journal

Transcription

journal

JOURNAL
&
RECOGNITION
REMEMBRANCE
Honoring Our
WWII Heroes
Page 16
NCOA Air Academy:
A Community Asset
Page 21
Vol 4 2010
www.ncoausa.org
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Contents
NCOA Journal Volume 4, 2010
News Briefs .................................................................................................2
The 2011 National Defense Authorization Act
• Selected excepts from House and Senate versions of special interest
to NCOA members..................................................................................4
No COLA for Retirees or Disabled Veterans -- Again! ...............................2
Career Expo Program Enters Third Year
• NCOA and Military.com Lead the Way...................................................5
Recognition and Remembrance: NCOA Chapters Remember
World War II Veterans ............................................................................16
What Warrior Ethos Means to Me ..............................................................20
NCOA Air Academy Chapter: An Active Asset to Colorado Springs ........21
NCOA Korea Hosts BowlingTournament ..................................................26
Budget Better: An Update on the Envelope System ...................................27
Tips To Take Control of Credit Card Debt ................................................ 28
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps H. Gene Overstreet (Ret); Chairman of the Board: SgtMaj Paul W. Siverson,
USMC (Ret); Executive Vice President/Chairman, Finance & Audit Committee: CSM Tony R. Franklin, USA (Ret); Treasurer:SGM
Nick Lapajenko, USA (Ret); Secretary: MSgt Robert L. Barnett,
USAF.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MCPO Terry M. Haines, USNR (Ret); MSgt Vincent T. Johnson,
Sr., USAF (Ret); SGM Joe Terry, USA (Ret).
International Chaplain MSG Kent M. Tucker, USA (Ret)
SENIOR ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
SMA Kenneth O. Preston, USA; Sergeant Major of the Marine
Corps Carlton W. Kent, USMC; MCPON Rick D. West, USN;
CMSAF James A. Roy, USAF; MCPOCG Michael P. Leavitt,
USCG.
SPECIAL ADVISORS FOR RESERVE AND NATIONAL
GUARD AFFAIRS
CSM John Gipe, USARNG, Chairman; CSM Michael Shults,
USAR; SgtMaj Kim Davis, USMCR; FORCM (FMF) Ronney
Wright, USNR; CMSgt Dwight Badgett, USAFR; CSM Richard
Burch, ARNG; CMSgt Christopher E. Muncy, ANG; and MCPO
Jeffrey D. Smith, USCGR.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
The Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States
of America is a fraternal, nonprofit organization with International Headquarters at 9330 Corporate Drive, Suite 701, Selma, TX
78154; (210) 653-6161.The NCOA Journal is published for the
information and enjoyment of Association members. Views and
opinions expressed are those of author or source of material and
do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views or endorsements of
NCOA or the Board of Directors. All materials in the NCOA Journal are protected by copyright. Editorial materials my be reproduced if the source is credited. National Capital Office: P.O. Box
427, Alexandria, VA 22313; (703) 549-0311.
International Auxiliary Executive Committee: Rose Lapajenko,
President, Ronda Smith, Vice President; Dianne Carnahan, Secretary; Alda Ashford, Treasurer. Board Members: Vivian Bruno,
Vicki Cope and Patricia Weaver.
Knights of the Square Table: Grand Knight, Sir Curt Schummacher, OE; Grand Knight Elect, Sir Marv Weaver, Sr., OE; Exchequer, Sir Ted Pilihos, OE; Scribe, Lady Vicky Hensley, OE.
EDITORIAL: The NCOA Journal Managing Editor: Clifford
Davis. Editorial contributions of articles and photos are welcome.
Send them via email to: Scoop@ ncoausa.org.
ADVERTISING: Advertisers: Contact J&S Publications at 8220
Hilton Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882, E-mail - [email protected]. Phone - (301) 482-0720, Fax - (310) 482-0726.
Unless clearly indicated as NCOA-sponsored, paid advertising in
the NCOA Journal is not endorsed by the NCOA. (11/10)
NCOA ONLINE JOURNAL • 1
News Briefs
Stop Loss Application Deadline
Extended to December 3, 2010
Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members who were
involuntarily extended under stop loss
between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 are eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP).
This pay was authorized in the 2009
War Supplemental Appropriations Act
and provides $500.00 of special pay for
every month or partial month served in
stop loss status.
The extension of the application process for this benefit was made because
less than half of the 145,000 people
eligible had applied for this special pay.
It is believed that many service members involuntarily extended may never
have received adequate information on
RSLSP. Some expressed the belief that
it sounded too good to be true and believed it was a hoax. And, leadership
believed that veteran beneficiaries may
not have understood what “stop loss”
meant or that they could apply for this
special pay. The average payment has
been $3,700.
The application deadline is now extended to December 3, 2010. Apply now for
RSLSP online through the eligible member’s service specific site available at the
DoD Web Site: http://www.defense.gov/
home/features/2010/0710_stoploss/.
NCOA members and chapters are requested to share this information in their
local communities and chapter activities.
Questions Loom on “Don’t Ask Don’t
Tell (DADT)”
U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips
ordered the Pentagon to stop enforcement of its ban on openly gay service
members on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
The decision rejected an Administration argument that an injunction to stop
DADT might harm military readiness.
The court injunction placed the former
DoD personnel policy in legal question
to which the Defense Undersecretary
for Personnel Clifford L. Stanley put
out a memo to the Service Secretaries
advising military leaders must comply
2 • NCOA ONLINE JOURNAL
with the Federal Judge’s Order` to cease
investigations and discharges of openly
gay service members. The memorandum also warned servicemembers not to
publicly come out or alter their sexual
behavior as the issue is subject to legal challenge and such public disclosure could have career consequences to
themselves and others should the decision be reversed.
Anticipate that there will not be further announcements on DADT until the
appeal of the injunction decision is filed
with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Women Veterans – 25 Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Congress authorized the Department
of Veterans Affairs to establish a Center
for Women Veterans in 1994. The Center
collaborates with other federal and state
agencies on issues related to women
veterans, disseminates materials on VA
benefit programs, health care services
and conducts outreach to make women
veterans aware of these services.
The 25 most FAQs asked by women
veterans were catalogued by the Center
earlier this year and are available for
review at: http://www1.va.gov/WOMENVET/docs/25FAQs_web_version_
April2010.pdf.
NO COLA IN 2011
It’s old news that there will be no
COLA increase in federal entitlement
programs in 2011. NCOA published that
information in 2009 when the lack of a
COLA was forecast for 2010 and no increase projected in the government economic recovery that would make 2011
and 2012 COLAs unlikely. The current
projected economic forecast likewise
continues for 2012 and adds 2013 to
projected likelihood for NO COLAs.
Congress Warrants an “F” Grade
None of the Nation’s Appropriation
Bills for FY 2011 or the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) were
completed and passed into law before
Congress adjourned for Midterm Elections. Congress obviously had not
forgotten that FY2011 officially commenced on October 1, 2010, and while
no Appropriation Bills were passed for
2011, it did pass a Continuing Resolution Act into Public Law 111-242 on
September 30, 2010 to fund the Federal Government through December 3,
2011.
NCOA is pleased that Congress had
previously approved a two year budget
authority for the Department of Veterans
Affairs Health Care Programs for Veterans to ensure the continuity and uninterrupted health services for America’s
veterans. The two year authority allows
VA the necessary capability to sustain
its care to veterans without rationing
care while awaiting a revised budget authority.
HASC Questions Decision to Dismantle U.S. Joint Forces Command
Chairman Ike Skelton, House Armed
Services Committee, wrote Defense
Secretary Robert Gates on October 7,
2010 indicating that the Committee had
not received information sought on the
DOD efficiency initiative to close the
Joint Forces Command. He reminded
Secretary Gates “that a number of elements of the efficiency initiative will
require changes to statute, the creation
of modification of legal authorities, and
funding.” He further advised that the
HASC would be unable to support any
request for legislation resulting from the
efficiency initiative until the committee’s request for information has been
satisfied.
This is yet another issue to be resolved
after the midterm election or deferred
until new members of Congress are
seated in January 2011.
TRICARE 26
The authority for parents to continue
TRICARE coverage for their eligible dependents until age 26 if they do not have
employer health care is also delayed in
the National Defense Authorization Act
for 2011. Authority requested in both
the Senate and House (Continued page 3)
versions of NDAA would let the Secretary of Defense charge a premium,
estimated at $2,400 per child per year
equal to the full cost of providing care.
The estimated cost will exceed that required of non-military parents.
The variance in cost estimates is that
most insurance carriers are able to
spread the cost for the extended coverage to age 26 among all insured under
their program. TRICARE costs under
the defense program cannot be spread
over enrollment costs of all beneficiaries. That issue will be addressed by
NCOA and Military Coalition when
Congress reconvenes after the midterm election.
Every Congressional Representative
and some Senators are up for reelection! Call their offices or meet with
them in the District and ask them to
support TRICARE 26 and fix the premium issue so that defense officials
don’t treat these special military beneficiaries differently than their non-military peers. WE ARE THE PEOPLE
of the United States Constitution and
our elected officials need to hear our
voice on this matter. Then we expect
them to act!
advertisement encouraging veterans to
take full advantage of the VA benefits
and services they have earned. The ad
is one step of an outreach effort aimed
at welcoming returning service members and easing their transition from
military to veteran status.
The 30 second ad focuses on today’s
generation of veterans returning home
from Iraq and Afghanistan and shows
the path a veteran might follow from
boots on the battlefield to addressing
possible health issues, going to college, finding employment and buying
a home.
Six cities are scheduled to see the
broadcast of this public announcement
based on the number of veterans returning home from service to Norfolk,
VA, Raleigh, NC, Savannah, GA, Seattle, WA, Watertown, NY, and El Paso,
TX.
VA Medical Center Construction
Updates:
Las Vegas NV –VA Medical Center:
Provide 90 inpatient beds, 120 bed
community living center, ambulatory
care and veteran assistance center.
The project is fully funded at a cost of
$600,400,000 with scheduled completion of construction in September
2011.
Orlando FL - VA Medical Center:
Provide 134 beds, 120 bed community
living center, and 60 bed domiciliary.
The project is fully funded at a cost of
$665,400,000 with scheduled completion in September 2012.
Denver CO – VA Medical Center:
Provide 120 inpatient beds, a 30 bed
spinal cord injury unit, and a 30 bed
community living center. Cost will
be $800,000,000 with $307,300,000
available through 2010, $450,700,000
requested in 2011, and additional
$42,000,000 in a future year. Scheduled construction completion is February 2014.
New Orleans LA – Replacement VA
Medical Center:
Provide 200 inpatient beds. Cost
$996,000,000 with scheduled construction completed in November 2013.
Concurrent Receipt Possibly
Resuscitated Again?
Concurrent Receipt legislation incorporated into Senate 3793, Job Creation
and Tax Cut Act of 2010, was introduced by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
on September 16, 2010. Section 1414
of the proposed legislation would authorize “Concurrent receipt of retired
pay and veterans disability compensation.” There are no exclusions or
exemptions of combat or non-combat
disability compensation. There are
currently NO Senators reflected as cosponsors. The proposal indicates the
Act is fully paid-for legislation and
would include disability pay offset for
all Chapter 61 medical retirees.
Request this legislation be addressed
with your Senators during the current
adjournment of the Senate and that
they be encouraged to correct this disabled veteran compensation inequity.
VA TV Awareness Program for Benefits, Health Care, and Careers
The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) has launched a new television
2011 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA)
Richard C. Schneider
Executive Director for
Legislative Affairs
National Capital Office, NCOA
The 2011 NDAA was not completed as
Congress adjourned for the 2011 midterm election in which all Representatives must stand for re-election and a
number of Senators complete their current term of office and must also stand
for re-election. The Senate and House
respective legislative versions of NDAA
are yet to be reconciled by a Conference Committee. NOTE: Nothing is
formally approved until after the House
and Senate reconcile their differences
on authorizations, editing, and merging
their respective viewpoints into a final
Conference Report that must be voted
on by their respective Chambers.
The information below are selected
excerpts from Senate and House versions of their respective bills compiled
by a working group of The Military
Coalition of which NCOA is a member. Note: A number of provisions are
contained in one bill but do not have
a similar provision in the other. These
differences will be reviewed by Conference Committee. The items presented
below therefore may or may not be included in the final 2011 NDAA.
NCOA members may review the entire proposed legislative history on
both bills (Senate 3454 and House H.R.
5136) at Thomas (Library of Congress)
at: http://thomas.loc.gov/.
2011 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
• Selected excerpts from the Senate and House versions of each Chamber’s version of authorizations
chosen as those of particular interest to NCOA members.
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 313 – Requirements relating to toxic substances and
disease registry investigation of drinking water contamination at Camp Lejeune, NC. NLT than 90 days after
enactment provides the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR) with full access to documents
relating to the contamination and remediation of drinking
water, provides appropriate staff to work with ATSDR to
reconcile and identify relevant documents, and conduct a
good faith review of any documents or data pertaining to the
contamination sites at Camp Lejeune held by the Navy that
had not previously been provided to ATSDR.
Similar provision with action required 180 days after enactment
(Sec. 316).
Similar provision (Sec. 622).
Sec. 362 – Authority for payment of full replacement value of
damaged household goods in cases not covered by carrier liability.
Allows DoD to reimburse servicemembers for full cost of goods damaged in a move.
Similar provision (Sec. 421).
Sec. 421 – Military personnel authorization. $138.5 billion.
Sec. 431 – Authorization of appropriations for Armed
Forces Retirement Home. Authorizes appropriation of
$71.2 million to AFRH trust fund.
(No Similar Provision)
Similar Provision (Sec.509)
Sec. 502 – Authority to commission W-1s. Provides authority for
W-1s to be commissioned by the President (or by the Secretary of
the USCG).
Sec. 532 – Correction of Military Records. Establishes procedure
that requires correction board to present findings and conclusions in
an itemized and orderly fashion, with specific attention given to each
issue presented by the claimant requesting the correction. Requires
disability retirement and separation review board be made available
to both enlisted and officers. Boards reducing correctional board
manpower through 1 Jan 2013 without 90 days notice.
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 534 – Recognition of the role of female service members
and review of military occupational specialties available to
women. Requires DoD to review and report on the military occupational specialties available to women to ensure women have
maximum opportunity to compete and excel in the armed forces.
The report will review policies and regulations that restrict the service of females and determine what changes are needed, legislative
or otherwise. Report must be submitted NLT Feb 1, 2011.
Similar Provision (Sec. 591).
Sec. 536 - DoD policy concerning homosexuality in the armed
forces. Provision would repeal 10 USC 654, effective 60 days
after receipt of DoD review and certification by CJCS, SecDef, and
President that implementation is consistent with standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention.
Sec. 553 – Waiver of age limit for admission to service academies for enlisted members serving in OIF & OEF. Allows
service secretaries to waive maximum age limitation (23 by Jul 1
of entry year) for service academies for enlisted OIF/OEF veterans
who are past the requirement due to deployment (waiver up to age
26). No more than 5 exceptions per academy at a time. Waivers
expire in FY2016.
Sec. 554 – Report on feasibility and cost of expanding enrollment of Community College of the Air Force. NLT 180 days after enactment report on feasibility and cost of authorizing enlisted
members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to
enroll.
Sec. 551 and 552 – Impact Aid. In FY2011 $30 million
for schools with significant military dependent students and
$5 million to schools with enrollment changes due to base
closures, force structure changes, and force relocations. In
FY2011 $10 million for impact aid for severely disabled
children.
Sec. 557 – Non-chargeable rest and recuperation absence
for certain members undergoing extended deployment in
a combat zone. Up to 15 days of non-chargeable R&R for
service members who serve over 270 days in a designated
combat zone and are in receipt of hardship duty pay.
Sec 561 – Reform of offenses relating to rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct under the UCMJ. Adjustments to definitions of various sexual misconduct terms.
Sec. 571 – Prohibition on involuntary administrative
separation for those deemed “fit but unsuitable”. Services
cannot authorize the involuntary administrative separation
of a member based on a determination that the member is
unsuitable for deployment or worldwide assignment based
on the same medical condition for which a PEB deemed the
member fit for service. Effective with enactment.
Sec. 582 – Enhancement of community support for military families with special needs. Authorizes military secretaries to establish support centers to provide medical and educational services for special needs families. Also authorizes
the establishment of an advisory panel on community support
for military families with special needs, and requires periodic
reviews of best practices
Sec. 582 – Director of the Office of Community Support for
Military Families with Special Needs. Establishes an SES, general
officer, or flag officer position within the office of Family Policy for
the Director of the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs. The director will report to the USD P&R.
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 583 – Pilot program on scholarships for dependent
children with special needs. Establishes a pilot program
beginning with the 2011-12 school year, to assess feasibility
and advisability of awarding scholarships for individualized
education services for children with special needs. Scholarships up to $7,500 for tuition and fees. Program sunsets
in 2016. SecDef must consult with SecEd in developing
options and actions to enhance access to benefits under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL-108-466). See
report language pg. 134-135 and pg. 137.
(No Similar Provision).
Sec. 583 – Pilot program of personalized career development for
military spouses. Requires SecDef to establish a career development
counseling program for military spouses that promotes a comprehensive and personalized career development plan in portable and high
needs fields. 3 year program will include 75-150 spouses from various regions around the country.
Sec. 584 – Reports on child development centers and financial assistance for child care. Report due 6 months after
enactment and biannually thereafter.
Sec. 585 – Office of Community Support for Military Families
with Special Needs. Sense of Congress that the new office is the
best structure to determine the needs of special needs children, require a separate line of funding from DoD, effective FY2012.
Sec. 586 – GAO report on DoD Office of Community Support for
Military Families with Special Needs. Report on the implementation of responsibilities and duties of the office NLT 180 days after
enactment.
Sec. 587 – GAO report on exceptional family program. GAO
will review Exceptional Family Member Program for each service to
review program policies, best practices, execution, implementation
and strategic planning, and determine program variances and make
recommendations to improve the program. Report due 180 days after
enactment.
Sec. 588 – GAO review of DoD spouse employment programs.
Review and report on efficiency, effectiveness, benefits, and oversight
of spouse employment programs. Review must be completed NLT
March 1, 2011.
Sec. 589 – Report on military spouse education programs.
SecDef will review education programs to determine effiiency and
effectiveness of programs, determine the lack of education opportunities effect on retention, and compare cost associated with providing spouse education opportunities vs. recruiting and training new
service members. Report due 180 days after enactment.
Sec. 591 - Establishment of Junior Reserve Officers Training
Corps units for students in grades above sixth grade. Allows service secretaries to develop pilot programs to establish JROTC units at
non-secondary schools (6th grade and up).
Sec. 592 – Recruitment and enlistment of charter school
graduates. NLT 1 Jun 2011 SecDef shall prescribe a policy
on the recruitment and enlistment of charter school grads.
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 595 – Deadline extension for report on military leadership diversity commission. Extends commission deadline by six
months.
Sec. 596 – Enhanced authority for service members, DoD/
USCG employees and families to accept non-federal gifts.
SecDef must issue regulations that allow qualifying service members, civilians, and family members to accept gifts from nonprofit
organizations, private parties, and other sources outside of DoD.
Sec. 597 – Report on performance of the Transition Assistance
Program. SecDef must report on performance of the TAP program, the program’s evolution, efforts to turn program into a “lifecycle” model, and current and future challenges. Report due NLT
270 days after enactment.
Sec. 598 – Sense of Congress on service members participating in apprenticeship programs. Service members in the process
of separation should be allowed to participate in apprenticeship
programs to ease their employment transition.
Sec. 601 – Extension of increase in BAH for areas subject
to disaster or installations experiencing sudden increase in
personnel. Extends housing allowance increase from 31 Dec
2009 to 31 Dec 2012.
Sec. 602 – Repeal of mandatory high-deployment allowance. Repeals 37 U.S.C. 436 (see report language p. 141).
Sec. 605- Report on BAH for personnel assigned to sea
duty. Review housing allowance standards for single, married, and service members with dependents. Report due NLT
1 Jul 2011.
Sec. 601 - FY2011 military pay raise. 1.9 percent active duty pay
raise.
Sec. 602 – Basic housing allowance for two member couples when
one or both are on sea duty. A member in a pay grade below E-6
who is assigned to sea duty and is married to another member is entitled to a basic allowance for housing. Effective 1 Jan 2011.
Sec. 604 – Increase in family separation allowance. Increases allowance from $250 to $285.
Sec. 606 –Senior Enlisted Member pay eligibility. For pay purposes the designated senior enlisted member of a combat command
will be treated the same as Sergeant Major of the Army, Master Chief
Petty Officer of the Navy, etc. Effective Jan 1 2011.
Sec. 619 – Special payment to service members and civilians
killed or wounded in attacks outside of combat zones. Service
msembers and civilians wounded or killed in the Fort Hood and Little
Rock recruiting shootings will be treated as combat deaths (except
that they are not eligible for Purple Heart).
Sec. 633 – Mileage reimbursement for POVs. Sets reimbursement
rate for POVs equal to established rate by the IRS.
Sec. 672 – Retention of enlistment, reenlistment, and student loan
benefits received by military technicians (dual status). Prevents
DoD from terminating an individual’s participation in a loan repayment program or repay any enlistment, reenlistment, or affiliation
bonus if an individual is first employed as a military technician (dualstatus) while the individual is already a member of the ready reserve.
Sec. 1504 – Authorization of additional appropriations for
military personnel. Authorizes $15.275 billion for FY2011.
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 1611-1664 – Sexual assault protection provisions. Many
provisions on defining, reporting, and preventing sexual assault in
the armed forces.
Sec. 2851 – Further enhancements to DoD Homeowners
Assistance Program (HAP).
Conformity of caregiver assistance stipend between DoD
and VA. Directs SecDef to report NLT 1 year after enactment
on implementation of appropriate caregiver training programs
for caregivers of active duty service members eligible for
compensation under Sec. 632
Guard and Reserve
Sec 411 – Guard/Reserve End Strength.
•
Army Nat’l Guard – 358,200 (0)
•
Army Reserve – 205,000 (0)
•
Navy Reserve – 65,500 (0)
•
USMC Reserve – 39,600 (0)
•
Air Nat’l Guard – 106,700 (0)
•
Air Force Reserve – 71,200 (+1,700)
•
Coast Guard – 10,000 (0)
Sec. 412 – Active Duty in support of Reserve.
•
Army Nat’l Guard – 32,600 (0)
•
•
Navy Reserve – 10,688 (-130)
•
Marine Corps – 2,261 (0)
•
Air Nat’l Guard – 14,584 (+29)
•
Air Force Reserve – 2,992 (+96)
Sec. 413 – End strength dual status technicians.
•
•
Army National Guard – 27,210 (0)
•
Air Force Reserve – 10,720 (+303)
•
Air National Guard – 22,394 (+81)
No increase from 2010 levels (Sec. 414).
Sec. 414 – Non-dual status technician limitation.
•
Army National Guard – 2,520 (+920)
•
Air National Guard – 350 (0)
•
Army Reserve – 595 (0)
•
Air Force Reserve – 90 (0)
Sec. 415 – Max Reserve personnel authorized for active duty for
operational support.
•
Army National Guard – 17,000 (0)
•
•
Navy Reserve – 6,200 (0)
•
Marine Corps Reserve – 3,000 (0)
•
Air Nat’l Guard – 16,000 (0)
•
Air Force Reserve – 14,000 (0)
Similar Provision (Sec .903).
Sec. 516 – Revised structure and function of the Reserve Forces
Policy Board. The provision would make the RFPB an independent
body reporting directly to the SecDef. Currently, the RFPB acts
‘through the ASD for Reserve Affairs.1 (Section 10301, 10 USC).
The provision also would reduce the number on the Reserve Forces
Policy Board and authorize a full-time staff of reserve component officers from each of the 7 Guard and Reserve components.
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 525 – Authority for direct appointments of US
Merchant Marine academy graduates into the National
Guard.
Sec. 556 – Leave of members of the reserve component. A
member of a reserve component who accumulates leave during a period of active service may carry over any leave accumulated to the member’s next period of active service, without
regard to separation or release from active service, if the separation or release is under honorable conditions. Carried-over
leave may be sold prior to separation or retirement.
Sec. 642 – Equity in disability computation for reservists
wounded in action. Reservists retired or placed on the temporary
disability retired list due to wounds in combat and in receipt of a
Purple Heart will after enactment have their years of service computed under 12732 of Title 10.
Retired Issues
Sec. 572 – Expedited background investigations for
wounded warriors and spouses by DoD and contractors.
Allows expedited background checks for security clearances
of chapter 61 retirees, their spouses, and surviving spouses of
a servicemember who died of a service-connected cause.
Sec. 351 – Expedited processing of background investigation for
wounded warriors by DoD and contractors. Allows expedited
background checks for security clearances of chapter 61 retirees.
Sec. 641 – Elimination of cap on retired pay multiplier for disabled retirees w/ more than 30 years of service. Allows awards
greater than 75% of pay.
Sec. 646 – Payment date for retired/retainer pay. Restores retired
pay to the first of the month.
Survivor Issues
Sec. 352 – Adoption of military working dogs by family members of deceased or seriously wounded servicemembers who
were handlers of the dogs. If department Secretary determines that
an adoption is justified the military working dog will be made available for adoption by the immediate family of the servicemember.
Sec. 631 – Repeal of automatic enrollment in family SGLI
for members married to other servicemembers. When
they are insured on their own behalf.
Sec. 645 - SSIA for pre-SBP widows affected by a DIC offset.
Authorizes SSIA to the “forgotten widows”.
Veterans/Other Provisions
Sec. 566 – Cold War Service Medal. Authorizes SecDef
to issue a Cold War Service Medal. SecDef will determine
eligibility requirements.
Health Care Provisions
Sec. 605 – One-time special compensation for transition of assistants providing aid and attendance. Authorizes a one-time
payment of up to $3,500 in addition to monthly aid and attendance
compensation.
Senate (S. 3454)
Sec. 632 – Conformity of special compensation for servicemembers requiring caregivers under the VA caregiver
program. Authorize stipend equal to VA stipend for caregivers of severely injured veterans.
Sec. 701 – One year extension on ceiling on charges for
inpatient care under the TRICARE program. Only bars
inpatient copay increases.
Similar provision but effective 1 Jan 2011 (Sec. 702).
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 643 – Elimination of age requirement for health care benefits
for non-regular retirees. Allows reservists who qualify for early
retirement to also qualify for health care benefits, rather than waiting
until age 60.
Sec. 701 – Extension of prohibition on increases of certain health
care costs. Bars TRICARE Prime, Standard, and inpatient fee increases through FY2011.
Sec. 702 – Extension of Dependent TRICARE coverage. Allows
continued TRICARE coverage for dependent children to age 26.
SecDef will determine a premium not more than the cost of coverage.
Effective 1 Oct 2010.
Sec. 703 – Recognition of licensed mental health counselors (No Similar Provision).
as authorized providers under TRICARE. Includes mental
health counselors as authorized TRICARE providers. SecDef
to issue regulations within 180 days.
Sec. 704 – Plan for enhancement of quality, efficiencies,
and savings in the military health system. SecDef shall
report a plan to enhance quality, efficiencies, and cost savings
under TRICARE. Report due 180 days after enactment.
Sec. 703 – Survivor dental benefits. Opens survivor dental benefits
to the dependents of all service members who are on active duty for
a period of more than 30 days or a member of the ready reserve at
the time of their death, regardless of prior dental enrollment status.
Sec. 704 – Aural screenings for servicemembers. Adds an aural
screening, including an assessment of tinnitus to pre and post deployment health screenings.
Sec. 705 – Temporary prohibition of retail pharmacy copayment
increases. Bars retail pharmacy copay increases through FY2011.
Sec. 711 – Post-deployment health reassessments for
purposes of the medical tracking systems. Pre and post deployment screenings (including mental health, blood samples,
and prescription/administration of psychotropic drugs) will
be used to accurately identify health problems and record any
changes in medical condition during deployment. Reassessment to be completed within 90-180 days after the member is
redeployed.
Sec. 706 – Suicide prevention for members of the individual
ready reserve. SecDef shall ensure that members of the ready reserve receive a counseling telephone call at least once every 90 days.
Sec. 707 – Information to members of the reserve components
regarding health care benefits. SecDef will ensure each member
of a reserve component who is mobilized or demobilized is provided a clear and comprehensive statement of the medical care and
treatment to which such member is entitled to by reason of being so
mobilized or demobilized
Senate (S. 3454)
House (H.R. 5136)
Sec. 711 – Administration of TRICARE – SecDef shall have sole
responsibility for administering TRICARE, except as otherwise
specified in chapter 55 of 10 USC.
Sec. 713 – Abortions in DoD facilities. Repeals code that
prohibits abortions in DoD facilities. Retains code that
prohibits use of DoD funds – except in the case when the
mother’s life is in danger.
Limestone College Offers Flexibility of Online
Degree Programs With 50 Percent Tuition Discount
Limestone College, an accredited
four-year liberal arts college, has been a
pioneer in the world of online learning
since the launch of its virtual campus in
1996. Since then, thousands of students
throughout the world have taken advantage of the opportunity to “attend” lectures and complete assignments whenever and wherever most convenient for
them. In 2005, Limestone made the
program even more attractive by guaranteeing that all military personnel (including reservists) have the opportunity
to earn their Limestone degree at half
the tuition costs.
Whether students want to advance in
their careers or simply to satisfy their
thirst for knowledge, Limestone offers
a variety of online degree programs in
many demanding fields including:
• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Criminal Justice
• Liberal Studies
• Health Care Administration
• Human Resource Management
The programs - which lead to Bachelor
of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Associate
of Arts or Associate of Science degrees
- contain the same materials that are
provided for Limestone students who
are attending campus-based programs.
And while the course work is the same,
Limestone military students pay merely
half the cost.
The academic year for students in
Limestone’s online program is simplified into six terms a year. For convenience, two courses can be taken at the
same time online. Limestone also offers
an abundance of resources including:
• Access to Limestone’s Online Writing
Lab (Owl), a virtual extension of the
Writing Center on the main campus that
features live peer tutorial assistance in
real-time chat sessions.
• Mathematical assistance through the
College’s Mathematics Online Learning
Experience (MOLE) which features an
online tutor who will help clarify mathematical concepts within the problem.
• An abundance of career service assistance including help with identifying
which majors are best suited for particular industries, free practice graduate
school placement exams, employment
interview skills, and assistance with
composing a résumé.
Transfer credits are accepted, including credit for Military Occupational
Specialty (MOS) and Military Schooling.
Limestone College Extended Campus
is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army Degree (SOCAD), SOCGuard, and SOCCoast and
partners with “College of the American
Soldier.”
For more information about Limestone
College’s online course degree offerings, visit www.limestone.edu or call
866-654-2223.
Thank You from the Top of Mount Kilimanjaro
Kirk Bauer, the Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA while atop
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania unfolded a NCOA National Defense Foundation pennant that was carried to the summit on a climb by three American
disabled veterans. It was a surprise THANK YOU from Disabled Sports
USA and fellow climb participants war veterans Neil Duncan and Dan Nevins for the Foundation’s partnership to make such opportunities a reality.
The motto of Disabled Sports USA, “If I can do this, I can do anything,”
showed the reality that people have unlimited potential and that disabilities
don’t have to limit one’s quality of life or zest for new challenges. News
of the climb has been published internationally with many Nations hailing
the success of these three war veterans, who between them had 5 prosthetic
legs (replacing those lost in Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq) as a notable and
historical achievement for all disabled people.
Source: DFAS
No COLA for Retirees or Disabled Vets -
Again!
The lack of a COLA in 2011 has many
retirees and disabled vets seeing red.
By Terry Howell
Military.com Editor
NCOA Journal Editorial Committee
2011 will mark the second year in a row that military retirees and disabled veterans won’t see the annual cost of living increase – known as COLA – in
their monthly retirement pay or VA Disability Compensation. COLA rates had never dropped below
one percent since 1975 when they were first tied to
the Consumer Price Index. The lack of a COLA in
2011 has many retirees and disabled vets seeing red.
Their anger likely the result of confusion about –
and frustration with – how COLA is determined.
Based on Military.com member feedback and
comments, it appears that many retirees have been
lead to believe that retiree COLAs and the annual
military pay increases are somehow linked. When
these retirees read that the military will likely get
a 1.9 percent raise next year, while retirees get zero
COLA, they are understandably upset. But the fact
is military retirement pay, VA Disability Compensation and Veterans’ Pensions are adjusted for the rate
of inflation each year. This annual adjustment is determined by the Consumer Price Index for the previous year. By contrast, military pay is determined by
a Congressional mandate to match military pay to
comparable civilian sector wages.
Many retirees and disabled veterans feel the government’s CPI-based rate of inflation is the root issue as it doesn’t match their real-world experience.
In fact many veterans and retirees have seen their
personal cost of living increase over the last year,
which leads to another source of irritation specific to
this year’s COLA – skipping a year.
If this was a normal inflationary cycle the COLA
for 2011 would have been determined by comparing
the CPI for 2010 to 2009. But this year, the baseline for determining the 2010 rate of inflation is the
2008 CPI. This is because 2008 was the last year that
there was a positive inflation rate. The comparison
between the 2008 and 2010 CPIs (a negative 0.6 percent) obviously doesn’t factor in the actual increased
inflation rate between 2009 and 2010, which is a
positive rate of approximately 1.3 percent.
Note: The formula for determining COLA is set
by law, not policy; this means it would literally take
an act of Congress to change it, which is highly unlikely with Congress out of town and unlikely to take
it up before the end of the year.
There may be hope for 2012 for those who count on
the annual COLA increase; Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, recently stated that he believes
the current inflation rate is “too low” and he hinted
that the Fed may take steps to increase the rate of
inflation in 2011. This news coupled with the inflationary trends in the CPI for 2010, sets the stage for
a likely COLA increase in 2012.
More Retiree COLA Details:
COLA is applied to a retiree’s monthly pay
based on their enlistment date and their retirement date. Those who entered service on or
after Sept. 8, 1980 receive a prorated COLA
during the first full calendar year of retirement
based on the date they actually retired the previous year. COLA for subsequent years is not
prorated.
Retirees who entered military service on or
after Aug. 1, 1986, and elected to receive a Career Status Bonus at 15 years of active service
will also have their COLA prorated in the first
year and they will receive a reduced COLA (minus one percent). For example, if the COLA increase for a given year is five percent than this
group of retirees will get only four percent.
Source: DFAS
Career Expo Program Enters Third Year
Military.com & NCOA – Leading the Way
By Cliff “Scoop” Davis
NCOA Executive Director
As the second year of NCOA’s partnership with Military.com in holding Career
Expos around the country comes to a
close we are very proud of the program’s
growth and see 2011 as a banner year for
our combined expo program.
Recently we held a roundtable with many
of our top company recruiters to formulate a 2011 Career Expo plan on where to
hold our events. What is printed in this
publication is a dynamic Career Expo
program that combines events at or very
near major military installations and other events at major U.S. cities like Miami,
New Orleans, Boston and Houston to
name a few. This variety in our program
is a positive move to making our events
available to more military, veterans and
spouses around the country.
We have also increased our schedule
to 40 events that will of course bring additional work to our staff, but we know
that the rewards for having the very best
Career Expo Program in America taking care of our men and women who are
serving or have served and their spouses
is definitely worth the extra effort.
You can also help! As NCOA members
we could use your help at these locations.
If a chapter wants to make it a project, or
if you are a member and can assist the
Career Expo program at any of the events
listed in this magazine, I ask you to send
me an email to [email protected] and
let me know which event you could assist with and I will send you back all the
details on how you can help. Let’s make
this an NCOA nationwide effort! Please
remember Chapter officials, the event do
not have to be at your base to make it a
project for your chapter to assist with.
I also encourage everyone to visit our
Expo site on military.com at www.military.com/career-expo. The new schedule
will be posted there after December 1.
Finally, if you are not already a member of Military.com I encourage you to
register at their site at www.military.
com – this is totally free and they have
been a very great supporter and partner
of NCOA for many years!
Military.com & NCOA 2011 Career Expo Schedule
Editor’s Note: All 2011 Career Expo information can be viewed at www.miltiary.com/career-expo/
by December 1, 2010
January
Thursday, January 13
Ft. Walton Beach, FL
92 Sunset Lane
Shalimar, FL 32579
Tuesday, January 25
Miami, FL
Sheraton Ft. Lauderdale Airport
1825 Griffin Road
Dania, FL 33004
Tuesday, February 15
Moody AFB, GA
Co-located Club, Bldg. 901
4521 George St.
Moody AFB, GA 31699
Thursday, February 17
Patrick AFB, FL
International Palms Resort & Conference Center
1300 N. Atlantic Ave
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
February
Tuesday, February 1
New Orleans, LA
6401 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Metairie, Louisiana, 70003
March
Tuesday, March 8
Pendleton, CA
South Mesa Club
202850 San Jacinto Rd
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Gulfport, MS
Courtyard by Marriott at Gulfport Beachfront
1600 E Beach Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
Thursday, March 10
Yuma, AZ
Sonoran Pueblo Club, Bldg. 1200
Yuma, AZ 85369
New River, Jacksonville, NC
Officers Club
Bldg AS 710
New River, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Tuesday, March 29
Boston, MA
IBEW Local 103
256 Freeport St
Dorchester, MA 02122
Military.com & NCOA 2011 Career Expo Schedule (Continued)
Thursday, March 31
Fort Hamilton
Brooklyn, NY
April
Tuesday, April 5
Newport News, VA
Omni Newport News Hotel
1000 Omni Blvd
Newport News, VA 23606
Thursday, April 7
Norfolk, VA
Hilton Norfolk Airport
1500 North Military Highway
Norfolk, VA 23502
Tuesday, April 12
Woodbridge, VA
13200 Marina Way
Woodbridge, VA 22191
Tuesday, April 19
Ft. Hood, TX
Club Hood Bldg. 5764
24th St. & Wainwright Dr.
Ft. Hood, TX 76544
May
Tuesday, May 3
Philadelphia, PA
Holiday Inn
2175 Marlton Pike
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Thursday, May 5
Baltimore, MD
Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport Hotel
7032 Elm Rd
Baltimore, MD 21240
Tuesday, May 17
Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville, NC
Officers Club Bldg 1-4930
Armistead and Totten St
Ft. Bragg, NC 28310
Thursday, May 19
*Raleigh, NC
Tuesday, May 24
Peterson AFB
The Club at Peterson
260 Glasgow, Bldg. 1013
Peterson AFB, CO 80914
June
Tuesday, June 7
Houston, TX
Houston Marriott N at Greenspoint
255 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E
Houston, TX 77060
Thursday, June 9
San Antonio, TX
Norris Conference Center
4522 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
Tuesday, June 14
Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Hope Hotel & Conference Center
Bldg 823, Area A
Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433
July
Tuesday, July 12
Las Vegas, NV
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
129 E Fremont St
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Thursday, July 21
Ft. Huachuca, AZ
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
2047 South Highway 92
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
August
Tuesday, August 2
West Point, NY
Thayer Hotel
674 Thayer Rd.
West Point, NY 10996
Tuesday, August 9
Hill AFB, UT
Davis Conference Center
1651 North 700 West
Layton, UT 84041
Military.com & NCOA 2011 Career Expo Schedule (Continued)
Tuesday, August 16
Newport News, VA
Omni Newport News Hotel
1000 Omni Blvd
Newport News, VA 23606
Tuesday, October 18
Huntsville, AL
Four Points by Sheraton Huntsville Airport
1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd
Huntsville, AL 35824
Thursday, August 18
Norfolk, VA
Hilton Norfolk Airport
1500 North Military Highway
Norfolk, VA 23502
** Chicago, IL
November
Tuesday, November 8
San Francisco, CA
USS Hornet
707 W. Hornet Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501
September
Tuesday, September 13
Ft. Hood, TX
Club Hood Bldg. 5764
24th St. & Wainwright Dr.
Ft. Hood, TX 76544
Tuesday, September 20
Tampa, FL
Wyndham Tampa Westshore
700 N. Westshore Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
Thursday, September 22
Patrick AFB, FL
International Palms Resort & Conference Center
1300 n Atlantic Ave
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Tuesday, November 15
San Antonio, TX
Norris Conference Center
4522 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
Thursday, November 17
Houston, TX
Houston Marriott N at Greenspoint
255 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E
Houston, TX 77060
*Awaiting location information
** Awaiting Date and location information
Note: All final information will be posted at
www.military.com/career-expo/
October
Wednesday, October 5
Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville, NC
Officers Club Bldg 1-4930
Armistead and Totten St
Ft. Bragg, NC 28310
Thursday, October 6
Raleigh, NC
Four Points Sheraton Raleigh Durham Airport
1200 Claren Cir
Morrisville, NC 27560
Participants at NCOA/Military.com Career Expos have an opportunity
to discuss their qualifications with potential employers.
RECOGNITION AND REMEMBRANCE
H
27 WWII Veterans ‘Remembered’
at Eglin AFB in Florida
By Samuel King Jr.
Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -Senior Master Sgt. Arthur Sizemore
was one of five brothers who served
in the U.S. armed forces during World
War II and beyond.
He and 26 other veterans were awarded Patriot Medallions of Honor and Remembrance by the Non Commissioned
Officer Association Sept. 30 at the Air
Force Enlisted Village.
“This ceremony was designed to
help our fellow Americans understand
freedom is not free and many brave
men and women changed their very
life in order to keep this country free,”
said Chief Master Sgt. Mac McVicar,
NCOA chapter president. “These men
and women here today are the reason
we live the American dream.”
Base leadership attended the event,
both officer and enlisted. They sat
among the veterans during lunch and
swapped stories and related to life in
the military, then and now.
Among them was Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis, Air Armament Center commander,
who also spoke prior to the medallion
presentations.
“To say you are the ‘greatest generation’ is truly an understatement,” said
the general. “We are honored to recognize you here today.”
The general spoke about the opportunities in today’s military made available
Sue Lell, a Navy Waves veteran from 1944-46, receives an NCOA
Patriot Medallion of Honor and Remembrance during a ceremony
Sept. 30 at the Air Force Enlisted Village. She worked in mail room
decryption. Also pictured, former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force,
James Binnicker and Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis, Air Armament Center
commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)
by the sacrifices of those who came before.
The general and former Chief Master
Sgt. of the Air Force, James Binnicker,
presented the medallions and took photos with each of the veterans.
“It was terrific, a real honor,” said retired Sergeant Sizemore, on receiving
his medallion.
This was the first medallion presentation held at village by the NCOA, but
more are planned for the future.
“(The veterans) goal was simply to
keep our country free at any cost and
for that we say thank you, job well
done,” said Chief McVicar.
Veterans at the Bob Hope Village received NCOA Patriot Medallions of Honor and Remembrance during a ceremony Sept.
30 at the Air Force Enlisted Village. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Samuel King Jr.)
Richard Butt, Army Air Corps and Air Force from 1942-63, receives
an NCOA Patriot Medallion of Honor and Remembrance during a
ceremony Sept. 30 at the Air Force Enlisted Village. Also pictured,
former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James Binnicker and Maj.
Gen. C.R. Davis, Air Armament Center commander. (U.S. Air Force
photo by Samuel King Jr.)
Special WWII Remembrance Program
Held in Panama City
At a special NCOA WWII Remembrance Medallion Ceremony recently
held at the Majestic Beach Resort in
Panama City 12 WWII Veterans proudly
accepted special recognition for their efforts years ago.
In 2004 NCOA started this special effort called the World War Two Remembrance Program and according to NCOA
representative CSM (Ret) Tom Donohue
this was the first presentation of the Medallions in the Panama City area.
“We were not only excited to honor
these 12 special WWII veterans, but also
that we had BGen James Browne, 325th
Fighter Wing Commander, and Commander Jessica Pfefferkorn, NSA PC
Commander, as the Presiding Officials
for the event,” said Donohue.
Donohue hopes to have similar cer-
emonies in the future because he said,
“the veterans can never be repaid for
answering the call to service. Had they
not answered the call so many years ago,
I don’t think we’d be living like we are
now, we wouldn’t have these freedoms,”
Donohue said. “And people in Europe
and other parts of the world wouldn’t
have the freedom they have today.”
One of the recipients, Army Air Corps
pilot Ralph Easterling said he helped
support General Douglas McArthur’s
triumphant return to the Philippines. “It
just feels kind of out of place to be honored for doing what you felt like ought
to be done,” Easterling said. “A lot of us
didn’t survive, and I lost a lot of friends,
but that’s the way it was.”
Easterling’s grandson, 2nd Lt. Noah
Fisher, is a student at Tyndall Air Force
Base. He said he’s been looking up to his
grandfather for years. “He was 21 years
old coming back from the Pacific Theater
- and that’s a pretty amazing thing,” Fisher said. “He’d done 120 combat missions
by the time he was 21, very brave.”
As for how he plans to pursue his military career as his grandfather looks on?
“Yeah,” Fisher said, acknowledging the
long shadow, “I’m just trying not to let
him down.”
“This special recognition that NCOA is
providing to our WWII veterans is very
special and I feel honored being the Association’s representative in the Panama
City area. The looks on not only the veterans faces, but also the family members
definitely told me that NCOA was once
again leading the way and doing the right
thing for our military,” Donohue ended.
Photos, story and graphics courtesy of 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, FL.
WWII Veteran Joseph Limberg , center proudly wears his new
NCOA Medallion that was presented to him by BGen James
Brown, left, and Commander Jessica Pfefferkorn. To the right
is NCOA representative CSM (Ret) Tom Donohue who organized the entire event. Limberg served in the U.S. Army Air
Force as a First Lieutenant.
WWII Medallion recipients applaud during the
special ceremony in Panama City at the Majestic
Beach Resort.
BGen James Brown, left, shakes hands with WWII Medallion
recipient Ralph Easterling while being applauded for his
service by Commander Jessica Pfefferkorn. To the right is
NCOA representative CSM (Ret) Tom Donohue who organized the entire event. Easterling served in the U.S. Air Force
as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Two NCOA chapters combine to Host
NCOA WWII Legacy Event in Oregon
Chapters combine their efforts to present
Legacy Medallions to 19 World War II veterans
At the Homewoods on the Willamette, a combined Retirement
Home, Assisted Living Center and
Nursing Home, two NCOA Chapters
joined forces to host an NCOA World
War II Legacy Award event. The event
was put together by Jerry Zoebisch of
the Air Academy Chapter and Barbara
Weatherill of the Trails End Chapter.
The respective chapters then combined
their efforts to present Legacy Medallions to 19 World War II veterans who
either reside at Homewoods or who
were family members of Homewoods
residents.
Due to health issues, only 14 of the
recipients actually participated in the
event, but all 19 veterans or surviving
family members were presented with
the Legacy Medallions.
Zoebisch presided as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Boy Scouts from
Troop 259, posted the colors to start
the proceedings. Later in the program,
members of Troop 259 presented a
Flag Folding Ceremony for the benefit
of all in attendance. In addition, individual scouts presented medallions
to those veterans, or surviving family
members who had no family members
attending.
USMC Lance Corporal Daniel Thornton, a former member of Troop 259
and currently attending the University
of Oregon on a Marine Corps scholarship, acted as Color Sergeant for the
presentation of the colors.
Following the presentations of medallions to the veterans, all in attendance
paused to pay tribute and toast service
members who were either Prisoners
of War or those who were Missing in
Action and never recovered. This was
particularly poignant to Mrs. Sybil
Redwine, who received a medallion
in memory of her brother, Wayne T.
Shirey, a First Lieutenant in the Army
Air Corps. Lt. Shirey was a member
of an aircrew that went missing in the
South Pacific in 1944.
The veterans who received the Medallions ranged in age from 84 to 99.
While most of those being honored
had served in the Navy, there were also
honorees that were Army or Army Air
Corps veterans and one Marine Corps
veteran. Four of the veterans honored
were women: one was a Marine who
served in California, one had served
in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in England, one served as a Navy Nurse on
an Armed Transport moving troops
to and from combat areas in both the
Pacific and European War Theaters,
while the fourth served in the Women’s
Army Corps staff attached to the Supreme Headquarters of Allied Forces
in Europe.
At the close of the event, Jennifer Peterson, representing the Homewoods
Staff, presented a celebration cake,
honoring the recipients.
The Scouts of Troop 259 present the flag to be folded in
the Flag Folding Ceremony.
Herman Meyer, a 99-Year-old WWII veteran was presented a Legacy Medallion by
his son, Assistant Scout Master Paul Meyer.
Chapters host NCOA WWII Legacy Event
The 14 Veterans after their introduction to the attendees. From Left to
right, Delores Auld – US Navy Nurse; June Bertch accepting for her
deceased husband, John – US Army; Carl Brock – US Navy, Ellen Edgerton – US Army WAC; Marion Gent accepting for her deceased husband
Robert – US Army; Bernice Hawkins accepting for her deceased husband,
Charles – US Navy; Gerald Hildebran – US Army; Bertell Mason – US
Navy; Herman Meyer – US Army Air Corps; Mrs. Esther Classen accepting for her deceased husband, Verlyn Olsen – US Navy; Charles Petersen
– US Navy; Sybil Redwine accepting for her deceased brother, Wayne
Shirey – US Army Air Corps; Loretta Thuman accepting for her deceased
husband Bruce – US Army; and Marian Zoebisch accepting for her deceased husband Albert – US Navy.
The event was conceived when Zoebisch
was visiting Homewoods in October of
2009, helping his siblings celebrate their
mother’s 90th birthday. Zoebisch who
serves as Chapter Secretary for the Air
Academy Chapter in Colorado Springs,
CO, met several WWII veterans at the
birthday party thrown for his mother by
Homewoods. He later contacted the staff
of Homewoods and suggested putting on
a recognition ceremony for the WWII
veterans residing at Homewoods.
Since the inception of the NCOA Legacy Medallion Award, the Air Academy
Chapter has conducted more than 25 Medallion presentation ceremonies. Members of the chapter have honored nearly
250 WWII veterans since their first effort at such a recognition program on
the 7th of December 2004. Events have
Mrs. Sybil Redwine holds a picture of her brother,
Lt. Wayne Shirey, who was lost in the South Pacific in
1944. Mrs. Redwine was presented the Legacy Award
Medallion, in honor of her deceased brother, by her
Vietnam Veteran son.
been conducted in conjunction with military unit reunions, the Air Force Nurses’
National Convention in 2008, at regular
meetings of organizations such as the
Ex-POW’s and Korean War Veterans Association, a Jewish War Veterans group,
at banquet venues and in a retirement
home in Colorado Springs.
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Lance Corporal Daniel Thornton and Jerry Zoebisch in front of the POW/MIA table following the
event.
Providing Professional
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Families
What the Warrior Ethos
Means To Me
Editor’s Note: The following essay on the Warrior Ethos was written by 1SG Erich Muehleisen
from the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion from Riverdale, MD. First Sergeant Muehleisen penned this
piece while attending the First Sergeant Course at Fort McCoy, WI and our Editorial Committee
felt it deserved to be printed in our NCOA Journal. We thank First Sergeant Muehleisen for putting into words what is felt daily by our men and women who travel to far off lands, for extended
periods of time, over and over again so we “Can Sleep Well At Night!”
Gazing into my wife’s
tear-filled eyes, I saw
what it really meant to be
a Warrior.
On July 15, 2007, I stood before
my wife with my M-4, body armor
and helmet waiting in the legendary
hanger of Green Ramp, watching
my Battalion begin the measured
procession to the awaiting C17.
I had only but a moment to reflect
on my life, as I watched my wife
struggle to hold back tears. Here I
was on my third tour. I had been to
Afghanistan twice within the last
5 years and now headed to Iraq in
support of President Bush’s surge.
While this was nothing new to me,
considering the operational tempo
of two conflicts in the Middle East,
this was completely new to her. I
had been a single Soldier the previous tours keeping my immediate
family isolated from experiencing
any close connection to my arrival and departure, but this time I
couldn’t prevent my wife (my new
family) from being a part of this
moment.
In slow motion, I looked across
the sea of men and women in ACUs
hugging their families, telling them
“I’ll be home soon.” I saw something new as I gazed back to my
wife’s tear filled eyes; I saw what
it really meant to be a Warrior. As
men and women in uniform, we
are expected to live our lives by the
Warrior Ethos. The methodology is
drilled into our heads to be applied
not only when we in uniform but in
our daily lives. However, it is our
families who truly live it when we
deploy.
I Will Always Place the Mission
First - From the moment I told my
wife I was leaving her for a year,
she understood she now had a new
mission. Her mission was to support me 100 percent. She knew she
had to be an unwavering strength;
stronger than she had ever to be; so
that I could do my mission without
the stresses of the home front. She
accepted this new mission and the
all the newly added responsibilities. She also helped out the new
wives, husbands, girlfriends and
boyfriends of our unit’s junior soldiers, when they were in need. At
times, this new responsibility for
her was extremely difficult, counseling financial issues, deaths in
the family, depression, and the ever
so dreaded stories of infidelity. She
handled each problem with courage and confidence giving sound
advice, the best she could.
I Will Never Accept Defeat - I’m
sure I was not making her life any
easier with the constant information black outs and the lack of
communication from maintaining
a strong “in the ready” deployment
attitude. Sometimes the news of a
Soldier’s death would reach her be-
fore I had a chance to console her
but she drove on during the black
outs, not knowing the truth until
I would call. I can only imagine
how a deployment would drive our
loved ones to just throw up their
hands and say, “That’s it! I’m done
with this!” but they push on waiting
to feel us in their arms once again.
But never once did she ever show
frustration.
I Will Never Quit - It is in their
support that soldiers and spouses
spend many a day imagining what
life is like for the other during a deployment. Doing everything in our
power to show them we care, even
if to connect for only a brief moment.
I Will Never Leave a fallen Comrade - In the end we understand
one major principal, that our families though miles apart, never truly
leave our side: Our families are our
backbones, our support, and our
reason why we defend our Country.
Although not formally trained or
taught about the Army Warrior
Ethos, my wife, our families know
to live this way of life so we can
hold them in our arms once again
and say, “I am home. Everything is
alright.”
Air Academy Chapter:
An Active Asset
To Colorado Springs
Community
By Ashley Gardner
Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains is the town of Colorado Springs,
a bustling and quickly expanding city
extremely supportive of military personnel. Connected to a network of Air
Force bases and Army posts lies the
NCOA Air Academy Chapter, whose
members have sworn their dedication
to the enhancement and support of the
lives of all noncommissioned and petty
officers of the Armed Forces. The Air
Academy Chapter, consisting of more
than 550 members, was established on
the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA)
in 1971.
The chapter has worked to provide a
variety of benefits and services for
active duty and retired service members and their families in an area that
extends from the surrounding locations of Peterson and Schriever Air
Force Bases to Cheyenne Mountain
Air Station, as well as the local area.
Air Academy Chapter History
In September of 1969, Senior Master
Sergeant Ben Benzel became a member of NCOA. As an active member,
Benzel became recognized as a chapter counselor. On September 13, 1971,
he founded the Air Academy Chapter,
designated by NCOA Headquarters as
Chapter #300. After retiring from the
military
in
1973, Benzel
continued
as an active
participant,
starting eighteen other
chapters in
eighteen
months. He
was also a
recognized
member
of the In-
ternational Rat Pack, a Knight of the
Square Table, and from 1972 to 1975,
served as a member of the International Board of Directors. In the early
1980s, Benzel was able to contribute
even more to Chapter 300’s success by
negotiating use of an abandoned house
on the Academy grounds for use as a
chapter-leased clubhouse.
Benzel played a prestigious part in
the Non Commissioned Officers Association. In his nearly forty years as
an NCOA member, he was a leader
expanding on a frontier dedicated to
serving others. He served as a valued associate in various activities
and committees such as the Southern
Colorado Air Force Retiree Council
and The Retired Enlisted Association.
He was the recipient of NCOA President’s Counselor of the Year Award,
the Award of Honor, and achieved his
highest ranking as a Grand Knight in
1991 and 1992.
Benzel passed on February 20, 2008
but his memory will never fade. At
this year’s past NCOA convention in
Las Vegas, Ben Benzel was honored
with his induction into the NCOA Hall
of Fame.
Chapter members gather with a variety of mascots at
the Sky Sox Baseball game in Colorado Springs.
Chapter member Cal Hamilton Jr., takes time out from selling seat Chapter member’s children carry the NCOA banner in front of the
backs at an Air Academy football game to give a thumbs up with
chapter’s float in the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade.
the Academy’s mascot “The Bird”.
The Chapter Today
the chapter have assisted at events by for redistribution to overseas military
Since the establishment of the Air keeping time, recording and determin- personnel. Members set up an inforAcademy Chapter, members have been ing scores, placement of competitors, mation table at Retiree Appreciation
committed to serving and helping oth- and handing out medals and awards at Days, monthly base information fairs
ers in the military community and
and NCOA Career Expos. A chapsurrounding area. In serving our
ter representative visits numerous
Armed Forces, the chapter works
high schools each year to recognize
year round to volunteer, funddeserving students via the Junior
raise, and participate in charitable
ROTC program. Dedicated chapand community events.
ter volunteers and friends from the
Air Academy Chapter members
local community meet monthly at
are dedicated to helping more
the chapter clubhouse with sewthan just the military and feel
ing machines in hand to make
serving the community is an imquilts donated to wounded warriors
WWII Veterans at a recent event held by the Chapter.
portant aspect of the life and spirit
through the Quilts of Valor Founof the chapter. Volunteer activities,
dation. Chapter members have also
such as, the Colorado Springs Parade the conclusion of the games. This an- prepared and served a meal to more
of Lights, local Veteran’s Day Parade, nual tradition began with building and than 100 family members of deployed
Springs Spree Festival, Seven Falls transporting the cauldron used to start Airmen at a monthly base gathering.
Illumination and statewide participa- the games to and from the Olympics Along with providing services to detion in support of the Special Olym- locations and eventually developed ployed and wounded warriors, the
pics keep chapter members busy year into a greater participation and aware- chapter frequently participates in cerround. In both the winter and sum- ness of the games. Along with these emonies honoring the service of vetermer Special Olympics, members of community events, the chapter is ac- ans from World War II.
tive in other activities.
The Chapter has made serving
active and retired service personnel an important aspect of their
promise to enhance the lives
of military people. The chapter
members seek to offer assistance
to those in need by gathering
monthly collections of household
necessities and toiletries for a local vet transition house, donating
pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald
House and collecting coupons Lyle Hagleberg and Pepper Beasley work an NCOA
Jason Porter tosses a horseshoe at a chapter
picnic at their clubhouse.
membership information table.
Earlier this year,
membership and local civilthe chapter demonian and military communistrated their support
ties donate their time and
for World War II vetefforts selling seatbacks and
erans by sponsoring
game programs to spectaa veteran on a Rocky
tors. The games are also a
Mountain
Honor
great time for camaraderie,
Flight. Along with
enjoying a chapter-provided
this
contribution,
meal, and of course, cheering
the chapter chair- Lauren Hines shows off a
on our Air Force Falcons. At
block during the monthly
man and a chapter quilt
the conclusion of the football
chapter get-together for Quilts
member were part of Valor.
season, the chapter is able to
of a volunteer team
take away a sum of money
who escorted 68 veterans from the that is then donated to a variety of
Rocky Mountain region to visit the missions that support or enhance the
WWII Memorial in Washington DC. life of service members and other milIn the Colorado Springs community, itary-related community projects.
the chapter demonstrates their own
As an active asset to the community,
support of WWII veterans by peri- chapter members intend to participate
odically organizing and hosting an in other local activities in the Colorado
NCOA Legacy Award ceremony. This Springs area this year. In November,
remembrance ceremony honors those the chapter will come together for the
who served during World War II by annual Veteran’s day Parade.
personally thanking them for their
Every year, much of the Colorado
service. The next scheduled World Springs community will either particiWar II remembrance ceremony will pate in or observes the parade to show
be held later this year. Approximately their respects and support for those
40 WWII veterans or surviving family who serve their country. The chapter
members will be honored in a banquet will enter a float to express pride for
setting. They will be treated to a pro- the United States military and repregram that includes events put on by sent the Non Commissioned Officers
the Navy Junior
Association.
ROTC from a loAs the holiday
cal high school
season approachand local World
es, the chapter
War II re-enactor
will head out into
groups, as well
the cold donning
as being presentwinter coats in
ed a medallion
support of the
and individually
annual Festival
honored for their
of Lights parade
service during
and the Holiday
WWII.
Lighting of Seven
At this time
Falls. In the holiof year, extendday parade, the
ing from early
chapter will orgaChapter members, Jason Porter, left, and Marvin
September to the Weaver, right, hold the dedicated Ben Benzel stone nize the floats and
crisp, cold days in front of Benzel’s widow Bettie Jo.
ensure all entries
of November, the
are in the posichapter is kept busy with their annual tions assigned as well as prepared for
fundraiser. Rain or shine, snow or blue the parade. At Seven Falls, the chapskies, six Saturdays are spent at the ter will be directing traffic towards the
Air Force football games working as waterfall and light show and collectvendors. Volunteers from the chapter ing donations for Christmas Unlim24 • NCOA ONLINE JOURNAL
Linda Valinho, left, and Amber Thompson, right,
hold up the chapter’s very first Quilt for Valor.
Above: Chapter members serve a free meal at
Peterson AFB for families of deployed troops.
ited, a local charity to provide needy
families with children’s presents for
the holiday season.
The Air Academy Chapter of the
NCOA is one of many organizations
that support and serve the United
States military. By
involving themselves in volunteer activities in
the community,
providing assistance and serRight: Marv Weaver
prepares the food
at Peterson AFB for
families of deployed
troops.
vices to needy families and servicemen, and giving of themselves to their
community, ‘Chapter 300’ displays
the “strength in unity” that all NCOA
chapters strive to represent. And with
such an active membership of caring
individuals with a common concern
for the retired and active service members, an entire community has come
together to offer support and a better
life for all individuals.
“Friend” of Association Bestows Money To NCOA
NCOA would like to take the time
to recognize a true friend of the Association. World War II veteran Thomas
Wesley Mason was born in 1911 in Philomath, Oregon. He considered himself
a true son of Oregon since his family arrived in Oregon before it became a state
in 1859.
In 1931 he enlisted in the U.S. Army
and began his military career with the
9th Field Artillery at Fort Lewis, WA.
He spent 3 years in Washington before
re-enlisting with the 15th Infantry Regiment in Tiensin, China. He returned to
the United States in 1936 and served
with the 4th Infantry at Fort Missoula,
MT. Following a short tour with the
Army Air Corps in San Francisco, he
went on to serve with the 4th Coastal
Artillery in the Panama Canal Zone until 1939. During World War II, he served
with the Western Defense Command in
San Francisco and with the 18th Coastal
Artillery in the Harbor Defenses of the
Columbia during which time he was a
sergeant first class. On November 12,
1942, he received his warrant as a warrant officer.
In 1942, he and his fiancée Frances
were the first couple to be married in the
new post chapel of Fort Stevens Harbor
Defenses of the Columbia. The couple
had no children.
After World War II, he served with
the Army of Occupation in Japan from
1946 until 1948. From 1948 until 1950,
he served with the 14th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO. He then joined
the 3rd Infantry Division after it arrived
in Korea in 1950 serving as the assistant
division transportation officer until late
1951. In December 1950 he played an
important role in evacuation operations
at the port of Hungnam and received the
Bronze Star for his service.
He finished his Army career at Fort
Benning, GA. His military career
spanned 23 years and he retired in 1954
with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer
4. After his retirement from the Army,
he returned to Oregon where he was a
stump farmer and raised livestock. He
also served as a mail delivery man.
Mr. Mason died on September 4,
2009. He was preceded in death by his
wife Frances in 1983 and outlived all his
family except one nephew. However,
he leaves behind many young admirers
that he touched through his membership in several military professional organizations. He endowed scholarships
for soldiers’ family members through
the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division
and made generous gifts to many other
charities throughout Oregon.
The NCOA was also a beneficiary of
Mr. Mason’s amazing generosity. We
learned in August that Mr. Mason bequeathed a sizeable amount of money to
the NCOA Scholarship Fund. NCOA is
grateful to Mr. Mason and urges everyone to keep our nation’s future in mind
when making their final arrangements.
Donations
Scholarship Fund
Paul Boothe, William Brown, Julio Burgos, Edward Burkart,Mr. & Mrs. Don Dean (Ben Benzel Distinguished Scholarship
Fund), Raymond Fowler, Azucena Klein, The Estate of Thomas Wesley Mason, NCOA Knights of the Square Table and
Dick Pischel
Chapters: Central Valley (in memory of Werner “Fred” Muller)
Medical Fund
Paul Boothe, Edward Burkart, Anne Fessler-Butts, Fernando Calvarese, Raymond Fowler, NCOA Knights of the Square
Table, Raphael Ogar and Chuck Petersen
Disaster Relief Fund
Paul Boothe, Edward Burkart, Raymond Fowler, Robert Fuller, Querida Hamilton, Richard Ho, Dennis Kenley, Christopher
Kinne, NCOA Knights of the Square Table, Chuck Petersen and Donald Truesdale
Membership
New Life Members
Drol Alarid, William Almas, Gary Anglin, Thomas Aranyos, Juan Arviso, Thomas Brennan, John Brinker, Wayne Forgie,
Alvin Galloway, Luis Ganaway, Wayne Gatewood, Patricia Harshman, Masatoshi Hayashida, Karen Eseltine Higgins, Donald
Hutchinson, Paul Lagojda, Barton Lanning, Ralph Martin, Ernest Miller, Lillian Miller, Stephen Mularchuk, William Scalf,
Robert Schwartz, John Shade, James Smith, Thomas Sparlin, Sydney Staton, Ronald Washington, Max Withrow, Paul Wood,
Fred Worcester, Franklin Woznuicki and Ervin Wright
New Auxiliary Life Members
Dianna Christy, Anne Fesler-Butts, Joseph Higgins, Jean Startzel and Rose Weeks
Re-Affirmation of Life Membership
Richard L. Steinberg
N OW AVA I L A B L E
The Official NCOA Cover
Current Authorized NCOA
Uniform Garrison Cap
$40.00 (includes shipping - US & APO’s)
(Additional charge for each letter added to cap ( .85 for each additional letter)
Chapters or Members wishing to order the Official NCOA Cover
may do so by contacting:
Larry M. Hebdon
Pocatello Chapter Chairman
P.O. Box 756
Pocatello, ID 83204-056
Cell: (208) 221-2071
E-mail: [email protected]
The covers cost $40 a piece which includes shipping and handling and comes
with the NCOA logo on one side and the Chapter number.
Dragon Hill Chapter in Korea
Hosts Bowling Tournament
In September the NCOA Dragon Hill
Chapter hosted their Annual Korean
American Friendship Bowling Tournament at Yongsan Lanes in Seoul
Korea and raises more than $1,000.
According to Joe Terry, Dragon hill
Chapter Chairman, this Annual event
serves as a team building event for the
U.S. Forces members and the Korean
Community. “In addition, we use the
tournament as a fund raiser to support
Our Local Good Neighbor and Schol-
arship Programs,” Terry added..
After the 72 bowlers rolled their
three games apiece, there was a banquet and prizes and gifts were presented to the top 3 teams and overall
high-score for both men and woman.
Prize drawings were also conducted
throughout the event with the Grand
Prize being a one night stay for two at
the Seoul Grand Hyatt. Others prizes
were provided by Nike, Coca Cola,
BMW and many others. A commem-
Inside the Yongsan Bowling Center, NCOA Dragon
Hill Chapter Chairman CSM (Ret) Joe Terry and
Jae Kim, the Korea Senior Bowling Federation
Committee Chairman, join together for a photo
opportunity.
orative pen was presented to each of
the participants.
“Through events similar to this, the
Dragon Hill Chapter members are
not only supporting great charities,
but also leading the way in fostering American-Korean relationships,”
said Terry. “Thanks to our dedicated
NCOA members here our Association is leading the way in Korea.”
NCOA Dragon Hill Chapter Chairman, CSM (Ret) Joe Terry, right,
takes time for a photo with the first place team members, from L-R:
Park Ji Song, Seo-Soon Bok and Willy Decook. Please notice the very
nice goodie bags they are toting!
All the bowlers and NCOA Dragon Hill Chapter members gather on the Yongsan Lanes for a group photo.
Budget Better
Welcome to the modern-day version of the envelope system.
Courtesy of USAA
What’s the gotta-do-it first step on
the pathway toward financial freedom? Creating a budget. That may
sound intimidating, but forget about
poring over piles of statements and
receipts. USAA® Money Manager
makes the process painless. Just log
on to usaa.com and visit My Accounts. The work is already done for
you, with a prefilled budget based
on your spending habits that you can
customize easily to fit your needs.
• Get the big picture. “You can’t
change what you don’t understand
or see,” says Jeff Easley, executive
director of Deposits at USAA Bank.
With USAA Money Manager, you
can view your checking, savings,
credit card, 401(k), loan and investment accounts in one place. So it only
takes a glance to understand what you
have, where it’s going and whether
you need to make changes.
• Stick to a plan. Set spending targets for categories like groceries,
entertainment, shopping and housing. USAA Money Manager makes it
simple to track how you’re doing in
each category. You can
review your budget in seconds, with
color-coding that helps prevent overspending. Green means you’re good.
Yellow means slow down; you’re at or
near budget. Red means stop; you’re
over budget. Your personal money
management has never been easier.
Plan ahead for holiday savings.
Instead of splurging this year, give
something unexpected and meaningful.
• An author-autographed book is often no more expensive than a regular
copy.
• Frame a picture of a fun get-together for a friend, or a child’s colorful art
for grandparents.
• Plant paperwhite bulbs in a pretty
pot and adorn with a handmade tag.
1.5 million
the number of checks deposited via
USAA Deposit@Mobile® since the
app launched in August 2009. The
deposits total nearly $1 billion. The
USAA Mobile App is available for
qualified members* via iPhone® and
Android™ mobile devices. Download the free app for your phone at
the Apple® App StoreSM or Android
Market.
Don’t Get Scammed
You don’t have to be online to be a
victim of identity theft — but it helps.
As Internet use has grown, so have
opportunities for identity thieves.
USAA processes tens of millions
of transactions per day, from credit
card charges to ATM withdrawals to
logins at usaa.com. Protecting your
money from the bad guys is a top priority. (See “How USAA Protects You
Online,” below.) But fighting identity
theft requires both consumers and
financial institutions to be vigilant.
“It is a shared responsibility with our
members to effectively protect them
against fraud,” says USAA’s Tom
Shaw, vice president of Fraud & Anti-Money Laundering Management.
Identity theft can take over your life,
but it’s not inevitable. Scammers prey
on people who let private information
slip, so don’t give them an opening.
To minimize your chances of becoming a victim of online fraud, follow these tips:
• Build complex passwords with com-
binations of upper- and lowercase letters, special characters and numbers.
• Enter credit card information only
on sites that display an “https://” in
the address bar and a lock icon.
• Don’t click unfamiliar links or provide personal information in an email.
• Use well-known security programs,
such as those from Symantec or
McAfee.
• Keep your operating system and applications updated to improve security.
• Carefully monitor your credit card
and bank statements, as well as your
credit report.
• Shred, shred, shred.
• Remember, USAA will never ask
you for personal information, such
as your password, PIN or credit card
numbers, in an e-mail.
How USAA protects you Online.
When you’re on usaa.com, we require a password and PIN for all
USAA transactions and periodically
ask security questions. We also can
detect when someone accesses your
USAA accounts online. We take steps
to verify your identity when you call,
and by offering online documents, we
help reduce your exposure to fraud.
Forgot your password or PIN? We offer three secure ways you can receive
the information again — via e-mail,
via text or by answering online security questions. To choose, go to usaa.
com and search Security Preferences.
USAA is committed to protecting
your information, and we don’t give
other companies access to your information for their own marketing.
Tips to Take Control of Credit Card Debt
Courtesy of USAA
Many people may choose to ignore how much they are throwing away in credit card interest, and how long
it will actually take to pay off their debt. But committing yourself to getting out of debt can save you a lot of
money over time.
The following example shows how much you can save by increasing your monthly payments. Of course,
this assumes that you don’t rack up more debt along the way.
Paying Down Credit Card Debt
Monthly
Payment
Interest
Accrued
Time to
Pay it Off
Amount of Debt
Interest Rate
$10,000
12.0%
$10,000
12.0%
$200
65 months
(over 5 years)
$2,989.61
$10,000
12.0%
$500
22 months
(under 2 years)
$984.83
2 % of
360 months
outstanding (over 30 years)
balance
$9,696.43
Here are some tips to get your debt under control from USAA financial planner June Walbert :
1. Know How Much You’re Spending
Creating and sticking to a budget takes discipline, but it’s the best way to watch what you’re spending while setting
something aside for savings.
2. Stop Racking Up More Debt
Avoid charging more than you can pay off each month. Put the credit cards away if you have to.
3. Save for a Rainy Day
If you don’t have an emergency fund to cover at least three months of basic expenses, you should save money and pay
off your debt at the same time. By having cash on hand to pay for emergencies, such as car repairs or a job layoff, you’ll
be less likely to sink further into debt.
4. Consolidate to Lower Interest
Transfer your high-interest rate debt to a low-rate card. Look for low rates on the life of a balance transfer so you don’t
have to worry about playing the transfer game every year. Cut up the other cards and close the accounts. Check rates
on USAA’s credit cards.
USAA Can Help
USAA’s financial advisors can help you tackle debt and help you prepare for retirement, college, or whatever goal
you want to reach.
Walbert explains, “People wonder, ‘Should I stop contributing to my retirement plan to pay off my credit card debt?
Or should I pay down my mortgage or car loan?’ I help members develop a prioritized plan to pay off their debt.”
Walbert also stays in touch with our members and tracks their progress. “That causes many of them to think twice
about making purchases that will make their financial situation worse,” she says.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT MISSION?
Commissioning a new expeditionary warfare ship for the U.S. Navy. Designing the most accurate
targeting systems possible. Providing crucial communications support for military operations.
Achievements like these are the lifeblood of working with Northrop Grumman, and as a leader in
global security, we’re proud to employ thousands of our nation’s protectors who have made the
successful transition to civilian life. No one knows the value of what you can offer like we do, so if
you’re searching for a career as vast as your ambitions, now you know where to look. At Northrop
Grumman, you’ll help to develop the technologies that keep millions safe and test the limits of
what’s possible.
Achievement never ends.
To learn more about opportunities for transitioning military, please visit our website:
careers.northropgrumman.com/military
©2010 Northrop Grumman Corporation. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.
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