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Ke e p i n g U p. . .with CurrentInformationforNavy ReservistsandRetireesBy Tom McAteeFY 2009 RESERVE LDO/CWOApplication Procedures and OpenDesignatorsIf you are interested in applying for theFY-09 Reserve In-Service procurementBoard, you should immediately reviewOPNAVIST 1120.12 and OPNAVIST1420.1A, Chapters 2, 7, and Appendix Ffor information on eligibility criteria andapplication procedures. Applications aredue to Navy Personnel Command NLT31 October 2007. The board will conveneon 7 January 2008. The following are opendesignators:For Limited Duty Officer641X ADMINISTRATION642X INFORMATION SYSTEMS645X INTELLIGENCE647X PHOTOGRAPHY649X SECURITYFor Chief Warrant Officer715X SPECIAL WARFARE TECHNICIAN717X COMBAT CRAFT TECHNICIAN736X ORDNANCE TECHNICIAN738X ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN744X CRYPTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN745X INTELLIGENCE TECHNICIAN753X CIVIL ENGINEERING (CEC)Application should be mailed to:Commander, Navy PersonnelCommand (PERS-922A)5720 Integrity DriveMillington, TN 38055-9100Applicants should enclose a separatesheet of paper with contact informationsuch as work and home phone numbers,e-mail address (for both member and unitCO [Unit CO’s work number only]), andany other pertinent information that wouldaid NAVPERSCOM (PERS-922A) incontacting the applicant and/or his/herunit (if required). For express deliverysuch as FEDEX, send to: Commander,Navy Personnel Command (PERS-922A); Attn: PSC Simmons; Phone (901)874-3130; Bldg. 768, Room S116; 5640Ticonderoga Loop; Millington, TN 38055-9100. Questions regarding the program canbe answered by calling NAVPERSCOM(PERS-922A) at (901) 874-3130.TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)Becoming More Affordable on1 October 2007Bottom Line: As a result of legislationin the NDAA for FY 2007, TRS will drop itsthree-tier premium structure and go with alower cost premium (the current Tier Onepremium) for all eligible SelectedReservists beginning 1 October 2007.The new TRS guidelines and premiumcosts are expected to be promulgated byDoD later this summer. The current TRSprogram will remain in effect until 30September. If you are enrolled in thecurrent TRS program, you will receive aletter from DoD concerning information ontransitioning to the new TRS programslated to begin 1 October. We will publishthe new TRS program guidelines in theNRA News magazine when available.Turning Age 60 and Retiring in2008?If you are turning age 60 and retiring in2008, the scale below is what a retirementpoint will be worth for your first retirementcheck. Per point value based on aprojected three percent pay raise effective1 January 2008:GradeCents Per PointPer MonthE-6 over 20 22.0E-7 over 26 30.1E-8 over 30 33.7E-9 over 38 40.2W-2 over 24 32.0W-3 over 26 36.7W-4 over 30 43.00-3 over 20 38.40-3E over 20 40.90-4 over 20 44.70-5 over 22 52.70-6 over 30 64.08 NRA NEWS/SEPTEMBER 2007
Legislative Update on the FY-08National Defense Authorization ActLegislativeUpdateAt this writing, the Senate,in July 07, suspendedconsideration of theFY-08 National DefenseAuthorization Act (NDAA),(H. R. 1585) after severalamendments regarding Iraq failed to pass.Several key NRA legislative goals are atrisk of passing, and they deserve yourattention.NRA has aggressively supported severalprovisions to include: halting TRICAREfee or co-pay increases; supporting theadditional 0.5 percent pay increase abovethe Administration’s request for militarypersonnel; reducing the retirement age formobilized Reservists; and, expandingCombat-Related Special Compensation(CRSC) to include medical retirees withless than 20 years of service who aredisabled due to combat or related training.Key amendments scheduled for debateinclude the following NRA–supportedinitiatives that address key issues in theNRA’s 2007 legislative goals:> Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA)amendment will expand an alreadyapproved provision to reduce theReserve retirement age (currently age60) by three months for each 90 daysof mobilization retroactive to 11 Sep.2001;> Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR) twoeducation amendments: One wouldprovide ten-year portability forbenefits for mobilized Reservists, andthe second would integrate the MGIBprograms (both Active and Reserve)into the VA;> An amendment, the “The DignifiedTreatment of Wounded Warriors Act”(S.1606), offered by Senator CarlLevin (MI) that would simplify thedisability rating system and providemore funding for traumatic brainInjury (TBI) and post traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD);> Changing the SBP paid-up date from1 Oct. 2008 to 1 Oct. 2007, sponsoredSen. Bill Nelson (FL);> An amendment by Sen. FrankLautenberg (NJ) to limit futureTRICARE fee increases to no morethan the amount of the ConsumerPrice Index (CPI) which is the basisfor annual retired pay adjustments;> Senators Carl Levin (MI) and JohnMcCain (AZ) amendment will create aDoD/VA interagency to establish ajoint disability rating system, a jointelectronic health record, and additionalfunding for post traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD) and traumatic brainInjury (TBI).At this writing, the Senate passedindividual legislation that would coverthe military 3.5 per cent, and a militaryhealth care bill to address PTSD andTBI. It appears that the Senate may passmore individual provisions as stand-alonelegislation.All of these provisions need yoursupport. We are asking that you pay closeattention to what the Senate, hopefully,will pass in the NDAA in September orOctober, and what Congress decides inconference on the following provisions:- On the Reserve Retirement provision,introduced and amended by SenatorChambliss (GA);- The two education amendments bySenator Lincoln (AR);- On military health care TRICAREfees, for which DoD attempted tomake excessive increases last year.In Veteran Affairs issues, recently, theVeterans Disability Benefits Commission(VDBC) voted to recommend expandingconcurrent receipt to include retirees witha service-connected disability of 50-90percent to include those with rating of10-40 percent and eliminate the ten-yearphase-in period. NRA supports the goal ofconcurrent receipt of full military retiredpay and veterans’ disability compensationfor all disabled retirees.In addition, the Commission recommendedeliminating the DIC offset for SBP. These areBy CAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)Director of Legislationrecommendations by the Commission.It will take all of us working togetherto enact these into law. You can expressyour ideas to the Commission atveterans@vetscommission.com.At the VDBC meeting, the DoD and VAannounced a joint disability rating systemthat would give seriously injured troopsone physical exam and one review boardwhile still on active duty to shorten thecurrent process some troops must endurewith both the military and VA. The pilotmedical evaluation program will begin inAugust in the Washington area. Thechanges are in response to widespreadcriticism of the DoD following the scandalseveral months ago at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center.Seek support from your Congressionaldelegation on these issues. September2007 will be a critical time. We ask thatyou contact your Congressional delegation:www.house.gov, www.senate.gov.NRA NEWS/SEPTEMBER 2007 9
Page 1 and 2: The Professional Association Voice
Page 3 and 4: VISION OF THE NAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIA
Page 6 and 7: President’s MessageNATIONAL OFFIC
Page 10 and 11: Health AffairsExceptional Family Me
Page 12 and 13: ProfessionalDevelopmentNRA Rolls Ou
Page 14 and 15: Junior OfficerColumnWorkplace Polit
Page 16 and 17: INTERVIEW WITH MCPONIt just reinfor
Page 18 and 19: INTERVIEW WITH MCPONnumber of IA as
Page 20 and 21: Naval Reserve AssociationFall Natio
Page 22 and 23: Active DutyProgramsWhom Do We Repre
Page 24 and 25: Legislation& EducationLT Marc J. So
Page 26 and 27: MembershipIMPORTANT MEMBERSHIPQUEST
Page 28 and 29: Retirees’ CornerLCDR Joseph P. Go
Page 30 and 31: Reservists in ActionDenver NRA Memb
Page 32: Membership helps the Detters:Bank t

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