MOAA STORMS HILL FOR TROOPS, SURVIVORS, RETIREES

MOAA Council and Chapter Presidents from the 50 states and Puerto Rico, accompanied by members of the national Board of Directors and headquarters staff, swarmed Capitol Hill on April 18 to visit representatives’ and senators’ offices on key MOAA legislative initiatives.

This year, the “Hill stormers” focused on three main issues, supporting efforts to:

(1) Oppose disproportional TRICARE fee increases proposed by Defense leaders

(2) Fix Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) inequities for survivors of members who died of service-connected causes and “Greatest Generation” retirees

(3) Authorize a larger pay raise for the troops than the 3% proposed in the President’s budget
MOAA representatives carried a wealth of information supporting those goals, including information brochures outlining the problems and the needed fixes. continue reading

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COUNCIL AND CHAPTERS SATISFY BASIC NEEDS, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

The active duty armed forces officer works to accomplish a specific mission and at the same time participates in a highly structured social life. It’s duty by day, and often the Officers Club at night.

At another time and place it is the professional association which provides opportunities for service as well as a social component involving camaraderie and good fellowship.

Many feel truly fortunate to be a member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the 360,000 member strong premier organization of its kind. continue reading

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THREE ISSUE FOCUS IN COMING YEAR

Late in 2006, and after extensive studies, MOAA settled on three important issues it will pursue with the Congress.

First, the military pay gap. Uniformed services’ members basic pay must be reasonably comparable with private sector pay scales and adjusted annually as necessary to restore/maintain comparability with private sector pay increases. continue reading

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MOAA NEEDS FULL LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE PARTICIPATION

National MOAA is asking every California member to forward completed mailback cards to Senator Carl Levin, Representative Ike Skelton, Representative Duncan Hunter, and Senator John McCain, and do it without any more delay.

The mailback cards are an important part of a comprehensive strategy to establish the kinds of relationships that will result in positive influence. Taking a few minutes to mail the cards will make a significant difference.

The cards have been included in the February 2007 issue of Military Officer magazine.

It is an easy way for the membership to make a huge impact, making real the “One Powerful Voice” concept. continue reading

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Today I had the occasion to be in a telephone conversation with Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret the incoming MOAA staff Director of Council & Chapters Affairs Department. At one point we touched on the recently concluded subject meeting. Wherein he noted he attended along with outgoing Director Col Chris Giaimo, USAF-Ret., Col. Mike Jordan, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s Marketing Director, MOAA Directors Col Bill Gavitt,USAF-Ret and BGen Wayne Hoffman, USA-Ret the National MOAA’s Chaplain. His conclusion as related to me was we were probably overly projecting/anticipating the size of the event but when it came down to the actual activities they were successful.

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Sen. Warner Steps Down as Armed Services Leader At a White House ceremony on Oct. 17, President Bush signed into law the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for FY2007 (Public Law 109-364). Among other provisions, the new law provides a 2.2% military pay raise, authorizes lower-cost health coverage for drilling Guard and Reserve members and families, and bars any increases in retiree TRICARE fees for FY2007.

It will be the last defense bill shepherded through Congress by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner (R-VA), who steps down as chairman at the end of the year, in compliance with Senate tenure rules. When the 110th Congress convenes next year, the new chairman is expected to be Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — provided the Republicans retain control of the Senate. Should the Democrats regain leadership, the chairman would be Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI).

Warner assumed the Committee chairmanship in 1999 - a time of turmoil and retention problems in the armed forces due largely to pay and benefits cutbacks over the previous two decades. During his eight-year tenure, he oversaw the most significant period of military compensation and benefit improvements in more than 50 years, including:

*Major progress in restoring military-civilian pay comparability; * Enactment of TRICARE For Life and pharmacy coverage for older beneficiaries; * Repeal of the “REDUX” retirement system that cut lifetime retired pay value by 25% for post-1986 entrants; * Concurrent receipt for thousands of severely or combat-disabled military retirees; * Phase-out of the age-62 benefit cut for Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants; and * Major death benefit increases for survivors of members who die during active or Guard/Reserve service.

A World War II veteran of the Navy and a Korean War veteran of the Marine Corps, Warner rose to become Secretary of the Navy in the early 1970s and has served in the Senate since 1979. In the early 1980s, he co-authored the Nunn-Warner compensation improvements that helped the services recover from the erosion-of-benefits era of the late 1970s - including double-digit pay raises in 1981 and 1982 and establishment of the first Variable Housing Allowance.

Senator Warner is a two-time recipient of MOAA’s Arthur T. Marix Award for Congressional Leadership. Every member of the military community is deeply in his debt, and we are fortunate that we’ll continue to have the benefit of his leadership experience in the Senate.

I would just like to add that at one time his wife was Elizabeth Taylor.

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Sustain the Force This November MOAA hosts a professional symposium addressing the question, “Can we sustain the all-volunteer force (AVF) in an extended war?” It’s a question vital to the future of our nation. The health of the AVF rests with recruiting and retention - fac= tors that rely firmly on national support. I recently told a national magazine reporter that if I were passing out grades, the AVF - “America’s Team” - would receive an A+ for its worldwide performancel would give the elected leaders of both political parties a C for their support of the AVF - and I would give our citizens a B- for their support and loyalty. By nature, military people are dedicated, mission-oriented, and self-effacing. They do their jobs without bragging or seeking praise. It’s time this nation’s leaders and ordinary citizens alike show their proper appreciation of these men and women - and by appreciation I mean deeds, not lip service and bumper stickers. Both political parties talk a good game, but when it comes to proactive efforts to ensure the AVF has the training, equipment, personnel, and benefits it needs, the military and its people often come second to other priorities. Examples include Congress passing Defense bills several months late and robbing Defense dollars for billions to spend on pork projects - unacceptable actions during a time of war. These grades - B’s and C’s - won’t sustain the AVF. We should start with two pivotal steps. First, in their speeches and public pronouncements, our elected and appointed leaders should ask all citizens to consider serving their nation in uniform. We need leaders and influencers (educators, coaches, and parents) to say that serving the country in the military is a good, noble thing to do. Second, we should always treat America’s Team as the role models and heroes they are - and that includes their families as Well as those who have served in the past. We must keep our commitments and promises to those who serve and have served by enacting programs and benefits that attract and retain the best and brightest people into the military and reward them for serving for a career. During this challenging period in our history, I am grateful for everything each of you does to send a loud and consistent message to service personnel and their families that their sacrifice and service are truly valued; your leadership has made a real difference. Now our leaders and fellow citizens need to follow your example and step up to the challenge. - Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret.

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MOAA HOSTS PRESIDENT BUSH’S ADDRESS IN WASHINGTON, DC

Alexandria, Va…The Military Officers Association of America, the nation’s largest veteran’s organization for active duty, National Guard, Reserve, former and retired military officers and their families and surviving spouses, hosted President George W. Bush’s address to the Nation about the Global War on Terrorism today at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.

President Bush was introduced by MOAA Chairman of the Board, GEN John W. Hendrix, USA (Ret), who told the audience that MOAA has supported a strong national defense for more than 77 years, the key component of which is a highly qualified and capable career force.

About 500 people attended the speech, including MOAA members and invited guests; members of the diplomatic corps; U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ted Stevens (R-AK), and John Warner (R-VA); Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff; members of veterans and military organizations; and wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

MOAA representatives who greeted the President with GEN Hendrix were VADM Norbert R. Ryan, Jr.,USN (Ret), President of MOAA; COL Bill Flanagan, Jr., USA (Ret), Virginia Council President of MOAA; Cdr Tom Smith, USN (Ret), Maryland Council 1st VP of MOAA; LTC Joe Simonelli, USA, of MOAA’s Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Committee; and Mrs. Margery LeTourneau, of MOAA’s Auxiliary Member Advisory Committee.

“We were honored that President Bush would recognize MOAA by making a major address to our members and guests,” said GEN Hendrix.

Colonel Marvin J. Harris, USAF (Ret) Director, Public Relations Military Officers Association of America

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