No doubt 2012 is going to present as many challenges as opportunities for Active Duty and Retired military service members and their families, On a positive note, the President signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Key provisions of the act include a 1.6% increase in active duty and reserve pay, and a restriction in annual TRICARE enrollment fee increases for retirees to an amount equal to retired pay increases.
It is clear however, that military healthcare and retirement benefits remain at risk. TRICARE in particular remains a vulnerable target. Unfortunately, active duty and retired military service members continue to get mixed signals from Congress as it relates to addressing threats to military healthcare and retirement benefits. As an example, recent MOAA Updates have highlighted the two month “Doc Fix” deal. Originally, legislation was intended to prevent a 27% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to medical providers. After the House passed a two year “doc fix” plan the Senate responded by amending the plan and reducing the “fix” to a two month plan. House and Senate leaders have agreed to a conference in the beginning of 2012 with the objective to develop a one year fix. MOAA members continue to lead the the charge in shaping dialogue on this and other benefit issues. MOAA members across the nation have responded with a record number of messages to Congress with 1.3 million emails, letters and phone calls encouraging legislators to appropriately address a range of issues affecting military healthcare and retirement benefits. View Details
Fort Bliss, TX — Army Chief of Staff Makes a Visit
U.S. Army’s top military officer, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff, visited Fort Bliss, Thursday Nov. 17.
“It’s been about two months since I became the chief of staff but a long time since I’ve been to Bliss,” said Odierno. “I wanted to look at the things happening here.”
Odierno assumed the duty of the 38th CSA in September. His visit to Fort Bliss included going to White Sands Missile Range to review the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE), sessions with brigade and battalion commanders and he received updates on the family and Soldier supports programs here. View More EP MOAA News
Major Issues
Are you aware of the major issues and MOAA's legislative initiatives? Educate yourself on the issues that affect you and your family. See what MOAA is really doing for you on Capitol Hill. View Details
Action Alerts
Check your legislators’ positions on key issues and urge them to support MOAA’s goals. View Details
SUBJECT: Fort Bliss Officers Partners with Afghan Counterparts in Planning
LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – Following several key infrastructure improvements from security forces assistance trainers, the brigade staffs from Task Force Bulldog and the Afghan 4th Brigade, 203rd Corps, came together at the Partnered Tactical Operations Center to establish a military plan that called for various Afghan units to realign in preparation for the spring fighting season.
The first 100 days of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, deployment over, a renewed and energized focus is on partnered planning, collaboration and mission accomplishment.
“The Afghan National Army staff officers are trained in the military decision-making process,” said Army Maj. Ralph Overland, a native of Phoenix. “It’s always a good discussion and everyone is certainly involved when we get together and plan together.”
“When we got here, it was apparent the U.S. Army brigades before us did a great job with teaching and guiding the 4th Brigade, 203rd Corps, with working through problems and developing plans using the military decision-making process,” said Overland, the operations officer for the 3rd BCT, 1st AD, deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas. “That being said, it was a very easy transition into mission planning since they knew how we would operate.” Continued
Seventeen members serve on the El Paso Chapter of MOAA board of directors. They represent the seven uniformed services. Each is a volunteer and serves one, one-year term.
Seventeen members serve on the El Paso Chapter of MOAA board of directors. They represent the seven uniformed services. Each is a volunteer and serves one, one-year term.
