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NRA News - March 2009 Minimize

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NRA News - March 2009

01
President's Message: Carpe Diem

All of us are familiar with the Latin maxim to “seize the day.” It is an encouragement to make the most of what we have while we still have it. In these uncertain times, many of us would probably like to “seize yesterday” and change some decisions. Unfortunately, that’s not an option.

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01

This month, of course, we will have our conference in Fort Worth at the Renaissance Worthington. It promises to be both busy and fun. As they did in Hawaii, the Anchors have done a wonderful job in helping with the fun part. The business part is up to you. This is an important time in the history of the Association, and those of you who truly care about our future need to be there.

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01
Admiral Farragut Book Award

The 2008 award went to JADE ROOSTER, by CAPT Roger Lee Crossland, Jr., USN (Ret) of Fairfield, CT. The novel is set in the 1913 Asiatic Fleet. It is the first work of fiction to receive the Farragut Book Award. The United States Naval Institute Proceedings in its review observed that Crossland “...wields a unique literary sword with minimal feints, within an intricate labyrinth of clues and barrels of fascinating data, naval and cultural.”

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01

Long after the fleet has left, Navy traditions remain. Fleet Week has occurred annually without fail since 1981 in San Francisco. In 2008, USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Pinckney, and the Coast Guard’s newest cutter, USCGC Bertholf, commissioned two months earlier in Alameda, were the featured vessels.

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01
Survivor Benefit Plan/Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan Continued – Beneficiary Elections

Last month, we spoke about the basics of the plan and ended with six categories of beneficiaries for SBP. This month, we discuss some of the mechanics involved in those elections. Next month, we will continue with SBP premiums and close the topic.

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01
Mortgage Assistance and Relief for Veterans

On 10 October 2008, the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (S. 3023) was signed into law. Major provisions of the law directly impact the Veterans Administration Home Loan Guaranty Programs, originally established in 1944 under the original GI Bill, and amends Sections 3703, 3707, and 3710 of Title 38, United States Code.

 

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01
Will AUSN Transition Hinder NRA Progress? A Fresh View

As an intern with the Naval Reserve Association, I have come to realize the NRA is more than an office that represents member’s interests and pushes legislation through Congress; it’s an office that strives for the advancement of the Navy, the Navy Reserve, and the Navy Reserve officers and enlisted members.

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Posted in: March 2009
01
Recognizing Retirement: The Tale of Two Units

Reserve, leaving behind family on weekends, arranging family vacations around training, mentoring Sailors and officers alike. Then, one Sunday afternoon, the CO tells everyone that the chief is retiring. A brief round of applause follows and the chief walks out the door.

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01
Reintegration and APPLY: A Checklist for Coming Home

With so many members now being mobilized for Individual Augmentee (IA) duty, it is very important to understand and follow either the process for reintegration back into your previous billet or obtaining a new billet through APPLY. Where do you start and what are the specific steps?

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01
Leaders: What Americans Want

When discussing topics related to America’s leaders, most people focus on current day reports about the leaders who let us down, who compromise their oath of office, and who violate both legal and moral ethics. Very rarely does such a discussion focus on those individuals who provide good leadership for our nation, our states, or our local governments.

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01
As a Leader, How Does One Move from Good to Great?

Usually, I start this column out by congratulating Shipmates, honoring their service, or something of that nature. This month is no different, but I want to swerve a little and talk about the future. The Naval Reserve Association (NRA) is changing.

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01
Start of 111th Congress

We have received numerous inquires about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. Many have claimed that TRICARE for Life (TFL) is at risk.The CBO report lists 115 options for reducing federal spending on health care, altering federal health care programs, and making substantive changes to the nation’s health insurance system.

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01

For three consecutive years, the Defense Department has asked Congress to increase TRICARE fees for retirees and to revise pharmacy copayments for Active-Duty families and retirees in order to reduce costs. This and more in Keeping Up...

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01
AUSN Transition Committee Report

The committee has begun working in four areas: strategic planning/core mission; constitution and bylaws; membership/ marketing; and finance. The progress in each category of work is reported to the committee by a group leader in a conference call every two weeks.

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01
Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Fort Worth

Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Fort Worth is the largest NOSC under Commander, Navy Reserve Readiness Command Southeast. NOSC Fort Worth supports approximately 2,000 Selected Reservists serving in 47 air and surface units.

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Posted in: Feature, March 2009
01
Have You Heard of TRS?
Established in 2005, the TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) program is a Congressionally-mandated program offered to military members serving in the Selected Reserves.

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01
IA Mobilized to Afghanistan
Last week, I joined a mounted combat patrol and traveled around the region over three days. The first day we left FOB Lightning and traveled about 45 miles over a seven hour period.

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