Fleet Reserve Association News-bytes, 01-13-05

[haele]

FRA News-Bytes for 01-13-05

Inside this week's edition of FRA News-Bytes:

* SECNAV Name Change
* Permanent TRICARE Benefits for Reservists
* Increased Benefits for Military KIAs
* Congressional Committee Assignments Announced
* FRA Headquarters Closed

SECNAV Name Change

Congressman Walter Jones (N.C.) recently introduced a measure (HR34) that would, if approved, rename the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. (snip) FRA believes the Corps, as the second most senior armed service, should receive equitable distinction among the military departments in the U.S. defense structure. FRA will continue to monitor the progress of HR 34 as it moves through the 109th
Congress.
(Haele’s comment – ehhhh, okay. Another waste of taxpayer money, changing all the seals, headers, etc that will need to be replaced. Changing the name will probably cost the DOD and GAO close to a million dollars tracking down all the items that will be required to be changed…)

Permanent TRICARE Benefits for Reservists

TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) reported that certain members of the National Guard and Reserves activated in support of a contingency operation for more than 30 days and their family members will be authorized early access to TRICARE medical and dental benefits under a permanent program announced by the Department of Defense (DoD). They may also be eligible for extended access to the benefit following their separation from active duty.
(snip)
(Haele’s comment – for those reservists and retired reservists who are not eligible for TRICARE, TRICARE dental has been available for the above category and their dependants since August, 2004 at the cost of $60 a month for a reservist and his/her family, should they need it)
Members may verify their eligibility at www.dmdc.osd.mil/Guard-ReservePortal or through their Service personnel office. Up to date information on the permanent early TRICARE benefit is available at www.tricare.osd.mil/reserve/ or at www.defenselink.mil.ra

Increased Benefits for Military KIAs

Senator Jeff Sessions (Ala.), a member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, announced that he intends to introduce
legislation when the Senate reconvenes later this month that
would dramatically expand death benefits for military survivors.
Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) is a chief co-sponsor of the bill.

Senator Sessions stated that the bill would increase the
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) maximum benefit to
$400,000 from its current maximum of $250,000. The legislation
would also raise the death gratuity from $12,420 for military
personnel killed in combat to $100,000. Also of import, the
death gratuity increase would be retroactive to cover those
killed while deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and
Enduring Freedom.

Congressional Committee Assignments Announced

Congressional leaders are working to fill key leadership
positions for the 109th Congress.
(snip – listing of the usual suspects in the usual way, except for the following bit…)

-In addition, Rep. Christopher Smith (N.J.), the highly regarded
chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee in the 108th
Congress, was sacked in favor of Rep. Steve Buyer (Ind.), due in
part to Smith's support for increased spending for VA health care
programs despite opposition from House leaders. Buyer is a
colonel in the Army reserves and previously chaired the House
Subcommittee on Personnel.-

Until next week...
Haele