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 editor@mpmoaa.org. 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