Naval Reserve Association
Naval Reserve Association
Naval Reserve Association
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Naval</strong><br />
<strong>Reserve</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
February 2004, Volume 51, No. 2<br />
The <strong>Association</strong> Voice of the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>
NRA HAS A<br />
PROTECTION<br />
PLAN<br />
FOR YOU<br />
Nothing is more important than<br />
protecting your family. NRA<br />
understands. That's why NRA<br />
sponsors affordable insurance plans<br />
available exclusively to NRA<br />
members and their families. So, no<br />
matter what your stage of life, NRA<br />
offers these plans to help cover all<br />
your needs:<br />
Term Life Insurance<br />
Short Term Recovery Plan<br />
TRICARE Supplements<br />
High-Limit Accident Plan<br />
Catastrophe Major Medical Plan<br />
Cancer Expense Insurance Plan<br />
Dental Insurance<br />
AND YOU<br />
Get your FREE, no-obligation<br />
information kit* on any NRA-sponsored<br />
Insurance.<br />
CALL TOLL FREE<br />
1-800-424-9883<br />
Ask for our special NRA Priority Code 017581-1-1-1.<br />
Our hearing- or voice-impaired members may call<br />
the Relay Line at 1-800-855-2881.<br />
Sponsored by:<br />
Administered by:<br />
ADR465-2002<br />
AND<br />
YOU!<br />
*Including features, costs, eligibility, renewability,<br />
limitations, and exclusions.<br />
The policy and provisions may vary or be unavailable<br />
in some states. The policies have exclusions and<br />
limitations which may affect any benefits payable.<br />
The TRICARE Supplements and Short Term Recovery Plan are<br />
underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. The<br />
Term Life Plan is underwritten by Unum Life Insurance Company of<br />
America. The Catastrophe Major Medical and Dental Plans are<br />
underwritten by The United States Life Insurance Company in the<br />
City of New York, Member of American International Group, Inc. The<br />
Cancer Expense Plan is underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance<br />
Company, Baltimore, MD. The High-Limit Accident Plan is<br />
underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Ave.,<br />
New York, NY 10010.<br />
#17581<br />
5838-02<br />
AG2561
VISION OF THE NAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIATION<br />
The Premier Professional Organization for <strong>Naval</strong> Reservists,<br />
Committed to Supporting a Strong Navy and National Defense,<br />
While Providing Outstanding Service to Its Members.<br />
Contents<br />
NRA NEWS February 2004, Volume 51, No. 2<br />
FEATURE<br />
13 SPACE & NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS COMMAND<br />
“Reservists are critical and seamless members of our<br />
corporate SPAWAR team.”<br />
–– RADM Kenneth D. Slaght, USN<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
4 From the Editor<br />
6 President’s Message<br />
7 Membership<br />
8 Legislative Update<br />
10 Retirees’ Corner<br />
21 Letters<br />
22 Professional Development<br />
24 Health Affairs<br />
25 Info That You Can Use<br />
28 Reservists In Action<br />
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS<br />
AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS<br />
NATIONAL OFFICERS<br />
NATIONAL PRESIDENT<br />
CAPT John Eric Lindell, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: johnl@portarthur.com<br />
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE VP<br />
RADM William J. Lynch, MC, USNR<br />
E-mail: radmwjl@comcast.net<br />
NATIONAL VP-SURFACE RESERVE<br />
PROGRAMS<br />
CAPT Thaddeus A. Peake III, USNR<br />
E-mail: dpeake@peakeeng.com<br />
NATIONAL VP-AIR RESERVE<br />
PROGRAMS<br />
CDR Bryan D. Quigley, USNR<br />
E-mail: Bryanquigley@comcast.net<br />
NATIONAL VP-BUDGET & FINANCE<br />
CAPT Haig Bodour, SC, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: hbodour@newmexico.com<br />
NATIONAL VP-LEGISLATION &<br />
EDUCATION<br />
LCDR James M. Gerlach, USNR<br />
E-mail: endzone@bluemoon.net<br />
NATIONAL VP-MEMBERSHIP<br />
LCDR Lawrence M. Miller, MSC, USNR<br />
E-mail: millernavy@verizon.net<br />
NATIONAL VP-MEMBER SERVICES<br />
LCDR Gail W. Holzworth, NC, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: Misslorton@aol.com<br />
NATIONAL VP-PROFESSIONAL<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
CAPT G. Mark Hardy III, USNR<br />
E-mail: gmhardy@usnr.org<br />
COMMITTEES<br />
ANCHORS PRESIDENT<br />
Dr. Maureen Lindell, Ph.D<br />
E-mail: maureenl@portarthur.com<br />
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CDR Gary W. Barron, USNR<br />
E-mail: gary.r.barron@boeing.com<br />
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
LCDR Andrew Scheerer, USNR<br />
E-mail: scheerer@bww.com<br />
AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CAPT Larry R. Danielson, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: captlrd@yahoo.com<br />
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CDR Joseph Quaglino, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: joseph.quaglino-jr@boeing.com<br />
CREDENTIALS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CDR ChisT. K. Kirstein-Blackburn, NC, USNR<br />
E-mail: bskts4u2@prodigy.net<br />
SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CDR Leo B. Hill, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: lbhtimwolf@aol.com<br />
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CAPT Timothy D. Moon, USNR<br />
E-mail: moontd@earthlink.net<br />
INVESTMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CAPT William D. Loockerman, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: wloockerman@aol.com<br />
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR<br />
CAPT Richard Bowers, MSC, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: ah106sru@aol.com<br />
OTHERS<br />
5 Corporate Associates<br />
7 Scholarship Program 2004-2005<br />
12 News Notes<br />
23 Record Review/Record Audit<br />
27 NRA Conference Registration Spring 2004<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
Space & <strong>Naval</strong> Warfare Systems Command.<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> NEWS (ISSN 0162-2129), authorized under PSM, Section 132.22,<br />
published monthly by the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong>, is a magazine devoted to the professional interests of the<br />
Officers of the United States <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong>. Editorial and Executive Offices, 1619 King Street,<br />
Alexandria, VA 22314. Telephone (703) 548-5800. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and<br />
other mailing offices. Articles and letters appearing the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> News do not necessarily<br />
reflect the opinions of the Executive Committee of the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> or the Editor, nor<br />
are they necessarily to be interpreted as official policy of the United States Navy or <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
Rates: The <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> News subscription is covered by membership in the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
<strong>Association</strong>. Membership is open to all commissioned or warrant officers who are serving or have<br />
served honorably as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Subscription price is $7.50 domestic. Single<br />
copy: 75 cents. Eligible non-members are not entitled to subscription rates. Photos or articles may be<br />
reproduced, providing credit is given to the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> News. Postmaster: Send change of address<br />
to the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong>, 1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Printed in USA.<br />
NATIONAL VP-ACTIVE DUTY<br />
PROGRAMS<br />
CDR Edward J. Nava, USNR<br />
E-mail: ejnava@lanl.gov<br />
NATIONAL VP-PUBLIC RELATIONS<br />
LT Ian Mitchel King, USNR<br />
E-mail: ltianking@hotmail.com<br />
NATIONAL VP-LEGAL AFFAIRS<br />
LT Marc J. Soss, SC, USNR<br />
E-mail: smsoss@aol.com<br />
NATIONAL VP-HEALTH PROGRAMS<br />
RADM Peter L. Andrus, MC, USNR<br />
E-mail: captpla@aol.com<br />
NATIONAL VP-RETIRED PERSONNEL<br />
CDR Sharon K. Kleinschmidt, USNR (Ret)<br />
Tel: 619-429-4504<br />
NATIONAL VP-JUNIOR OFFICERS<br />
LCDR Phan Phan, USNR<br />
E-mail: phan_p@hq.cnrf.navy.mil<br />
NATIONAL TREASURER<br />
CAPT W. Stuart Colby, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: glendalefingrp@aol.com<br />
NATIONAL CHAPLAIN<br />
CAPT Horace A. Hamm, CHC, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: hhamm@worldnet.att.net<br />
NATIONAL HISTORIAN<br />
CAPT John C. Rice, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
Fax: 504-486-6040<br />
NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN<br />
CDR Willard B. Stubbs, USNR<br />
E-mail: willstubbs@cox.net<br />
DISTRICT PRESIDENTS<br />
FIRST DISTRICT<br />
LCDR Paul R. Younes, USNR<br />
E-mail: pyounes@amaltd.com<br />
THIRD DISTRICT<br />
CAPT Thomas J. Caulfield, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: clfield@canisius.edu<br />
FOURTH DISTRICT<br />
CDR John J. Thaler II, DC, USNR<br />
E-mail: jjthalerII@aol.com<br />
FIFTH DISTRICT<br />
CAPT Robin L. Graf, USNR<br />
E-mail: grafrl@earthlink.net<br />
SIXTH DISTRICT<br />
LT Louise M. Anderson, MSC, USNR<br />
E-mail: louise.anderson@flhosp.org<br />
EIGHTH DISTRICT<br />
CDR Michael C. Leskin, USNR<br />
E-mail: mleskin@sleh.com<br />
NINTH DISTRICT<br />
CAPT David P. Torma, USNR<br />
E-mail: davet@jsco.com<br />
ELEVENTH DISTRICT<br />
CDR Joseph Quaglino, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: joseph.quaglino-jr@boeing.com<br />
TWELFTH DISTRICT<br />
CDR William J. Mellish, CEC, USNR (Ret)<br />
H: 650-856-1998; FAX: 650-856-9037<br />
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT<br />
CAPT Marshall A. Hanson, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: pacnwmailbuoy@juno.com<br />
FOURTEENTH DISTRICT<br />
CAPT Gayle J. Lau, JAGC, USNR<br />
E-mail: laug004@hawaii.rr.com
4<br />
From the Editor<br />
The transformation of the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Force was kicked up a notch in the closing months<br />
of 2003. VADM Cotton was kind enough to come by our Headquarters between Christmas<br />
and New Year and brief us on what has been happening in his areas of responsibility. His<br />
echelon two Commander <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Force (CNRF) staff now consists of eight people, and he<br />
reports for additional duty (ADDU) to the Commander Fleet Forces Command (CFFC). The echelon<br />
three <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Forces Command (NRFC) is the ten-pound gorilla, if you will, and the<br />
“go-to” organization for operational support from Reservists and <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> units. RADM<br />
Debbout is the Commander NRFC and also reports ADDU to CFFC. RADM Kloeppel is the<br />
NRFC Vice Commander, Commander <strong>Naval</strong> Air Force <strong>Reserve</strong> (NARF), and is ADDU to CFFC<br />
when he is not at his civilian job. I apologize for the acronym soup here.<br />
VADM Cotton was very helpful in explaining how busy the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> is today. He<br />
arranged for us to receive a briefing from members of HCS5 who are mobilized and flying daily<br />
combat missions in Iraq. The Firehawks of HCS5 have been in country since March and will<br />
more than likely be relieved by their sister squadron, HCS4, this spring. Here’s the sound bite<br />
that I want to leave with you. HCS5 is homeported in San Diego, CA. They received the order<br />
to mobilize on 11 Mar 03, with a report date of 14 Mar 03. Every Reservist showed up by 14 Mar 03.<br />
By 23 Mar 03, they arrived in country and started to put the aircraft back together (some disassembly<br />
required to get them into those Air Force transports). They flew the first flight on 24 Mar 03; and<br />
on 29 Mar 03, they flew the first combat mission. Independently, past 11th District President,<br />
CAPT Tom Morgan, writes a little about the mission and congratulates LCDR Harrington for<br />
being the 11th District’s Junior Officer of the Year. That piece can be found on page 30. All in<br />
all a phenomenal story – Bravo Zulu to every member of the “All-Pro” Firehawk Team! This<br />
story just causes me to scratch my head because the Navy is planning to do something else with<br />
this squadron in its transformation efforts.<br />
VADM Cotton also mentioned that there will be a daylong event at the Navy Memorial on the 6th<br />
of March to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>. More on that when information<br />
becomes available. I truly appreciate the time that VADM Cotton took to get us up-to-speed.<br />
Such information and discussions are helpful to understand the issues so that we can form our<br />
independent opinions and communicate them to you.<br />
In this issue of the magazine, we’re pleased to present to you a special feature on the Space and<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Warfare Systems Command. It tells a wonderful story of transformation of <strong>Reserve</strong> talent<br />
to better serve the warfighter. Here’s a command that valued these assets enough to redesign the<br />
programs. It’s a win-win story; don’t miss it.<br />
Our President takes time to answer some of the mail that we have been receiving and explains what<br />
happens to it. He also talks about the process of deciding what to push for on the legislative front.<br />
He also points out the conference registration material for our Spring Conference in San<br />
Francisco, 16-18 April 2004. The registration material appears on page 27, and the President’s<br />
column starts on page 6.<br />
LT Soss is back with another article on taxes – his January tax issue is receiving rave reviews.<br />
CAPT Hardy talks about laundry numbers; RADM Andrus talks about RAMIS; and CDR<br />
Kleinschmidt, about a retirement seminar in Denver hosted by the Rocky Mountain Chapter. In<br />
addition to the tidbits in our “Info That You Can Use” and “News Notes” columns, we have prepared<br />
a status listing with explanation of recently enacted legislative benefits and entitlements. This<br />
piece, by CAPT McAtee, starts on page 8.<br />
We hope that you will find the content in this issue both useful and informative – enjoy the read.<br />
Looking Ahead<br />
Best regards,<br />
Steve Keith<br />
March. We will feature the Honorable Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. We will<br />
have a special feature on the NRA Spring Conference Agenda, <strong>Naval</strong> Air Training Command, and<br />
TRICARE for Life.<br />
April. Our feature article will be an interview with the Honorable William A. Navas, Jr., Assistant<br />
Secretary of the Navy, (Manpower and <strong>Reserve</strong> Affairs). Also, there will be a special feature on<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Air Force <strong>Reserve</strong>.<br />
May. Our special feature will be Entitlements for Reservists by CAPT Tom McAtee.<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314<br />
Tel: 703-548-5800 • Fax: 703-683-3647<br />
Toll Free Voice: 1-866-NRA-4-YOU (672-4968)<br />
Toll Free Fax: 1-866-683-3647<br />
E-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.org<br />
Home Page: www.navy-reserve.org<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
Editor: RADM Stephen T. Keith, USNR (Ret)<br />
Associate Editor: CAPT Thomas L. McAtee, USNR (Ret)<br />
Assistant Editor: Linda Bautista<br />
GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION<br />
Linda Bautista<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
Mr. Bob Lyman<br />
HEADQUARTERS STAFF<br />
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR<br />
RADM Steve Keith, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: execdir@navy-reserve.org<br />
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER<br />
Mr. Bob Lyman<br />
E-mail: cfo@navy-reserve.org<br />
DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION<br />
CAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: legislat@navy-reserve.org<br />
DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL<br />
DEVELOPMENT<br />
CAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: record.review@navy-reserve.org<br />
DIRECTOR OF MEMBER<br />
SERVICES<br />
CAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: stratcom@navy-reserve.org<br />
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP<br />
CAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
E-mail: memdir@navy-reserve.org<br />
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANT<br />
Mark De Ville<br />
E-mail: membership@navy-reserve.org<br />
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT<br />
Linda Bautista<br />
E-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.org<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT<br />
Millie Pistolesi<br />
E-mail: admin@navy-reserve.org<br />
SUBMISSIONS<br />
Letters to the Editor - Will be considered for<br />
publication unless the writer requests otherwise.<br />
They may be edited for clarity and space. Mail to<br />
Letters To The Editor at NRA NEWS, or E-mail to<br />
. Include your name,<br />
address, and daytime telephone number.<br />
Articles – For guidelines on article submission,<br />
call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mail<br />
.<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS<br />
NRA NEWS is part of membership in the <strong>Association</strong>.<br />
To join, renew your membership, or to report address<br />
changes, call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mail<br />
.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
N AVAL R ESERVE A SSOCIATION<br />
C ORPORATE<br />
A SSOCIATES<br />
Premier Corporate/<strong>Association</strong> Team Supporting<br />
the United States Navy and <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
CHARTER MEMBERS<br />
Lockheed Martin<br />
The Boeing Company<br />
Gulfstream Aerospace<br />
Northrop Grumman Corporation<br />
Kaman Aerospace Corporation<br />
DRS Technologies<br />
BAE Systems<br />
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems<br />
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation<br />
USAA<br />
Raytheon Company<br />
Seabury & Smith, Inc.<br />
MBNA America<br />
JOINED IN 1999 - 2003<br />
CES, a California Corporation<br />
Rosen Associates Management Corp.<br />
Aquila sm Group of Funds<br />
BB&T<br />
Science & Engineering Associates, Inc.<br />
Military.com<br />
CACI International Inc<br />
SES, Inc.<br />
Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.<br />
Chevy Chase Trust<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
6 President’s Message<br />
What Some of You Have<br />
Been Telling Us<br />
CAPT John Eric Lindell, USNR (Ret)<br />
National President<br />
PAST<br />
NATIONAL PRESIDENTS<br />
RADM Stephen S. Israel, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Richard W. Hendel, USNR (Ret)*<br />
CAPT Arthur C. Monson, USNR (Ret)<br />
RADM James J. Carey, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Robert Lamar Bell, JAGC, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT J. Robert Lunney, JAGC, USNR (Ret)<br />
RADM Lester R. Smith, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Kenneth J. Welch, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Pat R. Lucci, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT John C. Rice, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Curtin R. Coleman II, USNR (Ret)<br />
RADM Philip W. Smith, USNR (Ret)*<br />
CAPT Fred D. Carl, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Robin W. Goodenough, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Morton Leavitt, USNR (Ret)*<br />
CAPT Leslie A. Willig, USNR (Ret)*<br />
RADM Ray Ackerman, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Robert B. Bolt, USNR (Ret)*<br />
CAPT Robert I. Barto, USNR*<br />
CAPT Donald V. Osborne, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT George A. O’Connell, Jr., USNR*<br />
CAPT A. Winfield Chapin, USNR*<br />
CDR Richard K. West, USNR*<br />
CWO Sidney Fields, USNR*<br />
CDR Clayton L. Burwell, USNR (Ret)*<br />
CAPT J. Mack Young, USNR*<br />
CAPT Blaney C. Turner, USNR*<br />
*Deceased<br />
We were recently chastised by a member<br />
for, among other things, taking too<br />
much credit for legislation that has<br />
been passed, for supporting legislation that<br />
increases your benefits and entitlements, and for<br />
not having a set of published principles by which<br />
we operate. Hum! Two other members have<br />
communicated their strong feelings that having<br />
dedicated equipment is absolutely vital to the<br />
future of the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>. All these, we put in<br />
“consider” folders. Others, we just put aside<br />
without comment.<br />
What gets put aside Not much, thankfully.<br />
Recently, one letter was very disparaging of a<br />
certain designator community that we featured,<br />
and concluded with “Why not print this in<br />
your NRA ‘Letters to the Editor’” “For what<br />
purpose” we asked, and set it aside! Although<br />
we are here to support our members, we are not<br />
here to support individuals’ agendas.<br />
What do we support First, and foremost, we<br />
support our members with factual information,<br />
answers, and advice. We support issues that<br />
appear to be of interest or benefit to the majority<br />
of our members. When I say “appear,” I mean<br />
that we rely on both survey information (influence<br />
legislation for benefits and equipment were #2<br />
and #3 in both membership surveys, with a factual<br />
source of information as #1) and grassroots<br />
inputs from members in our Districts to let<br />
their leadership know what’s important to them.<br />
Why, because when these District officials come<br />
to conferences, they vote on resolutions that<br />
become mandates for the paid staff to pursue. To<br />
that end, I ask if you have taken the time to<br />
communicate with your leadership, either locally<br />
or at the National level. Information on how to<br />
contact us is in every issue of the magazine, and<br />
also on our Web site. We were elected to serve<br />
you, so we want you engaged and communicating<br />
with us.<br />
Speaking of conferences, the next one is in San<br />
Francisco in April. The registration form for it is<br />
in this magazine on page 27. Act now, plan to<br />
attend, and engage to make a difference. There<br />
are too many issues on the table in these<br />
transformational times to leave it to someone<br />
else to carry the water.<br />
I will be preparing myself to testify before<br />
Congress this spring, so this is the perfect<br />
opportunity to let me know what you think.<br />
Back to the member concern that we claim far<br />
too much credit for legislation. We freely admit<br />
that we are not of the size truly to influence<br />
legislation by ourselves, but we are engaged on a<br />
daily basis on these issues. Captain Puzon is<br />
either on the telephone or visiting the legislative<br />
and professional staff offices on Capitol Hill<br />
nearly every day – that’s why we hired him. That<br />
is his mission, and I think he is doing a superb<br />
job. Captain Puzon, also, hasn’t missed a meeting<br />
of The Military Coalition and sits on several<br />
subcommittees. The Military Coalition is a<br />
consortium of 35 military organizations that<br />
collectively bring six million votes to the<br />
“Hill.” We are equally involved in several other<br />
consortium-type organizations – The National<br />
Military Veterans Alliance, Navy/Marine Corps<br />
Council, etc. Because of the resources being<br />
committed to all of this, we say that we had a part<br />
in getting legislation enacted, but have never<br />
claimed that we did it alone.<br />
As your National President, I want to know<br />
when you are having a special function. I am<br />
interested in attending these. This month, I will<br />
be traveling to New York to speak to the Burke<br />
Chapter there; they are having a dining out. So,<br />
just e-mail me if you have a special event<br />
planned and I will do my best to shoehorn it into<br />
my schedule.<br />
John Eric Lindell<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> 2004 Conferences<br />
Spring Conference - San Francisco, CA, 16-18 Apr. 2004<br />
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, Toll Free Number 1-800-325-3535<br />
Fall National Conference - Washington, DC, 15-18 Sep. 2004<br />
Radison Hotel, Old Towne Alexandria, VA<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
Membership<br />
7<br />
We are pleased to welcome the following<br />
individuals as our newest Life Members:<br />
CDR James A. Albani, USNR<br />
LCDR Nathan E. Beltz, USNR<br />
CAPT Francis L. Berkeley, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Joseph L. Bridge, USNR<br />
CDR Serena A. Chetta, NC, USNR<br />
CAPT John G. Colgan, USN (Ret)<br />
CAPT James R. Collins, CEC, USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Henry R. Crais, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT William J. Deas, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Victor E. Delnore, USNR (Ret)<br />
LCDR David D. Diamond, USNR<br />
CAPT Richard M. Dillow, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Charles E. Driscoll, USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Scott M. Fenning, USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR John Bryan Fluhart, USNR<br />
CDR Gerald S. Hanley, USNR (Ret)<br />
LCDR Adam T. Harvey, USNR<br />
CDR John S. Haynes, USNR (Ret)<br />
LT John C. Hazlett, USNR<br />
LCDR Robert M. Hemings, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT William H. Holden, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Philip L. Hooton, DC, USNR<br />
ENS Randy M. Hoyt, USNR<br />
CAPT George J. Katilus, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Michael A. Kurz, USNR<br />
TAP INTO A VALUABLE MEMBER SERVICE:<br />
Mrs. Audrey W. Luethy<br />
LT Kevin L. Martin, USNR<br />
RADM Edward Masso, USNR<br />
CDR James J. McGovern, USNR<br />
CAPT Lauren M. Miralia, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT John A. Neupert, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT John C. Norris, USNR (Ret)<br />
LCDR Carolyn J. O’Hara, USNR<br />
LCDR Lynn A. Oschmann, USNR<br />
RADM Stephen S. Oswald, USNR<br />
CAPT James P. Pappas, USNR (Ret)<br />
LCDR Leroy C. Parks, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Dennis J. Patin, MC, USNR<br />
LCDR Osvaldo Perez-Maiy, NC, USNR<br />
CAPT John H. Prey, DC, USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Craig J. Ryniewicz, USNR<br />
CAPT Harlan R. Sager, USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Kenneth A. Schroeder, USNR<br />
CDR Peter D. Stamps, USNR<br />
CWO3 Philip L. Sullivan, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT John T. Tapley, USNR (Ret)<br />
LCDR Ben E. Taylor, Jr., USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Elizabeth M. Toedt, USNR (Ret)<br />
CAPT Philip L. Vander Myde, USNR (Ret)<br />
(For December 2003)<br />
ASSISTANCE OVER THE<br />
TELEPHONE<br />
The <strong>Association</strong>’s staff is more than capable to answer your questions over<br />
the phone. And in some cases, additional information provided by the staff<br />
can be very rewarding. Case in point, in mid-December, a soon-to-turn age 60<br />
commander called regarding the application for retired pay benefits. After her<br />
question was answered, CAPT McAtee mentioned that since her birthday was<br />
the last week of December, she could have requested the 1st of January 2004 and<br />
gained the annual basic pay raise. Since NRPC was awaiting her SBP election<br />
paperwork, they allowed her to change the requested retirement date. Bottom<br />
line: she will receive $36 a month extra in retired pay for 2004 and beyond.<br />
NRA’s<br />
Scholarship<br />
Program<br />
2004-2005<br />
APPLY NOW!<br />
NRA is accepting scholarship<br />
applications for sons and<br />
daughters of members for the<br />
2004/2005 academic year. Deadline<br />
for completed applications is 1 May 2004.<br />
Applicants desiring to apply must<br />
adhere to the following requirements:<br />
Must be children of NRA members.<br />
Must be a U.S. citizen.<br />
Under 24 years of age. (Waiver for<br />
active duty service time)<br />
Must have registered with the draft,<br />
if eligible.<br />
Must be enrolled in or accepted for<br />
full-time enrollment at an accredited<br />
college, university, or a fullyaccredited<br />
technical school.<br />
Although not required for application,<br />
applications are particularly<br />
desired from individuals who have<br />
demonstrated an interest in the hard<br />
sciences, such as mathematics,<br />
medicine, and engineering.<br />
Applications from interested and<br />
qualified individuals should be<br />
requested from and forwarded,<br />
upon completion, to:<br />
Educational Assistance Program<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
1619 King Street<br />
Alexandria, VA 22314-2793<br />
Tel.: (703) 548-5800<br />
E-mail: admin@navy-reserve.org<br />
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS<br />
TO SUSTAIN THIS PROGRAM<br />
ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!<br />
NRANEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
8<br />
Legislative Update<br />
CAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)<br />
Director of Legislation<br />
Today, the American military may be<br />
in one of the best positions of any<br />
military in history. It should follow<br />
that the U.S. Navy and the U.S. <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Force are in one of their best positions. The<br />
victories in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with<br />
the continued Global War on Terrorism,<br />
have solidified the transformation of the<br />
U.S. military, but have changed the way we<br />
conduct war. The continued transformation<br />
and these victories have changed the way<br />
the world sees the U.S. and the U.S. military.<br />
We are engaged on several fronts against a<br />
wide perception of threats. There can be<br />
little doubt that the American military is at<br />
its height of military power and respect.<br />
We have to ask, are the challenges facing<br />
the military, including the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Force, less daunting, or are opportunities<br />
available that could extend our military and<br />
national ascendancy Tensions remain high<br />
throughout the world, and we do not have<br />
to look far to find a potential enemy. Those<br />
who think that our military is not stretched are<br />
not listening to the real Sailor, Marine,<br />
Airman, Soldier, or Coast Guardsman.<br />
Current civilian leadership has opted for<br />
transformation towards high-tech technology<br />
that is efficient and effective, saves resources,<br />
and remakes forces’ surge forces (for the<br />
Navy). I contend that current planning is<br />
relying on technology rather than the<br />
Sailor, Marine, Airman, Soldier, or Coast<br />
Guardsman.<br />
At War, Internally<br />
A lesson I learned: rely and ask the person<br />
in the loop (not the flag officer) first and<br />
last, if something is going to work. As we<br />
have taken stock in a “Revolution in<br />
Military Affairs,” it should follow that we<br />
consider adopting a “Revolution in Human<br />
Affairs.” This internal pull and push with<br />
network warfare has not been solved. As<br />
we move headstrong into more efficient<br />
and more effective technology, we should<br />
improve all forces that have shown success<br />
and efficiency already. I submit that a<br />
well-trained, well-equipped Guard and<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> is a force multiplier that is just<br />
being recognized for what it really and<br />
truly provides our nation. HCS-5, VFA-201,<br />
Cargo Handlers, Medical, Intel units,<br />
and NCW are just some examples for the<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>. The Guard and <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Forces are surge forces that are always<br />
there at a much more efficient price than<br />
recognized. Proof of this is readily available<br />
as we prepare to switch out forces for<br />
Iraqi.<br />
As we prepare for the next phase of the<br />
Global War on Terrorism, decisions on<br />
change for the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Force are<br />
being made that involve ignoring the<br />
lessons learned from the past. The active<br />
Navy force, historically skeptical of its<br />
reserve force, due to ignorance, is reshaping<br />
the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Force based on dollars<br />
and force structure alone. As most other<br />
services are embracing their reserve forces<br />
in a new way, the Navy has decided to<br />
transform the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Force based<br />
on dollars, and Active concepts of operations.<br />
What happened to efficiency, effectiveness,<br />
and surgability Morale in the military is<br />
soft, based on being stretched from what we<br />
hear. We must do all we can at this time to<br />
ensure that we maintain and gain the right<br />
retention and recruiting tools to maintain<br />
the people to go along with the influx of<br />
technology. There can be no doubt that<br />
we are using the Guard and <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Forces at higher rates. We have to mold<br />
the technology transformation with the<br />
transformation of the humans and their<br />
understanding of technology, especially<br />
with the Guard and <strong>Reserve</strong> Forces.<br />
The first Session of the 108 th Congress<br />
was a resounding success for improving<br />
the continuum of services for the people<br />
(the humans in the loop) in the <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Components of the U.S. military and<br />
providing for a transformation of the<br />
human element. The second Session of the<br />
108 th Congress will be more challenging<br />
in making the improvements in what it<br />
means to be a Guardsman or a Reservist in<br />
the U.S. military. Getting Congress to focus<br />
on what our Reservists are doing every<br />
day, providing what the fleet wants, is not<br />
going to be easy. We still have <strong>Naval</strong><br />
Reservists serving in Operation Iraqi<br />
Freedom, and we will have more mobilized<br />
and returning to Iraq soon. Their service<br />
is important. Their families and their<br />
employer service are also important and<br />
should not get lost in the shuffle of “that’s<br />
just the way it is.” The synopsis below by<br />
Captain McAtee provides a summary of<br />
these benefits and entitlements.<br />
One of the recent improvements gained<br />
has been in health care for Guard and<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Forces. As we begin the second<br />
Session of the 108 th Congress, we hope to<br />
improve more of the continuum of services<br />
for the humans in the loop of the <strong>Naval</strong><br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Force. Please see the following link,<br />
<br />
to read about the new TRICARE for<br />
Guard and <strong>Reserve</strong>. At this writing, the<br />
implementation procedures have still not<br />
been published, but hopefully will be<br />
soon. Along with others, we are pushing<br />
to get this process implemented as soon as<br />
possible and extended beyond the one year<br />
period.<br />
THUMBNAIL SUMMARY OF RECENTLY<br />
ENACTED LEGISLATION<br />
Here are legislative amendments that have been passed<br />
through several Congressional bills. They either have an<br />
impact on or are of interest to <strong>Naval</strong> Reservists. The following<br />
are only summaries, not complete amendment language.<br />
By CAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (RET)<br />
NDAA for FY 2004 (Unless specified otherwise, effective<br />
date is 24 November 2003):<br />
> Navy end strength 373,800.<br />
> <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> end strength 85,900.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
9<br />
> Navy FTS end strength 14,384<br />
> Authority to reduce TIG for O-5 and above no longer has<br />
an expiration date. The previous authority had an expiration<br />
date of 31 December 2003. Procedure for requesting a<br />
waiver remains unchanged. Go to our home page<br />
and click on TIG information<br />
under “Career.”<br />
> Authority for <strong>Reserve</strong> and Retired Regular officer to hold<br />
state and local office notwithstanding call to active duty.<br />
> Retired Reservists under age 60 (“gray area”) are now<br />
eligible to participate in the Federal Long-Term Care<br />
Insurance Program. Go to , or call<br />
800-582-3337 for additional information.<br />
> Increase in basic pay for 2004, averaging 4.15 percent.<br />
> Computation of basic pay for commissioned officer with<br />
prior enlisted service. Those Reservists with enlisted service<br />
points of 1460 or higher will be paid from O-1E through<br />
O-3E tables regardless of funding source. Previously, only<br />
orders paid from funds appropriated for <strong>Reserve</strong> personnel<br />
could be paid from the O-1E through O-3E basic pay<br />
tables. NOTE: For those who were on mobilization orders<br />
or on active duty orders funded by an active duty account<br />
(MPN) on or after 24 November 2003, orders may have to<br />
be resubmitted to receive pay increase.<br />
> Increase in Family Separation Allowance from $100 to<br />
$250 per month for the period 1 October 2003 and ending<br />
31 December 2004. Effective 10 September 2001.<br />
> Increase in Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger special pay<br />
from $150 to $225 per month for the period 1 October<br />
2003 and ending on 31 December 2004.<br />
> Payment of lodging expenses for members during authorized<br />
leave from a temporary duty location. This amendment<br />
corrects the situation of a Reservist on temporary duty,<br />
such as occurred on certain mobilization orders, losing a<br />
portion of lodging expense for the days in a leave status.<br />
> Phase-in of full concurrent receipt of military retired pay<br />
and veteran’s disability compensation for certain military<br />
retirees. NOTE: This is a complicated amendment; call<br />
the <strong>Association</strong> for additional information.<br />
> Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity may now be paid to<br />
the surviving spouse of a Reservist who was not eligible<br />
for retirement but who died from a cause incurred or<br />
aggravated while on inactive-duty training (IDT).<br />
Effective 10 September 2001.<br />
> Increase in death gratuity from $6,000 to $12,000, effective<br />
11 September 2001.<br />
> Unlimited commissary access for Selected <strong>Reserve</strong>, Ready<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong>, and <strong>Reserve</strong> retirees under age 60. Effective 24<br />
November 2003, commissary cards are no longer required<br />
since access is now unlimited.<br />
> Medical and dental screening and care for Ready <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
members alerted (informed) for mobilization orders for a<br />
period of more than 30 days. Care may be provided to meet<br />
medical and dental standards for deployment prior to<br />
commencement of active duty.<br />
> TRICARE program coverage for certain members of the<br />
Ready <strong>Reserve</strong> under certain circumstances. May enroll in<br />
TRICARE and receive benefits for any period the<br />
Reservist is:<br />
a. An eligible unemployment compensation recipient.<br />
b. Not eligible for health care benefits under an employer –<br />
sponsored plan.<br />
Coverage may be self or self and family. NOTE: Currently<br />
awaiting enrollment/implementation criteria from DoD.<br />
> Earlier eligibility date (before commencement of active<br />
duty) for TRICARE program for Reservist in receipt of<br />
orders for more than 30 days. Reservist shall be treated as<br />
being on active duty on the latter of the date:<br />
a. Issuance of orders.<br />
b. 90 days before commencement of active duty to which<br />
ordered.<br />
> Simplification of annual participation for purposes of<br />
Ready <strong>Reserve</strong> Training Requirements. Changes requirement<br />
from 48 drill periods and 14 days annual training to a total<br />
of 38 day training per duty year.<br />
> <strong>Reserve</strong> health care assistance amendment requires each<br />
TRICARE Region to provide beneficiary counseling to<br />
assist Reservists and families.<br />
Service Member’s Civil Relief Act<br />
(Effective on 19 December 2003)<br />
NOTE: This act rewrites the previous 63-year-old Soldiers and<br />
Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA)<br />
> Automatic 90-day stay of legal proceedings when duties<br />
interfere with ability to appear.<br />
> Clarifies the six percent interest rate cap.<br />
> Raises the amount of life insurance the government will<br />
protect from default for nonpayment to $250, 000 while<br />
Reservists are on active duty.<br />
> Member sent to new duty station or deployed for at least 90<br />
days could terminate housing leases without penalty.<br />
> Active Duty or <strong>Reserve</strong> members deployed overseas or<br />
called-up for at least 180 days could terminate auto lease<br />
without penalty.<br />
Veterans Benefits Act of 2003<br />
(Effective 16 Dec 2003)<br />
> Certain veterans’ survivor benefits for surviving spouses<br />
remarrying after age 57. Previously DIC benefits were<br />
terminated upon remarriage regardless of age.<br />
> Lower VA loan origination fee for Reservists effective<br />
1 January 2004, at 2.4 percent.<br />
> Eligibility of surviving spouses, who remarry, for burial in<br />
national cemeteries.<br />
> Permits member with severe disabilities to apply for housing<br />
grants before being discharged.<br />
NRANEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
10<br />
Retirees’ Corner<br />
Local Chapter Hosts A<br />
Retirement Seminar<br />
By LCDR Joe Golding, USNR (Ret)<br />
CDR Sharon K. Kleinschmidt, USNR (Ret)<br />
National VP for Retired Personnel<br />
Under the guidance of RADM<br />
Richard E. Young, USNR (Ret),<br />
the first retirement seminar<br />
produced by the Rocky Mountain Chapter<br />
of the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> was held<br />
at the <strong>Naval</strong> and Marine Corps <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Center in Aurora, CO, on 6 December<br />
2003. Presented were four major topics<br />
of concern: TRICARE, pay and<br />
allowances, space availability military<br />
travel, and Navy lodging.<br />
The idea of hosting a retirement<br />
seminar was first introduced at our local<br />
chapter meeting in May 2003. LCDR Joe<br />
Golding, USNR (Ret), volunteered to<br />
undertake the project. He is also the<br />
Chapter’s vice president for retirement<br />
issues. He served as the moderator for the<br />
December event attended by some 62<br />
drilling Reservists, retirees, and many<br />
spouses.<br />
Invitations were extended to drilling<br />
Reservists, “gray area” retirees, and those<br />
personnel who are currently receiving a<br />
retirement annuity. Included on the<br />
invitation was a solicitation of interesting<br />
and relevant topics. Of highest concern<br />
were TRICARE health insurance, pay<br />
issues, and “Space A” travel.<br />
Ms. Linda Hood, the marketing field<br />
service representative for the states of<br />
Colorado and Wyoming at TRIWEST<br />
Healthcare Alliance, began the seminar.<br />
Ms. Hood briefly touched on the three<br />
plans (Prime, Extra, and Standard) and<br />
explained their features as it related to<br />
retirees under the age of 65 and their<br />
families. Ms. Hood continued by discussing<br />
the TRICARE for Life features for those<br />
who are age 65 and older and who are<br />
enrolled in Medicare Part B. She took<br />
ample time to answer questions before<br />
departing for her home in Colorado<br />
Springs. In typical western hospitality,<br />
CAPT Peter Van Souest, USNR (Ret),<br />
presented her a Stetson cowboy hat, in<br />
appreciation of her efforts, at the conclusion<br />
of the question and answer period.<br />
CAPT Ron Servis, USNR (Ret), presented<br />
a handout describing how to ensure your<br />
points for service history are up-to-date,<br />
calculation of retirement pay, and reporting<br />
pay problems. He advised to contact the<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Personnel Center in New Orleans<br />
for questions concerning points at<br />
or toll<br />
free 866-250-4778. For pay problems or<br />
changes of address, contact the Defense<br />
Financing and Accounting System<br />
(DFAS) at or 800-321-<br />
1080.<br />
LCDR Golding presented the third part<br />
of the seminar by talking about military<br />
space availability air apportunities and<br />
Navy lodging by describing the eligibility<br />
and procedures for sponsors and their<br />
dependents to travel. He continued by<br />
talking about making reservations at the<br />
numerous Navy lodges. Information on<br />
recreational lodging can be obtained by<br />
calling 1-800-NAVYINN, 1-888-AFLODGE<br />
or 1-800-GOARMY1. For Space A travel,<br />
only terminals have flight information;<br />
there is no central flight information point<br />
of contact.<br />
During the two-hour seminar, RADM<br />
Young served as timekeeper and provided<br />
quarterly updates on the Army-Navy football<br />
game. Those in attendance gave us<br />
high marks on our presentation.<br />
Project Identify and Recognize<br />
The goal of this project is to locate, identify, and recognize those who have served or are presently serving in the<br />
United States military and have a degree(s) in home economics, family and consumer sciences, dietetics, or other<br />
related fields of study.<br />
Current Chairperson and recipient, CDR Sherry Kleinschmidt, USNR (Ret), invites anyone who is serving, has served, or<br />
knows of someone with active, reserve or retired service to complete the personal data form found on three Web sites:<br />
www.ifhe-us.org<br />
www.aafcs.org<br />
www.womensmemorial.org<br />
The second recognition ceremony for participants of Project Identify and Recognize will be held in San Diego, CA,<br />
on Friday, 25 June 2004.<br />
The project is co-sponsored by the International Division of the American <strong>Association</strong> of Family and Consumer<br />
Sciences and the International Federation for Home Economics-United States. Participation in Project Identify will<br />
enable the home economics profession to honor qualifying professionals in an appropriate manner.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
Bank from<br />
anywhere<br />
and save up to $500.<br />
Online access and money-saving features make USAA’s no-fee<br />
checking account as mobile as you are.<br />
■ No monthly service charges 1 – save $72<br />
■ Free ATM access 2 – save $174<br />
■ ATM fee refunds 3 – save $180<br />
■ Free online bill-payments 4 – save $59<br />
■ Cash rewards on debit card purchases 5 – earn $38<br />
Call us at 1-800-531-8683<br />
or visit us at usaa.com<br />
and enter keycode b0a010<br />
Other bank data source: bankrate.com 1. Other banks charge an average of $6 a month. 2. Other banks usually charge $1.45 for using another bank's<br />
ATM. USAA does not charge for the first 10 ATM withdrawals from non-USAA ATMs per monthly statement cycle; additional withdrawals are $1 each<br />
3. USAA Federal Savings Bank will automatically refund up to $15 for ATM surcharges incurred per account, per statement cycle. 4. USAA Web<br />
BillPay ® is free with direct deposit to a USAA checking account with a 15-payment limit monthly; extra payments cost $.40 each. Without direct<br />
deposit, USAA Web BillPay is $4.95 a month for 15 payments; extras cost $.40 each. 5. Average annual cash reward is $38. Every statement<br />
cycle, USAA Federal Savings Bank will rebate one-half percent of credit purchases made with the USAA Debit MasterCard ® . Account features<br />
and prices are subject to change. Banking products are provided by USAA Federal Savings Bank, FDIC insured.<br />
A3069-1203 ©2004 USAA. All rights reserved.
12<br />
News Notes<br />
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR<br />
MOST COMMISSARIES, OFFICIALS<br />
EMPHASIZE<br />
Defense Department officials are<br />
emphasizing that DoD strongly supports<br />
commissaries as an important benefit of<br />
military service and that there are no plans<br />
to close them.<br />
John M. Molino, Deputy Undersecretary<br />
of Defense for Community and Family<br />
Policy, said, “The future of the commissary<br />
benefit is very sound, very healthy. The<br />
department is committed to maintain a<br />
commissary benefit.”<br />
Calling some recent press coverage of the<br />
commissary issue “slanted and inaccurate,”<br />
Secretary Molino said the controversy<br />
goes back three years to when, shortly<br />
after arriving at the Pentagon, Secretary of<br />
Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld asked<br />
whether the Defense Department should<br />
be running a chain of grocery stores.<br />
“We did a detailed analysis of whether<br />
or not there were other ways to deliver the<br />
commissary benefit,” Secretary Molino<br />
said. “The conclusion was that the<br />
commissary needs to stay (as) something<br />
we do within the Department of Defense,<br />
even though it is outside our core<br />
competency.”<br />
WAR TROPHIES NOT ALLOWED<br />
TO BE RETURNED FROM IRAQ,<br />
AFGHANISTAN<br />
Defense Department officials have<br />
warned service members returning home<br />
from Iraq and Afghanistan not to bring<br />
weapons, ammunition, and other prohibited<br />
items with them.<br />
Officials say that under no circumstances<br />
can individuals take as souvenirs objects<br />
that were formerly in the possession of the<br />
enemy. “We didn’t go into Iraq or<br />
Afghanistan to conquer them, but to<br />
liberate them,” said Marine CAPT Bruce<br />
Frame, a Central Command spokesman.<br />
“Taking articles from those countries<br />
sends the wrong message.”<br />
2004 DIVIDENDS ARE ANNOUNCED<br />
FOR 1.5 MILLION POLICYHOLDERS<br />
The Department of Veterans Affairs<br />
(VA) has announced the distribution of<br />
more than $517 million in dividends to 1.5<br />
million active policyholders of veterans’<br />
life insurance.<br />
Over the next year, veterans will receive<br />
payments on the anniversary date of their<br />
policies with the specific dividend amount<br />
varying according to age, type of insurance,<br />
and length of time the policy has been in<br />
force.<br />
Dividends will go only to veterans with<br />
government life insurance policies who<br />
served between 1917 and 1956. Veterans<br />
enrolled after 1956 are covered by VA<br />
term insurance programs that do not pay<br />
dividends.<br />
The largest group receiving payments in<br />
2004 will be 1.2 million veterans of World<br />
War II with National Service Life<br />
Insurance (“V”) policies. Total payments<br />
are expected to reach $416.8 million.<br />
Dividends totaling $1.8 million will be<br />
paid to about 11,000 veterans holding U.S.<br />
Government Life Insurance (“K”) policies.<br />
Nearly 200,000 Korean War era veterans<br />
who have maintained Veterans Special<br />
Life Insurance (“RS” and “W”) policies<br />
can expect to receive dividends totaling<br />
$83.9 million.<br />
Veterans with questions about their<br />
policies may call the VA Insurance toll-free<br />
number at 1-800-669-8477.<br />
APPLICATION DEADLINE NEARS<br />
FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM<br />
February 18 is the deadline for the 2004<br />
Scholarships for Military Children program<br />
which benefits Reservists, active-duty<br />
people, and retirees.<br />
The academic scholarships, worth<br />
$1,500 each, are provided by the Defense<br />
Commissary Agency. Now in its fourth<br />
year, the program has awarded nearly $2.5<br />
million to some 1,500 children of U.S.<br />
service members and retirees.<br />
Funding comes from manufacturers and<br />
suppliers whose products are sold at military<br />
commissaries. Details are available at<br />
local commissaries.<br />
ORGANIZATION BRIEFS<br />
RESERVISTS ON THEIR<br />
RE-EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS<br />
The National Committee for Employer<br />
Support of the Guard and <strong>Reserve</strong> (ESGR)<br />
is briefing members of the National Guard<br />
and <strong>Reserve</strong> on their civilian reemployment<br />
rights while they are still serving in<br />
Kuwait and Iraq and preparing to return<br />
home.<br />
“We want these people to know what<br />
their rights are and how we can help them.<br />
We believe the best place to tell them is in<br />
Kuwait, and even in Iraq, while they are<br />
preparing to return to their homes,” said<br />
Air National Guard MSGT Bob Krenke,<br />
an ESGR spokesman.<br />
“It is a good way to get to the people<br />
when they are most concerned about<br />
reemployment issues,” SGT Krenke<br />
added. “There are a lot fewer distractions<br />
over there than there are when they get to<br />
this country, when they are a lot more<br />
interested in being with their families than<br />
they are in sitting through a bunch of<br />
briefings.”<br />
The representatives are telling the<br />
Reservists about their basic reemployment<br />
rights when they return to their civilian<br />
lives. They are also telling them that the<br />
employment and reemployment rights act<br />
applies to all employers, regardless of the<br />
size of their businesses, and that it protects<br />
most part-time and probationary positions.<br />
Here are some of the law’s key provisions<br />
for returning service members:<br />
(1) They are entitled to prompt<br />
reemployment.<br />
(2) They are entitled to seniority and<br />
seniority-related benefits, including<br />
pensions, status, and rate of pay, as if<br />
they were continuously employed<br />
during their military absence.<br />
(3) They are entitled to immediate<br />
reinstatement of health insurance for<br />
themselves and previously-covered<br />
dependents.<br />
(4) They are entitled to training or<br />
retraining by their employers if necessary<br />
to qualify them for reemployment.<br />
FORE AND AFT:<br />
As of 24 December, there were 87,431<br />
members of the <strong>Naval</strong> Selected <strong>Reserve</strong>;<br />
151,399 in the Ready <strong>Reserve</strong>; and 1,530<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Reservists on active duty . . . .<br />
American Airlines has invited military<br />
men and women under the Iraqi Freedom<br />
Rest and Relaxation (R&R) Program to<br />
spend time between flights at the<br />
company’s elegant Admirals Club<br />
facilities worldwide . . . . President Bush<br />
has directed executive departments and<br />
agencies to grant five days of uncharged<br />
administrative leave from civilian duties to<br />
federal employees returning from active<br />
duty to reserve status . . . . It is now<br />
possible for veterans and family members<br />
of deceased veterans to obtain copies of<br />
DD-214’s on-line by going to the National<br />
Personnel Records Center’s Web site.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
13<br />
Enabling Knowledge Superiority to the Warfighter<br />
Through Integration and Innovation<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Force Multiplier<br />
It’s Friday afternoon and Gordon Hunt, a PhD student at<br />
Stanford University and expert C++/Java programmer at<br />
Real-Time Innovations, has just aced another Computer<br />
Science exam and is ready to start a well-deserved weekend.<br />
With his bags packed, he hops into his red Saab<br />
convertible and drives south to the San Jose airport for a<br />
direct flight to sunny San Diego. Within an hour, he’s<br />
checked in and relaxing at the Admiral Kidd Club BOQ,<br />
with a clear view of the San Diego harbor, getting ready to<br />
report at 0700 the next morning for his weekend drill as an<br />
engineering duty officer and <strong>Naval</strong> Reservist for the Navy’s<br />
Space and <strong>Naval</strong> Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).<br />
His mission: Support the USS LINCOLN Battle Group, prior<br />
to its deployment to the Middle East, by ensuring its C4ISR<br />
& IT Integrated Logistics Systems documents are in order.<br />
“Reservists are<br />
critical and<br />
seamless members<br />
of our corporate<br />
SPAWAR team.”<br />
Rear Admiral<br />
Kenneth D. Slaght, USN<br />
Commander<br />
Space and <strong>Naval</strong> Warfare<br />
Systems Command<br />
Earning Trust<br />
How could such a large responsibility be placed on a <strong>Naval</strong><br />
Reservist By earning the trust of the gaining command and the<br />
Fleet is the answer.<br />
This trust began in the late 1990’s, when the SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Program successfully demonstrated that it could effectively<br />
support the Fleet on the deck plates with information<br />
technology (IT) experts capable of completing a variety of missioncritical<br />
tasks.<br />
The Reservists performed IT-21 training that was deemed necessary<br />
to enable the Warfighter with knowledge superiority.<br />
An Innovative Organization<br />
Completing such mission-critical tasks can only be accomplished<br />
with strong leadership and an effective matrix organization that<br />
assigns the more than 500 SPAWAR Reservists (civilian IT experts<br />
with military experience) to dedicated Fleet Support Teams (FST)<br />
in support of our nation’s Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and<br />
Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG).<br />
A FST consists of 50-60 Reservists, from 3-5 reserve units, that are<br />
assigned to fulfill one of the following five key C4ISR & IT mission<br />
areas to coincide with each Strike Group’s deployment plan:<br />
SPACE & NAVAL WARFARE<br />
SYSTEMS COMMAND<br />
Providing Integrated Information Solutions to the Fleet<br />
At the heart of a battle are the systems of Command, Control, Communications,<br />
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR).<br />
The purpose of C4ISR, and the mission of the Space and <strong>Naval</strong> Warfare<br />
Systems Command (SPAWAR), is to provide the battle force commander<br />
with knowledge superiority – the means to see the battlefield, understand its<br />
activities, formulate effective courses of action, and transmit orders for action.<br />
SPAWAR is the Navy’s agent responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding<br />
C4ISR systems. SPAWAR is an Echelon II command, headquartered in San<br />
Diego, CA, with offices located across the globe.<br />
1. Configuration Validation (CONVAL)<br />
2. DG Systems Integration & Testing (DGSIT)<br />
3. Integrated Logistics Support (ILS)<br />
4. Surface & Sub Systems Installations<br />
5. Information Technology Training (IT-21)<br />
Each mission area is supported by a shipboard<br />
detachment consisting of a team leader, a subject<br />
matter expert, and five or more qualified<br />
Reservists who are hand-picked from the FST to<br />
perform the assigned task (e.g., CONVAL). The<br />
objective is to select the “right Reservist for the<br />
right Job.” The team leader is the Fleet’s<br />
single point of contact to get the job done.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
14<br />
Supporting the Fleet<br />
Supporting Fleet Battle Readiness<br />
SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong> Fleet<br />
Since 1999, Reservists have been instrumental in preparing<br />
the C4ISR and IT systems aboard every Strike Force battle<br />
unit in the Navy, worldwide.<br />
CONVAL<br />
Sailors validating the Functional<br />
Interface Diagrams of the C4ISR & IT<br />
network configuration aboard the USS<br />
LINCOLN (CVN-72). These diagrams<br />
are used to set the architecture for the<br />
next set of network upgrades.<br />
Photo by CDR Steve Clancy<br />
“I recommend that this (FST) concept be expanded to<br />
support each deploying Battle Group during the rapid<br />
migration of C4ISR systems to the Fleet.”<br />
Commodore Tom Gallagher<br />
COMDESRON 18<br />
30 months 18 months 12 months MONTHS TO<br />
INSTALLATIONS<br />
Reservists augment SPAWAR in<br />
planning the scheduled installations of<br />
C4ISR systems aboard surface ships<br />
and submarines. They ensure all naval<br />
combatants have the requisite systems<br />
and strike capabilities installed prior to<br />
their next deployment.<br />
Photo by PH1 David Lloyd<br />
IT-21 TRAINING<br />
IT experts (Reservists) increase a ship’s<br />
combat readiness by training Sailors on how<br />
to maintain and operate the 21st Century<br />
IT systems aboard their ship.<br />
Photo by PH1 David Lloyd<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
15<br />
on the Deck Plates<br />
Supporting Teams in Action<br />
ILS<br />
Sailors check the accuracy and<br />
availability of logistics documents,<br />
spare parts, and technical publications<br />
to ensure the Strike Group’s C4ISR &<br />
IT Integrated Logistics Systems are<br />
100 percent ready for battle.<br />
Photo by CDR Dave Lynn<br />
“Their professionalism and knowledge of Fleet<br />
communications greatly improved connectivity and have<br />
made them indispensable members of the BGSIT team.”<br />
Monica R. Shepard<br />
Director, C4ISR<br />
DEPLOYMENT 6 months 4 months<br />
Deployment<br />
“The deployed IT-21 Fly Away Team validated the<br />
requirement for the SPAWAR IT-21 <strong>Reserve</strong> Program<br />
and the mission it fulfills.”<br />
LT Murphy,<br />
CSIO, USS CONSTELLATION<br />
DGSIT<br />
Integrating and testing the C4ISR systems<br />
aboard the USS LINCOLN (CVN 74).<br />
Reservists support SPAWAR in ensuring<br />
that its C4ISR & IT systems are fully<br />
integrated with the rest of the Strike Group<br />
so it can complete its combat missions.<br />
Photo by LCDR Janet Garrington<br />
IT-21 FLY AWAYS<br />
Providing “Over-the-Shoulder” IT-21<br />
training for ship’s force, while underway<br />
aboard the USS CONSTELLATION<br />
(CVN 64).<br />
Photo by SPAWAR<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
16<br />
Transformation to Support Integration and Innovation<br />
Integration with the Gaining Command<br />
A transformation of the SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong> Program began<br />
in October 1998, when COMSPAWARSYSCOM directed a<br />
newly-assigned <strong>Reserve</strong> Liaison Officer to reengineer the<br />
program better to support SPAWAR’s main customer –<br />
deploying <strong>Naval</strong> Forces. Prior to that, the <strong>Reserve</strong> units<br />
were conducting “nonessential work” for various SPAWAR<br />
program codes.<br />
The mobilization goal for the Reservists was changed to augment<br />
the manpower of SPAWAR in crisis scenarios to support the<br />
Strike Group and its battle systems.<br />
SPAWAR then took full advantage of the broad range of technical<br />
talents and expertise that its 500+ Reservists offered and began<br />
utilizing them to the fullest extent possible in providing direct Fleet<br />
support.<br />
Today, SPAWAR Reservists perform a wide spectrum of work<br />
from addressing acute C4ISR/IT architecture issues to providing<br />
advanced IT-21 Fly Away training aboard ships.<br />
A Flexible and Modular Matrix Organization<br />
Due to the rapid pace of C4ISR enhancements and having to<br />
respond to each Strike Group’s deployment cycle, the SPAWAR<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Program reorganized itself from a hierarchical<br />
organization to a more flexible and modular matrix organization<br />
that is competency based to ensure that the Navy’s C4ISR &<br />
IT systems are ready for war.<br />
Units Work Together in Fleet Support Teams<br />
Drilling with the Fleet<br />
SPAWAR Reservists proved their flexibility and initiative by<br />
deploying over 150 shipboard detachments each year to more<br />
than 60 different warfighting ships.<br />
“Reservists represent SPAWAR on the deck plates.”<br />
RDML Mike Sharp<br />
Vice Commander, SPAWAR<br />
Whenever FST Reservists aren’t aboard a warship, they’re<br />
drilling (training) with one of the 22 SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong> units<br />
nationwide. These units are strategically located near to our<br />
nation’s most prestigious high-tech universities and technology<br />
centers such as Cambridge, MA; San Diego, CA; Silicon<br />
Valley, CA; Technology Triangle, NC; and Bellevue, WA, to<br />
help recruit the best educated and most-experienced IT talent<br />
available.<br />
Most of the <strong>Naval</strong> Reservists in the FST Program are seasoned<br />
network technicians, software engineers, Cisco Certified<br />
Network Associates, or Microsoft Certified System Engineers<br />
who bring thousands of dollars of education, training, and<br />
experience to the Fleet.<br />
These highly-qualified Reservists adhere to a single focus –<br />
which is to serve the Fleet. They aren’t distracted by having to<br />
perform administrative tasks that are nonmission oriented.<br />
These recurring tasks are executed by a small and dedicated<br />
team of professionals who are located at the gaining command<br />
in San Diego.<br />
An Integrated and Fleet-Centric Organization<br />
Reservists are<br />
aligned in a<br />
project matrix<br />
organization<br />
better to serve<br />
the Fleet.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
17<br />
Reinventing the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Part of a Team<br />
SPAWAR Reservists are an integral part of the SPAWAR team.<br />
They are woven into every aspect of the SPAWAR mission.<br />
They use the exact same badges, share the same resources<br />
and have access to the same mission-critical information.<br />
They work hand-in-hand with their active duty and civilian<br />
counterparts between drill periods to get the job done. They<br />
embody the One Navy mantra and are appreciated and<br />
awarded for their efforts.<br />
Fleet, SPAWAR, & <strong>Reserve</strong> Recognition:<br />
Three commendation letters from CLF (N6), four Lightening Bolts<br />
(SPAWAR’s internal award for outstanding teamwork), four BZ’s<br />
from the Fleet, nine Bilger awards, and hundreds of personal<br />
awards.<br />
Force Multiplier<br />
The 500+ <strong>Reserve</strong> Force makes up most of the uniformed staff<br />
at SPAWAR and the PEO, by a ratio of 4:1. The active duty<br />
contingent of SPAWAR relies heavily on the assistance of the<br />
Reservists to leverage their limited resources. For example,<br />
the active duty staff delegates the execution of Deployment<br />
Group Integration and Testing (DGSIT) onboard ships to the<br />
officers in the <strong>Reserve</strong> Program.<br />
SPAWAR Reservists are highly integrated with<br />
the active duty and civilian staff at SPAWAR.<br />
Responding to the Needs of the Fleet<br />
Our nation must be prepared to respond in a rapid and effective<br />
manner to combat the threat of an attack. The CNO is changing<br />
the way our Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups maintain<br />
their combat readiness to prepare for deployments on relatively<br />
short notice. Likewise, the <strong>Reserve</strong> community is changing<br />
the way it responds to the emergent needs of the Fleet.<br />
The SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong> Program embraces new and innovative<br />
ways to manage the mobilization and contributory support of<br />
its Reservists to the Fleet:<br />
1) Precertification ensures that every Reservist in the<br />
Program is administratively and medically certified at the<br />
beginning of each fiscal year so that he/she can be mobilized<br />
almost immediately.<br />
2) SPAWAR created its own <strong>Reserve</strong> Program Office (RPO)<br />
to support the mission delegated to the <strong>Reserve</strong>s. The RPO,<br />
which is staffed by Reservists, was given the tools necessary<br />
to fund temporary duty assignments, write orders, purchase<br />
airline tickets, etc.<br />
SPAWAR has full ownership and control of<br />
its Selected <strong>Reserve</strong>s.<br />
Reservists are precertified and supported 24/7 by a<br />
program office for mobilization.<br />
By assuming the administrative responsibilities needed to<br />
fulfill its mission, the RPO became highly responsive to the<br />
needs of the Fleet, while providing world-class customer<br />
service to its Reservists. Orders are typically cut within 24<br />
working hours after receiving the request.<br />
SPAWAR has taken full ownership and responsibility for its<br />
mission and the readiness of its SELRES Force.<br />
Integrated Communications<br />
The SPAWAR Program seeks to facilitate a highly dispersed<br />
and dynamic work environment. Specific tools are used to<br />
facilitate communications and information-sharing between 22<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> units nationwide:<br />
VTC: Each drill weekend, the units participate in a video<br />
teleconference (VTC) to share mission-critical information and<br />
receive SPAWAR training.<br />
VPO: A Virtual Program Office (VPO) collaborative Web site,<br />
integral to SPAWAR’s Intranet, is used to store, access, and<br />
share mission-critical information on-line.<br />
Job Jar & Skills Database: A job request and occupational<br />
skills database used to assign the best qualified Reservist to<br />
the appropriate contributory support job.<br />
Strategic Communications: A comprehensive strategic<br />
communications plan that is used to communicate with the<br />
Program’s clients, members, stakeholders, and partners.<br />
Interactive Training CDs, Videos & Manuals: High-quality<br />
CDs, videos, and manuals are used to train and indoctrinate<br />
individuals unfamiliar with the Program.<br />
STE: The Program’s “Best Practices” are transferred to other<br />
Echelon II commands via the <strong>Reserve</strong> Science, Technology, &<br />
Engineering (STE) consortium.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
18<br />
Providing Innovative Support to the Fleet Today<br />
Y2K<br />
SPAWAR assigned <strong>Naval</strong> Reservists<br />
to ensure the Navy and Marine Corps’<br />
more than 25,000 IT systems were<br />
ready for the year 2000.<br />
Photo by YN1 Kevin Valdez<br />
SPAWAR’s<br />
confidence in<br />
assigning new<br />
missions to its<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Program<br />
is based on past<br />
performance.<br />
Operation Enduring<br />
Freedom<br />
Reservists manned SPAWAR’s<br />
Special Operations Center to ensure<br />
all C4ISR systems engaged in both<br />
Gulf Wars were maintained in their<br />
upmost readiness condition.<br />
Photo by SPAWAR<br />
9/11<br />
SPAWAR Reservists coordinated the<br />
C4ISR installs in the Navy Operations<br />
Centers at the Pentagon after the 9/11<br />
terrorist attack.<br />
Photo by R. D.<br />
Keeping the Fleet Connected<br />
In addition to supporting the normal five Fleet Support Team<br />
programs for the CSG’s and ESG’s, SPAWAR Reservists have<br />
been called upon to respond to emergent needs such Y2K,<br />
rebuilding the Pentagon’s Navy Operations Center (destroyed<br />
during the 9/11 terrorist attack), and staffing SPAWAR’s<br />
Special Operations Center during Operation Enduring<br />
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.<br />
Information to the Warfighter<br />
at the Right Time and Right Place<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
19<br />
Supporting the Fleet with Innovation for Tomorrow<br />
Evaluating Tomorrow’s Technologies<br />
To determine the potential value of future SPAWAR systems and<br />
technologies and to help make Network Centric Warfare a<br />
reality, SPAWAR Reservists are tapped to support several system<br />
development efforts, including the following CNO-sponsored<br />
projects:<br />
Fleet Battle Experiment-Juliet (FBE-J)<br />
Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (JWID)<br />
FORCEnet.<br />
Reservists are an<br />
integral part of the<br />
FORCEnet effort,<br />
which is a key<br />
enabler towards<br />
making the NAVAL<br />
POWER 21 concept<br />
a reality.<br />
UGV<br />
Reservists with knowledge and experience<br />
in robotics are playing a key role in training<br />
Explosive Ordinance Detachments and<br />
evaluating unmanned vehicles in a<br />
simulated battle environment, like the<br />
Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV).<br />
Photo by EM1 (SS) Thomas Hoover<br />
FORCEnet<br />
Reservists demonstrating and assessing<br />
the human element of a FORCEnet<br />
multi-modal work station designed to<br />
integrate warriors, sensors, networks,<br />
command & control platforms, and<br />
weapons in the battlefield.<br />
Photo by Janet Garrington<br />
FBE-J<br />
During Joint Exercise Millennium<br />
Challenge, Reservists experimented<br />
with innovative operational concepts<br />
such as <strong>Naval</strong> Simulation Systems<br />
and the Maritime Planning Process<br />
designed to enhance the warfighter’s<br />
tactical planning capabilities.<br />
Photo by EM1 (SS) Thomas Hoover<br />
JWID<br />
As Battle Commander of a<br />
five-nation coalition force,<br />
CAPT Jim Cain, USNR, is<br />
demonstrating and testing<br />
the interoperability of new<br />
and emerging C4ISR & IT<br />
technologies (in a simulated<br />
warfighting environment<br />
using a global wide-area<br />
network) that may be used<br />
by the U.S. and its Allies in<br />
the near future. SPAWAR<br />
Reservists make up 90<br />
percent of the JWID officer<br />
ranks.<br />
Photo by Janet Garrington<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
20<br />
An Opportunity<br />
MAKING A DIFFERENCE<br />
An Innovative Approach to Serving the Fleet<br />
On Monday morning, Tom Hoover, an R&D Engineer for<br />
Loral and <strong>Reserve</strong> Electricians Mate First Class Petty<br />
Officer, receives a phone call from SPAWAR’s CONVAL<br />
Program Manager, CDR Eric Billies, asking him if he could<br />
break away from work within the next week to be the technical<br />
lead in verifying the Functional Interface Diagrams of the<br />
C4ISR systems aboard the USS CONSTELATION (CV-64)<br />
before it deploys (two months early) to the Gulf in support<br />
of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer Hoover<br />
accepts the duty assignment and the challenge of pulling<br />
together a team of six qualified petty officers in a matter of days.<br />
After finishing his coffee and contemplating the logistics of<br />
such an effort, EM1 Hoover logs onto his computer; enters<br />
SPAWAR’s Intranet, the VPO; and creates a list of prospects.<br />
Using the On-line Skills Database, he identifies all of the<br />
CONVAL team members within the five <strong>Reserve</strong> units that<br />
are assigned to Fleet Support Team Three that supports the<br />
USS Constellation Strike Group.<br />
EM1 Hoover then e-mails his requirements and a 20-person<br />
prospect list to the <strong>Reserve</strong> Program Office (RPO) in<br />
San Diego and asks them to call each candidate to determine<br />
his/her availability. By the end of the day, six Sailors<br />
from five separate <strong>Reserve</strong> units agree to help. The RPO<br />
directs each member to submit an AT order request via<br />
the Navy Order Writing System (NOWS). Each sailor<br />
can be mobilized at a moment’s notice, because they were<br />
precertified for active duty earlier in the year.<br />
By early Wednesday morning, the Commanding Officers<br />
have approved the orders and the RPO is busy requesting<br />
airline reservations for four Reservists outside of San<br />
Diego.<br />
By 1600 on Wednesday, the RPO notifies the CONVAL team<br />
to print out their orders and electronic airline tickets from<br />
NOWS and reminds them to bring their CONVAL<br />
Qualification Card and review the interactive CONVAL<br />
training video on Disc 2 of their Program Familiarization<br />
CD Binder.<br />
On Thursday morning, CDR Billies calls EM1 Hoover to ask<br />
him to attend the N6 Brief on CONVAL at 1500 that afternoon.<br />
Meanwhile, the rest of the team is driving or flying to San<br />
Diego to report for duty the next morning.<br />
At 0700 on Friday morning, EM1 Hoover and the rest of his<br />
CONVAL team report aboard the USS CONSTELLATION<br />
for duty to begin a two-week effort to ensure the configuration<br />
of its C4ISR and IT systems are well documented before<br />
the carrier heads to the Iraqi war within the next three<br />
weeks for an unspecified period of time.<br />
Enjoying the Journey<br />
The success of the SPAWAR Program is based on performance<br />
of its Reservists who have a passion for excellence<br />
and enjoy what they do in the <strong>Reserve</strong>s.<br />
The Program engages itself with a sharp focus on the<br />
customer, the Fleet, to determine what needs to be done.<br />
Then, well-defined training and processes are documented<br />
and communicated to the Reservists.<br />
SPAWAR Reservists have the freedom to choose where<br />
they want to make a contribution based on their desire, skills,<br />
passion, availability, and so on. They have the liberty to pick<br />
and fulfill an existing mission or to create a new mission within<br />
the boundaries that have been established by the gaining<br />
command.<br />
The Reservists are also free to define how and when they<br />
can best accomplish their objectives. They are given the<br />
requisite knowledge and tools to perform their jobs well, within<br />
the highest standards of quality.<br />
Whenever a Sailor is given the freedom to chose the mission<br />
he/she wants to own and solve, and is given the requisite<br />
resources to define the solution, the possibilities are endless!<br />
The Fleet Defines a Job Well Done<br />
When defining the value of a <strong>Reserve</strong> Program, one must<br />
examine feedback received from its end customer, the Fleet.<br />
“SPAWAR’s approach of refocusing the<br />
model of the <strong>Reserve</strong> mission to provide<br />
direct support to the Fleet, at no cost to units<br />
supported, is clearly a way to ensure success<br />
of the warfighter.”<br />
CAPT Ronald Thomas<br />
COMPHIBRON Seven<br />
The SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong> Program is looking<br />
for innovative and professional men and<br />
women with IT knowledge and experience.<br />
Please contact our<br />
SPAWAR <strong>Reserve</strong> Program Office at<br />
www.spawar.navy.mil or (619) 524-7349.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
Letters<br />
21<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
Having read Vice Admiral Cotton’s<br />
article on pages 26/27 of the January<br />
2004 issue, I’m now confused, agitated<br />
and excited about the new terminology<br />
that I almost wrote to Ann Landers.<br />
Instead, since it appeared in your<br />
publication I appeal to you.<br />
I know the term <strong>Naval</strong> to be an<br />
adjective, and Navy to be a noun. Like<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> as in CNO, ONI, etc. Yet, the<br />
author is constrained from using the noun<br />
Navy and uses the possessive form Navy’s<br />
no less than six times in two pages. Am I<br />
to understand it is now United States<br />
Navy’s <strong>Reserve</strong> Accordingly, is he now<br />
Chief of Navy’s <strong>Reserve</strong> and Commander<br />
Navy’s <strong>Reserve</strong> Force Will NRA be<br />
named Navy’s <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong> (I<br />
understand it to be a cultural thing). Will<br />
other English speakers do the same, such<br />
as Royal Australian Navy’ <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Seriously, was there a change in United<br />
States Code or directives regarding<br />
Navy’s vice <strong>Naval</strong> We live in such<br />
exciting transformational times.<br />
Adelbert Balunek<br />
Subject: NRA ADOPTED<br />
RESOLUTION 03-11 SUPPORT OF<br />
NAVAL SEA CADET PROGRAM<br />
Gentlemen:<br />
On behalf of the <strong>Naval</strong> Sea Cadet Corps<br />
(NSCC) National Chairman, CAPT H. W.<br />
Learson, USNR (Ret), the Sea Cadets<br />
Corps would like to thank you for the<br />
recent adoption of resolution 03-11. The<br />
resolution for continued support of the<br />
NSCC by Congress is greatly appreciated<br />
and meaningful to the continued success<br />
and development of the program. These<br />
funds are used solely to support summer<br />
training for the cadets at Navy, Coast<br />
Guard, and other DoD facilities. Because<br />
of this support, we are able to send over<br />
7,000 cadets on two week training during<br />
the summer. Many of these cadets would<br />
not be able to pay for the cost of the<br />
training they get since the cadets must pay<br />
for their own messing and berthing for the<br />
two week period.<br />
We, also, enjoy the strong support of<br />
Reservists, both at local drill sites and<br />
during summer training where they act as<br />
instructor for the cadets. Without this<br />
support, many of our training opportunities<br />
would not take place. Each year we<br />
count on the Reservists to fill out the<br />
eighteen recruit training camp instructors<br />
requirements . . . . and we have never been<br />
disappointed.<br />
NRA’s continued support is highly<br />
valued. You can be proud of the fact you<br />
have helped America’s youth in developing<br />
the strong core values we all want to see<br />
in a young person’s development. We look<br />
forward to NRA’s continued support of<br />
USA’s premier youth program.<br />
Mike Ford<br />
ED, NSCC<br />
As a reservist your job<br />
might change,<br />
but ours stays the same.<br />
Compare SGLI to the<br />
Navy Mutual Family Plan<br />
This plan includes $250,000 coverage for you, the<br />
service member, and $100,000 for your spouse,<br />
assuming you are both healthy non-smokers, and<br />
$10,000 coverage for your children.<br />
✪ From part-time service to active duty, we’re always<br />
there for you and your family.<br />
✪ Call 1-800-628-6011 ext. 105, e-mail counselor@navymutual.org<br />
NAVY MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION<br />
Serving: Navy • Marines • Coast Guard • NOAA • Public Health Service<br />
A Veterans Benefit <strong>Association</strong> Since 1879<br />
w w w . n a v y m u t u a l . o r g<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
22<br />
Professional Development<br />
Get in Line<br />
CAPT G. Mark Hardy III, USNR<br />
National VP for Professional Development<br />
Did you ever wonder how relative<br />
seniority or “precedence” is<br />
determined It is determined by<br />
either a lineal number or register number.<br />
Do you know yours If you know how this<br />
element of the promotion system works,<br />
you can better predict when you will be in<br />
zone for promotion, or when to expect a<br />
date of rank. Let’s take a look.<br />
Getting started<br />
The Navy uses a multistep process to<br />
determine seniority of all officers upon<br />
commissioning and entrance on active duty.<br />
The first criterion is date of commissioning.<br />
Officers commissioned from ROTC units<br />
at the end of the academic year (usually<br />
May or June) are assigned the same date<br />
of rank as graduates of the <strong>Naval</strong><br />
Academy. Since many midshipmen<br />
receive commissions each spring, the<br />
Navy uses additional criteria to place new<br />
ensigns in seniority order. Class ranking,<br />
based on grade point average (GPA),<br />
breaks most ties. A midshipman graduating<br />
with a 4.0 average will be the senior<br />
officer; a midshipman graduating with a<br />
2.01 average will be the junior officer.<br />
Other criteria apply until ultimately birth<br />
date and alphabetic name order become<br />
the final tie breakers. According to the<br />
Bureau of <strong>Naval</strong> Personnel (BUPERS),<br />
this actually happened once, with twins,<br />
graduating together with the same GPA,<br />
being assigned seniority alphabetically.<br />
The honor graduate from Officer<br />
Candidate School (OCS) receives the most<br />
senior number for the class; other graduates<br />
are assigned seniority by date of birth; ties<br />
are broken by alphabetical order. Other<br />
commissioning sources, like our own <strong>Naval</strong><br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> direct commission program, assign<br />
new officers the next available register<br />
number as of the date of commissioning if<br />
in grades O-2 or above. Because seniority<br />
among ensigns is meaningful only to other<br />
ensigns trying to determine who should<br />
be “George,” lineal and register numbers<br />
aren’t assigned until an officer is promoted<br />
to lieutenant (junior grade) (O-2).<br />
Moving on up<br />
A lineal number for an active duty list<br />
officer remains unchanged unless the<br />
officer promotes, a court-martial orders a<br />
loss of seniority, or the officer transfers to<br />
the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> (at which point the<br />
lineal number changes to a register number).<br />
Register numbers for Reservists are<br />
formatted differently than a lineal number<br />
is for an active duty list officer. At each<br />
promotion, a <strong>Reserve</strong> officer receives a<br />
new, numerically lower register number.<br />
Admirals on active duty have one-or-two<br />
digit lineal numbers. The lower the<br />
number, the more senior the officer. The<br />
most senior <strong>Naval</strong> officer (CNO) has<br />
lineal number 1. (For you trivia buffs, if<br />
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is<br />
a <strong>Naval</strong> officer, that admiral gets lineal<br />
number 0.)<br />
Currently, there are no selection boards<br />
for promotion to LTjg and LT. Except in<br />
unusual circumstances, promotion to LTjg<br />
is automatic two years from ENS date of<br />
rank. If screened for LT, promotion is<br />
effective the first day of the month following<br />
four years from the date of rank of ENS.<br />
Thus, most USNA and ROTC graduates<br />
have dates of rank for LT of 1 June or 1 July.<br />
By the time a <strong>Reserve</strong> officer selects to<br />
LCDR, things begin to change. Instead of<br />
promoting all officers on the same date,<br />
date-of-rank assignments or promotions<br />
are spread out over twelve months.<br />
Congress and money have something to<br />
do with this, so promotions are “backloaded”<br />
in the fiscal year. Under normal<br />
circumstances, 40 percent of Active Duty<br />
selectees promote in each of the first eight<br />
months (October through May), and 15<br />
percent of the selectees promote in each of<br />
the last four months (June through<br />
September). <strong>Reserve</strong> officer promotions<br />
are not as predictable, however.<br />
Each <strong>Reserve</strong> officer has a “running<br />
mate,” who is the next junior officer on<br />
active duty. When the running mate is<br />
eligible for promotion, the <strong>Reserve</strong> officer<br />
is eligible for promotion. Thus, while<br />
active duty promotes on a very predictable<br />
pattern, the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> may vary<br />
widely month-to-month at the beginning<br />
of the fiscal year. For example, <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
boards usually select more above zone<br />
officers for promotion than Active Duty<br />
boards. October may have a large number<br />
of <strong>Reserve</strong> promotions (five-to-ten percent)<br />
because these <strong>Reserve</strong> officers are senior<br />
to the Active Duty officers promoted in<br />
October. Likewise, there may be months<br />
when no <strong>Reserve</strong> officer gets promoted<br />
because no one had seniority above the<br />
lineal number of the junior Active Duty<br />
officer promoted that month. Thus, even<br />
if a <strong>Reserve</strong> officer is the next person on<br />
the promotion list, it could be a month or<br />
two before a date of rank is assigned. This<br />
can be confusing and is a good reason to<br />
know your own register number.<br />
Over time, promotion dates spread out<br />
more and more as fewer officers remain<br />
at higher ranks. By the time an officer is<br />
up for captain, that C- in English<br />
Literature or those parties the night before<br />
finals 20+ years ago might be the difference<br />
between several months of seniority. In<br />
years when the promotion zone is relatively<br />
small, being near the bottom of the<br />
class can mean delay of an entire fiscal<br />
year for promotion if the junior in-zone<br />
bisects a list of officers with the same date<br />
of rank.<br />
To look up your own register number,<br />
go to , click on<br />
“Selection Board,” then click “Check Your<br />
Precedence Number.”<br />
Now that you know your register number<br />
and where it came from, next month we’ll<br />
take a look at how promotion zones are<br />
determined and how to estimate the date<br />
of your next promotion board.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004<br />
23
24<br />
Health Affairs<br />
RAMIS<br />
RADM Peter L. Andrus, MC, USNR<br />
National VP for Health Programs<br />
In April 2002, the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
deployed the <strong>Reserve</strong> Automated<br />
Medical Interim System (RAMIS),<br />
elevating medical readiness tracking and<br />
disability management to new heights. The<br />
database contains all medical requirements,<br />
such as immunizations, physical exams,<br />
and medical tests. It also provides the<br />
medical department representatives<br />
(MDRs) and Force Medical, Commander<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Forces Command<br />
(COMNAVRESFORCOM) with a tool to<br />
manage Temporarily Not Physically<br />
Qualified (TNPQ), Temporarily Not<br />
Dentally Qualified (TNDQ), Medical<br />
Retention Review (MRR), and Line of<br />
Duty (LOD) processes. RAMIS allows<br />
active and reserve decision makers to<br />
coordinate personnel and supplies to ensure<br />
the completion of medical requirements.<br />
Additionally, it provides all levels of the<br />
chain of command visibility of their<br />
personnel in a real-time environment.<br />
The development team of Space and<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Warfare Information Technology<br />
Command (SPAWAR ITC) New Orleans<br />
developed RAMIS to meet a Congressionally<br />
mandated requirement to track disability<br />
benefits requested and received by <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
members. The opportunity was also seized<br />
to replace the antiquated medical module<br />
of the <strong>Reserve</strong> Standard Training<br />
Administration and Readiness Support<br />
(RSTARS MM) by adding a medical<br />
readiness-tracking module within RAMIS.<br />
SPAWAR ITC solicited field users to<br />
submit stand-alone databases that had<br />
been created to automate medical business<br />
practices. Understanding these field<br />
practices and using collaborative efforts of<br />
technical and functional subject matter<br />
experts resulted in a system that was<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004<br />
completed on time, within budget, and that<br />
far exceeded original requirements and<br />
expectations. The <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Force<br />
is now a leader in medical information<br />
technology.<br />
RAMIS was developed utilizing Oracle<br />
forms and reports to create a user-friendly<br />
layout and style. Future upgrades to the<br />
system include a redesign of the application<br />
to a Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition<br />
(J2EE), which is the latest technology.<br />
The information, stored in an Oracle 9i<br />
database, provides scalability, flexibility,<br />
and security. This Web-based application<br />
is approved to run on the Navy and Marine<br />
Corps Internet (NMCI) and has several<br />
benefits. First, existing computer systems<br />
are able to access the application, requiring<br />
no hardware upgrade purchases. Second,<br />
updates and upgrades are made at a<br />
central location with no user or system<br />
administrator intervention required. This<br />
allows for immediate system changes to<br />
be implemented, such as the ability to<br />
track Individual Medical Readiness (IMR)<br />
and smallpox immunizations. Third, the<br />
system includes interactive help text, thus<br />
saving time and money for required<br />
training. Fourth, centralization allows a<br />
single help desk via a 1-800 number<br />
providing continuous 24-hour support.<br />
Fifth, utilizing an industry standard report<br />
format, Adobe Acrobat Reader, ensures<br />
readability, flexibility, and further cost<br />
savings. Sixth, centralization of security<br />
ensures only authorized personnel have<br />
access to personal data. Finally, the system<br />
provides for worldwide accessibility.<br />
Leveraging the latest technologies<br />
allows implementation of innovative<br />
database connections, ensures data<br />
integrity, and minimizes the level of effort<br />
required to maintain the system by<br />
MDRs. RAMIS utilizes authoritative data<br />
sources for a myriad of informational<br />
needs. Demographic information is<br />
updated nightly with a connection to the<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Headquarters System (RHS),<br />
allowing for the seamless transfer of<br />
medical and personnel data between units.<br />
This also allows for the tracking of<br />
chemical and biological suit-sizing<br />
requirements, in a separate module.<br />
Using another database interface, DNA<br />
registration dates are automatically obtained<br />
from the Armed Forces Institute of<br />
Pathology (AFIP). The first reconciliation<br />
with this data found and corrected a<br />
deficiency of approximately 19,000 DNA<br />
registration dates not previously captured<br />
in RAMIS. This initiative produced<br />
savings both monetarily and in MDR/<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> man-hours. In addition, the<br />
Navy Central HIV Command provides<br />
HIV test dates (but not results) electronically<br />
to RAMIS.<br />
RAMIS not only receives and collects<br />
information, but also provides this data to<br />
other systems. Medical information is<br />
provided to the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Order<br />
Writing System (NROWS), enabling<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Reservists to receive orders for<br />
Annual Training and Inactive Duty<br />
Training Travel without the need to report<br />
to medical. The system passes information<br />
needed to place “hard holds” on orders for<br />
Reservists missing mandatory medical<br />
requirements or who are under review<br />
for medical fitness for <strong>Naval</strong> service.<br />
Additionally, the system sends immunization<br />
data to Defense Enrollment Eligibility<br />
Reporting System (DEERS) as required<br />
by the Department of Defense. RAMIS<br />
also provides medical data to the <strong>Naval</strong><br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Data Warehouse for aggregation<br />
with administrative requirements, to be<br />
viewed as dashboard indicators.<br />
Collaborative efforts between the<br />
SPAWAR ITC and the Force Medical<br />
Office of COMNAVRESFORCOM are<br />
taking the system further into the future.<br />
Efforts to share data between systems that<br />
require <strong>Reserve</strong> medical information are<br />
ongoing. The RAMIS team is working<br />
with the Bureau of <strong>Naval</strong> Personnel<br />
(BUPERS) to send medical information to<br />
the Navy-Marine Corps Mobilization<br />
Processing System (NMCMPS). This<br />
program was developed for the tracking<br />
of mobilization requirements, both<br />
administrative and medical, for <strong>Naval</strong><br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> personnel. The team is also<br />
working with the <strong>Naval</strong> Medical<br />
Information Management Command<br />
Cont’d. on page 30
Info That You Can Use<br />
25<br />
The Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003<br />
and How It Affects You<br />
By LT Marc J. Soss, SC, USNR<br />
On 11 November 2003, after both the House and Senate<br />
unanimously passed HR 3365 (the Military Family Tax<br />
Relief Act of 2003), President Bush signed it into law.<br />
The new law provides tax breaks to military personnel and their<br />
families in the following areas:<br />
Travel Expenses:<br />
Retroactive to 1 January 2003, members of the military are<br />
eligible to use an above-the-line deduction for the overnight<br />
transportation, meals and lodging expenses they incur when<br />
traveling more than 100 miles away from home and staying<br />
overnight to attend meetings. The deduction amount will be<br />
calculated at the maximum rate allowed for travel expenses for<br />
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,<br />
United States Code. This provision will provide a substantial<br />
benefit to members of the military, regardless of whether they<br />
itemize on their income tax returns, since the prior law only<br />
allowed members who itemized their expenses to deduct<br />
unreimbursed travel expenses to the extent they exceeded two<br />
(2%) percent of their adjusted gross income.<br />
Exclusion from Gross Income:<br />
The law extends the gross income exclusion to include any<br />
adjustment in the amount of death gratuity payable with respect<br />
to the death of a member of the U.S. military. This provision<br />
includes a member serving on active duty, inactive duty training,<br />
or engaged in authorized travel. In addition, retroactive to 10<br />
September 2001, the exclusion amount is increased from $6,000<br />
to $12,000.<br />
Sale of Principal Residence:<br />
Under current law, individuals who reside in their principal<br />
residence for two of the preceding five years before sale may<br />
exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing<br />
jointly) of gain. The new law allows military personnel to elect<br />
to disregard, a period not exceeding ten years, the time away from<br />
home on official extended duty for purposes of determining this<br />
requirement. If the service member makes this election, the fiveyear<br />
period ending on the date of the sale or exchange of a<br />
principal residence does not include any period of up to ten years<br />
during which the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse served on<br />
official extended duty as a member of the uniformed services.<br />
For definition purposes, qualified official extended duty is<br />
“any period of extended duty while serving at a duty station at<br />
least 50 miles away from the taxpayer’s principal residence or<br />
under orders requiring residence in government-furnished<br />
quarters.” Extended duty is any period of duty under a call or<br />
order to such duty for a period of more than 90 days or for an<br />
indefinite period. The election may be made with respect to only<br />
one property for a suspension period, and may be revoked at any<br />
time. The law is effective for sales or exchanges after 6 May<br />
1997, with the statute of limitations on refund claims suspended<br />
for a one-year period.<br />
Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP):<br />
Income received, under the Department of Defense<br />
Homeowners Assistance Program, will be classified as a tax-free<br />
benefit and not included as wages for federal income tax<br />
purposes. The excludible amount will be limited to the reduction<br />
in the fair market value of the property. The program was<br />
originally created to compensate members of the military for any<br />
decrease in the value of their home resulting from military base<br />
closures or realignments.<br />
Dependent Care Assistance:<br />
The law clarifies that dependent care assistance, provided<br />
under a military dependent care assistance program, is tax-free to<br />
the recipient member and not considered wages for federal<br />
income tax purposes. The law is retroactive to 1 January 2003.<br />
Terrorism:<br />
The law suspends a tax-exempt organization’s status for any<br />
period during which it is identified, by U.S. federal authorities, as<br />
a terrorist organization or supporter of terrorism. The suspension<br />
period will commence on the date the organization is first<br />
classified or identified as a terrorist organization or supporter<br />
and will terminate on the date, if any, when rescinded pursuant to<br />
the law or executive order under which it was made.<br />
For definition purposes, a terrorist organization is “an<br />
organization that has been designated or otherwise individually<br />
identified: (1) as a terrorist organization or foreign terrorist<br />
organization under either ß212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II) or ß219 of the<br />
Immigration and Nationality Act; (2) in or pursuant to an<br />
executive order that is related to terrorism and issued under the<br />
authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act<br />
or ß5 of the United Nations Participation Act for the purpose of<br />
imposing on such organization an economic or other sanction; or<br />
(3) in or pursuant to an executive order that refers to the Act and<br />
is issued under the authority of any federal law if the organization<br />
is designated or otherwise individually identified in or pursuant<br />
to such executive order as supporting or engaging in terrorist<br />
activity (as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act,<br />
ß212(a)(3)(B)) or supporting terrorism (as defined in the Foreign<br />
Relations Authorization Act, ß140(d)(2), for fiscal years 1988<br />
and 1989).” During the suspension period, no contribution<br />
deduction will be allowed.<br />
Cont’d. on page 26<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
26<br />
Info That You Can Use<br />
The Military Family Tax Relief Act 2003 – Cont’d. from page 25<br />
Distributions from Qualified Tuition Programs and<br />
Education Savings Accounts:<br />
Under current law, distributions from a qualified tuition<br />
program or a Coverdell Education Savings Account are subject to<br />
a ten-percent penalty if they are not used for qualified higher<br />
education expenses. An exception is available if the student<br />
receives a scholarship. The law clarifies this issue and provides that<br />
appointments to a military academy will be treated as scholarships<br />
for purposes of the exception to the ten-percent penalty.<br />
Extended Tax Filing Rules:<br />
The law applies the current deadline extensions available under<br />
the Tax Code (for filing tax returns and making tax payments) for<br />
individuals serving in a combat zone to those serving in “contingency<br />
operations.” Contingency operations are defined as “operations<br />
designated by the Secretary of Defense in which personnel are or<br />
may become involved in military actions during a war or national<br />
emergency declared by the President or Congress.”<br />
Marc J. Soss is a tax, estate planning, probate and guardianship<br />
attorney with the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. He is located<br />
in the firm’s Sarasota office and can be reached at<br />
.<br />
O-1E Through O-3E Pay,<br />
AGAIN<br />
By CAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (Ret)<br />
NDAA 2004 amends an amendment enacted with NDAA 2002<br />
and finally gets it right for commissioned Reservists with at least<br />
four years of enlisted service.<br />
Prior to NDAA 2004, section 203 of Title 37, USC, provided for<br />
the payment of O-1E through O-3E pay to those commissioned<br />
Reservists who accrued at least 1460 points as a warrant officer<br />
and/or as an enlisted member. However, whether or not you receive<br />
such pay depended upon the type of duty performed or the fund<br />
account which paid for the orders — <strong>Reserve</strong> Personnel Navy (RPN)<br />
or Military Personnel Navy (MPN). For IDT, if entitled, you would<br />
receive O-1E through O-3E pay. If entitled and performed active<br />
duty (regardless of type) paid from the RPN account, you would<br />
receive O-1E through O-3E pay. However, if on active duty orders,<br />
regardless of type, paid from the MPN account, you were denied<br />
O-1E through O-3E basic pay.<br />
The latter situation has been corrected by a NDAA 2004 amendment.<br />
Now, regardless of type duty or funding source, if a commissioned<br />
Reservist has at least 1460 points of warrant and/or enlisted service,<br />
he/she is entitled to be paid from the O-1E through O-3E basic pay<br />
tables. This amendment became effective 24 November 2003 for pay<br />
purposes, which is significant to an eligible officer on mobilization<br />
orders or orders funded by MPN on that date.<br />
New HM to BSN <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Drill Option<br />
By CAPT (Sel) Karen Kreutzberg, NC, USNR<br />
Director for Medical <strong>Reserve</strong> Recruiting Programs<br />
Program Details:<br />
A new program is now offered to Hospital Corpsman<br />
(HM) and Dental Technician (DT) drilling Reservists who<br />
are interested in pursuing a Baccalaureate in Nursing<br />
Degree. (BSN). This new drilling option allows a drilling<br />
HM or DT to earn drill pay and credit for attending school.<br />
Eligibility:<br />
Interested Selected Reservists (SELRES) must be U.S.<br />
citizens; have a letter of acceptance or be enrolled in an<br />
accredited baccalaureate nursing program (verified by<br />
or ); and be enrolled<br />
for a minimum of six credits/semester or session. This program<br />
is offered to Program 32 (MTF) and Program 46 (Fleet<br />
Hospital) units. Participation is limited to a maximum of<br />
three years.<br />
How to Apply:<br />
SELRES will need to have a Letter of Endorsement for<br />
approval from their Unit Commanding Officer. While in the<br />
program, the student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better.<br />
If, at any time, the SELRES stops taking courses, he/she<br />
must muster and drill with his/her unit in the traditional manner.<br />
While in school, the SELRES must drill with his/her unit<br />
twice annually (4 drills) in order to complete all required<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> unit and <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Activity (NRA) or <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Center administrative requirements. This includes the<br />
twice-annual Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) test.<br />
While in this program, the HM is eligible for mobilization,<br />
but may request a deferment from BUPERS.<br />
After earning a BSN degree and passing a state board of<br />
nursing licensure exam (NCLEX), the member may apply<br />
for a Nurse Corps commission. There will be no additional<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> obligation if the member is not selected for Nurse<br />
Corps.<br />
It is the expectation that anyone interested in this program<br />
ultimately desires to continue his or her <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
career as a commissioned Nurse Corps Officer. This program<br />
is designed to assist that goal by allowing the Reservist<br />
time to pursue school while continuing his/her <strong>Naval</strong> career.<br />
For more information on this program, contact CAPT<br />
(Sel) Karen Kreutzberg, NC, USNR, Director for Medical<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Recruiting Programs at (202) 762-3824 or e-mail<br />
.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
27<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
Spring Conference<br />
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel<br />
San Francisco, CA<br />
16-18 April 2004<br />
REGISTRATION<br />
NAME/ LIFE<br />
RANK___________________________________________ MEMBER: YES ______ NO ______<br />
(AS DESIRED ON NAME TAG)<br />
MAILING<br />
ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________________________<br />
CITY _________________________ STATE ____ ZIP ________ PHONE: (_____)___________________<br />
SPOUSE'S NAME LIFE<br />
(IF ATTENDING)__________________________________ MEMBER: YES ______ NO _______<br />
(AS DESIRED ON NAME TAG)<br />
HOTEL ARRIVAL DATE____________________________ DEPARTURE DATE:______________________<br />
REGISTRATION FEES: MEMBER: $135.00 SPOUSE/ANCHORS: $135.00<br />
AFTER 15 Mar. 2004: MEMBER: $145.00 SPOUSE/ANCHORS: $145.00<br />
TOTAL FORWARDED $_________ ________________________________________<br />
FINANCE CHAIRMAN<br />
REGISTRATION FEES INCLUDE:<br />
Friday night President’s Reception;<br />
Saturday & Sunday Continental Breakfast;<br />
Saturday Awards Lunch.<br />
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE, FOR<br />
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE ONLY<br />
_ Delegate NRA Chapter__________<br />
_________ Certified Delegate<br />
Credit card type: Authorized Signature:______________________________<br />
(AMEX, VISA, Master Card, Discover)<br />
Credit card number:__________________________________________ Exp. Date: ___________<br />
Make checks payable to: NRA 2004 Spring Conference<br />
Mail this form to: NRA 2004 Spring Conference<br />
c/o Chief Financial Officer<br />
1619 King Street<br />
Alexandria, VA 22314<br />
Fax: 703-683-3647 E-mail: cfo@navy-reserve.org<br />
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel<br />
is pleased to welcome the:<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
16-18 April 2004<br />
Name(s)____________________________________________________________________<br />
Address ____________________________________________________________________<br />
City _________________State_______ Zip _________ Phone ( ) _______- ____________<br />
Arrival Date __________________________ Departure Date __________________________<br />
Estimated Arrival Time _________________ Airline & Flight # _________________________<br />
Room Rate: $139.00 plus 14% tax ($158.46)<br />
Type of Room: ____ Non-Smoking ____ Smoking<br />
Special requests: _____________________________________________________________<br />
Room preferences cannot be guaranteed. Room assignment is controlled by availability at time<br />
of check-in.<br />
NOTE: Make reservations by mail to SHERATON FISHERMAN’S WHARF HOTEL, Attn:<br />
Reservations Department; 2500 Mason Street; San Francisco, CA 94133, or by phoning the<br />
hotel at (800) 325-3535, or by faxing this form to the hotel at (415) 956-5275. All<br />
reservations must be accompanied by the first night’s room charge plus tax per<br />
room or a valid credit card number. REQUESTS RECEIVED AFTER 15 March 2004<br />
ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR THE GROUP RATE.<br />
Any reservations cancelled less than 72 hours prior to 4:00 p.m. on arrival date will be<br />
assessed one night’s room plus tax.<br />
Credit card type: Authorized Signature:__________________________<br />
(AMEX, VISA, Master Card, Discover)<br />
Credit card number:_________________________________________ Exp. Date: _________<br />
Send reservations to:<br />
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel<br />
Attn: Reservations<br />
2500 Mason Street; San Francisco, CA 94133<br />
Tel: (800) 325-3535 or (415) 362-5500<br />
FAX: (415) 956-5275<br />
NRA 2004 SPRING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
28<br />
Reservists in Action<br />
Training to Assess the Threat:<br />
NAVAIRSYSCOM Det. 0474 Personnel Support<br />
Joint Combat Assessment Team Readiness<br />
By Air Systems Program Public Affairs and LT Mike Randazzo, NAVAIR Air Systems Program PAO<br />
Mission planners rely on<br />
small arms, AAA, rocket-propelled<br />
real-time combat data<br />
grenades (RPGs), manned<br />
to establish immediately<br />
portable air defense systems,<br />
the threat environment and<br />
improve planning of ongoing<br />
operations. As an integral part of a<br />
joint service combat assessment<br />
team, <strong>Naval</strong> Air Systems Command<br />
(NAVAIR) Air Systems Program<br />
(ASP) personnel aggressively<br />
train to add value to this effort<br />
and contribute to current and<br />
future <strong>Naval</strong> aircraft combat<br />
readiness.<br />
and the latest Russian surfaceto-air<br />
missile systems. Threat<br />
exploitation hardware displays<br />
and live-fire demonstrations of<br />
small arms, RPGs, and a Stinger<br />
missile serve to reinforce the<br />
classroom material.<br />
The second phase of JCAT<br />
training consisted of hands-on<br />
combat data collection training<br />
hosted by the NAVAIR Weapons<br />
Sponsored by the Joint Technical<br />
Survivability Laboratory at<br />
Coordinating Group on Aircraft<br />
China Lake, CA.<br />
Survivability (JTCG/AS), the Joint<br />
“We received valuable training<br />
JCAT Team with live-fire testing F-14: As an integral part<br />
Combat Assessment Team (JCAT)<br />
on the effects of hydrodynamic<br />
of a joint service combat assessment team, <strong>Naval</strong> Air<br />
is comprised of Reservists from<br />
ram from armor piercing and high<br />
Systems Command (NAVAIR) Air Systems Program (ASP)<br />
the Army, Navy, and Air Force.<br />
explosive AAA, conventional<br />
personnel from NAVAIRSYSCOM Det. 0474 aggressively<br />
JCAT’s primary mission is to<br />
metal versus composite structural<br />
train to contribute to current and future <strong>Naval</strong> aircraft<br />
collect data on aircraft combat<br />
damage, and warhead fragment<br />
combat readiness. (LCDR James Bogden is second from<br />
damage and losses.<br />
and pattern identification.<br />
left on top, and LT Mike Neaves is third from left on top.)<br />
During recent conflicts, the<br />
“The combat data collection<br />
lack of a permanent combat damage reporting system<br />
resulted in the loss of valuable combat damage data. In<br />
1999, JCAT was established as a <strong>Reserve</strong> unit ready to deploy<br />
rapidly and collect combat data anywhere in the world.<br />
LCDR James Bogden and LT Mike Neaves joined JCAT<br />
from NAVAIRSYSCOM Det. 0474, which supports<br />
NAVAIR’s <strong>Naval</strong> Aviation Depot at <strong>Naval</strong> Air Station<br />
Jacksonville, FL. Det. 0474 is aligned with NAVAIR’s<br />
Industrial Capabilities unit which delivers the people, skills,<br />
knowledge, facilities, and equipment required to perform<br />
depot-level maintenance and repair of aircraft, engines,<br />
components, and other aeronautical equipment, and performs<br />
manufacturing and prototyping operations.<br />
The JCAT unit, also, provides threat training to aviators<br />
and battle damage repair personnel. “An important part of<br />
this mission is to ensure that we continually train for the<br />
mission to ensure that we are ready to be deployed whenever<br />
and whereever we are needed,” LCDR Bogden said.<br />
Bogden and Neaves recently participated in a two-phase<br />
training session geared toward raising awareness of threat<br />
assessment and combat data collection.<br />
The first phase of the training was the 2003 Threat<br />
Warheads and Effects Seminar at Hurlburt and Eglin Air<br />
Force Bases, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. The annual threat seminar<br />
covers the entire spectrum of threat weapons, including<br />
training provided us with the techniques and abilities needed to<br />
collect damage information in the fluid combat environment<br />
while minimizing the impact on the maintenance personnel<br />
trying to get the aircraft back into action,” Neaves said of his<br />
recent training experience.<br />
Participants observed an F-14 live-fire demonstration and<br />
collected damage data on a variety of aircraft, including an<br />
F/A-18 Super Hornet, V-22 Osprey, Harrier, and C-130.<br />
Each complete training assessment consisted of data collection<br />
(measurements, photographs, interviews, etc.), preparing a<br />
presentation, briefing the findings, and an instructor critique<br />
of student performance. Emphasis was placed on proper<br />
damage documentation for future reference and briefing<br />
operational commands.<br />
“Projecting ASP technology and operations support at the<br />
depot level, even in a joint operating environment such as<br />
JCAT, is key to the ASP strategic planning process: to create a<br />
more ready and responsive <strong>Naval</strong> Air Systems <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
Force,” said Rear Admiral Mark Hazara, Director, <strong>Naval</strong><br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Air Systems Program.<br />
“Harvesting combat data to improve survivability and<br />
provide a database of lessons learned for future aircraft<br />
designers supports our effort to provide NAVAIR with readily<br />
deployable assets to provide optimum current and future<br />
material readiness,” Hazara added.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
29<br />
The Air Systems Program (ASP) provides qualified and<br />
diverse civilian and military experience in operational support of<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) research and<br />
development, engineering, program management, logistics,<br />
and industrial capability activities. The 600 <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong><br />
officers and enlisted men and women of the ASP train<br />
constantly to respond to evolving NAVAIR missions<br />
enabling the organization to harvest tangible cost savings<br />
for fleet recapitalization. The ASP is comprised of 32 commands<br />
that are headquartered in 14 states.<br />
For more information about ASP, please contact LT Mike<br />
Randazzo, ASP Public Affairs Officer via e-mail at .<br />
NAVAIR (www.navair.navy.mil) provides advanced<br />
warfare technologies through the efforts of a seamless,<br />
integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology<br />
experts. From aircraft and weapons development to<br />
carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time<br />
communications to precision targeting; from aircraft<br />
and weapons sustainment to state-of-the-art training,<br />
NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless<br />
capabilities to the American warfighter.<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> Reservists Assigned to Supply Management Assist Teams<br />
(SMATs) Provide Vital Assistance to Atlantic Fleet Ships!<br />
By CWO3 Gene F. Hoffman (NRA member) and SKCS John P. Flores (NR COMNAVSURFLANT DET 606)<br />
The mission of the<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Supply<br />
Management Assist<br />
Teams (SMATs) is to provide<br />
logistic readiness support to<br />
Commander, <strong>Naval</strong> Surface<br />
Force, Atlantic (CNSL)<br />
Afloat Training Groups<br />
(ATGs). Currently, there are<br />
five SMAT units located in<br />
Norfolk, VA; Orlando, FL;<br />
St. Petersburg, FL; and<br />
Ingleside, TX. Each team<br />
provides direct fleet support<br />
to CNSL surface ships and<br />
provides prompt and sustained<br />
operations at sea or portside.<br />
The teams, which are generally<br />
made up of 27 Reservists<br />
representing the MS, SH, and<br />
SK ratings, augment and<br />
assist ATG and CNSL ships’<br />
supply departments. They<br />
provide critical assistance in the preparation for Supply<br />
Management Assessments (SMAs), inventory and financial<br />
reconciliation, predeployment preparation, storage,<br />
supply/financial ADP, and Food Service support.<br />
Personnel assigned to SMAT units have the opportunity to<br />
receive in-rate training while performing Annual Training<br />
(AT) or provide drill weekend support to the Fleet. In May<br />
2003, SMAT Detachments 102, 104, and 105 provided<br />
valuable fleet support to the USS KLAKRING (FFG 42) in<br />
Mayport, FL. The Commanding Officer, CDR Mark<br />
Genrung, stated, “The SMAT support we received from the<br />
Reservists was critical and well-timed. Their assistance<br />
helped prepare us for our upcoming Supply Management<br />
Assessment (SMA). The<br />
Reservists who came on<br />
board performed duties<br />
that the ship’s crew would<br />
have otherwise performed<br />
under significant time<br />
constraints. They also<br />
provided a different set of<br />
eyes with which to review<br />
and preaudit our Supply<br />
records.”<br />
The SMAT program,<br />
which is similar to<br />
COMNAVSURFPAC’s<br />
Supply Management Assist<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Team (SMART)<br />
units, is a win-win situation.<br />
It benefits the ship, the<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> Sailor, the Navy,<br />
and the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>.<br />
The team concept was<br />
introduced in the early<br />
1990’s to support the<br />
“Supply Corps 2010” strategy released in 1989, which<br />
served as a Supply Corps strategic road map into the 21st<br />
Century, and the <strong>Reserve</strong> Supply community’s November<br />
1991 “Vision” study, which emphasized “customer support and<br />
assistance to the Fleet.” A prototype team was tested from<br />
1992-1994, and the first COMNAVSURFLANT SMAT Unit<br />
was formally established in December 1995.<br />
<strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>, Commander, <strong>Naval</strong> Surface Force Atlantic<br />
(CNSL) Det 606 provides oversight to the five SMAT units.<br />
<strong>Reserve</strong> personnel in the SK, SH, and MS ratings, who are<br />
interested in joining the SMAT Program, may contact Senior<br />
Chief Storekeeper John Flores (NR COMNAVSURFLANT DET<br />
606), at .<br />
SK3 Laura Dawson and KS2 Jackie Harris (SMAT DET 104) and other<br />
SMAT personnel perform inventory for USS KLAKRING in advance<br />
of the ship’s SMA.<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
30 Reservists in Action <br />
NRA 11th District Officer Receives Award<br />
By CAPT Thomas L. Morgan, USNR<br />
LCDR Thomas R. Harrington, USNR, recently<br />
received the 11th District’s Outstanding Junior<br />
Officer of the Year Award for <strong>Naval</strong> Air. He was<br />
cited for his leadership and managerial skills, dedication to<br />
the U.S. <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>, as well as a proven track record of<br />
taking on the tough jobs and excelling.<br />
LCDR Harrington currently serves as the Operations<br />
Officer and Combat Plans Officer for HCS-5 Detachment<br />
ONE based in Baghdad, Iraq. He has been with HCS-5 for<br />
the past five years; and since the commencement of<br />
Operation Iraqi Freedom, he has flown 28 combat missions<br />
and over 50 combat flight hours. He is a Selected Reservist<br />
and is employed by the Paso Robles High School<br />
(California) as a Social Studies teacher and football/<br />
baseball coach.<br />
The Firehawks of Helicopter Combat Support Special<br />
Squadron (HCS) 5, based at NAS North Island, CA, are<br />
currently in Baghdad, Iraq, mobilized and deployed for the<br />
first time since Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.<br />
Flying the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter, the Firehawks<br />
specialize in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and <strong>Naval</strong><br />
Special Warfare (NSW) support. In March, over 70 of the<br />
squadron’s Selected Reservists were called to active duty<br />
and by the end of the month were deployed to Kuwait and<br />
flying combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi<br />
Freedom. In addition to 80 personnel, the Firehawks<br />
took four Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawk helicopters to the<br />
CENCOM AOR. In June, they were the first <strong>Naval</strong> air<br />
squadron deployed to Iraq. Expeditionary by nature, they<br />
are attached to the Joint Special Operations Air Detachment<br />
– Arabian Peninsula (JSOAD-AP). The Firehawks are<br />
tasked with providing aviation support for U.S. Army<br />
Special Forces, U.S. Navy Special Warfare (SEALS) and<br />
coalition forces. As of December 1st, they have flown more<br />
than 400 combat missions and logged more than 1,300<br />
flight hours.<br />
CDR Russ Allen, USNR, Executive Officer of Helicopter<br />
Combat Support Special Squadron FIVE (right) presents the<br />
11th District’s Junior Officer of the Year award to LCDR Thomas<br />
R. Harrington, USNR, at their base in Baghdad, Iraq.<br />
LCDR Harrington currently serves as the Detachment<br />
Operations Officer and has been mobilized since March.<br />
Health Affairs– Cont’d. from page 24<br />
(NMIMC) to develop plans for inclusion of RAMIS data<br />
within Navy Medicine On-line (NMO) and the active duty<br />
dental tracking program DENCAS. In addition, a database<br />
connection with <strong>Naval</strong> Aerospace Medicine Institute<br />
(NAMI) will provide data regarding medical flight<br />
waivers. Furthermore, RAMIS will integrate with the<br />
TYCOM Readiness Management System (TRMS) to<br />
provide the ability for supported commands to provide<br />
oversight of their <strong>Reserve</strong> assets.<br />
The RAMIS application is a terrific example of synergy<br />
within the “One Navy” environment. RAMIS represents<br />
the success that can be achieved when Navy teams work<br />
together for a common goal. In this case, the result yielded<br />
a system that allows the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> to meet medical<br />
reporting requirements with ease, at all levels of the chain of<br />
command, in a real-time environment. RAMIS is a noteworthy<br />
model for the future direction of military medical<br />
information technology.<br />
(My special thanks to HMC Tina Stanco of the CNRFC<br />
Force Medical staff who prepared this informative article<br />
and has been the RAMIS guru since its inception.)<br />
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
Want to Know More<br />
Call today for details.<br />
FLEET LANDING:<br />
Consider it . . .<br />
A PLAN FOR TOMORROW<br />
Atlantic Beach’s World-Class<br />
Life Care Community<br />
One Fleet Landing Boulevard<br />
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233<br />
1-866-215-1647<br />
www.fleetlanding.com<br />
Interested in planning for the future Then consider Fleet Landing.<br />
Situated near the picturesque Atlantic Coast in Old Atlantic Beach,<br />
Fleet Landing blends all the amenities of a world-class resort with the peaceful<br />
serenity of a private, gated community and the comforts of home.<br />
An accredited not-for-profit life care community, Fleet Landing also offers<br />
solutions for any changing health needs, with on-site assisted living and 5-Star<br />
skilled nursing services. Here you’ll enjoy:<br />
• 100 acres of lush tropical landscaping<br />
• Spacious luxurious homes and apartments<br />
• Lakeside dining and socializing at the O’Club<br />
• Tennis courts, fitness room and library<br />
• A 7-acre lake and heated pool<br />
• Walking, jogging and biking along shady oak-lined streets<br />
• World-class golf courses, shopping and cultural activities nearby<br />
• Near Mayport NAS; commissary and exchange steps away<br />
• 15 minutes from the renowned Mayo Clinic<br />
Fleet Landing. All things considered, it’s a smart move.<br />
Call today for more information.<br />
88145 PRAD NRA 12/2003
You will succeed.<br />
You believe success comes from testing yourself and meeting challenges<br />
head on. When you join the <strong>Naval</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>, your part-time service will result<br />
in many character building opportunities. You will also experience benefits<br />
and rewards that will help advance your career and enhance your life. To<br />
learn more, go to our website or give us a call.<br />
www.navalreserve.com<br />
1-800-USA-USNR<br />
To learn more about the <strong>Naval</strong> Reservist depicted here, go to navalreserve.com/eric