January/February 2014
ALSO INSIDE: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Authorization Act Remains in Doubt ACTIVE DUTY DOWNLOAD: Pay Raise - Just 1%?
Journal Uniformed Services
SEQUESTER ROUND 2
The Service Member’s Voice in Government
Some Relief, But Retirees Hit Hard
TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan Additional coverage that picks up where TRICARE leaves off For Retired Military and Active Duty Dependents
INSURANCE BENEFITS†
Affordable Group Rates 100% of Covered Excess Charges Paid Valuable Survivors’ Benefit Guaranteed Acceptance*
OTHER NONINSURANCE MEMBER BENEFITS Big Savings on Dental,
Vision and Hearing Care
Visit www.nebenefit.com/naus or call toll-free 1-866-694-NAUS (6287) for more information1 on these valuable member benefits.
Administrated and marketed by:
Endorsed by National Association for Uniformed Services
*
Subject to the preexisting conditions limitation. TRICARE Supplement products are underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, IA. 1 All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance Company (Cedar Rapids, IA) a Transamerica Company, detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. Coverage may not be available in all states. †
NAUS 2013 26133926
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES MISSION: Promote a strong national defense and protect the benefits earned through service and sacrifice in the uniformed services.
INSIDE 2 NAUS Mailbox
3 President’s Message:
Round 2, Some Sequester Relief...
January/February 2014 • Vol. 38 No. 1
4 NAUS USDR Chapter #1981
5 NAUS Board & Annual Meeting Recap
10 Legislative Update
16 Key Bills In Congress
19 NAUS Briefs: Healthcare News
21 NAUS Briefs: Veterans News 22 NAUS Briefs: NAUS News 24 Active Duty Download 27 NAUS Book Review:
28 NAUS 2014 Scholarship American Warrior
NAUS EXCOM Co-Chairman David Rudd represents NAUS at the Arlington Cemetery Wreath laying ceremony on Veterans Day 2013. As always, NAUS members take part in various Veterans Day events all over the country to honor our heroes.
ary 2014 January/Febru
ALSO INSIDE:ATE: Fiscal Year 2014 Defeonusbet
UPD s in D LEGISLATIVE thorization Act Remain Au ust 1%? Pay Raise - J DOWNLOAD: AC TIVE DUT Y
Journa
l
es ed Servic Uniform
SEQUESTER ROUND 2lief,
The Service
Member’s Voice
in Governme
nt
Some Re But Retirees Hit Hard
29 Health Today:
30 NAUS in the Field
Migraine Headaches
36 SMW News
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
RADM Donald P. Loren, USN (Ret), Co-Chair MCPO David Rudd, USN (Ret), Co-Chair Col Michael F. Harris, USAF (Ret), 1st Vice Chair Treasurer & Chair – Finance Committee Karl P. Karl, USA (Vet), 2nd Vice Chair - NAUS Secretary COL Janet Fraser Hale, USAR (Ret), 3rd Vice Chair Chair-Bylaws & Governance LTC Joe Sheehan, USA (Ret), EXCOM Member Chair-Legislative Affairs Col Thomas Warren Parker, USMC (Ret), EXCOM MemberChair-Membership & Development
DIRECTORS LCDR Francis Bertulfo, USPHS CSM Donna A. Brock, USA Mrs. Etta Brown - President, SMW COL Dan Dennison, USA (Ret) Col James F. Diehl, USAF (Ret) MCPO Paul Dillon, USN (Ret) LCDR Sarah L. Dunsford, NOAA MajGen Timothy F. Ghormley, USMC (Ret) CMDCM (SS) Riccardo Giberti, USN MCPO James E. Greer, USN (Ret) Sgt Brian J. Griffin, USAF (Ret) BGen John A. Hurley, USAFR (Ret) CMDCM (SS) Glen Kline, USN MajGen James Livingston, USMC (Ret) CAPT Robert C. Lloyd, Jr., USPHS LCDR Nicole M. Manning, NOAA SgtMajMarCorps Alford L. McMichael, USMC (Ret) CCMSgt Christopher E. Muncy, USAF Andy Plonski, USMC (Veteran) SgtMaj Frank E. Pulley, USMC (Ret) CSM Brett Rankert, USA (Ret) LtCol Nanci L. Visser, USMCR (Ret)
BOARD ADVISORS MajGen William P. Bowden, USAF (Ret) SGM Russell Cain, USA (Ret) - Historian, USDR LTG Carmen J. Cavezza, USA (Ret) MSG Howard J. Day, III, USA CSM Donald Devaney, USA (Ret) CAPT Thomas L. Doss, USPHS Col David A. Ellis, USAF (Ret) COL Otto Grummt, USA (Ret) - Co-Chair – Membership & Development Committee Morris Harvey, USNG (Vet) - President, AMMV BG George Landis, USA (Ret) LT Wendy Lewis, NOAA RADM Robert Merrilees, USCGR (Ret) SGM Anthony Nathe, USA (Ret) - President, USDR COL Charles Partridge, USA (Ret) CSM Sylvester L. Smith, USA (Ret) SMA Jack L. Tilley, USA (Ret) CWO-4 Gerald Walters, USA (Ret)
39 Seniors’ Corner 40 Contributors
42 Merchant Marine 43 Taps
FRONT COVER: In the new year we start what could be considered “Round 2” of the Sequester situation with some relief, but many others getting hit hard by the changes.
Uniformed Services Journal is published bimonthly by the National Association for Uniformed Services , 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151-4094; Tel. (703)750-1342, 1(800)842-3451; Fax (703)354-4380; email: naus@naus.org; website: www.NAUS.org. Postmaster: send address changes to Uniformed Services Journal • 5535 Hempstead Way Springfield, VA 22151-4094. ®
Subscription rates: Membership in NAUS includes a subscription to the USJ. For persons and organizations not eligible for membership: $25 per year in USA and its possessions; $30 per year to a foreign address. Single copy is $2.50.
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS CSM Ron Buatte, USA (Ret) – Region 1 - Northwest Col Al Stewart, USAF (Ret) – Region 2 - West MSgt Thomas Paolillo, USAF (Ret) – Region 3 - Central SMSgt Chuck Murphy, USAF (Ret) – Region 4 - Southwest LtCol Dick I. Brubaker, USAF (Ret) – Region 5 - North Central LTC Dennis Freytes, USA (Ret) – Region 6 - Southeast MCPO Paul Dillon, USN (Ret) – Region 7 - Northeast Col David A. Ellis, USAF (Ret) – Region 8 - Mid-Atlantic
I am pleased that NAUS honored the late COL Bud Day. The lessons of the Appeals Court should be carved into the walls of all veterans organizations. What they essentially said was that despite decades of published promises of free lifetime medical care for retirees, the government had no authority to make such a promise. It encouraged him to take it to Congress, and hence we have TRICARE For Life, which is not free, but better than most. Bud was a bulldog, and we will miss him as the bean counters try to whittle away at TRICARE For Life among other benefits. H. Nygren RADM, NOAA (Ret) Former 1st Vice Chairman, NAUS Board of Directors Lancaster, PA
MAILBOX
This profession is not a hobby or a part-time job. This is a commitment of service to this nation. People are killed, wounded, or permanently injured psychologically and physically. Please tell our leaders that creating new ways to turn their backs on our troops via budget cuts is the ultimate betrayal. J. Bradshaw MSG, USA (Ret) Round Mountain, TX
I salute NAUS for all you have done over the years. Please continue to stand and fight for us as we stood You guys are doing a great job keeping me in touch and fought for our beloved country. with all the stuff going on with Congress. Keep up F. Bauer the good work. Thank you! SFC, USA (Ret) F. Baranowski Sierra Vista, AZ MSG, USA (Ret) Clifford Township, PA Thank you for the beautiful address labels and your NAUS Staff is proud to Editor’s Note: The informative letter, General Klimp. I feel that NAUS has bring you this edition of your 2014 January/February Uniformed Services Journal. their priorities “straight.” Just keep plugging away on Happy New Year! 2014 has begun and hope all of you had our behalf. Thanks to all our NAUS representatives. a great end of 2013. As always we will bring you all the issues G. Garcia that concern you as most of them continue into this year and could be considered “Round 2” as our cover indicates. CMSgt, USAF (Ret) As always, we look forward to your letters, emails and Austin, TX calls. You can also send your feedback and opinions, to:
Stop selling the membership to other organizations. Also stop spending money on this ridiculous Social Security issue that you have been pushing. Anonymous comment Fall 2013 Membership Priorities Survey NAUS Note: NAUS does not sell or rent its membership
list to other organizations. For those few, carefully vetted and considered organizations that provide products and/or services to members at a discount as a membership benefit under contract with NAUS, we do occasionally share contact information for the marketing of such member benefits (with NAUS approval). Protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits is very important, especially for our older military retirees due to the connection between TRICARE For Life and Medicare Part B, as well as the fact that many of our retirees or their survivors depend in large part on Social Security for their continued well-being. 2
NAUS Mailbox, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 or to tcampbell@naus.org.* We hope you enjoy this edition of your 2014 January/February Uniformed Services Journal. – Tommy Campbell, Managing Editor, USJ
*(Include your hometown and daytime phone number. Due to space restrictions, not every entry can be published and those that are may be edited to fit.)
NAUS STAFF
President and CEO – LtGen Jack Klimp, USMC (Ret) Director of Administration – Mrs. Vicki C. Sumner
CFO/Director of Membership Services – Ms. Windora Bradburn, CPA Legislative Director/PAC – Rick Jones H
Deputy Legislative Director/Veterans Affairs – CTI1 Mike Plumer, USN (Ret) H Marketing Director – LCDR Steve Hein, USCG (Ret), CME Managing Editor, USJ – Tommy Campbell
Development & Marketing Associate – Mrs. Maggie Nayyar Director of Mail Operations – Mrs. Nadine Vranizan Membership Manager – Mrs. Toni Cimini
Accounting Associate – Mrs. Marina Pflieger H Registered Federal Lobbyists
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
A
President’s Message From e Desk Of:
LtGen Jack Klimp, USMC (Ret)
f But... Round 2, Some Sequester Relie
(R-CA) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), t press time, Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon ed Services Committees, and Sen. Chairmen of the House and Senate Arm th (D-WA) Ranking Members of the Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Rep. Adam Smi n ard with a National Defense Authorizatio Committees, unveiled a plan to move forw . stalled in the Senate since June Act (NDAA) for FY 2014. e bill has been This agreement in the prohibition on transfers of Gitmo e new compromise measure would reta ACs). passed by Congress new Base Realignments And Closures (BR detainees to the U.S., and would halt any and ult assa al ial counsels for victims of sexu hits military retirees On sexual assault, it includes creation of spec r ability to overturn jury thei of ders man com strip ld wou that under age 62 with rape as well as language ation ms nor rejects" the President's recommend convictions. On pay, the bill "neither affir n lower COLAs raise. And the measure rejects all administratio for a 1 percent across the board military pay beginning in 2016; set new ones (some good news). proposals to increase TRICARE fees or Services committees ed Arm the of bers mem key with k so much for NAUS continues its wor ain hopeful the controversial issues will be rem I ard. forw n latio legis cal criti this e to mov . grandfathering ed into law by the time you’re reading this resolved and you will see a defense bill sign of current retirees. nt that would partially restore some As this was happening, a budget agreeme n Rya l Pau Rep by ced estration was announ the drastic defense cuts imposed by sequ agreement - passed by Congress - hits is (R-WI) and Sen Patty Murray (D-WA). dfathering current COLAs beginning in 2016; so much for gran military retirees under age 62 with lower a joint letter to nizations of e Militar y Coalition in retirees. NAUS joined other member orga members look at e letter, in part, states, “Currently serving n. ctio redu A COL this to g ctin obje s Congress Congres treated when making career decisions. If g bein are s ivor surv and ees, retir , ilies how they, their fam 20 years, there could be those who have served their country for over arbitrarily cuts the retirement benefit for l security.” ice career retention, and ultimately, nationa serv ed orm unif on act imp rse adve ng el costs, a lasti intense pressure to cut projected personn and Hill the on inty erta unc of d clou a Under such its public hearings and ent Modernization Commission began the Military Compensation and Retirem in with your concerns general public (I hope you have weighed the from ts men com iting solic n bega also ntially “punted n, the Secretary of Defense in particular, esse ratio inist Adm e !). how n lear to w if not, see belo leave everything on the wimpy recommendations of its own as to the ball” to the Commission by issuing such ends such. cal changes if the Commission recomm table yet not be able to be blamed for radi for another big ion of 2014. But it looks like we are in edit first this for s new er bett had I have I wish of protecting the benefits our members sion mis nt orta imp its es tinu con S NAU fight this year as together, we can make nse remains strong. Stand with us, and earned while ensuring our national defe port. ank you for your membership and sup a difference in this fight during 2014. Military Here’s how to submit your comments to the on Commission: Compensation and Retirement Modernizati p/public-comments Online at: http://www.mcrmc.gov/index.ph v By email, send to: response@mcrmc.go On paper, mail to: e Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission Post Office Box 13170 Arlington, Virginia 22209
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
3
DOING THE RIGHT THING
In September, 2013, several Board members of the USDR met for their annual meeting in Branson, MO to discuss their concerns about the future of their organization. USDR was started with five members and went to peak of 3,700 members in the early 1990’s, to just over 700 members in 2013. Having finally received their promised military retirement, more than 3000 members felt they no longer needed the USDR and let their membership expire. The Board members gathered in Branson not only expressed concern for the future of the USDR but also the lack of respect being shown disabled military retirees as well as the erosion of their benefits. So they agreed it was not yet time to give up the fight to protect military retiree’s benefits. Instead they took action to step up the fight “To do the right thing!” In November 1981, several disabled military retirees got together at a home in rural Albuquerque, New Mexico to discuss their concerns about not receiving their retirement pay as promised in exchange for a career in military service. They were upset so they put out a call to their friends and neighbors in an effort to educate and formulate a plan to get this injustice fixed. They decided to “Do the Right Thing”. Out of the meeting that day in New Mexico was born the Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees, or USDR. Although the original mission was to fight for the restoration of full retirement pay to all disabled military retirees, a fight that was eventually won for a majority Article Submission from of disabled military retirees, there is not enough room in this article to tell their entire story. Anthony R. (Tony) Nathe, The current mission statement of the USDR is to support and assist disabled military retirees, their spouses, widows, and/or immediate family members in getting their promised retirement SGM, USA (Ret) pay. After 32 years the USDR has accomplished its original mission. Chapter President Consequently, on 1 January 2014, the USDR will become a nationwide chapter of the National Association of the Uniformed Services (NAUS), to be known as NAUS USDR Chapter # 1981. For the USDR members reading their first issue of the Uniformed Services Journal, the mission of NAUS is to “Promote a strong national defense and protect the benefits earned through service and sacrifice in the uniformed services.” Consequently, we the members of the USDR now have expanded our mission to include “promoting a strong national defense”. The 700 USDR members now join the members of NAUS to continue the fight to do the right thing. This is GOOD NEWS not just for the USDR members, but also the members of NAUS. This merger will help both organizations renew their fight to gain justice for the remaining disabled military retirees who have not yet received retirement pay restoration, as well as combining efforts on our legislative priorities. The USDR’s rich history of fighting for the rights of disabled military retirees in the battle for pay restoration is the perfect addition to NAUS. The USDR’s history of service is something that every uniformed service member can be proud of and the story needs to be told. If it was not for the USDR, and the many organizations that supported us at just the right time, the current CRSC* and CRDP** would have never become a reality. Remember, the USDR is not ended! The previous 32 years was just a precursor to the great accomplishments that will be won in joining forces with NAUS, making a stronger and more determined organization, better able to continue to “fight the good fight to do the right thing”. I want to thank the Board of Directors of the USDR for making the right decision to keep on fighting and the Board of Directors of NAUS led by LTG Jack Klimp, for helping the USDR in making this joint agreement possible. Also, a big thank you to each and every USDR member for helping us make “Our New Dawn” a reality, and especially your personal support of my leadership in helping keep the USDR alive. I am sure this partnership will convince some of our USDR past members to come back into the fold to help us continue the good fight. In closing, I urge all those reading this article to call or visit your respective members of Congress to discuss the increased weakening of our national defense and the defamation of character of both active and retired members of the uniformed services. I am asking that we all “come out of retirement” and take action to “fight another good fight”. Together we can do the right thing.
Uniformed Services Disabled Retirees Chapter – USDR 1981
*Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
**Concurrent Retirement & Disability Payments (CRDP) 4
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
Setting the Stage for 2014
Regional Vice Presidents’ Workshop - 10/17/13 NAUS President Jack Klimp, LtGen, USMC (Ret) kicked off the annual RVP Workshop which was held via web and teleconference, with a few RVPs attending in person, from the NAUS HQ on ursday, October 17, by reminding the RVPs of the major challenges NAUS continues to face: name recognition (awareness), membership recruitment and growth, and revenue generation. e day’s workshop then focused on how RVPs can work with the chapters and members-at-large in their regions to address these main challenges. Ms. Maggie Nayyar briefed participants on the current fundraising efforts and unveiled the new corporate membership categories designed to increase corporate fundraising in support of the NAUS mission. A review of the sources of new and returning members throughout 2013 was also presented. Discussion regarding special membership offers for younger members and active duty members resulted in agreement with Membership & Development Committee’s recommendation to field free e-memberships to currently serving service members (active duty, guard & reserve) to age 35, and a reduced-dues e-membership option for other
members who so choose. e 2013 awareness advertising campaign materials (TV and online commercials, and radio live read scripts) will be repackaged as Public Service Announcements early in 2014 for RVPs, chapter, and member-at-large use to obtain PSA airings at TV and radio stations (and their respective websites) in their local areas. e RVPs also discussed a possible new structure and/or volunteer position (e.g., a NAUS State representative, etc.) to help work with the RVPs and chapters or other members in order to help overcome the three main challenges of awareness, membership and revenue generation. e RVPs will continue to work on this with NAUS staff and expect to make some suggestions with a new dra organizational chart early this year. Finally, RVPs were reminded to visit their elected officials local or regional offices during legislative ‘Home Days’ when their Representatives and Senators are back home in the constituent’s districts.
Board of Directors Meeting - 10/18/13 e 4th quarter Board of Directors meeting required under the Association bylaws was held on October 18, 2013, with several Directors meeting in person at NAUS HQ in Springfield, VA, and many others participating via web and teleconference as authorized by the NAUS bylaws and per direction of the Board in order to reduce meeting costs. In the weeks before the Board meeting, several Board committees held their respective meetings similarly. • Finance Committee - 10/10/13 • Legislative Affairs Committee - 10/10/13 • Membership & Development Committee - 10/4/13 • Bylaws and Governance Committee Did not meet* • Scholarship Committee - Did not meet* [*Next meetings planned for early 2014.] Aer calling the meeting to order with a quorum, coChairman Don Loren, RADM, USN (Ret) turned the podium over to NAUS President Jack Klimp for his opening remarks. General Klimp thanked everyone for their support of the new technology this year to save on travel and meetings Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
NAUS Board of Directors meet at NAUS Headquarters. Several Directors attended in person at NAUS HQ in Springfield, VA, and many others participated via web and teleconference as authorized by the NAUS bylaws and per direction of the Board in order to reduce meeting costs. 5
Board of Directors Meeting (continued)
NAUS Board of Directors Members arrive for the NAUS Board Meeting at HQ.
NAUS Legislative Director Rick Jones (r) talks with NAUS Board Advisor COL Otto Grummt, Co-Chair Membership & Development, prior to the start of the meeting.
NAUS Board of Directors settle into their seats as RADM Donald Loren prepares to call the meeting to order.
NAUS’ Maggie Nayar presents a fundraising update from 2013 and plans for 2014. 6
costs. Based on the success of the committee, RVP, and Board meetings, and recommendations from several Directors over the years, the 2014 Board and Annual Membership meetings will be planned to be held in El Paso, TX, where one of NAUS’ largest and most active chapters is located. is will hopefully energize a large crowd and result in additional sponsors and supporters. General Klimp reported on the bylaws changes approved by the membership earlier in the year, and the transfer of NAUS widow members to the Society of Military Widows. e result is that NAUS membership now meets the 90% war veteran composition threshold for contributions to NAUS to be tax deductible. Follow-up with the IRS is the next step before announcing this to members and donors and changing our donation solicitations. Following the President’s remarks, the minutes for the Fall 2012 Board meeting were approved. Election of slate of Directors for the 2014 Executive Committee was then approved (see page 7 for list). Admiral Loren turned the meeting over to co-Chairman David Rudd, MCPO, USN (Ret) for New Business. Master Chief Rudd led the Board through the NAUS staff and committee reports. He called upon Rick Jones for the Legislative report, Windora Bradburn for the financial report, the 2014 Budget review and the NAUS Membership report. Steve Hein presented the Marketing report and Maggie Nayyar presented the Fundraising report. Following each staff report committee reports were presented. LTC Joe Sheehan, Chair Legislative Affairs Committee and Col Mike Harris, Chair Financial Committee gave their reports and the Col Harris made a motion that the 2014 Budget, as presented by Windora Bradburn, be approved. is motion was seconded and passed by the NAUS Board Directors. Col Warren
Parker, Chair of the Membership and Development Committee did not report this year as the membership items were previously briefed by Steve Hein and Windora Bradburn, however, Col Parker emphasized that NAUS has worked extremely hard to set itself up for the future and the new member recruiting plan. General Klimp concluded his President’s Report with the Action Items and Board issues of importance to NAUS and those needed to be addressed and approved for action in 2014 as follows: • New Membership Categories • Corporate Membership Levels & Corporate Members NAUS will be recruiting • Revised Strategic Plan • Corporate Resolution for updated Association status • Authority to approve and ‘ad hoc’ Audit Committee in line with ‘Best Practices’ in business • Research on a new app for renewals and new memberships on line • New Potential Merger with Other Associations Plan Master Chief Rudd then turned the meeting over to Admiral Loren. e Board asked that Marketing help the Board members with some attachment that embeds the Legislative letter about tuition assistance and that puts more power behind the Board mail outs when asking for new members. RADM Loren asked if there was any other new business…with no new business he then announced that the next EXCOM Board Meeting is scheduled for March 2014 (exact date TBD). He also asked all for their prompt attendance at the Annual Meeting tomorrow by all Board members in the area. With no additional old or new business this meeting of the 2013 Board of Directors was adjourned.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
45th Annual Membership Meeting - 10/19/13 NAUS held its 45th Annual Membership Meeting at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town located at 1767 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 11:00 AM. More than 120 NAUS Members and guests attended the event and a delicious lunch was served. NAUS supporters from as far away as the Netherlands attended this special event. LtGen Jack Klimp, USMC (Ret), NAUS President and CEO welcomed the attendees, officiated at the posting of the colors, playing of the National Anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Following this the NAUS TV and online commercials were played for all of those attending. e Military District of Washington provided the ‘Old Guard Joint Armed Forces Color Guard’ and the ‘Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps’ elements from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, Fort Myer, Virginia. e Keynote Address was delivered by John Allen, Gen, USMC (Ret), who spoke about winning the war in Afghanistan, his outlook on the future of our warfighting forces, and the importance of honoring the promises made to those who serve our nation in uniform. (If you wish to have a video of General Allen’s remarks please send your request to the Editor of the USJ, Tommy Campbell with your contact information.) RADM Don Loren, USN (Ret), NAUS
Board co-Chairman, presented the annual NAUS ‘Distinguished Legislator of the Year Award - 2013’ to Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), who made some great remarks to the crowd aer receiving his award. RADM Loren then presented the First Annual NAUS ‘Legislative Staff Honor Award – 2013’ Award’ to CPT Chad Sydnor, USAR J.D., Military Legislative Council for the office of Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC). is presentation was followed by heartfelt remarks from CPT Sydnor. RADM Loren then began the business portion of the meeting by asking that all attending Board Directors, Regional Vice Presidents and Board Advisors stand and be recognized. He then received the approval of the minutes from the NAUS 44th Annual Membership Meeting held October 20, 2012. RADM Loren then introduced the Election Tellers and requested that they verify the number of ballots cast for each nominee to the Board of Directors for 2014. Tellers included LTG Carmen Cavezza, USA (Ret) and COL Janet Fraser Hale, USAR (Ret) and BGen John A. Hurley, USAFR (Ret). LTG Carmen Cavezza, as senior Teller, verified the election results and announced those newly elected Board Members. e three-year terms for these newly elected Directors began 1 January 2014.
New NAUS Board Directors LCDR Francis Bertulfo, USPHS MajGen Timothy F. Ghormley, USMC (Ret) Brian J. Griffin, USAF Veteran MCPO Glen Kline, USN (Ret)
MCPO Paul Dillon, USN (Ret) CMC Riccardo Giberti, USN Col Michael Harris, USAF (Ret) CCMSgt Christopher E. Muncy, USAF (Ret)
RADM Loren then introduced the Board of Directors Executive Committee (EXCOM) for 2014: RADM Donald P. Loren, USN (Ret) - Co-Chair MCPO David Rudd, USN (Ret) - Co-Chair Col Michael Harris, USAF (Ret) - 1st Vice Chair & NAUS Treasurer Karl P. Karl, USA Veteran - 2nd Vice Chair & NAUS Secretary COL Janet Fraser Hale, PhD, USAR (Ret) 3rd Vice Chair & Chair –Bylaws & Governance Committee Col Warren Parker, USMC (Ret) - Chair – Membership & Development Committee LTC Joe Sheehan, USA (Ret) - Chair – Legislative Affairs Committee Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
NAUS EXCOM Co-Chair David Rudd, CPT Chad Sydnor, NAUS President LtGen Jack Klimp and his wife Cathy and keynote Speaker Gen John Allen listen on as the NAUS Annual Meeting begins.
Gen John Allen, USMC (Ret), delivers his keynote speech during the 2013 NAUS Annual Meeting.
NAUS EXCOM Co-Chair David Rudd (r), presents Keynote Speaker Gen. John Allen with the NAUS Distinguished Service Award.
NAUS President Jack Klimp (r), NAUS Co-Chairs David Rudd and Don Loren stand with the 2013 NAUS Legislator of the Year Rob Whittman, 2013 NAUS Staff Honor Award recipient Chad Sydnor and keynote speaker Gen. John Allen for a photo at the end of the 2013 NAUS Annual Meeting. 7
45th Annual Membership Meeting MCPO David Rudd, USN (Ret), NAUS Board co-Chairman, then continued the meeting with the presentations of the 2013 NAUS Chapter of the Year (see chapter profiles on page ??) and the Distinguished Warrior awards. MCPO Rudd concluded the business agenda with the presentations to those Board Directors with terms ending at the end of 2013: EXCOM 2nd Vice Chair & Secretary - LTG Carmen J. Cavezza, USA (Ret) Board Director - Col David Ellis, USAF (Ret) Board Director - BG George A. Landis, USA (Ret) EXCOM 1st Vice Chair & Treasurer - MajGen William P. Bowden, USAF (Ret) Board Director - MCPO Gaylord Humphries, USN Board Director - CAPT omas L. Doss, USPHS Board Director - RADM Robert Merrilees USCGR (Ret) Board Director - SMA Jack L. Tilley, USA (Ret)
MCPO Rudd thanked the NAUS staff, and all those in attendance, and adjourned the 2013 Annual Membership Meeting.
NAUS Distinguished Warrior Award for 2013 Dennis Freytes, Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Ret) from the Jacksonville Chapter, FL-4 and NAUS SE Region VP. In the pursuit of its mission and objectives at both the national, state and local levels each year NAUS selects one individual member for the ‘Distinguished Warrior Award’ from nominations received from members around the world. ese warriors for our cause, through their personal commitment, initiative and hard work, make a real difference in the lives of those our Association represents. It was with great pleasure that MCPO Rudd presented this year’s award to Dennis Freytes, Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Ret), from the Jacksonville Chapter, FL-4. LTC Freytes is the SE Region RVP, a strong chapter member and a long-time and enthusiastic NAUS volunteer.
NAUS Big Dawg Award for 2013 For three other ‘Distinguished Warrior Award’ nominees for their outstanding work all year in support of the NAUS mission:
MSgt Michael F. Lamb, USAF (Ret) CA – 17 - Sequoia Chapter President Col Albert G. Steward, USAF (Ret) CA – 18 - RVP (Region 2, West) PO1 Michael Bonsignore, USN (Ret) CA – 17 - Sequoia Chapter Treasurer 8
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
Member Benefits
w w w. N A U S . o r g a n d c l i c k o n M e m b e r B e n e f i t s
AUTO/HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE - USAA – 1-855-865-6287 • www.usaa.com/naus
HEALTH/LIFE INSURANCE - 1-866-694-6287 • www.nebenefit.com/naus - TRICARE/CHAMPVA Supplement Plans; Long Term Care Insurance; Cancer Protection Plan; Dental Insurance;Term & Senior Term Life Insurance; Medicare Supplement Plans -1-800-247-1771
Life Line Screening – 1-800-778-6009 • www.LifeLineScreening.com/NAUS
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION - Military Historical Tours, Inc. – 1-800-722-9501 • www.miltours.com NAUS Members receive a discount on tours.
- AmeriHost Inn; Baymont Inns; Days Inn; Hawthorn Suites; Howard Johnson; Knights Inn; Microtel Inns; Ramada; Super 8; Travelodge; Wingate Inn (Mention Corporate ID #800 000 2690 when making reservations.
WYNDHAM Hotel Discounts – 1-877-670-7088 Plus, sign up for the FREE Wyndham Rewards program.
BUDGET Car Rental Discount – 1-800-455-2848 (Mention Code R198117) AVIS Car Rental Discount – 1-800-331-1212 (Mention Code B291017) HERTZ Car Rental Discount – 1-800-654-6511 (Mention Code 50163)
FINANCIAL SERVICES - USAA – 1-855-865-6287 • www.usaa.com/naus - Credit Card
NAUS VACATIONS - www.nausvacations.com - Discounts on travel around the world. Now includes cruises!
OTHER BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS!
®
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Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Authorization Act Remains in Doubt
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s we go to press, the Defense Authorization Act rests in Congress ready for final approval. Passage of the measure will give our service members the tools and resources they need to protect our nation overseas and to protect themselves as they serve in some of the world’s most dangerous regions. e bill is the most important piece of legislation Congress considers each year. It supports training of our servicemembers and maintenance and modernization of their equipment to ensure they are prepared to overwhelm any adversary and return home safely to their loved ones. It authorizes research and development to ensure we maintain a technological edge over our enemies and can successfully defeat the threats we face today and tomorrow. And the bill also provides the authority to provide the pay and benefits of those who serve and have served. NAUS trusts defense policy bill will have been approved by the time you read this article. e bill continues the nation’s efforts to ensure adequate pay, improve health care and other benefits, and provide state-of-the-art warfighting technologies for the men and women of our Armed Forces. Our troops deserve nothing less than full support, whether they are serving far from home over the holidays, or just coming back aer long deployments in areas of conflict. Over the period of congressional debate, NAUS has raised a number of concerns, particularly those related to NAUS Legislative Director stands with NAUS Legislator of the Year Rep. Rob Wittman. The Virginia Republican is chairman of the House Armed Service Subcommittee on readiness and a strong extending concurrent receipt, military pay, survivor and supporter of the men and women who serve. related issues. In particular our association has worked to assure the promise and the protection of the TRICARE Committees, and Sen. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Rep. Adam Smith healthcare program. Working together we need to be alert to (D-WA) Ranking Members of the Senate Armed Services Comminimize or negate potential negative impacts to this promise mittees introduced a new national security package (H.R. 3304) for career military and their families. worked out to overcome a version stalled in the Senate. While this particular piece of legislation is not perfect, the e new legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act Defense Authorization Act represents a major accomplishment for FY 2014, represents a compromise between language the in support of our troops. Passage this year would assure the 52nd House passed in June by a vote of 315-108 and language passed consecutive year that Congress has passed legislation authorizing by the Senate Armed Services Committee the same month by a our nation’s national security activities. NAUS looks forward to vote of 23-3, together with other proposals draed for debate maintaining this strong record of support in the future. during consideration on the Senate floor. New National Defense Authorization e compromise measure would retain the prohibition on transfers of Gitmo detainees to the United States, as the HouseAct Introduced: Plan B passed bill prescribed. It would also halt any new Base realignments Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) and Sen. Carl Levin and closures (BRACs). (D-MI), Chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services 10
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
On sexual assault, it would keep roughly two dozen provisions from the two bills, to include the proposed creation of special counsels for victims of sexual assault and rape as well as language that would strip commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions. On personnel matters, the bill "neither affirms nor rejects" the president's recommendation for a 1 percent across the board military pay raise, the statement says. And the measure rejects all administration proposals to increase TRICARE fees or set new ones.
Possible Hold in Senate on NDAA
Budget Deal Provides Pentagon Sequester Relief As we go to press, Budget Committee leaders struck a deal that would give the Pentagon $22 billion in sequestration relief in fiscal 2014. While the budget deal provides some sequester relief for the military that Pentagon leaders have requested, it does not raise spending back up to pre-sequester funding levels. A summary of the agreement says that retirees under the age of 62 will have to see a reduction in the annual increase to their retirement accounts. e agreement modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for working-age military retirees to inflation minus 1 percent, a change that starts in 2016. e proposal would boost the defense budget caps to $520.5 billion in 2014, up from $498.1 billion, and to $521.4 billion in 2015, up from $512 billion. e agreement would still require the Pentagon to find roughly $32 billion in savings from its proposed 2014 budget, however, its $552 billion budget proposal was $54 billion above the sequester caps. e budgets passed by both the House and Senate earlier this year also set defense spending at pre-sequester levels — as does the Defense authorization bill that Congress hopes to pass in December.
NAUS with Military Coalition Objects to Budget COLA Change As the 1st Congress came to a close, NAUS joined in signing a letter to Congress to express our grave concern and strong objection to the proposed budget deal (described above) in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that seeks to penalize current and future military members who have served our nation for over twenty years. e Military Coalition (TMC), a consortium of 33 uniformed services and veterans associations representing more than 5.5 million current and former servicemembers and their families and survivors, express strong objection to a provision in the Budget Resolution to reduce uniformed service retired pay Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for those under age 62 by a total of one percent over the next two years. e TMC letter concluded, “Currently serving members look at how they, their families, retirees, and survivors are being treated when making career decisions. If Congress arbitrarily cuts the retirement benefit for those who have served their country for over 20 years, there could be a lasting adverse impact on uniformed service career retention, and ultimately, national security.” Prior to the first Senate vote, NAUS stood with Senators Ayotte,Wicker and Graham at a press conference to push the message of our opposition to the COLA reduction.
Certain Senators would prefer more deliberation on the “Plan B” bill. At press time it is reported that Republican Sens. Tom Coburn and Rand Paul are objecting to a bipartisan deal that would fast-track the defense authorization bill, setting up a split GOP caucus and leaving Minority Leader Mitch McConnell with a difficult choice to make. Sen. James Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has reached a deal with top committee Democrat Carl Levin that is designed to move the bill before year's end. To make that happen, the House would pass a compromise version of the bill first and then the Senate would pass an identical version before the close of the 2013. Sens. Paul and Coburn object to the plan’s failure to allow for amendments. at’s a sticking point for several members who have interests in the defense policy bill since it is one of the only measures moving forward in the Senate schedule. e fast-track plan's fate now rests partly in the hands of Senate leadership, whose decision will be a guide for the chamber’s members as they decide whether to move the measure. And support for passing a bill without amendments is made all the more difficult by the Senate decision in November to invoke the “nuclear option,” a change in Senate procedures that gutted the minority's ability to debate at length various nominees. NAUS President Jack Klimp and Legislative Director Rick Jones stand with members of eir objection is worthy since The Military Coalition at a press conference with Senators Ayotte (R-NH), Wicker (R-MS) the Senate, aer all, is not—nor and Graham (R-SC) to support efforts to reject the COLA-cut provision contained in the should it be—a rubber stamp for Ryan-Murray budget agreement. Senator Ayotte is at the microphones with Senators executive decisions. Wicker and Graham to her right.
Doc Fix is budget package also includes a provision that averts Medicare physician payment cuts as Congress continues to work on a replacement of the flawed SGR formula. e Doc Fix provides a temporary three month extension to give Congress time to find common ground on a permanent fix of the flawed formula that for ten years has put into question continued access to doctors under Medicare and TRICARE. And this time there's hope the fix might actually happen. On Dec. 19, the House and Senate committees finished considering their dra legislation to repeal Medicare's failed
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SGR formula. e U.S. House Ways and Means Committee concluded consideration of its version of the bill in a morning vote, passing it 39 to 0. In the aernoon, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee also completed markup of its version of the bill in a near-unanimous voice vote.
From the Summary of the New Defense Authorization Bill: TRICARE “TRICARE: HASC Members believe access to quality healthcare services during retirement is a benefit earned through prior service to our nation. Mindful of Congress’ commitment to servicemembers and their families, and endorsing the bi-partisan work of the military personnel subcommittee, the NDAA once again rejects all Administration proposals to increase TRICARE fees or
raids on TRICARE funding to pay for cost overruns in other unrelated accounts. ese raids occurred simultaneous to the years of attacks on TRICARE from DOD top leadership. Pentagon leaders from 2005 to the present have said paying for the healthcare promises were “hurtful” to the nation “taking away from the nations’ ability to defend itself.” e actual fact, however, is that these same Pentagon leaders who shouted their concern used TRICARE as a cash-cow.
From the Summary of the New Defense Authorization Bill: Troop Pay
Where servicemembers are found guilty of sexual assault related offenses the NDAA establishes minimum sentencing guidelines. Currently, such guidelines only exist in the military for the crimes of murder and espionage. “Personnel records will now include information on sex-related offenses. Recognizing that victim support is as vital as prosecution, the NDAA would allow victims of sexual assault to apply for a permanent change of station or unit transfer, while authorizing the Secretary of Defense to inform commanders of their authority to remove or temporarily reassign servicemembers who are the alleged perpetrators of sexual assault. “e NDAA requires the provision of victims’ counsels, qualified and specially trained lawyers in each of the services, to be made available to provide legal assistance to
e newly presented “Plan B” NDAA is likely to result in a 1 percent military pay raise for 2014. However, the package places ultimate responsibility for what would be the smallest annual pay bump since the birth of the all-volunteer force 40 years ago directly with the White House. “Troop Pay: e NDAA supports current law, which is intended to ensure pay for our troops keeps pace with the civilian sector, but provides the President with latitude to make exceptions by executive order. President Obama has notified Congress that he inNAUS Legislative Director Rick Jones participated in a Capitol Hill press conference tends to use his auto support legislation for advanced appropriations to the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The House bill is sponsored by Veterans’ Legislative Director Rick Jones stands with Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) at an event thority to set the 2014 military pay increase Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Ranking Member Mike on Capitol Hill. Rep. Jones, a senior member of the House Armed Services Michaud (D-ME). The Senate bill is sponsored by Chairman Sanders (I-VT) Committee, voted against the Ryan-Murray Budget Resolution saying, “I cannot at 1 percent. e and John Bozeman (R-AR). Miller is at the microphone, Michaud is to his NDAA neither affirms in good conscience support this legislation.” He gave as one of the main reasons left, and Bozeman stands to his back-right. Sen. Sanders spoke at the the opposition to the deal from The Military Coalition, an alliance of uniformed or rejects the Presipresser but is not pictured. services and veterans associations of which NAUS is a founding member. dent’s decision.” establish new TRICARE fees. “Congress has already put TRICARE on a sustainable path through reforms in several recent NDAAs. ose reforms connect TRICARE fee increases to retiree cost of living increases. “DOD’s record of incorrectly calculating TRICARE costs and their repeated requests to transfer billions in unused funds out of the program to cover other underfunded defense priorities raises questions about repeated claims by the Department of Defense that the Defense Health Program is unsustainable.” NAUS Note: It’s good to see Congress reiterate the NAUS discovery of Pentagon 12
From the Summary of the New Defense Authorization Bill: Sexual Assault “e legislation includes over 30 provisions or reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice related to combating sexual assault in the military. “ese reforms would strip commanders of their authority to dismiss a finding by a court martial- a power they have held since the earliest days of our military. It would also prohibit commanders from reducing guilty findings to guilty of a lesser offense.
the victims of sex-related offenses. e NDAA adds rape, sexual assault, or other sexual misconduct to the protected communications of servicemembers, with a Member of Congress or an Inspector General- and expands those protections for sexual assault crimes. “e NDAA eliminates the 5 year statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault. To better protect victims’ rights, the NDAA reforms the Article 32 process to avoid destructive fishing expeditions and properly focus on probable cause. A number of victim’s rights policies are enshrined in statute. “Finally, to ensure that the military is better positioned to deal with the crisis of
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sexual assault within its ranks, the NDAA requires the Secretary of Defense to assess the current role and authorities of commanders in the administration of military justice and the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
From the Summary: Protecting and Supporting Warfighters and Military Families:
is unclear how much money will be available in the second quarter. ough the Corps planned to spend $44 million on the educational assistance program in fiscal 2014, the Corps actually had only $3.5 million, and that money went quickly — distributed among installations based on historical use over the past three fiscal years. e Marine Corps like other services is operating under a continuing resolution that funds the government through January 15. With so much uncertainty as to whether a budget agreement can be reached before the deadline, the Corps is guarding its expenditures against a partial shutdown. “Given the uncertainty of both the Continuing Resolution and unknown
about the ability of the VBA to comply with its own mission. An IG internal audit found that, for example, of 77 inspections of its regional offices in the last four years, errors were found in 31 percent of traumatic brain injury claims. “More than half of the errors we identified were due to VARO [Veterans Affairs Regional Offices] staff using inadequate medical examination reports to evaluate residual disabilities associated with traumatic brain injuries,” said the statement from Sondra McCauley, VA deputy assistant IG for audits and evaluations. Such operational issues add a significant burden on the entire claims process, including a waste of the government funds needed to fix the improperly processed claims, McCauley stated. “While VBA made some incremental progress through its own initiatives and in response to our prior report recommendations, more work remains to be done. We will continue to look for ways to promote improvements in benefits delivery operations during our future nationwide audits and VARO inspections,” she concluded.
“Other provisions in the NDAA are designed to protect warfighters and their families from external threats, while ensuring that units and families are supported and prepared for deployments. “e NDAA re-authorizes personnel recovery authorities used by military 4 commanders and Special Operations Forces to plan and execute the save recovery of U.S. personnel isolated during military and contingency operations. “e NDAA requires a minimum 180 day notification before the cancellation of a deployment and a minimum 120 day notification before a deployment for individuals for the operational reserves. It Sequestration Will also authorizes the commander of Legislative Director Rick Jones stands with Chairman of the House Armed Services U.S. Special Forces Command to Drastically Shrink the Committee Buck McKeon (R-CA) at an event on Capitol Hill. The Chairman led the provide additional family support fight to approve this year’s national defense measure after gridlock in the Senate Military and Harm services to U.S. Special Operathreatened to derail the measure. McKeon championed rejection of the AdministraNational Security tions Forces and their families. tion’s request for higher TRICARE fees and authored the section to grandfather “Finally, the NDAA takes action TRICARE Prime. Unless Congress Acts Half of on one of the most basic elements Sequestration Triggers Will Fall Diof protection provided to our troops - body outcomes of the Budget Control Act discusrectly on Defense. armor. e NDAA facilitates the developsions regarding the full year funding levels, e Budget Control Act (BCA), which ment of ever more functional, lighter, and the Marine Corps has taken measures to prompted sequestration, directs “half of more protective body armor. It will make protect near term readiness, which results the total reduction calculated” under the body armor resemble a more traditional in reduced funding for some programs, inbill, which is $492 billion over 10 years, weapon system acquisition program that can cluding TA. Until these issues are resolved, “to discretionary appropriations and direct build on successive generations of innovation it is premature to determine full funding spending accounts within function 050” and investment, rather than using the ad levels for TA for the remainder of the fiscal (Function 050 is the Department of Defense). hoc procedures now in place. year,” wrote Andrew Hamilton, a spokesman In early December, Pentagon senior “e NDAA also requires the Secretary of in the Marine and Family Programs Division, leaders announced changes to reduce Defense to conduct a comprehensive study in response to questions. major headquarters operating budgets by and assessment on ways to improve body 20 percent over the next five years. “With Veterans Benefits armor and personal protection equipment the Pentagon confronting historically deep Administration Continues and steep, and abrupt spending reductions acquisition and development.” aer a decade of significant budget growth,” to Face Challenges Tuition Assistance Funds Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said, “these Department of Veterans Affairs Office reductions are only a first step in efforts to reGone; Outlook Unclear of Inspector General presented testimony align defense spending.” e Marine Corps is coming up short for in December to a House Veterans Affairs At press time, NAUS is at work to soen, Marines seeking tuition assistance. subcommittee that outlined concerns if not eliminate, the disproportional cuts Money for the first quarter is gone, and it Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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NAUS participated in a Democratic led Veterans Roundtable organized by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The roundtable attendees included many key Democratic members of the House and more than twenty Veterans Service Organizations and Military Service Associations. Pictured at the microphone is Leader Pelosi.
and attrition on the department. Should the wrongheaded policy continue, it would have disastrous impact on national security, stripping defense in cuts on the order of $500 billion over the next part of the decade. In fact, it has been calculated that, 10 years of defense sequestration forced reductions at this level would mean: • e smallest ground force since before World War II • e smallest Navy since before World War I • e smallest tactical fighter force in the history of the Air Force • e smallest civilian workforce in the history of the Defense Department Because DoD operates off long term plans and budgets, making important and irrevocable decisions years before they are implemented, further implementation of
sequestration would effectively eradicate an entire generation of military modernization, potentially including: • Termination of the Joint Strike Fighter and next generation bomber • Delay of the next generation ballistic missile submarine and cuts to our existing sub fleet. • Cancellation of necessary maintenance, which reduces the useful life of ships and aircra. • Shipbuilding program could be seriously affected with parts on the chopping block.
SBP and DIC
NAUS continues to work to change the requirement for a dollar-for-dollar offset of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) against receipt of the Department of Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). e DIC offset affects more than 60,000 survivors whose husbands purchased SBP insurance to provide for them. Too many service members don’t know that dependents' DIC compensation offsets the Survivor's Benefit Plan. If known prior to a service related death, it would have been upsetting, to say the lease, and a point of serious anger. DIC is a payment made to widows, their children and some parents who've lost a husband, father or son. Widows are entitled to the benefit for the remainder of their lives, unless they remarry. DIC comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs. SBP pays a portion of the deceased servicemember’s income, and it comes from the Department of Defense. e offset, a dollar-fordollar deduction, is supposedly intended to prevent double dipping from two similar benefit plans. But the Survivors Benefit Plan and Dependents Indemnity Compensation are provided for different reasons, and the offset leaves many milVeterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Legislative Director Rick Jones had itary families with no survivors' an opportunity to meet and discuss issues before the House Committee. The Florida benefits at all. Others receive only what’s le over aer the Congressman also serves as a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. 14
offset is deducted. NAUS believes it is past time to end this unfair offset. e painful offset between 2 programs has done precisely the opposite of what it is intended to do— protect the surviving loved one. We call on Congress to end this unfair reduction as it considers legislation this session. is is the reason we strongly support Sen. Bill Nelson’s (D-FL) legislation, S. 734, and ask you to contact your Senators to cosponsor and support passage of this bill. Also we ask you to urge your Representative to cosponsor Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-SC) H.R. 32. Don’t forget your calls, emails, letters, tweets, and personal contact on issues can directly influence decisions. Give your members of Congress a shout. Be cordial and considerate, but let them hear your concerns.
Legislation to Expand Combat Action Badge Award Criteria Rep. Rich Nugent (R-FL) has introduced HR 293, a bill to approve making the Combat Action Badge (CAB) available retroactively to those who participated in combat and engaged the enemy in conflict prior to 9/11. e Army announced eligibility for the CAB in May 2005 to provide special recognition to soldiers who personally engage or are engaged by the enemy. e current award recognizes 18 September 2001 as the effective date for the new honor. e CAB may be awarded to any soldier performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement. To receive the CAB, a soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would quality the soldier for the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) or the Combat Medic Badge (CMB). Retroactive approval would cost the Government nothing because individual soldiers will be happy to pay for the badge, according to supporters. e action would recognize the combat service of so many who are not eligible for the CIB under current eligibility requirements, but who did, in fact, meet the award criteria for the Combat Action Badge. Because the award is not authorized for qualifying service in any conflict previous to 9/11, NAUS recommends Congressman Nugent’s legislation to recognize such qualifying service. We urge members to
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ask their Representatives to cosponsor the bill, HR 293, for passage in the second session of the 113th Congress.
priority for local, State, and federal jobs, no Social Security credit for wartime service. NAUS urges members of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 1936 and extend these America’s WWII benefits to those once young men who Merchant Mariners went to sea as crewmembers of the MerNAUS endorses legislation to recognize chant Marine during World War II. e the service of the Merchant Mariners pre- House has passed similar legislation twice in past Congresses, only to see it falter in ceding and during World War II. H.R. the Senate on petty objections. It is worthy 1936, the Belated ank You to Merchant of your elected representative’s support. Mariners of World War II Act, sponsored Recognition of these Merchant by Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA), is a measure Mariners is long overdue. America’s to recognize the contribution made by Merchant Marine kept Europe supplied the men who served in the United States during the Second World War. Nearly Merchant Marine between the years 1941 8,000 lost their lives in the battle of and 1946. the Atlantic. H.R. 1936 would extend a monthly And in the Pacific theatre, their service benefit package to those few surviving World War II mariners who once young now was critical to success. Gen. Douglas MacArthur said, "I wish to commend to number fewer than 10,000. It would also grant these merchant seamen, whose average you the valor of the merchant seamen participating with us in the liberation of age today is 83, the status of “veteran” the Philippines. With us they have shared the heaviest enemy fire… I hold no branch in higher esteem than the Merchant Marine services." ese too oen forgotten heroes have struggled for more than seven decades for acceptance among their military brethren and the public. And it is unthinkable that these patriots—who honorably gave voluntary wartime service to their country— Representative Joe Heck (R-NV) stands with NAUS Legislative Director Rick Jones. As a should be given a member of the House Armed Services, Heck voted against the Ryan-Murray Budget Resocold shoulder by lution saying, “I cannot break faith with the men and women with whom I have served the nation they over the past 23 years nor those who served before me … We need stability in the proudly served. budget, but that should not be balanced on the backs of our veterans, families, and Call your member survivors who have already sacrificed so much.” of Congress to under the Social Security Act to allow a cosponsor and support H.R. 1936. small enhancement of their retirement Congress May Have under Social Security. e bill is called “e Belated ank Additional Time to You” because these seamen had borne Rewrite Debt Limit arms during wartime in the defense of e Congressional Budget Office their country but had not been granted announced in late November that the any benefits. No low interest home loans deadline for the nation’s borrowing limit, were available to Merchant Mariners. No previously set for February 7, is likely to lifetime compensation for related war injuries be extended for a least one month but and disabilities, no use of VA hospitals, no may go even further to May or early June. Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
NAUS President Jack Klimp takes a note during a Senate leadership conference on veterans and related issues held across the hall from the Senate floor in the Mansfield Room at the Capitol.
CBO says the breathing room on raising the debt limit comes from the Treasury Department’s use of extraordinary measures that will likely give lawmakers an additional month to haggle over a deal to raise the debt ceiling above $17.1 trillion. On the other hand, a Treasury Department official says, “ere’s no indication right now that extraordinary measures would last longer than a month. Due to inherent variability, the numbers can go either way — and sooner rather than later is probably more likely in this instance, due to the late open of the filing season.” As readers recall, Congress came in October just hours within exhausting the United States borrowing authority before Congress struck a deal to reopen the government and avoid a potentially catastrophic path toward a debt default. e debt limit—commonly referred to as the debt ceiling—is the maximum amount of debt that the Department of the Treasury can issue to the public and to other federal agencies to carry out federal activities. e debt amount is set by law and has been increased over the years in order to finance the government’s operations. e debt ceiling limits Department of the Treasury authority to borrow any amounts necessary to meet the government’s operating beyond the lawful date.
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KEY BILLS IN CONGRESS 113th Congress
Defense H.R. 32 – (186 Cosponsors), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), 01/03/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Military Personnel. e Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. Repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan for military surviving spouses to offset the receipt of veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Companion Bill S. 734 – (31 Cosponsors), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), 4/16/13 – Referred to Senate Armed Services Committee. H.R. 42 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-MN), 1/3/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Military Personnel. e Military Health Care Affordability Act. Prohibit certain increases in fees for military health care before fiscal year 2016.
H.R. 124 – (33 Cosponsors), Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC), 01/03/13 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. H.R. 833 – (130 Cosponsors), Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), 2/26/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Require that the Purple Heart Medal occupy a position of precedence above the new Distinguished Warfare Medal. Companion Bill: S. 470 – (32 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester, (D-MT), 3/6/12 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. H.R. 975 – (47 Cosponsors), Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), 3/5/13 – Referred to House 16
roughout the 113th Congress, NAUS will identify and track certain bills that address issues important to our members. e Library of Congress provides online information concerning Congress and the legislative process through a website named THOMAS, located at thomas.loc.gov. is is an easy to use tool to help you track bills in which you are interested but we do not list due to space limitations. THOMAS also provides access to other congressional committees for you to do independent research. e dates in each summary generally denote when the bill was introduced.
Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Extend the duration of the Physical Disability Board of Review and to expand the authority of such Board to review the separation of members of the Armed Forces on the basis of a mental condition not amounting to disability, including separation on the basis of a personality or adjustment disorder. Companion Bill S. 628 – (5 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 3/20/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. H.R.1971 – (38 Cosponsors), Rep. John Kline (R-MN), 5/14/13 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Direct the Secretary of Defense to provide certain TRICARE beneficiaries with the opportunity to retain access to TRICARE Prime. Companion Bill S. 1078 – (5 Cosponsors), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), 5/23/13. Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. H.R. 671 – (39 Cosponsors), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), 2/13/13 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Ruth Moore Act of 2013. Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress an annual report on claims for disabilities incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma, and for other purposes. Companion Bill: S. 294 – (28 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 2/13/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 6/6/13 Senate received House version of bill. H.R.1996 – (5 Cosponsors), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), 5/15/13 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Supply Our Soldiers Act of 2013. Provide for free mailing privileges for personal correspondence and parcels sent to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. S. 735 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), 4/16/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013. Change the remarriage age for reinstatement of benefits to 55 from 57 to conform with other federal programs and other issues.
S.871 – (38 Cosponsors), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), 5/7/13 – Referred to Senate Armed Services Committee. Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013. Companion Bill: H.R. 2002 – (31 Cosponsors), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), 5/15/13 – Referred to House Armed Services Committee. S.6 – (25 Cosponsors), Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), 1/22/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veteran’s Affairs. Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013. Reauthorize the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, to provide assistance to small businesses owned by veterans, to improve enforcement of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services.
NDAA
H.R.1960 - (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), 5/14/13 – Referred to various House Armed Services Subcommittees. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, 6/5/13 - Passed by full House Armed Services Committee and sent to full House for consideration. Companion Bill: S. 1197 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), 6/20/13. Placed on Senate Calendar under General Orders. H.R. 2397 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL), 6/17/13 – Referred to House Committee on Appropriations. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014. 7/24/13 - Passed full House and sent to Senate. Received in Senate and referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations. Companion Bill: S. 1429 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) – Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders
Guard & Reserve
S. 240 - (15 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 2/7/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit Correction Act. Modify the per-fiscal year calculation of days of certain
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
active duty or active service used to reduce the minimum age at which a member of a reserve component of the uniformed services may retire for non-regular service. Companion Bill: H.R. 690 - (35 Cosponsors), Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), 2/14/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Military personnel. H.R. 679 – (59 Cosponsors), Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN), 2/13/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Honor America”s Guard-Reserve Retirees Act. Recognize the service in the reserve components of certain persons by honoring them with status as veterans under law. Companion Bill: S. 629 – (24 Cosponsors), Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), 3/20/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
MGIB & Educational Benefits
H.R. 357 – (50 Cosponsors), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), 1/23/13 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Require courses of education provided by public institutions of higher education that are approved for purposes of the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to charge veterans tuition and fees at the in-State tuition rate. Companion Bill: S. 257 – (3 Cosponsors), Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), 2/7/13. Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Social Security & Medicare
S. 110 – (No Cosponsors), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), 1/23/13 - Referred to Senate Committee on the Budget. Establish a procedure to safeguard the Social Security Trust Funds. (Social Security Lockbox) H.R.1030 – (20 Cosponsors), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), 3/7/13, Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce. Consumer Price Index for Elderly (CPI-E) Consumers Act of 2013.
Veterans
H.R. 241 – (24 Cosponsor), Rep Dennis Ross (R-FL), 1/14/13 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from Department of
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
Veterans Affairs medical facilities. H.R. 288 – (15 Cosponsors), Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), 1/15/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Health. CHAMPVA Children’s Protection Act of 2013. Increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program. Companion Bill: S. 325 – (12 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 2/14/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. H.R. 369 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. Dan Benishek (R-MI), 1/23/13 – Referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Establish a presumption of service connection for certain veterans with tinnitus or hearing loss. H.R. 1726 – (182 Cosponsors), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), 4/25/13 - Referred to House Committees on Financial Services and House administration. Award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers. Companion Bill S. 1174 - (21 Cosponsors, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), 6/18/23 Referred to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. H.R.1770 – (9 Cosponsors), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), 4/26/13 – Referred to House Military Personnel Subcommittee. Eliminate the different treatment under the Survivor Benefit Plan accorded members of the reserve components who die from an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty during inactive-duty training compared to members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty while on active duty. H.R.1936 – (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA), 5/9/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability, Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2013 H.R.1987 – (2 Cosponsors), Rep. Kirsten Sinema (D-AZ), 5/15/13 – Referred to House subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Veterans’ Dignity and Honor Act. Increase the amount of benefits payable for the burial and funeral expenses of certain veterans. S.131 – (4 Cosponsors), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), 1/24/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2013. Companion Bill: H.R. 958 – (51 Cosponsors), Rep Rick Larsen (D-WA), 3/5/13 Referred to House Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
S.140 – (3 Cosponsors), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), 1/24/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Finance. Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans, to improve the coordination of veteran job training services between the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense, to require transparency for Executive departments in meeting the Government-wide goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by servicedisabled veterans.Companion Bill: H.R. 2056 – (73 Cosponsors), Rep. Allyson Schwarz (D-PA), 5/31/13, Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.* S.346 – (18 Cosponsors), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), 2/14/13 - Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Permit veterans who have a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total to travel on military aircra in the same manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces entitled to such travel. Companion Bill: H.R. 164 (173 Cosponsors), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), 1/4/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Readiness.
S. 529 – (3 Cosponsors), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), 3/12/13 – referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Modify the commencement date of the period of service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to August 1, 1953, for eligibility for hospital care and medical services in connection with exposure to contaminated water. H.R.543 – (159 Cosponsors), Rep. Christopher Gibson (R-NY), 2/15/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013. Clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam. S.1039 – (6 Cosponsors), Sen. Jeff
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KEY BILLS IN CONGRESS 113th Congress
Merkley (D-OR), 5/23/13 - Referred to Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Spouses of Heroes Education Act. Expand the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship to include spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty.
NOAA
S.1068 – (8 Cosponsors), Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), 5/23/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2013. To reauthorize and amend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002.
Pay & Compensation
H.R. 303 – (81 Cosponsors), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), 1/15/13 – Referred to House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel and House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Retired Pay Restoration Act. Permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt. Companion Bill: S. 234 – (20 Cosponsors), Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), 2/7/13 – Referred to Senate Armed Forces Committee. H.R. 333 – (110 Cosponsors), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), 1/22/13 – Referred to House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. Permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a serviceconnected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter
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61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service, H.R. 342 – (36 Cosponsors), Rep. Duncan Hunter (D-CA), 1/22/13 – Referred to House Committees on Way and Means and Appropriations. Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act. To prioritize certain Government obligations for continued payment in the event that the statutory debt limit is reached, to appropriate funds for the pay and allowances of all members of the Armed Forces, and for those civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard serving in a combat zone. H.R.569 - (51 Cosponsors), Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ), 2/6/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 201. To increase, effective as of December 1, 2013, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. Companion Bill: S.893 - Signed by President and became Public Law 113-52 on 11/21/2013. H.R.570 – (39 Cosponsors), Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ), 2/6/13 – Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. American Heroes COLA Act. Provide for annual cost-ofliving adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service connected disabled veterans. H.R.1360 – (1 Cosponsor), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), 3/21/13 – Referred to House Committee on Armed Services. Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act. Provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments of retired pay paid to deceased retired members of the Armed Forces following their death. S. 171 – (3 Cosponsors), Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), 1/29/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations. A bill to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components thereof, and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to
receive pay and allowances for active service performed when a Governmentwide shutdown occurs.
Flag Amendment
H.J. RES.47 – (23 Cosponsors), Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), 5/22/13 – Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. Companion Bill: S.J.RES 19 – (22 Cosponsors), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), 6/13/13 – Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
Miscellaneous
H.R. 258 – Rep. Joseph Heck (R-NV) – Companion Bill: S. 210 – Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) Amend title 18, US Code, with respect to fraudulent representations about having received military declarations or medals. Signed by the President on 6/3/13 and became Public Law 113-12.
H.R.2168 – (No Cosponsors), Rep. Joseph Heck (R-NV), 5/23/13 – Referred to House Committee on House Administration. Helping Heroes Vote Act of 2013. Amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to promote the efficient delivery and receipt of absentee ballots and other voting materials to absent uniformed services voters. S.1500 – (10 Cosponsors), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), 9/23/13 – Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services. Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act. To declare the November 5, 2009, attack at Fort Hood, Texas, a terrorist attack, and to ensure that the victims of the attack and their families receive the same honors and benefits as those Americans who have been killed or wounded in a combat zone overseas and their families. Companion Bill: H.R. 3111 – (222 Cosponsors), Rep. John Carter (R-TX). Referred to House Committees on Armed Services and Oversight & Government Reform.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
News Briefs
Healthcare News All TRICARE Plans Meet Minimum Essential Coverage A reminder from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) that the Affordable Care Act will have little impact on TRICARE beneficiaries. Under the health care law, people will have health coverage that meets a minimum standard (called “minimum essential coverage”) by Jan. 1, 2014, qualify for an exemption, or may be required to pay a fee if they have affordable options, but remain uninsured. Beneficiaries who receive TRICARE benefits, whether at no cost, by electing to pay an enrollment fee, or by paying monthly premiums, have minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. is includes: TRICARE Prime, Prime Remote and Standard; TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS); TRICARE Young Adult (TYA); TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR); and the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP). Eligibility alone for premium-based TRICARE benefit plans – TRS, TYA, TRR and CHCBP -- does not constitute minimum essential coverage. Eligible beneficiaries must purchase and be in good standing, by paying their premiums to have coverage in force, in order for these TRICARE programs to qualify as minimum essential coverage. ere are two groups of TRICARE beneficiaries who do not meet the minimum essential coverage requirement: those getting care for line of duty only related conditions, and those only eligible to receive care in military hospitals or clinics. Beginning with the 2014 tax season, and every tax year aer that, the Department of Defense will send every TRICARE beneficiary the same information it sends the Internal Revenue Service. is notification will detail whether sponsors and their dependents had minimum essential coverage during the previous year. Sponsors can then use this information when they file their tax forms. Because the information sent to the IRS is generated using beneficiaries’ Social Security numbers, it’s essential for sponsors to make sure their family’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) information is correct and up to date.
DoD Will Close Domestic TRICARE Service Centers Effective Feb. 1, 2014, the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) monthly premium rates will change. ese rate changes are regular annual increases that are part of the TDP contract. Ongoing premiums can be paid via a member’s payroll allotment/deduction. Members who are not able to pay using this method can opt for electronic funds transfer or credit card payments. Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
Visit the Metlife TRICARE site for information regarding payment options. e following lists your new TDP monthly premium rates: • Single Premium (one family member): $10.96 • Family Premium (more than one family member): $32.89 • Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve (Special Mobilization Only) SponsorOnly Premium: $10.96 • Single Premium1 (one family member, excluding sponsor): $27.40 • Family Premium (more than one family member, excluding sponsor): $82.23 • Sponsor and Family Premium: $93.19 • Individual Ready Reserve (Non-Special Mobilization) Sponsor-Only Premium: $27.40 • Single Premium1 (one family member, excluding sponsor): $27.40 • Family Premium (more than one family member, excluding sponsor): $82.23 • Sponsor and Family Premium: $109.63 Under the TDP, there is a $1,300 annual maximum benefit per beneficiary, per plan year for non-orthodontic services. Each plan year begins May 1 and ends April 30. Payments for certain diagnostic and preventive services are not applied against the annual maximum. ere is an additional $1,200 maximum for dental care necessitated by an accident.
New TRICARE Customer Service Features TRICARE beneficiaries now have an easy way to access customer service features. e TRICARE.mil home page has a new “I want to…” section offering beneficiaries a gateway to links that help them manage their health care from prescriptions to enrollments and much more. e “I want to…” section of TRICARE.mil launched Dec. 1. e redesigned home page focuses on tools for beneficiaries to manage their health care benefits. “I want to…” has quick links to secure login portals for more than a dozen customer service features including: • Managing prescriptions • Enrolling or purchasing a plan • Finding a doctor • Updating personal information • Filing or checking on a claim • Paying a bill • Booking appointments at a military hospital or clinic • Changing a primary care physician • Viewing military health records 19
News Briefs (cont.) Many beneficiaries may not even know these resources are available online. e new look TRICARE.mil home page is a hub for beneficiaries to manage their health care benefits from the comfort of home or on the go with mobile sites. Mobile, online and toll-free customer service options are time savers and prevent unnecessary trips to a military hospital or clinic. Other common requests, such as comparing plans or seeing what’s covered, are also featured in the “I want to…” section as well as links to download forms, or subscribe to TRICARE email alerts
Flu Shots ere is still time to get your flu shot. TRICARE covers both the flu shot and flu mist. Beneficiaries may be able get their flu vaccine, at no cost, from a military treatment facility, hospital or from a pharmacist at one of the 45,000 network pharmacies that administer vaccines to TRICARE beneficiaries. Find a participating pharmacy by calling Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303. Until now, seasonal flu vaccines have only protected against three strains of flu - two strains of influenza A, which usually causes more cases and more severe illness, and one of influenza B, which is less common but also circulates in multiple forms. e new vaccines include protection against a second strain of influenza B, which experts expect will prevent the vast majority of type B infections.
TRICARE Mobile Sites and Apps for Beneficiaries e first mobile tool people should know about is the mobile version of TRICARE.mil, accessible on mobile devices including tablets and smart phones. Simply type www.tricare.mil into a mobile device browser to get benefit and contact information. Beneficiaries can download educational materials, view episodes of TRICARE TV, listen to podcasts, read TRICARE news, find contact information for different regions and plans, submit benefit questions and access costs, plans, referrals and other information specific to their plan. Each of the TRICARE regional contractors also has its own mobile site or app. HealthNet, the North Region contractor, operates this website https://hnfs.com/apps/ProviderDirectory/ Default.aspx, which allows beneficiaries to locate TRICAREauthorized providers and access resources including contact information and information about benefits, claims and eligibility. e South Region contractor, Humana Military, has a mobile site https://m.humana-military.com/. Humana Military Mobile offers links to a provider locator, a search tool for urgent care centers and eligibility and plan information. In the West Region, UnitedHealth Military &Veterans has a mobile app for mobile devices called “OptumizeMe.” is app encourages healthy lifestyles by letting users challenge other users to health and fitness goals on their smartphones. 20
OptumizeMe lets users track their own progress and post the results to Facebook. Beneficiaries can download OptumizeMe from iTunes or the Google Play store. e TRICARE pharmacy contractor Express Scripts (ESI) offers both a mobile site http://www.expressscripts.com/mobile/ and an app called Express Rx. ese allow beneficiaries to get benefit information, start home delivery of their prescriptions, check the status of their order, order prescription refills and find a nearby network pharmacy. ey even have information about drugs and potential side effects. Beneficiaries must register with ESI before using the mobile site by going to this website http://www.express-scripts.com/mobile/. e Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) also offers a mobile app (for Android phones) called milConnect Mobile. e app allows beneficiaries to locate identification cardissuing facilities, find contact information for TRICARE regional contractors and review frequently asked questions. Beneficiaries can download milConnect Mobile from the Google Play store.
High Marks for USFHP e US Family Health Plan (USFHP), for eligible military beneficiaries in six regions of the US, has achieved a 2013 overall member satisfaction rating of 92.5 percent, which surpasses the satisfaction rates of other managed care plans. is is the 19th consecutive year the plan has been rated higher than other plans. e national benchmark for member satisfaction with their health plan is 65.2 percent, as calculated by e Myers Group (of Duluth, Ga.) -- a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) certified survey vendor -- and based on 203 Commercial Audit Survey results which were submitted to the NCQA in 2013. Compared with those 203 health plans, the USFHP is in the 99th percentile for overall member satisfaction. Customer service and the ability to get needed care have been substantiated as among the key drivers of the USFHP’s consistently high member satisfaction rating. e USFHP, a TRICARE Prime option, serves active-duty family members, including activated National Guard and Reserve family members, and retirees and their family members. e local health care networks through which members receive care include Brighton Marine Health Center (serving Massachusetts, Rhode Island and northern Connecticut), CHRISTUS Health (serving southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana), Johns Hopkins Medicine (serving Maryland, Washington D.C. and parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware and West Virginia), Martin's Point Health Care (serving Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, upstate and western New York, and the northern tier of Pennsylvania), Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed Clinics, Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
serving the Puget Sound area of Washington State), and St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers (serving New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut, New Jersey, and Philadelphia and area suburbs).
Veterans News Veterans to Receive 1.5 Percent Cost-of-Living Increase Veterans, their families and survivors receiving disability compensation and pension benefits from the VA will receive a 1.5 percent cost-of-living (COLA) increase in their monthly payments beginning Jan. 1, 2014. “We’re pleased there will be another cost-of-living increase for veterans, their families and their survivors,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “e increase expresses in a tangible way our Nation’s gratitude for the sacrifices made by our service-disabled and wartime Veterans.” For the first time, payments will not be rounded down to the nearest dollar, which until this year, was required by law. Veterans and survivors will see additional cents included in their monthly compensation benefit payment. For veterans without dependents, the new compensation rates will range from $130.94 monthly for a disability rated at 10 percent to $2,858.24 monthly for 100 percent. e full rates are available at the VA website. Search for Compensation. e COLA increase also applies to disability and death pension recipients, survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation, disabled veterans receiving automobile and clothing allowances, and other benefits.
Veterans and the New Health Care Law In early October the VA sent a letter to veterans explaining their options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). e new law will not change VA benefits. If a veteran is enrolled in VA health care, that coverage meets the standards for the ACA insurance requirement. Many uninsured veterans are eligible for VA health care. However, not everyone who has served in uniform qualifies for VA health care such as Reserve or National Guard vets who served on active duty for training purposes only. Veterans, who are not eligible for VA, and their families, could go to the Health Insurance Exchange. Another option, gaining Medicaid coverage, is limited in States that are not expanding the program. Here are some ways to enroll in VA care or determine your eligibility: (1) visit https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/ ; (2) call 1-877-222VETS (8387); and (3) visit your local VA health care facility. For more information, visit VA, the Affordable Care Act and You website http://www.va.gov/health/aca/.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
News Briefs (cont.)
Post 9/11 GI Bill Helps One Million
e VA has announced that 1 million veterans, service members and family members have benefited from the Post9/11 GI Bill since the program's inception in August 2009. To date, the Veterans Benefits Administration, which administers the program, has distributed over $30 billion. In general, Veterans and Servicemembers who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001 are eligible. On average, VA processes the initial claims for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits in 23 days.
PDBR e Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR), was enacted by Congress and implemented by the Department of Defense to ensure the accuracy and fairness of combined disability ratings of 20 percent or less assigned to service members who were discharged between Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2009. e PDBR uses medical information provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the military department. Once a review is complete, the PDBR forwards a recommendation to the secretary of the respective branch of the armed services. It is up to the individual service branch to make the final determination on whether to change the original disability determination. It is estimated that there are approximately 70,000 former military members remaining who have not applied for a review of their discharge. It could be well worth your while to apply. In almost half of the cases reviewed by the PDBR, the applicant’s Military Service Department has found the applicant eligible for a disability retirement and has awarded this to the applicant. email: PDBRPA@afncr.af.mil Mailing address: PDBR intake unit SAF/MRBR 500 C Street West, Suite 41 Randolph AFB, Texas 78150-4743
New Resource Site for Veterans Returning to School e Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center has created a free online resource for service members and veterans who have sustained a traumatic brain injury and plan to go back to school. e “Back to School Guide to Academic Success Aer Traumatic Brain Injury” is available at this website http://www.dvbic.org/. Since 2000, more than 280,000 service members sustained a TBI during their service. Approximately 80 percent of those
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News Briefs (cont.) injuries happened in a non-deployed setting and are characterized as mild TBI, more commonly known as concussions. In most cases, service members who sustain concussions recover fully and quickly. But for a small portion of service members, symptoms from a concussion can linger for months or longer, creating challenges with memory and thinking, personal relationships and other aspects of life. e guide includes information service members and veterans need to start their academic journey, from symptom management to choosing a school and adjusting to civilian campus culture. A comprehensive student resources section gives students access to websites that will help connect them with the appropriate people and organizations to help answer questions and provide detailed information
VA Sponsored Dental Care Plans Starting November 15, 2013, veterans enrolled in VA health care and CHAMPVA beneficiaries have had the opportunity to purchase dental insurance coverage at a reduced cost through Delta Dental and MetLife. e VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) is authorized by the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Service Act of 2010. Delta Dental and MetLife are offering multiple plans to choose from. Coverage, available throughout the United States and its territories, includes diagnostic, preventative, surgical, emergency and endodontic/restorative treatment and services. Enrolled Veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries may sign up to participate in VADIP beginning November 15 by completing an application with Delta Dental or MetLife-online, over the phone or by mail – for the plan that best meets their dental needs and budget. Each participant will pay fixed monthly premiums for coverage and copayments identified in the plan they select. e program is voluntary and there are no eligibility limitations based on serviceconnected disability or other factors. Participation in the program by purchasing a dental plan does not affect eligibility for VA provided dental services and treatment. VADIP information is available at this VA website http:// www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip/, or by exploring the Delta Dental website http://www.deltadentalvadip.org/ or 1-855-370-3303 and at the MetLife at website https:// www.metlife.com/vadip/index.html or 1-888-310-1681.
VA Warns of Fraud e VA recently alerted NAUS about a new scam aimed at veterans. FRAUD ALERT: Veterans should be aware of a marketing scam targeting callers trying to reach the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Call Center or GI Bill Call Center. A marketing company has established two fraudulent numbers that differ from the two official VA call center numbers by one digit. If the fraudulent number is dialed by mistake, the answering party will 22
offer a gi card and try to obtain personal and financial information, including credit card information, from the caller. e answering party may even transfer the caller to the VA aer the caller’s information is obtained. Note that VA will never ask you for a credit card number or banking information over the phone. Before giving personal sensitive information over the phone make sure you know who you are taking to. e numbers to be avoided are: • 800-872-1000 (the VA National Call Center number is 800-827-1000) • 888-442-4511 (the VA GI Bill Call Center number is 888-442-4551) VA has notified law enforcement authorities to address this situation. Please pass this information along to other veterans you know.
NAUS News Loss of Two Stalwart Military Backers On October 18, Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL), 83, died at Walter Reed Hospital aer being there for the past several weeks recovering from a back injury. A former Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Young was the longest tenured Republican Representative in the House with 43 years in office. He had recently announced that he would not be running for reelection next year. Young joined the National Guard when he was 18, serving from 1948 to 1957, and spent six additional years as a reservist. Without fanfare Rep. Young and his wife Beverly would frequently visit wounded warriors at the VA Bay Pines Medical Center near his home in Florida. A bill has been introduced to rename that facility in his honor. Former Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, who built a reputation as a military expert and champion for the men and women who serve during 34 years representing western and central Missouri in the U.S. House, died October 28 in Virginia. e former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee was 81. Skelton died at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., surrounded by his wife, his sons and their families. e cause was not immediately released, but Skelton had entered the hospital a week earlier with a bad cough. A former prosecutor in his native Lexington, Mo., Skelton joined the national Kansas City-based law firm of Husch Blackwell following his 2010 defeat in Missouri's 4th Congressional District. While chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Skelton, a stalwart defender of the nation’s troops, always made sure the men and women of the services were provided with the best of equipment and other necessary items. Both Rep. Young and former Rep. Skelton will be missed. Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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ACTIVE DUTY
DOWNLOAD Pay Raise – Just 1%?
The Senate’s continued foot-dragging on taking up the National Defense Authorization Act means there is still no resolution of 2014’s pay raise as of press time. The Administration’s recommended one percent raise was supported by the Senate Armed Services Committee, while the House supported the higher 1.8 percent raise that would be required under current law (which uses a formula based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Cost Index and growth in private-sector wages). But without specifying the higher amount in its version of the NDAA, the House in effect deferred the decision to the Senate or the President, who has authority to make pay changes unless Congress specifies otherwise. So unless there is some unusual action in the Senate in late December, it is likely that 2014’s pay raise will only be one percent; the lowest active duty pay raise since 1963, when there was no raise.
Expanded Treatment for Painkiller Drug Addictions
The Defense Department lifted a restriction that prohibited TRICARE from covering certain drug therapies used in substance abuse treatment, allowing additional treatment options for service members and TRICARE beneficiaries addicted to painkillers. The change involves medications such as buprenorphine and methadone, themselves considered potentially addictive for prolonged detoxification or long-term maintenance therapy. The drugs ease cravings for painkillers and block their effects, as well as suppressing withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors and depression. Previous rules allowed the medications only for short-term detoxification or pain management. But the medical community has found them to be effective as part of an overall treatment plan to wean patients from opiate painkillers such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin. According to data compiled by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, the incident rate of opioid abuse diagnoses among active-duty troops soared from 15 per 100,000 person-years in 2000 to 80 per 100,000 person-years in 2011. A 2011 survey of active-duty members indicated that about 5 percent of troops taking any prescription in the year preceding the survey said they had abused prescription painkillers. The proposed changes have been in the works for three years, but after a September 2012 Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel urged the Pentagon to lift its treatment restrictions, action to do so was taken.The IOM researchers recommended updating TRICARE’s substance abuse treatment policies “to reflect the practice of contemporary health plans and be consistent with the range of treatments available.”
Hey Marine – Don’t Tie Those Bootlaces!
Two Marine inventors created TacLace, a simple product that transforms the time-consuming chore of tying boots into a simple process taking just seconds. When Marines first use TacLace, they thread the lose ends of their laces through a TacLace strap. From then on, they simply yank on the strap to tighten the laces and then wrap the strap once around the top of the boot — no tying or tucking. Wearers claim they are also more comfortable since they do not involve tucking excess laces into the tops of boots which can create friction and pressure points. The product became commercially available back in the fall (it sells for $15) after ensuring it would meet uniform regulations. Leaders of Infantry Combat Equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command, told the inventors that as long as TacLace did not interfere
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Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
USA
USN
USAF
USMC
USCG
USPHS
NOAA
with the function of clothing items, it was acceptable. “The idea is to get boots on quickly in combat,” said co-inventor Andrew Williams, a former logistics captain who served from 2007 until 2012 and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. TacLace is the brainchild of Cpt Pete Foster, still on active duty and serving in recruiting duty. They hope to get the product into the exchange in the near future, and perhaps one day, as an issued item.
Army to Discharge Convicted Sex Offenders
As part of the Army’s campaign against sexual assault, the Secretary of the Army issued an order in November to identify all convicted sex offenders in the Service “as soon as possible” and initiate proceedings for their discharge from the Army. Soldiers convicted of a sex offense who are deployed will be returned to the states, said Troy Rolan, an Army spokesman. Separation proceedings for the soldiers will be started regardless of the date of their conviction for the sex offense, according to the directive. For enlisted soldiers, separation proceedings will start even if after their conviction they were evaluated for retention and allowed to stay. Commissioned and warrant officers will not face separation proceedings if they were already evaluated for retention after their conviction and retained, according to the memo. “Purging convicted sex offenders from the ranks is just one of the steps Secretary McHugh is taking to combat sexual harassment and assault in the Army,” said MAJ Christopher Kasker, a spokesman for McHugh, in an emailed statement. Kasker noted that McHugh also recently ordered that officers and noncommissioned officers be assessed in their professional evaluations for their efforts to create a climate free of sexual assault and harassment.
Service Members Still Face Predatory Loans and Aggressive Debt Collectors
Despite the Military Lending Act of 2006, which capped interest rates on loans to service members, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee agree that consumer protection laws are still not doing enough to protect service members and their families from a combination of predatory lending practices and aggressive debt collection. The Federal Trade Commission received 42,000 military-related consumer complaints in 2012, according to the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. The top complaints involved debt collection, fraud involving prizes and sweepstakes, unlawful lending practices, scams involving debt relief, and scams involving imposters. Some lenders aren’t beyond using hardball and even illegal practices, such as threatening security clearances. Sen. Jay Rockefeller IV (DWV), the Senate Commerce Committee chairman, said “steady paychecks and relative job security make our servicemen and women appealing targets for unscrupulous businesses pitching predatory loan products.” He also said frequent moves to new bases or overseas deployments “can make tracking bills and negotiating with debt collectors virtually impossible.” Sen. John Thune, (R-SD) the committee’s ranking member, said “Service members, like all consumers, are not immune to the problems encountered by taking on too much debt. However, the unique demands of military service may exacerbate the negative consequences.” Federal and State officials responsible for regulating lenders warned that a combination of outright law-breaking and skirting around the edges of consumer protections requires both better financial education for service members and better laws.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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ACTIVE DUTY
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USA
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NAUS: A Proud Sponsor of the 2013 American Freedom Festival
NAUS is a Silver Sponsor of the American Freedom Foundation. This event raises money for charity organizations that
support veterans. This year’s concert at
George Mason’s Patriot Center featured
Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Operation Damayan – Relief Delivered to Philippines
In Tagalog, “damayan” means “help in time of need.” And once again, the U.S. uniformed services stepped in to help another country in need – our close ally, the Philippines. Thousands of Marines and Sailors, along with other Service Members, deployed to the Philippines in the wake of November’s Typhoon Haiyan, which killed thousands, displaced tens of thousands, and caused billions of dollars in damage to property and infrastructure. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Okinawa provided the initial U.S. military response to the disaster. At its peak, Operation Damayan involved more than 13,400 uniformed services personnel, 12 ships, and 66 aircraft.American service members cleared and operated airfields, purified water, distributed aid, and evacuated more than 21,000 people after one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall battered the country’s midsection. U.S. aircraft were crucial in providing access to remote or inaccessible areas. The military conducted more than 1,300 flights and delivered more than 2,495 tons of supplies. As of press time (mid-December) the operation was officially ended, but about 1,900 service members were still on the ground assisting Philippine authorities in relief efforts and several ships remain involved. NAUS’ own Joyce Johnson, RADM, USPHS (Ret), co-author of our Health Today column deployed to assist.
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twitter.com/NAUSHQ Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
“The Warriors”by Tom Young Book Review
by LtGen Jack W. Klimp, USMC (Ret) - NAUS President
This book is a bit of a departure from those I have previously reviewed in this column. To date, those have been the non-fiction biographies of various NAUS members. This work is fiction, a suspense novel. The author, Tom Young, is a NAUS member who has been called the next Tom Clancy. When you read his work you will understand why. I am not much of a fiction reader, but this military action thriller captured and held my attention and interest. If you like military suspense, this is an exceptional volume. Young pulls from his own air force experience and historical specifics to make his latest novel totally realistic and entirely believable. He smoothly recounts the history of the territory and how episodes happening hundreds of years ago and generations ago continue to influence the contemporary world. His technical descriptions are accurate, reflecting not only his own personal knowledge, but detailed and thorough research as well. As a result, the reader develops a genuine grasp of the barbarities that occurred in the region and is reminded of this horrendous, modern, yet under- recognized phase in the European story. Click the As for Story line, after seeing his share of fighting in at least two theaters of war, Lieutenant Colonel Michael above cover Parson is beginning to settle into his new assignment as a safety officer at the Kyrgyzstan air base. Almost immediately to visit upon his arrival on the base, a C-27 crashes on the runway. During the crash postmortem, Parson discovers the Amazon.com to purchase crew was transferring more than electronics. Opium is found secreted within the cargo. this book. As his investigation probes more deeply, Parson appeals to his old comrade, Sergeant Major Sophia Gold, to assist as an interpreter as they seek the supplier of the cargo. They are unaware that they are both about to be on the front lines of a potential eruption of war. As they and their associates battle to find the origin of the drug smuggling, a madman is resolved to restart an ethnic war to serve his own distorted and vile interpretation of history and his own personal desire for fame and glory. Parson and Gold certainly heroes, but they are “ordinary” heroes with no special powers other than courage, intelligence and resolve, everyday Americans ensnared in turbulent happenings. This book would make a good action thriller movie.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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Health Today
Q&A Migraine Headaches
Written by
Dr. Joyce M. Johnson,
RADM, USPHS (Ret), DO, MA
& Mr. James A. Calderwood, Jr.
What is a Migraine Headache? A migraine headache is a type of vascular headache, or headache related to the blood vessels of the brain. More than one in ten people have migraine headaches; they are more common in women than men. Migraine headaches tend to run in families, and may start at any age from early childhood to mid-adulthood. Frequency varies from several times a month to once every few years. Migraines can last a few hours or a couple of days. What triggers a Migraine Headache? ough the specific causes of a migraine headache are unclear, several things seem to trigger them. Migraine “triggers” are behaviors or events that frequently lead to a migraine. Different people have different triggers. Common triggers include stress or anxiety, bright light, lack of sleep, irregular eating habits, and certain foods including chocolate, aged cheese and those containing nitrates (common preservative in cured and processed meats) or MSG (monosodium glutamate which is used to make food more flavorful). Caffeine – either too much or “withdrawal” can also be related to migraines. In women, hormonal changes affect migraines. Keeping a journal of events that precede a migraine can be helpful to identify one’s specific migraine triggers. For example, if a migraine headache repeatedly occurs the day aer eating Chinese food with MSG, then avoiding MSG may help to prevent future headaches. What are “classic” and “common” migraines? Classic and common migraines are the two main types. Classic migraines are preceded with an “aura” or warning sign that happens before the actual headache begins. Examples of auras are difficulties with vision, speech, confusion, weakness in an arm or leg, or tingling in the face or hands. Common migraines aren’t preceded by auras. What are the symptoms of a Migraine Headache? A migraine headache oen begins with a dull pain on one side of the head that develops into a severe throbbing pain, and the pain may continue to radiate to other parts of the head. In addition to the severe head pain, other common symptoms include nausea or vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light or sound, and visual problems. How are Migraine Headaches Treated? Simple treatments can be very helpful. Try to relax – formal relaxation training can be useful. Drink water or fruit juice to avoid dehydration. Avoid loud noises and light - go to a quiet place, and darken the room. In general, a calm environment absent of outside stimuli is beneficial. A variety of medications are also used to treat migraines. Over-the-counter headache medications are helpful, but try to avoid using those that contain caffeine. Read labels. For people with frequent and severe migraines, medications are available to address different stages of the migraine process. If one has severe frequent headaches, daily medication to prevent them may be indicated. Other medications can be taken at the first sign of a migraine to “abort” or stop it. Medications are also available to treat excruciating pain. ough migraine medications can be helpful, some have significant side effects, and the potential benefits should be weighed against the medication risks. What are the most important things to remember about Migraine Headaches? When first experiencing a migraine headache, talk with your health care provider to determine what evaluation is needed. Headaches can sometimes be a sign of a serious problem that requires aggressive treatment. If you have recurrent migraine headaches, work with your health care provider to determine the most effective ways to prevent and treat them.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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IN THE FIELD We want your input! Let us know what you’re doing, what other NAUS members you know are doing, or what your chapter is involved with “In the Field” so we can publish it in your Journal. Please submit any articles and photos for consideration in accordance with the following editorial schedule: Last week of January - for March/April 2014 USJ Last week of March - for May/June 2014 USJ Last week of May - for July/August 2014 USJ Last week of July - for September/October 2014 USJ Last week of September - for November/December 2014 USJ (Email submissions to vsumner@naus.org are encouraged. Please do not send photocopies, and if you are taking photos of your events or activities, be sure to take several shots and send along a few of the best quality ones. Captions identifying the photos and people in them are greatly appreciated.)
REGION 1 – NORTHWEST (AK, WA, OR, ID, WY, MT): Ron Buatte, CSM, USA (Ret), Boise, ID rbuatte@cableone.net REGION 2 – WEST (HI, CA, NV, GUAM): Al Stewart, Col, USAF (Ret), Los Gatos, CA agstewart@earthlink.net REGION 3 – CENTRAL (UT, CO, KS, NE): Tom Paolillo, MSgt, USAF (Ret), Aurora, CO mileview@yahoo.com REGION 4 – SOUTHWEST (AZ, NM, TX, OK): Chuck Murphy, SMSgt, USAF (Ret), Oklahoma City, OK cmurphy40@cox.net REGION 5 – NORTH CENTRAL (ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, IL,IN, OH, MI, WI): Dick Brubaker, LtCol, USAF (Ret), Dayton, OH dickbrub@aol.com REGION 6 – SOUTHEAST (AR, LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, PR): Dennis O. Freytes, LTC, USA (Ret), Windermere, FL dennisfreytes@hotmail.com REGION 7 – NORTHEAST (ME, NH, VT, MA, NY, PA, CT, RI): Paul Dillon, MCPO, USN (Ret), Gales Ferry, CT nausct@aol.com REGION 8 – MID ATLANTIC (KY, TN, NC, VA, WV, MD, DE, NJ, DC): David Ellis, Col, USAF (Ret), Fredericksburg, VA david_sally@verizon.net
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LOOKING FOR A CHAPTER? GET IN TOUCH NOW! NAUS Members in the Tampa, FL area are hard at work to re-activate the FL Chapter 5. NAUS Member Frederick Taylor has volunteered to work in the area to bring this re-activation to life. Regional Vice President Dennis Freytes is working closely with Specialist Taylor and other members to help hold a meeting soon. NAUS Members on the west coast of Florida watch for a NAUS post card reminder with information on when and where the meeting is to take place. NAUS members of the Gen. Bob Bernstein Chapter in the Austin, TX area are working with Chapter President MSgt Bob Larson to re-energize the chapter and invite new members and ‘not so new’ members to re-join the chapter. Members in Kings/Tulare, California – looking to form a NEW NAUS CHAPTER Soon. Contact Vicki Sumner at vsumner@naus.org.
Bill Ryerson Chapter, El Paso, TX-16 e January 2014 Quarterly Membership Luncheon/Meeting was held at the Underwood Golden Tee Club House featuring keynote speaker Col Bob Pitt, USAF (Ret). As a combat pilot, Col Pitt flew 240 combat missions during the Vietnam War and distinguished himself as a Military Diplomat while serving with the American Embassy in Argentina as Military Attaché. e chapter has developed a list of Future Chapter Activities – to include the Chapter’s Board Meetings, quarterly luncheon/meetings, as well as joint/meetings with other organizations during the year. e chapter’s 2014 Board of Officers was installed at the meeting, and includes: President - MWO Edward C. Ney, USA (Ret) 1st Vice-President - CSM Sylvester Smith, USA (Ret) 2nd Vice-President - CAPT David H. Cazares, USN (Ret) 3rd Vice-President/Legislative - MSG William E. Lucy, USA (Ret) Secretary - CPT David C. ackston, Army veteran Assistant Secretary - MAJ Edward Dexter Lyerly, USA (Ret) Treasurer - LTC Daniel J. Schulte, USA (Ret) Chaplain - Col Maureen Loberg, USAF (Ret) PORTION OF AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE TX-16 PRESIDENT-ELECT ED NEY “Ryerson, Chadderton, Denham, Gorgas, Valenzuela, Gregan, McKinney, Lucy, Lyerly, Scott, Chamales, and Schulte are the names of Past Presidents since 1987 whose leadership brought the Bill Ryerson
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
El Paso Area NAUS Chapter to be recognized on several occasions as the Best Chapter in the United States of America. I can only admit to being very humble that you -the membership- have chosen me to add my name to that list of outstanding leaders. I and the wonderful slate of Officers, along with the BOD who have another year on their term of office, thank you for your faith and trust and assure you that our experience and knowledge will be used to the best of our ability to represent you and your desires to the fullest extent.”
in the past were directly helpful to both the NAUS and the AFA Virginia chapters. Such joint activities will enable further NAUS recruitment.
Dr. John A. Sheedy Chapter, Honolulu, HI-1 In Hawaii, the focus was on the December 7th memorial services. e NAUS Hawaii Chapter continues to bring the NAUS message to the US MCAS Ewa Field services. ey have been advocating for this WW2 battlefield to be added to the National Parks Service historic memorial list. e Chapter was invited to bring the "service member’s voice in government" message to the Navy RAD, this year also. e Army RAD was postponed due to sequestration cuts..
Garden State Chapter, NJ – 2
NAUS member Lt Ande Sumner, USAFR (front row far left) along with other military folks - donned purple T-shirts & tutus in honor and memory of Mary Ann Ernst (for whom the team is named) to run the National Race to End Women’s Cancer held in Washington, DC on 3 Nov 2013.
Commonwealth of Virginia Chapter, Fredericksburg, VA – 5 e end of this calendar year brings many activities for this busy chapter. On 28 October, they nominated one of their own ("Doc" Larry Repanshek) as e Free Lance-Star “Citizen of the Year---2014". "Doc" served in the armed conflict of Vietnam with the U.S. Navy as a Medical Corpsman with the Marines, surviving a land mine that damaged his right leg and foot. is is a regional effort to single out citizens who have done something of significant interest and impact in the Commonwealth of Virginia. GOOD LUCK DOC! On 07 December, the City of Fredericksburg had their Christmas Parade and NAUS-5 assisted the Experimental Aircra Association (EAA) in their supporting efforts for this event. Among other things, the EAA has been very supportive of veterans' organizations and activities in Virginia, oen most visible in aerial formations and salute at ceremonies at the ‘Memorial to Our Fallen Heroes’ event participated in by NAUS each year. e EAA is also one of the chapter’s prime membership recruiting targets as many members are service members, veterans or retirees. e chapter had planned election of officers for late 2013 but postponed their election of officers until revision of the Chapter Bylaws. e new Bylaws and the officer elections should be completed early in 2014. e chapter has also continued to liaison with the Air Force Association (AFA) who found the joint meetings Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
e chapter would like to pass on that the Fort Dix RAD had a very low attendance this year due to the government shutdown and sequester action. It was supposedly set for the end of September like they normally have it, but pushed it back to the end of October. Chapter President Bob Ellis and his wife joined the other 29 County Fair Booths and enjoyed the morning--passing out the NAUS recruitment materials sent from HQ. Many were informed about NAUS. NAUS would like to thank Bob and his lovely wife for going the extra mile to increase NAUS membership with their recruitment efforts.
Groton/New London Chapter, CT – 1 e Groton/New London Chapter President Paul Dillon traveled to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT in November as part of a team called Kaps(SS)ForKids. Here he was able to visit children that are hospitalized and present them with an Honorary Submariner ball cap and an Honorary Submariner's Certificate. Paul tells NAUS that
NAUS Chapter CT-1 member, Paul Dillon, visits the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT as part of the team called Kaps(SS)ForKids. These kids truly captured your heart.
RMCM Paul Dillon USN (Ret) stands with NJROTC Cadet Timothy Glavin. RMCM Dillon presented Cadet Glavin with the NAUS CT-1 Chapter ‘Sailor of the Quarter’ award at a ceremony held at the New London High School. Cadet Glavin was recognized for his outstanding academic and military performance within his unit. 31
IN THE FIELD
Lt Ernest Plantz, USN (Ret), CDR Barbara Miller, NC, USN (Ret), PFC Hal Farrington, USA (Ret) and RMCM Paul Dillon, USN (Ret).
H. Wayne Hein Chapter, Merced, CA – 18
HMCS (SS) James Mosley USN (Ret) a charter member of the CT-1 Chapter was recently inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
these kids truly captured his heart and all of those on the team. He says that if you think you are having a bad day then just look at the smiles on the kid’s faces…guaranteed you will be uplied! Paul Dillon has served NAUS for many years at the chapter level, the Regional Vice President level, as a Director, and as co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, and recently as a Board Advisor. NAUS members just elected Paul for another term as a Director beginning in January 2014…Welcome Back to the Board Paul, and “ank You” for all you do for NAUS! is hard working chapter is honored to announce that HMCS (SS) James Mosley USN (Ret), a charter member of the CT-1 Chapter, was recently inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2013. He is a selfless role model for young and old alike and is a strong supporter of service to country and community. Mosley joins other NAUS members who have been previously inducted and they are:
Upcoming Events - 2013 DoD Pharmacy Benefits Advisory Panel [BAP]
Marine West Expo
Davis Monthan AFB Retiree Orientation Day
Council of College & Military Educators Symposium
Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians
Marine South Expo
Watervliet Arsenal RAD
Fort Wainwright RAD
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is year the H. Wayne Hein chapter followed through with its past practice of actively participating in the Merced County (California) Annual Veterans Day Parade. e weather was superb and the event was attended by thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants. One of the chapter participants was Grand Marshal MSgt Bill Hiller, USAF (Ret) and NAUS Life Member. Bill is a WW II veteran who made the trip to Washington last year as a member of the Honor Flight. He enjoyed it immensely and upon his return, was pleased to brief members of the chapter and show
TSgt Jimmy Hines (L) and TSgt Robert Windle, carry the NAUS CA-18 Chapter Banner on 11 November in the Merced County (California) Annual Veterans Day parade.
Please send any and all information on upcoming 2013 Veteran events that you would like to see in the USJ to NAUS HQ. Please have all details of the event to include any speaker requests. Please send this information & these requests in writing to Vicki Sumner, Director of Administration via her email: vsumner@naus.org or via snail mail: NAUS HQ, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 9 Jan 2014
Navy Memorial
5 Feb 2014
Davis Monthan AFB
29 thru 30 Jan 2014
10 thru 13 Feb 2014
14 thru 15 Mar 2014
9 thru 10 Apr 2014
3 May 2014
17 May 2014
Washington, DC
Camp Pendleton, CA Tucson, AZ
Savannah, GA
Crystal City, VA
Watervliet Arsenal
Fort Wainwright, Alaska
Camp Lejeune, NC
Albany, NY
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
ardent supporters of the chapter and we’re extremely pleased to have them and their families among the chapter members… and, we might add, they are two of the chapter’s youngest and most physically fit members. e chapter wanted to ask everyone to note that Nicholas Oresko, former Army Master Sergeant and the nation’s oldest Medal of Honor recipient, died recently at the age of 96 in a NJ hospital following complications from surgery. Even though he had no living immediate family he died surrounded by his veteran and military family. NAUS morns the loss of this American Hero.
Sequoia Chapter, Clovis/Fresno, CA – 17
MSgt Hiller (CA-18 Chapter) is the Grand Marshal of the 11 November Merced County (California) Annual Veterans Day parade.
the many photos he took on the trip. He highly recommends that every veteran take advantage of the opportunity as it arises. A big cake was served during the chapter meeting at the Castle Air Museum on 16 November to honor its members who had birthdays during the months of September, October and November. is included MSgt Hiller in honor of his 92nd birthday, but he doesn’t spend much time in a rocking chair! He’s very active as the supervisor of a crew of volunteers at the Castle Air Museum who work very hard in restoring and maintaining the many aircra on display for viewing by the general public. His wife Lucille says it keeps him young and energetic! e Guest Speaker was Joe Pruzzo, CEO of the Castle Air Museum. The chapter was also pleased to have two other participants in the parade. TSgt Jimmie Hines and TSgt Robert Windle, both USAF retirees, carried a large NAUS chapter banner between them as they marched through the streets of Merced as part of the procession. ese fellows are two of our most
Army 10-Miler Expo
In late October, the same weekend as the NAUS Board and Annual Meetings, NAUS had a booth at the Army 10-miler exposition at the Armory in Washington, DC. NAUS member and veteran NAUS trade show booth volunteer Jacien Carr, USMC veteran, along with Marketing Director Steve Hein and your USJ Managing Editor Tommy Campbell, signed up more than 100 free trial members during this busy two-day expo. Many thanks to NAUS partner GovX.com for providing excellent door prize drawings to encourage the crowd to sign up for a NAUS membership. NAUS members get great discounts on a variety of products online at GovX.com – be sure to visit and register today, and start shopping and saving. Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
PORTION OF A LETTER FROM THE NAUS RVP Al Stewart – Region 2 “Mike Lamb is President of NAUS’s Sequoia Chapter which was named NAUS ‘Chapter of the Year’ at the Annual NAUS Membership Meeting on October 19, 2013. He was instrumental in arranging for and carrying out the chapter’s
L to R - Norm Morrison, Mike Lamb (CA-17 Chapter President) and Mike Bonsignore (CA-17 Chapter Treasurer) at the Veterans Festival in Hanford, CA on Monday, 11 November 2013 manning the NAUS booth.
NAUS member, Jacien Carr, USMC vet (r) signs up one of NAUS’ newest members. 33
IN THE FIELD participation in the Veterans Festival held in the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford, CA on November 11. Assisting him in that effort…were members Norm Morrison and Mike Bonsignore. Region 2 Vice President, Al Stewart, also assisted. High school ROTC marching units from throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley of California competed at the event which also honored veteran from World War II and all subsequent conflicts. Patriotic fervor was on full display at the well-attended day-long Veterans Day event.” e Chapter, due to venue location problems, had to cancel their 17 November chapter meeting but were able to hold their December meeting on the 14th in Fresno. e 2014 schedule of meetings is released as follows: Jan. 18; Feb 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 19, May 17, and June 20 (NO meeting July. Aug) but meetings continue on Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6. e chapter looks forward to full chapter participation for 2014.
Luke AFB RAD & 56 MDG Wellness Day – 2 November 2013 Luke AFB RAD & 56 MDG Wellness Day was supported this year by NAUS Regional Vice President for Region 4 – SMSgt Chuck Murphy, USAF (Ret). SMSgt Murphy was helped with the table by NAUS Life Member CW4 Doug Gray, USA (Ret) out of Scottsdale, AZ. Manning the table and talking with folks at the RADs is at the very heart of recruiting for NAUS and we thank both SMSgt Murphy and CW4 Gray for their many hours raising awareness in NAUS. anks guys for a job well done.
Policy Updates: Changes in Certification of Eligibility Requirement for Annuitants - NOTICE: Effective Aug. 1, 2013, most Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants over the age of 55 are no longer required to complete and submit an annual Certificate of Eligibility to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Annuitants should no longer expect to receive the annual COE once they reach age 55. eir eligibility to receive annuity payments will continue without submitting the COE. If an annuitant has already received a COE form this year, he or she should complete and return it. is change is taking place on a rolling basis and any annuitants that have already received COEs must return them to maintain their pay eligibility. e following categories of annuitant will continue to receive annual COEs and must submit their completed forms to DFAS to continue annuity payment eligibility: • Annuitants under 55 years of age • Annuitants who are receiving hard copy checks in a foreign country (regardless of age) • Annuitants who have a permanent disability (regardless of age) Annuitants in any of these categories should send their annual COE to: U. S. Military Annuitant Pay P.O. Box 7131 London, KY 40742-7131 Fax: 800-982-8459 34
DFAS will send an annual reminder to annuitants who must continue to file a COE. Annuitants should be sure to notify DFAS when they move, to ensure they continue to receive these important notices and reminders.
Regional Vice President Dennis Freytes Visits the Hill NAUS Region SE VP LTC Dennis Freytes, USA (Ret) went to Washington and walked the Halls of Congress recently. Congressman John Mica (R-FL) took Dennis to three Committee Meetings; introduced him to his Veterans' Representative and invited him to lunch with the Congressman’s Chief of Staff in the Congressional Dining Room. During a personal tour of Capitol Building several photos were taken. ey went to the Speaker's Office/ Balcony and discussed NAUS; Veterans Issues (to include L-R RVP Region 6 LTC Dennis Freytes, NAUS Rethe opening of the upcoming gion 6 Vice President and Congressman John VA Orlando Medical Center Mica on the Hill. This photo was taken when (which NAUS SE Region was NAUS Region SE RVP Freytes visited the Hill as the guest of the Congressman. at the forefront of the fight to get it constructed). Congressman Mica said he and his office will continue to support NAUS and as the past Chairman of the Transportation Committee, he told LTC Freytes that he plans to Chair the Government Affairs Committee and stay involved in veterans issues.
Vietnam Service “Presumptive” Disability Benefits VA presumes that specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans were caused by their military service. VA does this because of the unique circumstances of their military service. If one of these conditions is diagnosed in a veteran, VA presumes that the circumstances of his/her service caused the condition, and disability compensation can be awarded. e following health conditions are presumptively recognized for service in Vietnam. Veterans with one or more recognized conditions do not have to show that their illness is related to their military service to get disability compensation. VA presumes that their condition is service-connected. Conditions include chloracne, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease, porphyria cutanea tarda, multiple myeloma, respiratory cancers including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus, prostate cancer, acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy, type 2 diabetes, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Recently added conditions include B cell leukemias such as hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease. Certain conditions are also recognized for the children of Vietnam veterans. Covered birth defects include a wide range conditions. Eighteen defects are specifically included and others not specifically excluded are covered. Vietnam veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
between 1/9/62 and 5/7/75, and later contracted any of these conditions, or have children with birth defects, should apply for disability compensation benefits. ere are no time limits to apply. e Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. ere are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyoings.com. NAUS would like to thank Joe Wright, retired Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer and Veterans Service Officer for Kings County for this current information. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call 582-3211, ext. 2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us. Several RADs were held at the end of 2013. Unfortunately NAUS was unable to find information about them. ose RADs are as follows: Fort Knox RAD: 01 – 02 November 2013 Indianapolis RAD (Fort Ben Harrison): 16 Nov 2013
Homes For Heroes Homes For Heroes (HFH), the nation’s largest philanthropic real estate program was created after the tragic events of 9/11 in response to the short comings of the current system to provide support to its community heroes and as a “thank you” to our military service members and first responders who give unselfishly of themselves to stabilize our nation, our communities and our lives. More than 1,100 realtors nationwide have teamed with Homes For Heroes to provide extraordinary savings and home buying support to uniformed service members who provide extraordinary services to our community every day. The benefits include: • Exceptional Service from Top Rated and often prior hero Brokers and Agents • 25% credit off HFH agents’ commissions • Lenders offset closing costs • Home inspection discounts • Waived or reduced title fees • Unsued credits are donated to clients’ charity of choice or HFH Foundation The HFH Foundation was created to help bridge the gap between benefits earned in service and the full costs of buying a home. Samuel Cachola, Broker/Founder of Reality Realty Virginia Heroes, the #1 HFH affiliate in Virginia, is shinning example of HFH Affiliates can accomplish in their Communities, “Over the last 5 years our team has been able to offset hero costs or put back into the community over 700k.” Sam explains, “Charity begins at home, therefore our first look is to cover all hero expenses”. Once costs are covered clients can give back, paying it forward, “Heroes take great pride in being able to put back into the community they live and work in”. Local schools, civic centers athletics, EMS fundraisers, Firehouse fund raisers, Wounded Warriors, local ministries, Fisher House and community support organizations are just a few of the programs supported over the years. Sam states, “its amazing what you can do when you focus on stability and readiness of people, not just profit.” At Reality Realty Virginia Heroes we put people first, focus on stability and sustainment never losing site of the responsibility we have to protect our clients. “Service Deserves its Rewards” is the same level of professionalism, concern and care our heroes demonstrate to us on a daily basis.
Visit www.HomesForHeroes.com or call 1-866-974-4376 to learn more. Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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Etta Brown National SMW President ettabrown47@yahoo.com www.militarywidows.org Established 1968 • Affiliated 1984
reetings, please enjoy the pictures of the 34th convention of the Society of Military Widows held in Nashville ,TN on October 13-19, 2013. The city and surrounding area is beautiful. We toured the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the architectural landmark of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. We marveled at the size of the Goddess, Athena located in the Parthenon. As some took the wagon ride around Andrew Jackson ‘s plantation called the Hermitage others toured his home. We saw the downtown sites and the Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park and the impressive view of the Capital building atop the largest hill in the city. To complete the city tour a most delicious, southern dinner was served family style at Monell’s. Oh yes, did I mention the dinner cruise on the Cumberland River and the Grand Ole Opry which were both great experiences, even though it rained? We traveled to Fort Campbell where we remembered
our thirty -three deceased members at one of the largest Chapels on an Army base. Of course we shopped the Base Exchange! During our gatherings at the hotel we were entertained by a local story teller who was hilarious and a fellow member from Hawaii who whistles all sorts of tunes. And with all the fun , food and sites members were attentive , cooperative, shared opinions and expressed concerns which resulted in very productive meetings. Thanks again to all who came, participated and enjoyed convention 2013. Hopefully next year you will join us as we travel to Hawaii. Yes, Chapter 25 has invited us to see the Islands. Contact us for more information. May Peace fill your heart through the holiday season and remain throughout the coming year,
Aloha Chapter, SMW – 25 - e Aloha Chapter headed for the TREETOPS Restaurant in Paradise Park for their November meeting. Always a favorite location, the buffet was terrific.... not to mention the incredible view. It was Saturday November 23, 2013 the 4th Saturday in November. e guest speaker was Ms. Maria Olipas who is the Star Advertiser’s coupon instructor and teaches "free coupon classes" where she shares her knowledge of maximizing coupon savings. Ms. Olipas is married to her high school sweetheart from Ewa Beach and presently lives in Waipahu. She works full time for a large global company but outside of her full time job, she is an independent consultant. She began couponing at 19, but her passion eventually fizzled out. It was reignited however in 2013, thanks to the Grocery Smarts Seminar held at the Star Advertiser’s plant in Kapolei. HEADS UP LADIES – e ALOHA CHAPTER WILL SPONSOR the 2014 ANNUAL SMW CONVENTION – An invitation has been extended to all local members, families and friends as well as all other chapter members to experience Hawaii aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ PRIDE OF AMERICA during the convention October 18th to 25th 2014. It is true! e eight day seven night sailing will include private group activities, a banquet as well as time to relax, explore and reflect. is amazing cruise will enable participants to experience the islands at their own pace amongst friends while being pampered by the excellent service that the Norwegian Cruise Lines is known for. If you are interested and would like more information about the itinerary, cabin availability, pricing, etc., please
contact Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. at (808) 949-4144 or at info@seawindtours.com. CAUTION: Cruise and activities are ONLY available for bookings made through Seawind Tours & Travel. Cabin type selections & handicap access rooms are limited – please book early. ere are installment plans available. e Aloha Chapter hopes to SEE YOU THERE! Southern Nevada Chapter, SMW – 34 - e ladies of SMW #34 participated in the 2013 ‘Wreaths Across America’ on 14 December and helped place wreaths at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV. Denise Elizabeth Ashurst will be the guest speaker at their meeting on Sunday, January 12, at 12:30 p.m. at the Palace Station Feast Buffet Private Room. She will talk about her new book, "You're in the Army Now" – and will generously give the SMW of Southern Nevada Chapter #34 10% of the proceeds of the sale of this book. She will be going on a book tour in February. Denise Elizabeth Ashurst served twenty years in the United States Air Force where she retired as a Technical Sergeant. She went on to serve at the United States Department of Energy (DoE), at the National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Site Facility (NNSA/NSF) as the Operations Coordinator at the Nevada Test Site. She retired from the DoE and now resides in Boulder City, Nevada where she is the founder and president of the PrideinPurity International Ministries, mentoring to women of all ages. Denise has authored two books. "Prideinpurity" and "Ribblets". Her third book "You're in the Army Now" was edited for the public and released in December 2013. Her work and blog
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can be found at www.prideinpurity.com. Denise has a son age 33 and a daughter age 30, both live and work in Las Vegas. Denise is a "Disabled Vet"... but not from the Test Site; service connected ailments...with a 40% disability rating. She is currently a member of the following organizations, but does not sit on the board of any of these organizations because of her busy mentoring and traveling schedule: World Affairs Council of Las Vegas; National Airmen Association; Calvary Chapel Boulder City and the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. e 15 participants from all over the country who went on the SMW Interfaith Tour of Israel from January 13 - 24, (hosted by Society of Military Widows of Southern Nevada Chapter #34) will be returning soon. Please watch for photos and information from these ladies when they return from this ‘one of a kind’ experience. SMW Chapter #34 would like to share that one of their own,
SMW Legislative Report
Midge Sparlin, sewed 152 blankets throughout this year to present to a local Veteran organization. Midge was recently honored by Channel 8 TV in Las Vegas by receiving their "Acts of Kindness" award. Below is the web address to watch the video of Midge and the members of the Society of Military Widows of Southern Nevada Chapter #34 who gave blankets to the homeless veterans at U.S. Vets in Las Vegas on November 8th. NAUS and SMW THANK YOU, Midge, for all the wonderful, compassionate work that you do! http://www.8newsnow.com/story/24082512/acts-ofkindness-midge-sparlin?_action_ids=10200895136363 746&_action_types=og.recommends&_source=other_ multiline&action_object_map=%5B1399323290309290% 5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.recommends%22%5D &action_ref_map=%5B%5D
These are the ABCs of writing to Members of Congress:
A: Always be respectful - our legislators and their staff work long hours and on weekends too. Start your messages with expressions of thanks for their work on your behalf. B: Be persistent - send letter after letter, e-mail after e-mail, phone calls every week - asking them about the status of the bill you want to be passed into Law. Soon they will remember your name, and what is important to you. C: Care about your issue - share your personal story and be passionate about it. Recently I was honored to testify in a congressional field hearing at Las Vegas City Hall. The topic was "Complications of Geography: Focusing on VBA Outreach, Accessibility, Leadership and Staffing Efforts to Meet the Needs of Veterans Living in Areas Remote from a Regional Office" which was hosted by Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1) who is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee on the House VA Committee. I was asked to participate as a leader in the Society of Military Widows, to discuss my perspective by sharing the experiences of our members, regarding the VA's effectiveness in Southern Nevada. Get involved !! There are many ways we can become active with Members of Congress in our local communities: participating in Veterans Advisory Panels, attending Town Halls, Janet Snyder - SMW Legislative Chair volunteering in the local office. (702) 227-6566 • groundhog71@gmail.com
S OCIETy
OF
M ILITARy W IDOWS ®
w w w. M i li tar yWi dows.o rg
SMWUSJ13
Recruited by
Name
Date of Birth
Address Email Address
DUES: o 1 Yr
City
$19
o 3 Yrs
$49
o 5 Yrs
Phone Number
$69
Society of Military Widows 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151 www.MilitaryWidows.org • 1-800-842-3451
As a benefit of membership, you receive a subscription to the NAUS Weekly Update e-newsletter. If you do not wish to subscribe, please check here: o Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
State Spouse’s Service Affiliation
Zip
Are you an un-remarried widow? o Yes o No
Charge my dues of $ _______ to my credit card: o VISA o MC o AmEx o Discover Credit Card Acct. No
Credit Card Expiration Date
Name (as shown on Credit Card) Signature (required)
Or make your check payable to: SMW/NAUS 37
SMW 2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE October 16-20 - NASHVILLE, TN On October 16, the ladies went on the General Jackson Cruise on the Cumberland River and enjoyed a buffet lunch and country entertainers. e Tennessee storyteller was most entertaining, as she told about her life and 'good dirt' stressing how important it is to write down your stories so you can pass this historical information to your families. e banjo player was outstanding playing beautiful bluegrass music. Both entertainers were given standing ovations as they were so great. October 17, SMW members went by bus to Fort Campbell to shop at the PX and have lunch. ere was a Memorial Service at the Liberty Chapel (serving 16 different religious groups) on post. Colonel Houston welcomed us. Patsy Wetmore, SMW National Chaplain, conducted the Memorial Service, reciting the names of deceased members in each SMW Chapter as the Presidents of each chapter put a rose in the wreath for the members who had passed and telling something about those members. October 18 was a Legislative Workshop at the hotel. Discussions during this workshop included the TMC Survivor Programs Committee Goals, listing of important legislation that affects military surviving spouses and how to contact our Senators and Representatives. e announcement from DFAS that the Annual Certificate of Eligibility is no longer required for most Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitants over the age of 55 came as very good news. Patricia Walker, SMW President-Elect, presented the NAUS Legislative Goals plus her own tips and inspirational messages. October 19 was the Annual Meeting and Banquet Luncheon. During the meeting, Chapter 25 from Honolulu presented plans and highlights of next tive t Snyder, Legisla year's Cruise Convention in Hawaii. RVP, #37: Jane NW s, us tk Lu tty , & Be During the luncheon we were entertained Nat'l President #22: Paula Piaz Brundige, past ie ss Je : #6 d an by Chapter 25 member Peggy Harris Chair, who whistled several songs. She was given a standing ovation. ere is a group Past SMW President Marilyn Savage, & Chapter 14 photo of all the SMW members included in President, Alicia Gonzalez this USJ. During the meeting there was a Parade of Banners by all the chapters of SMW. In the evening the attendees went by bus to the Grand Ole Opry for a delightful performance of country music. For many of them it was their first time to go to the Grand Ole Opry. It was a full house for that performance with 4,000 people in Etta Brown, Patsy Wetmore, Chaplain of Ft Campbell, Cathy attendance. e Society of Military McGraw, & Patricia Walker Widows was mentioned on the screen as honored guests, and was introduced before the show. ident, & ne, Aloha Pres Va y Jo P, RV President Etta Brown mentioned that this was the 34th annual SMW National tweiler, SW #25: Ayako De Convention, and that it was our responsibility to keep the organization going in y le rm Marion Pa order to benefit the new military widows. 38
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
Seniors’ Corner
by Rick Jones
Cost of Living Adjustment Increases 1.5 Percent for 2014 robs taxpayers and denies or delays benefits for someone e federal government has announced that the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will increase 1.5 percent rise for 2014. e COLA increase applies to Social Security benefits, military retired pay, VA disability pay, DIC and all other VA pays. e first pay increase comes with your January check. Taxes on wages also increase in January—Social Security (taxable maximum) increases to $117,000 from $113,700. An estimated 165 million workers will pay Social Security taxes in 2014 and nearly 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Disability Program on Track to Bust Nearly 11 million disabled workers, spouses and children get Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. at's a 45 percent increase from a decade ago. In order to qualify, people are supposed to have disabilities that prevent them from working and are expected to last at least a year or result in death. In October the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on improperly awarded disability benefits detailed in a report of the findings from a two-year investigation into the disability program. "e report describes how one lawyer, several judges and a group of doctors moved hundreds of claimants onto the disability rolls based on manufactured medical evidence and boilerplate decisions," Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said at the late fall hearing. “As a result they saw millions of dollars flow their way." is breakdown is one reason why Social Security Disability Insurance—one of the federal government's two disability programs—is under severe financial strain. e program is at risk of running out of funding by 2016, according to the trustees who oversee the program. "With the clock ticking on the agency's trust fund," Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, said, "every bogus claim made on behalf of someone who is not truly disabled Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
who is truly disabled.” "e point of the hearing is not to attack our disability programs, which play a critical role in the lives of many Americans," Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said, "but to spotlight the abusive conduct of a group of legal, medical, and judicial professionals exploiting those programs, and recommend measures to prevent similar abuses in the future." e disability program is funded by disability insurance (DI) taxes of 1.4 percent, which are included in the Social Security rate of 6.2 percent for workers and employers or 12.4 percent for the self-employed.
An Apple a Day and a Handful of Nuts For a healthy lifestyle you’ve heard the recognizable saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Now hear this: “A handful of nuts helps you live longer.” A recently released study from the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston found that people who ate a 1-ounce serving of nuts each day showed a 20 percent reduced risk of dying from any cause over three decades, compared to those who didn't eat the tasty snacks. Even more good news: A daily handful of nuts, about one ounce, helped people gain less weight, the researchers tell us. e study uncovered an association between eating nuts and living longer and adds to the research that nuts are part of an overall healthful diet. By the way, a 1-ounce serving is equal to about 16 to 24 almonds, 16 to 18 cashews or 30 to 35 peanuts (45 pistachios). So … “Go Nuts” in 2014!
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Contributors
THANK YOU to all our contributors and each and every one of you for your faithful and generous support. While we don’t have space to list
every contributor, every gift is appreciated. If you would like to contribute, please use the coupon on page 41 or go online to www.NAUS.org or
call 1-800-842-3451.
Chairman’s Club (More than $500)
Ms. Cheryl Glang • SFC Mitsuru Sato • LtCol Douglas Stewart
President’s Club ($200 to $499) CMSgt Robert Chervek • SGM Norman Fulkerson • COL Janet Hale Ph.D. • 2LT Robert Lee SMSgt William Miller • Mrs. Elizabeth Oxnam • Mr. Stuart Rubinfeld • COL Frank Wilson Century Club ($100 to $199) Mrs. Virginia Norman SFC Geoffrey Parker Sr. 1SG Robert Peters 1SG omas Purvinis LTC Anthony Quattromani Col Walter Reynolds Jr. CAPT John Richardson LtCol Robert Rindal COL Lewis Routon MSG Keith Salyer TSgt William Saunders CW3 Richard Sharke Ms. Rosemarie Sherfy CMSgt Robert Simpson Mrs. Shirley Smith CSM Vernon Snyder MSG Jesse Stutts Mrs. Susan Trekell CW4 Norman Trimer SFC Glenn Vealey LT A. Wichita Col Warren Wiedhahn CMSgt William Wilmer Ms. Bettye Young
Booster Club ($35 to $99) SGM Edward Aja LTC Leon Anderson YNCM Dennis Arnold LTC Samuel Asbury III CSM William Austin Mrs. Ryoko Aycock SMSgt William Baer Mrs. Sarah Barge 40
Mrs. Peggy Bassford SgtMaj Donald Battaglia SMSgt James Baughman CSM Floyd Bennett MSgt William Bergstrom Mrs. Brunhilde Berry MSgt Carl Black CSM Delmer Bobbitt Cpl Leroy Boehl Maj William Bowen MSG James Bradshaw SFC Edwin Breakey LTC Edward Brown TSgt John Brunet PO1 James Burm SGM Russell Cain Mrs. Jane Campbell SGM James Carroll Mrs. Alice Carter Col Neil Chapman 1SG Joseph Chavez COL John Childers Jr. MSgt Nils Christensen SFC Lyle Clute SGM Lowell Cobbs SSgt Franklin Cone SSgt Charles Conrick III Mrs. Shirley Cool COL Robert Copeland MSgt Karl Corser Jr. MSgt Karl Corser Jr. MSG Wilbur Coulter SCPO Raymond Danielson LtCol Jay Daugherty COL James Davis Mrs. Nancy De Lara SgtMaj James De Shields MSgt Herbert Dean
MSgt A. Debettencourt Jr. COL Dan Dennison MSG Rodney Dias CPT John Diotte SMSgt Hilmar Doerr SSG Benny Dulin SFC Burton Eastman Maj Kevin Eck CAPT L. Edwards LtCol Edward Ehrenberger LTC Claire Eike Jr. CAPT Kirk Engel Mr. Richard Essex CW4 David Failacci SFC Jackie Farrow LtCol Georgia Feeney CMSgt Wayne Ford Ms. Anna Foultz SSgt Robert Foxwell MSgt John Frantz MSG Robert Frantz Capt H. P. Freburger Jr. MSgt Richard Fujishige CW3 Benjamin Gabel Col John Gagen LTC Isaac Garner Jr. COL Willis Garretson CAPT Salvatore Gasdia CWO-4 Louis Gentile SGM David Gibbs MAJ Robert Gleason CSM Joe Godwin LTC Robert Gray MG Edward Greer SGM William Groce Col Stanley Grogan Jr. Sgt Mark Haggerty LTC Gerald Hanson
Col Franklin Hart Jr. COL Jay Hartman ABEC Gordon Haught LtCol Harry Hauser SFC Deborah Hawkins SGM George Heinen Ella Helm COL Robert Hertel COL James Heyward CMSgt Lawrence Hicks Mrs. Penelope Hodge MSgt Kenneth Holloway BG Fenwicke Holmes MAC Cecil Holt CSM Ronald Honeyman Col Victor Hoops Mrs. Elizabeth Hoppe MSG Cary Horton Jr. CSM Peter Howlett MSgt Jack Huey 1stLt Lloyd Hugill MCPO Coy Hulin ETCM (SS) Gaylord Humphries Mrs. Lola Hunt Mrs. Anna Hutton SGM Peter Iverson CW4 Paul Jeannin CW2 Russell Johnson ATC Rolf Jokiel COL Martin Jourden CMSgt Calvin Keil SFC John Kelleher MG Philip Kensinger Jr. MSgt Paul Kent LCDR Joseph Kiraly COL Richard Kitts SGM Venis Knight CPO William Knight
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
CAPT Joseph Krajc Col Jack Krout Mrs. Virginia Kurrich CAPT Ralph Laedtke SMSgt Richard Lange CMSgt Lester Layman Jr. SGM Cleo Lee 1SG Emanuel Leon Mrs. Marilyn Likens CMSgt Allan Lindblom LTC Robert Loe Col Chester Lukas Col Harry Magazu MAJ Bernard Magelky LCDR Nicole Manning CMSgt Richard Mason SSG Eberhard Mattler BGen Paul Maye SFC Edward Mazur MAJ Max McAllister CDR Robert McComb Mrs. Johanna McGee SGM Danzil McIntosh CMSgt William McMullen CSM Charles McQuerry Mrs. Carol Menard SSG Charles Menz COL Clyde Meyer Mrs. Elaine Miles CDR Barbara Miller NC CAPT Frank Miller D.D.S. CW3 Robert Miller Mrs. Ann Moore LtCol Elias Moreno Jr. MSG Austin Morrison LtCol Newell Moy CW4 William Murphy Col Gerald Musselman Mr. Norris Nahman Ph.D. SGM Anthony Nathe COL John Newton LTC Robert Nulk CMSgt William Oberman LtCol Patrick O'Reilly MSG Willard Owens Mrs. Shirley Paltauf Maj David Payne CW3 Herbert Pennington Jr. MSgt Paul Perry MSgt Roderick Peters Mrs. Christina Petteruti LtCol Fred Pillsbury Maj Earl Place SFC Adrian Poland CDR eodore Polgar SFC Joseph Quelch LTC Diane Ramsey 1SG Lloyd Rath Mrs. Frances Ratliff CMSgt Henry Ray LTC John Reid Jr. Mrs. Doris Render Ms. Rebecca Renner SGM W. Reyes-Beauchamp TSgt John Richardson SFC Charles Robertson
CW2 Edward Rochel PO1 Dana Rodriguez MSG Dolpha Rohrbough SMSgt Donald Rothdiener SSG William Rowswell Mrs. Joyce Russell MAJ Melvin Russell Jr. CMSgt Gene Salisbury LTC Eudell SanfordAbernathy LTC Joseph Saul SFC Edward Saunders Mrs. Diane Sawicki Mrs. Patricia Scally CW4 Norbert Schoenauer CW4 James Seal MSG John Shoemaker LCpl Carl Sibiga Mrs. Dorothy Simington Mrs. G. Smith MSgt John Smith Jr. Mrs. Kitty Smith SMSgt Milton Smith LTC Richard Smith Jr. TSgt Wesley Smith Jr. Maj Katherine Snuggs Col Marion Stansell Col Taylor Stem Jr. Mrs. Benita Sterne SGM Grady Stewart SGM William Stewart 1SG Robert Stone COL Larry Stubblefield SSG Lawrence Tabor MG omas Tait CPO James issen Mr. Francis un SFC Audrey Toombs MSgt Charles Turner LTC Donald Ulmer Mrs. Bettye Underwood LTC Blaise Vallese LtCol Don Van Dyke MSG Gregor Vik Mrs. Mary Von Melker TSgt Alston Wade Jr. AT1 Howard Wagenheim SSG Burt Warren MSgt Philip Wescott LtCol Walter Wierzbicki LtCol Kenneth Willes BMC Jon Wilson LTC Clifford Wollard Virginia Wood Col Royce Wooddell MSgt omas Yates Mrs. Mary Yep Col Gerald Young Jr. Mrs. Virginia Zamora SMSgt Arturo Zapata
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
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The American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) was founded to serve the interests of Merchant Marine veterans and affiliated with NAUS in July 2008. 42
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
Wreaths Across America NAUS was proud to again honor the fallen soldiers at Arlington Cementary on December 14,2013. As part of the 2013 Wreaths Across America program, NAUS helped to carry out the programs mission of coordinating wreath laying ceremonies not only at Arlington but at locations in all 50 states, at sea and 24 national cemeteries on forgein soil.
Uniformed Services Journal January/February 2014
TAPS
In Lieu of Flowers: NAUS wishes to thank those who have asked that “In lieu of flowers” a donation be made to the NAUS. is is a thoughtful and lasting salute to the memory of those dedicated veterans of the uniformed services. ank you for thinking of those who will follow. Donations should be sent to: NAUS, 5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151
MSG John M. Bell, Jr., USA (RET) MSG Donald E. Boldt, USA (RET) BMC Robert D. Borgstedt, USN (RET) Maj Joe E. Bryant, USAF (RET) MSG Bernard L. Carter, USA (RET) LTC Jack B. Cooper, USA (RET) LTC Patsy M. Farro, USA (RET) COL Robert W. Fisher, USA (RET) LTC George S. Goodale, USA (RET) SMSgt Ralph E. Hall, USAF (RET) PO1 Duane E. Jones, USN (RET) CPO Vincent G. Lawrence, USCG (RET) Mrs. Elva L. Lydon (SMW) LTJG Herman E. Melton, MM (VET) LtCol Michael Mura, USMC (RET) Col George A. Patterson, USAF (RET) Mrs. Marcia J. Rast (SMW) Mrs. Electa M. Raygor (SMW) SSgt Kenneth E. Saya, USMC (RET) PO3 Joseph A. Sheddan, USN (RET) Mr. William K. Siglar, USAF (RET) COL Ray H. Smith, USA (RET) Maj Richard H. Stanley, USAF (RET) 1SG Richard Y. Tabe, USA (RET) MSgt Rudolph Vining, USAF (RET) CDR Donald J. Weidman, USN (RET) CMSgt Robert J. Wells, USAF (RET) SFC David L. Whitt, USA (RET) MAJ Alan N. Woolley, USA (RET)
43
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