Jan 2015 Issue - Mayport Chapter MOAA

Highlights
January 2015
Page 1
highlights
Mayport Chapter
Military Officers Association
January 2014
Volume XXIV No 1
Serving Mayport and the
Beaches
Jacksonville Florida
What’s inside…
President’s
Message
1
Calendar
2
Program
2
Legislative
Affairs
3
Gains Made in
2014
5
Photos from Dec
Dinner/Dance
ROTC Report
New Drone Facility in AZ
6/7
9
10
Military Officer Association
of America
380,000 + Members
From The Podium
CWO4 Patrick Ivory, USN (Ret)
A
s we look forward to a future that is
uncertain in world affairs, we can reflect some on the past year and be happy at
our successes. Our support of the No-Dough
Dinners has not gone unnoticed by National
MOAA. We will be highlighted in a future article in the Military Officer magazine. We also
will be recognized in a future issue for our
JROTC program that has been championed
by Gale Ruskosky for several years. I would
like to thank those that attend the JROTC
awards ceremonies and present the Medals
to those young men and women who will be
the future leaders of our military. Once again
we received the MOAA Five Star Chapter
Leadership award. Our own, Major Alan
Pearce was the recognized as the Oldest
Veteran in the Jacksonville Veterans’ Day
parade and then went on later in the day to
be the guest speaker at the Beaches Veterans’ Memorial Park later that day.
We also have some challenges for the future. Younger officers have changed their
priorities these days. The Mayport Chapter,
along with most other local chapters, is having problems recruiting these young officers.
National MOAA has made some strides in
recruiting national members, however that
effort has not translated to local chapters. I
believe that our younger colleagues are
much more focused in the here and now and
don’t understand the importance of having a
lobby that will help protect their futures. Each
one of us should take the opportunity to educate our fellow officers who are not members
about what MOAA is and what it stands for
and the importance of maintain this strong
voice; and bring them in to the fold. The
(Podium Continued on page 8)
“Happy New Year”
Mayport Chapter of MOAA received it’s
11th Five Star Level of Excellence
Award in 2014.
The award was established in 2003 by
MOAA to recognize chapter’s success.
Mayport has received the award
ever since establishment.
Highlights
January 2015
MAYPORT CHAPTER (MOAA), INC.
2993 Bright Eagle Dr
Jacksonville, Florida 32226-4045
mpmoaa.org
The Mayport Chapter (MOAA), Inc. is a nonprofit corporation operated to promote the
objectives of the Military Officers Association of
America and for other purposes as set forth in the
Chapter’s Bylaws.
HIGHLIGHTS is the newsletter of the Chapter
published monthly for the information of the
members.
Editor and Web Master:
LCDR John Snyder, USN/Ret…...…….363-6030
January Program
MEETING TIME & PLACE
The Chapter meets at the Ocean Breeze
Conference Center, U.S. Naval Station Mayport,
Florida or, as specified in the calendar.
Our program for January will consist
of;
O Installation of Officers for 2015
O Awards
BOARD OF DIRECTORS for 2015
President:
CWO Patrick Ivory, USN/Ret...................757-9206
Vice President:
CDR Miles Dean, USN/Ret.......................... 497-5911
Secretary:
Mrs. Teresa Ivory........................................ 757-9206
Treasurer:
COL Bob Bachmann, USA/Ret.......................... 737-0568
Directors:
CAPT Robert Frampton USN/Ret.............. 642-7856
Carol Trentalance........................................ 821-8094
COL Jim Jandreau USA/Ret .................... 361-3068
Immediate Past President:
LCDR John Snyder, USN/Ret ............................ 363-6030
O Remembering fallen members
CHAPTER CALENDAR
Chaplain:
Programs:
COL Bill Walker, USAR/Ret .....................268-7593
Membership:
Vacant ..............................................................................................
Legislative Affairs:
CDR Miles Dean, USN/Ret...................... 236-1714
Personal Affairs:
CDR Jerry Johnson, USN/Ret ....................249-1654
Chapter Events:
Mrs. Donna Snyder....................................................363-6030
ROTC/Junior ROTC:
CDR Gale Ruskosky, USN/Ret . . . . . ………564-2081
Data Processing:
LCDR John Snyder, USN/Ret . . . . . ……….…363-6030
AUX Liaison:
Barbara Gearhart........................................................ 744-1195
USO:
CDR Jerry Johnson USN/Ret.........................249-1654
TOPS:
CAPT Mike McHugh, USN/Ret ........................ 992-6123
Public Relations:
Vacant...............................................................................................
Printed by: ARC
7999 Philips Hwy, Suite 202
Jacksonville, FL 32256
2015 MEETING SCHEDULE
January 2015
CDR, Steve Souders CHC USN/Ret. .................................
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Page 2
1
New Years Day
Jan 18, Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
Feb 15, Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
3
0930, Jan Board of Director Meeting
Location John & Donna Snyder’s
Mar 15 Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
Apr 19, Sun, 1230, Ocean Breeze Brunch
18 1230, Ocean Breeze Brunch
May 17, Sun, 1230 TBA Brunch
19 Martin Luther King, Jr Day
Jun 21, Sun, 1230 TBA Brunch
Jul
Summer Break
February 2015
Aug Summer Break
7
0930, Feb Board of Director Meeting
Location John & Donna Snyder’s
Sep 20, Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch
14 Valentine’s Day
Oct 18, Sun, 1230 Cypress Village Brunch
15 1230, Ocean Breeze Brunch
Nov 15, Sun, 1230 Ocean Breeze Brunch Annual Member Meeting, (Toys for Tots)
Election of Officer for 2016
16 President’s Day
18 Ash Wednesday
Dec ??, Fri, 1800 Ocean Breeze Christmas
Dinner Dance (Toys for Tots)
Highlights
January 2015
Page 3
Legislative Affairs
CDR Miles Dean, USN (Ret)
December 10, 2014
By Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret)
I
n early December we reported on the FY 2015 defense bill and the results were
mixed. When you look closer, the results could be considered good, bad, and potentially ugly.
The good: When the Pentagon submitted its defense budget proposal last March, it
contained recommendations to “slow the growth” of pay and benefits to the military
community. Specifically, the Pentagon wanted to:
Cap the active duty pay raise at 1 percent (vs. a 1.8 percent raise established in law)
Increase out-of pocket housing costs by 5 percent over 3 years
Reduce purchasing power at the commissary by 66 percent
Radically overhaul the TRICARE benefit by consolidating TRICARE Prime, Standard, and Extra, increasing pharmacy fees, and implementing a means-tested TRICARE
for Life (TFL) enrollment fee
‘The Good,
the Bad and
the Ugly’
Fortunately, Congress either rejected or significantly curtailed the Pentagon’s proposals.
The final compromise blocked the consolidation of TRICARE systems and meanstesting TFL enrollment fees while limiting the impact of the commissary, housing allowance, and pharmacy fee proposals to one year modifications.
The bad: 2015 marks a second year of pay caps below private sector wage growth. The
last two pay raises are tied for the lowest raises in 50 years. With four additional years of
pay caps included in the president’s 2014 budget submission, this isn’t a statistical anomaly, it’s the emergence of a disturbing trend.
Even though Congress limited changes in commissary funding, housing allowances,
and pharmacy copays to one year, this could easily be perceived as support for chipping
away atthese benefits.
The ugly: In two obscured sections of a joint explanatory statement of the defense bill,
House and Senate Armed Services Committee members stated that they have not yet
rejected DoD plans to further erode housing allowances or increase TRICARE pharmacy
fees, and will again “commit to consider” these proposals next year.
But if sequestration returns, an even uglier scenario will be on the horizon. The joint
statement goes on to say that if sequestration returns, “ DoD will need to make painful
cuts and achieve substantial savings across its entire budget in order to avoid an unacceptable reduction in readiness.”
Unacceptable readiness can be the result of a variety of shortfalls in either inadequate
training or equipment. But we must not lose sight that the erosion of pay and benefits in
the past lead to poor recruiting and retention, resulting in unacceptable readiness issues.
It appears we are heading down that path again.
The bottom line: To ensure we don’t go from good, to bad, to ugly, MOAA’s mission
in 2015 will be to remind Congress that erosions to pay and benefits led to significant
readiness problems in the past.
Above from MOAA.ORG
January 2015
Highlights
Page 4
January 2015
Highlights
Page 5
Legislative Gains in 2014
from MOAA.ORG
“How your voice made the difference”
Active / Reserve Force Issues
Repealed COLA reductions established by 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act for retirees and survivors
Prevented a proposed $1 billion reduction in federal subsidy to Defense Commissary Agency
Lowered proposed reduction of Basic Allowance for Housing for service members
Extended retirement COLA protection to service members entering service through January 1, 2016
Won “roll over” Guard and Reserve retirement credit over two fiscal years
Health Care Issues
Blocked the consolidation of TRICARE health plans into a single plan providing less choice
Prevented a 24% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors
Lessened TRICARE pharmacy copay increase
Blocked the means testing TRICARE Prime and TRICARE for Life fees enrollment fees
Avoided implementation of strict caps on Medicare payments for physical and speech therapy
Secured passage of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act to reduce vet waiting times
Convinced the VA to expand primary care via nationwide Community Care (PC3) contracts
Expanded counseling services for victims of military sexual trauma
Protected US Family Health Plan (USFHP) from elimination or consolidation
Military Family / Veterans / Other Issues
Secured 50th state (NY) ratification of Interstate Compact on Education for Military Children
Pushed for upgrades to VA claims processing resulting in a 39% drop in the backlog
Secured in-state tuition rates for vets and authorized Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to surviving spouses
Won $30 billion in supplemental aid to school districts serving large military communities
Authorized SBP annuities to be paid to Special Needs Trusts for permanently disabled children
Secured VA advanced appropriations to protect disability, pension, survivor, and GI Bill programs
Highlights
January 2015
Christmas Dinner/Dance Photos
UNF ROTC Sr Instructor w/Pat Ivory
Marv & Carol Feldman make new
friends
Suzie Ruskosky and friends
Ed & Roseann Parr
Missing Man table
Allan Pearse dancing with Pat on left and his
granddaughter Brittany
Page 6
Highlights
January 2015
Christmas Dinner/Dance Photos
UNF ROTC Color Guard
Cathryne & Bob Sharkey
“What’s your poison?”
Pat & Allan Pearce
“Love My DJ”
Mrs & Mr Love
Page 7
Highlights
January 2015
Pertinent Telephone Numbers
I.D. Cards /DEERS NavSta Mayport:
(904) 270-5571
Retired Pay NavSta Mayport:
(904) 270-5363 or direct to
Chuck Venable, ext 149
Retired Activities Office NAS Jax:
(904) 542-2766, ext 124/126
Casualty Affairs NavHospital
NAS Jax:(904) 542-7584
Local Social Security Office:
(904) 730-5555
Florida Dept of Veterans Affairs:
1-800-827-1000, ext 7432
National MOAA Personal Affairs:
1-800-245-8762, ext 116
TRICARE For Life Help Line:
1-866-773-0404
TRICARE Senior Pharmacy (TSRx):
1-877-363-6337
Page 8
(Podium Update Continued from page 1)
Chapter Board of Directors is looking for your support and ideas to help grow
our chapter.
We also need to reflect upon our losses. During 2014, we have lost some of
our fellow members who have transferred to God’s Chapter. We will miss
them dearly but know they are preparing a place for our arrival sometime in
the future; but not anytime to soon I hope. We will celebrate their lives at our
annual memorial serve during the January Luncheon.
We will also install the new Board of Directors at the January meeting. As we
do this, you may say to yourself, they look like the old Board Of Directors for
the most part; and you would be right. I would encourage you to join or leadership team in the future. The monthly BOD meeting is an open meeting and
perhaps if your attend one or two, you may find it in yourself to stand up for a
leadership position within the Chapter.
I look forward to seeing you at our January meeting and look forward to another successful year. Once again, I hope that 2015 will bring you a happy
and healthy New Year.
SHARING & CARING
Pat Ivory
Do you know any member or spouse of a
member who is ill or passed away?
If so, please contact
Carol Trentalance
821-8074
our Chapter's
Sharing and Caring committee person
for an appropriate card to be sent.
Editor Needed!
HIGHLIGHTS newsletter needs some fresh blood to rejuvenate its superior
standing. I have had the privilege of editing and producing the newsletter
since early 2005. After 10 years it’s time for a change.
The job includes collecting inputs, layout and submitting to the printer plus
preparing the mailing of each issue and dropping off at the Business Mail Unit.
Training on Microsoft Publisher is available as well as mail prep. All you
need is a windows computer. A copy of MS Publisher will be provided along
with a laser printer to print the envelopes. Mail addressing is provided by our
Database Manager.
To volunteer contact me at [email protected].
John Snyder
Highlights
January 2015
Page 9
ROTC/JROTC
CDR Gale Ruskosky, USN (Ret)
T
he University of North Florida Army ROTC conducted the
Fall Commissioning Ceremony on Friday, December 12,
2014. The Mayport Chapter, represented by CDR Gale Ruskosky USN (Ret), presented Gold Bars and MOAA Membership
Certificates to the following new officers:
Second Lieutenant Joanna Mendez U.S. Army Florida National
Guard. She received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography.
She will be branched in Quarter Master based out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Second Lieutenant Cary Cowan, U. S. Army. He received a
Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Transportation and Logistics.
He has been branched Active Duty Transportation.
Second Lieutenant Lily Sanchez, U.S. Army Reserve. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration. She will be branched as a Medical Services Officer.
UNF Army ROTC
Commissioning
The Jacksonville University Navy ROTC conducted the Fall
Commissioning Ceremony on Saturday, December 13, 2014.
The Mayport Chapter, represented by CDR Gale Ruskosky USN
(Ret), presented Gold Bars and MOAA Membership Certificates
to the following new officers:
Second Lieutenant Shaun Beebakhee, USMC.
Ensign Francesco Calabrese, USN – Detailed to nuclear training and submarine duty.
Ensign Hannah Crouch, USN – Detailed to surface warfare
Ensign Cyril Ewalu, USN – Detailed to surface warfare
Ensign Matt Fabe, USNR – Detailed to surface warfare
Ensign Eric Rattler, USN – Detailed to surface warfare
We are very proud of these young men and women and wish
them well in their new careers.
JU Navy ROTC
Commissioning
Highlights
January 2015
Page 10
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson | Dec 19, 2014 | by David Wichner
SIERRA VISTA -- After remotely flying unmanned aircraft over
Iraq and Afghanistan for years, Arizona's Air National Guard
drone pilots can finally take off and land close to home.
On Thursday, the Arizona Air National Guard 214th Reconnaissance Group christened a new hangar and support facility at
Fort Huachuca's Libby Army Airfield that eventually will be home
to four MQ-1 Predator drones for crew training and, eventually,
stateside missions.
The ceremony, attended by Arizona Sens. John McCain and
Jeff Flake, marked the opening of the $11 million hangar as
home of the 214th's Launch and Recovery Element.
The launch and recovery unit -- which handles drone takeoffs and landings -- is one of five such sites in the nation.
With the new hangar, the 214th will help train airmen from across the country and is expected to fly homelandsecurity missions as needed in the future.
The 214th is part of the Air Guard 162nd Wing, based at Tucson International Airport. But the drone unit is physically based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and the flying operation is based at Libby because of the access to
military airspace there.
The reconnaissance unit began remotely flying drone missions from D-M in 2006. The 214th was placed under the
162nd Wing in April -- prompting the wing to drop the word "fighter" from its name to reflect its new multirole mission.
The 214th, which comprises some 180 crew members, has provided more than 70,000 hours of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data to operations overseas.
While Predators and other U.S. military drones can be remotely controlled via satellite from anywhere, launch and
landing duties are typically handled from forward bases.
The main mission of the Arizona Air Guard launch and recovery unit will be to support formal training of pilots and
sensor operators, but that will likely evolve into providing direct support to civil authorities, 162nd Wing spokeswoman
Lt. Lacey Roberts said.
Military officials have said that military drones may be used stateside for missions such as search and rescue and
border surveillance.
In early November, the 214th flew its first launch-and-recovery mission from Libby even before the 22,500-squarefoot hangar was completed.
During the hourlong flight, the Predator flawlessly performed a series of low approaches and touch-and-go maneuvers, officials said.
Col. Phil Purcell, commander of the Air Guard 162nd Wing, said after the inaugural flight that "Arizona remains at
the forefront of readiness for any federal or state requirement."
The new hangar is big enough to house four MQ-1 Predators or four somewhat larger MQ-9 Reaper drones, along
with crew and maintenance workers, the Air Guard said. Pilots control the aircraft from ground-control stations in mobile trailers adjacent to the hangar.
Under a long-term force restructuring plan issued by the Air Force earlier this year, three MQ-1 Predators in Arizona would be replaced by the larger and more capable MQ-9 Reapers by fiscal year 2017.
The first Arizona-based Predator, parked in its hangar on Thursday, is the first military drone to sport Arizona livery,
including an "AZ" and a state-flag "flash," or identifying wingtip, on its down swept elevators.
It is also likely the first to sport a saguaro cactus -- as part of the 162nd Wing emblem emblazoned on its fuselage.
January 2015
Highlights
Page 11
Highlights
Highlights
January 2015
New Members
Membership Report
Final 2014 Membership Scoreboard as of 12/17/14
Description
Retention
Recruitment
Page
Page
1212
Total Members
Target
203
20
223
Actual
176
9
185
Performance
86.7%
45.0%
83.0%
None since our last newsletter
Remarks
Set by Board of
Directors for 2014
A
s we closed out 2014 membership you will note that we did not achieve
our goals for either retention or recruiting. For our chapter to continue
we need to add new members at the rate of 2 members per month to stay at
the level we are at.
As you receive your January copy of the newsletter please check to see if
you have renewed for 2015. We need your membership an MOAA National
needs your membership especially in the turmoil the military is currently facing
your help in helping with the Legislative goals of MOAA. America must maintain a strong military now and the immediate future. Our chapter will be calling
on each of you to respond to Legislative Call to Action focused upon ensuring
we keep out military strong and ready to face challenges around the world.
Reservations for the Mayport MOAA
January 2015 Member Meeting/Brunch
Sunday January 18, 2015
Ocean Breeze Conference Center
Naval Station Mayport
Social hour 12:30 PM, Brunch 1:00 PM
Donna Snyder must receive reservations
NO LATER THAN Jan 15, 2015
Cost is $20 per person
Please reserve ___ for a Total $________
(Checks will be accepted at the door for those who
made their reservations online. Please mail check to the address below.)
Enclose check (for total) payable to: MAYPORT MOAA
Membership Drive
Every Member
Get a
New Member
By the end of
2015
Do your part
Menu
Tossed Green Salad W/assorted
dressings
Fresh fruit salad
Scrambled Eggs w/ bacon
Roast Beef w/ au jus
Names of Attendees: _______________________________________
Roasted red potatoes
Mixed veggies
Address and Phone: _______________________________________
Dinner Rolls
Desert Station
Coffee, Iced Tea
(You may make your reservations online @ http://mpmoaa.org )
Mail your reservations with check to:
Donna Snyder
8692 Hampshire Glen Dr S
Jacksonville FL 32256
Or Call Donna at 363-6030
Cash Bar