  A recent DoD press release reported there will be no change in tuition assistance (TA) policy for FY 2012.  The article said, “Although no changes to the tuition assistance policy will be made in the near term, defense officials stated the tuition assistance program will be considered as part of the holistic review of the military compensation package.”   Current policy provides eligible service members up to $4,500 in tuition assistance.  The Defense Department will pay up to $250 per semester hour for both undergraduate and graduate studies.”  DoD officials said that before any changes are made, all military services will have an input and “If any changes are made to the tuition assistance policy, they will be instituted in a deliberate, thoughtful manner [and] maintain the integrity of a joint uniform policy for all service members.”  Earlier this year, several rumors were circulating that 100 percent tuition assistance was about to end.  It must be remembered that 100 percent tuition assistance came about through legislation (for which AFSA testified and successfully lobbied) and was signed into law in a defense bill.  That being the case, it is not within the prerogative of DoD to reduce the level below 100 percent.  It would take amending legislation to make that change.  To read the entire DoD press release, go to:  http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65869

2.  Health Effects of Burn Pits Inconclusive.  An article in USA Today highlights a just-released federal report from the federal Institute of Medicine, a division of the National Academy of Sciences.   The article reports that specific effects of exposure to open burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan are inconclusive.  However, “service in those wars ‘might be associated with long-term health effects’ because of the high levels of dust and pollution found in those areas.”  The article goes on to say, “According to a USA Today analysis of Defense Department morbidity reports, cardiovascular cases among active-duty servicemembers increased from 65,520 in 2001 to 91,013 in 2010.  Neurologic conditions increased from 9,688 to 32,667 in the same period.  The increases led doctors, researchers and environmental experts, both civilian and military, to blame open burn pits in Iraq.  The pit at Balad burned 240 tons of Styrofoam, plastic water bottles, diesel engines and computer parts, along with other trash, every day in an open pit until it was shut down in 2009.”  To read more of this article, go to:   http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2011-10-31/military-burn-pits-Iraq/51013236/113 

3.  Member-designated Benefits.  A DoD press release reports that in light of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” there are 14 specific benefits where members may designate a beneficiary—regardless of sexual orientation.  These include:

• Service Members Group Life Insurance beneficiary
• Post Vietnam-era Veterans Assistance Program beneficiary
• All-volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program – Active Duty Death Benefit beneficiary
• Death Gratuity beneficiary
• Final Settlement of Accounts
• Wounded Warrior Designated Caregiver
• Thrift Savings Plan beneficiary
• Survivor Benefit for retirees
• Casualty Notification
• Escorts for Dependents of Deceased or Missing
• Designation of Persons Having Interest in Status of a Missing Member
• Veterans’ Group Life Insurance beneficiary
• Person Eligible to Receive Effects of Deceased Persons
• Travel and Transportation Allowance: attendance at Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events.
•  

DoD officials go on to say, “The Defense Department is engaged in a careful and deliberate review of the possibility of revising the eligibility for additional benefits if legally permitted.”

Source:  http://www.ng.mil/news/archives/2011/10/102811-Department.aspx

4.   “Losing the Battle: The Challenge of Military Suicide.”  A recently released report from the Center for New American Security, “Losing the Battle:  The Challenge of Military Suicide,” points out, “Suicide among service members and veterans challenges the health of America’s all-volunteer force. . . From 2005 to 2010, service members took their own lives at a rate of approximately one every 36 hours.  This tragic phenomenon reached new extremes when the Army reported a record-high number of suicides in July 2011 with the deaths of 33 active and reserve component service members reported as suicides.  Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 18 veterans die by suicide each day.  Yet the true number of veterans who die by suicide is unknown.”  According to the report, the number of Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard suicides have remained relatively constant over the time period; however, Marine and Army suicides have increased.  The report offers a number of concrete policy recommendations that [they hope] will help reduce the number of service member and veteran suicides, including establishing an Army unit cohesion period; removing the congressional restriction on unit leaders discussing personally owned weapons with service members; and increasing coordination between the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve the analysis of veteran suicide data. To read the entire report, go to:  http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_LosingTheBattle_HarrellBerglass.pdf

(end)

October 31, 2011 (Is military retirement reform justified? Downsizing an already-downsized force.  Extra Social Security earnings for military service.  ”Freebies” on Veterans Day.  Military-friendly schools.  The power of information.  Bulletin below provided to us by Div 12 Trustee, CMSgt [Ret] Jim Lokovic);

1.  Disagreement among Congressional Leaders, DoD on Military Retirement Reform Recommendations.  The military retirement reform hearing last week before the House Armed Services Committee Personnel Subcommittee showed that members of Congress have mixed interpretations of the military retirement reform proposals made by the Defense Business Board (DBB–a non-military board made up of members of civilian industry).  The Department of Defense is apparently taking a second look as well.  Subcommittee chairman, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., called the DBB plan to shift to a 401(k)-type plan as unjustified and  “radical.”  In contrast, ranking subcommittee minority member, Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., welcomed some of the DBB proposals, noting that life expectancy has changed and many military retirees go on to have “another full career in a different field.”  She also pointed out that some servicemembers who do not serve full careers deploy more than those who go on to serve full careers.  She contended that they (those who do not serve full military careers) deserve “something.”  During the hearing,  Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jo Ann Rooney said, “The department acknowledges the military retirement system appears expensive; [but] it is neither unaffordable nor spiraling out of control as some would contend.”  She indicated that while DoD is studying possible retirement reform, the study is balanced.  She said DoD is “weighing the impact of a new system on recruiting and retention, considering the welfare of individual service members and families, which includes grandfathering our existing force…and acknowledging our responsibilities to the American taxpayer.” 

 2.  Downsizing an Already-Downsized Force.  In an opinion piece, economist Robert J. Samuleson contends, “People who see military cuts as an easy way to reduce budget deficits forget that this has already occurred.”  Samuelson points out, “From the late 1980s to 2010, the number of America’s armed forces dropped from 2.1 million men and women to about 1.4 million.  The downsizing — the “peace dividend” from the end of the Cold War — was not undone by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In 1990, the Army had 172 combat battalions, the Navy 546 ships and the Air Force 4,355 fighters; today, those numbers are 100 battalions, 288 ships and 1,990 fighters.”  He labels three arguments for further cutting defense spending as “bogus”:  (1) We can’t afford today’s military.  (2) We spend so much more than anyone else that cutbacks won’t make us vulnerable. (3) The Pentagon has so much inefficiency and waste that sizable cuts won’t jeopardize our fighting capability.  To read this article in its entirety, go to:   http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-dangerous-debate-over-cutting-military-spending/2011/10/28/gIQAnPWEXM_story.html

3.  Special Extra Earnings for Military Service.  According to the Social Security Administration, “Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings.  Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.  Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes.  These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.”  The point is that it is important to point out your period(s) of military service when applying for Social Security.  To read more, go to:  http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm 

4.  Freebies on Veterans Day.  MilitaryConnection.com lists free Veterans Day (11/11/11) offerings for current and past servicemembers on its Website.  These include discounts at events and restaurant offerings.  Check with your local restaurants in advance to ensure they are participating in these discount programs.  To view this listing, go to:  http://militaryconnection.com/newsletters/mc/veteran-day-freebies.asp

5.  Military-Friendly Schools.  GI Jobs announced its 2012 list of the top 20 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that, in its opinion, are doing the most to “embrace America’s servicemembers and veterans as students.”  GI Jobs is a magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life.  According to Business Wire, the results are “based on research conducted on more than 8,000 universities, colleges, and trade schools nationwide and surveys of student veterans.  This feedback can provide prospective military students with insight into the student-veteran experience at particular institutions based on peer reviews from current students.  According to G.I. Jobs, the schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience.  These schools make the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, military credit, and other services to those who served.”  To read the entire Business Wire press release, go to:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aiu-honored-as-a-military-friendly-school-for-third-consecutive-year-2011-10-31

The entire 2012 military-friendly listing can be accessed at:  http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/mfslist.aspx

6.  The Power of Information.  In a recent letter to a prospective renewal, AFSA Past-Division 13 President and current president of Chapter 1379, Tony Rollis, explained, “Because of my travels to USAF bases in California with former CMSAF Bud Andrews, when I was AFSA Division 13 president,  I can tell you that he always emphasized to his audiences that the greatest value of membership in any organization is information–information about potential legislation that may affect you, while there is still time to effect change to that potential legislation.  The alternative to not having information is waking up one day to learn that you have lost an earned-benefit that is (was) important to you.  Then it is too late to do anything about it except to ask yourself, what happened?  I sincerely hope that AFSA and the Military Coalition to which it belongs can save our earned benefits or at least mitigate those that will be reduced, including yours, so that you won’t have to ask yourself ‘What Happened?’” 

7.  You Fulfilled Your Contract; What about the Government?  One theme predominates the mail I get concerning DoD’s and Congress’ focus on reducing the Defense Budget by increasing the cost of or altering military retirement benefits:  “How can this breach of the faith with those who serve be ethically justified.”  The overriding question is this:  “After we have served full careers, fought in our nation’s wars and participated in ‘police’ actions, faced unlimited liability (the agreement to give one’s life if ordered to do so) on a day-to-day basis for over two decades, given our prime productive years to our nation’s defense, lived through numerous separations from our families, served in austere conditions, relocated multiple times, and kept the peace–why would this ‘grateful’ nation even consider cutting military retirement benefits?”   Of course, these benefit reductions are being presented under the rubric of “shared sacrifice,” the need to balance the budget, and the assertion that military retirement programs are too generous.  Two important questions that I have not seen addressed by the government are these:  “Have military members fulfilled their part of the bargain with the nation?” and “Have they earned the benefits they currently have?”  If they faithfully have fulfilled their part of the bargain, and if they have earned the benefits they currently have, then it is clear that the government is in the process of breaking the moral contract it has with those who have served.  According to its reports, this is the very message your AFSA Headquarters Military and Government Relations team is communicating to the Administration and elected officials in Washington.  Many AFSA members are complementing that message by communicating with their elected officials, as well. 

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