Naval Reserve Association

Naval
Reserve
Association
NEWS
February 2004, Volume 51, No. 2
The Association Voice of the Naval Reserve

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VISION OF THE NAVAL RESERVE ASSOCIATION
The Premier Professional Organization for Naval Reservists,
Committed to Supporting a Strong Navy and National Defense,
While Providing Outstanding Service to Its Members.
Contents
NRA NEWS February 2004, Volume 51, No. 2
FEATURE
13 SPACE & NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS COMMAND
“Reservists are critical and seamless members of our
corporate SPAWAR team.”
–– RADM Kenneth D. Slaght, USN
DEPARTMENTS
4 From the Editor
6 President’s Message
7 Membership
8 Legislative Update
10 Retirees’ Corner
21 Letters
22 Professional Development
24 Health Affairs
25 Info That You Can Use
28 Reservists In Action
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
NATIONAL OFFICERS
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
CAPT John Eric Lindell, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: johnl@portarthur.com
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE VP
RADM William J. Lynch, MC, USNR
E-mail: radmwjl@comcast.net
NATIONAL VP-SURFACE RESERVE
PROGRAMS
CAPT Thaddeus A. Peake III, USNR
E-mail: dpeake@peakeeng.com
NATIONAL VP-AIR RESERVE
PROGRAMS
CDR Bryan D. Quigley, USNR
E-mail: Bryanquigley@comcast.net
NATIONAL VP-BUDGET & FINANCE
CAPT Haig Bodour, SC, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: hbodour@newmexico.com
NATIONAL VP-LEGISLATION &
EDUCATION
LCDR James M. Gerlach, USNR
E-mail: endzone@bluemoon.net
NATIONAL VP-MEMBERSHIP
LCDR Lawrence M. Miller, MSC, USNR
E-mail: millernavy@verizon.net
NATIONAL VP-MEMBER SERVICES
LCDR Gail W. Holzworth, NC, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: Misslorton@aol.com
NATIONAL VP-PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
CAPT G. Mark Hardy III, USNR
E-mail: gmhardy@usnr.org
COMMITTEES
ANCHORS PRESIDENT
Dr. Maureen Lindell, Ph.D
E-mail: maureenl@portarthur.com
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE CHAIR
CDR Gary W. Barron, USNR
E-mail: gary.r.barron@boeing.com
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR
LCDR Andrew Scheerer, USNR
E-mail: scheerer@bww.com
AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
CAPT Larry R. Danielson, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: captlrd@yahoo.com
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR
CDR Joseph Quaglino, Jr., USNR (Ret)
E-mail: joseph.quaglino-jr@boeing.com
CREDENTIALS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR
CDR ChisT. K. Kirstein-Blackburn, NC, USNR
E-mail: bskts4u2@prodigy.net
SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE CHAIR
CDR Leo B. Hill, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: lbhtimwolf@aol.com
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIR
CAPT Timothy D. Moon, USNR
E-mail: moontd@earthlink.net
INVESTMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CHAIR
CAPT William D. Loockerman, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: wloockerman@aol.com
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
CAPT Richard Bowers, MSC, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: ah106sru@aol.com
OTHERS
5 Corporate Associates
7 Scholarship Program 2004-2005
12 News Notes
23 Record Review/Record Audit
27 NRA Conference Registration Spring 2004
ON THE COVER
Space & Naval Warfare Systems Command.
Naval Reserve Association NEWS (ISSN 0162-2129), authorized under PSM, Section 132.22,
published monthly by the Naval Reserve Association, is a magazine devoted to the professional interests of the
Officers of the United States Naval Reserve Association. Editorial and Executive Offices, 1619 King Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314. Telephone (703) 548-5800. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and
other mailing offices. Articles and letters appearing the Naval Reserve Association News do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the Executive Committee of the Naval Reserve Association or the Editor, nor
are they necessarily to be interpreted as official policy of the United States Navy or Naval Reserve Association.
Rates: The Naval Reserve Association News subscription is covered by membership in the Naval Reserve
Association. Membership is open to all commissioned or warrant officers who are serving or have
served honorably as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Subscription price is $7.50 domestic. Single
copy: 75 cents. Eligible non-members are not entitled to subscription rates. Photos or articles may be
reproduced, providing credit is given to the Naval Reserve Association News. Postmaster: Send change of address
to the Naval Reserve Association, 1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Printed in USA.
NATIONAL VP-ACTIVE DUTY
PROGRAMS
CDR Edward J. Nava, USNR
E-mail: ejnava@lanl.gov
NATIONAL VP-PUBLIC RELATIONS
LT Ian Mitchel King, USNR
E-mail: ltianking@hotmail.com
NATIONAL VP-LEGAL AFFAIRS
LT Marc J. Soss, SC, USNR
E-mail: smsoss@aol.com
NATIONAL VP-HEALTH PROGRAMS
RADM Peter L. Andrus, MC, USNR
E-mail: captpla@aol.com
NATIONAL VP-RETIRED PERSONNEL
CDR Sharon K. Kleinschmidt, USNR (Ret)
Tel: 619-429-4504
NATIONAL VP-JUNIOR OFFICERS
LCDR Phan Phan, USNR
E-mail: phan_p@hq.cnrf.navy.mil
NATIONAL TREASURER
CAPT W. Stuart Colby, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: glendalefingrp@aol.com
NATIONAL CHAPLAIN
CAPT Horace A. Hamm, CHC, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: hhamm@worldnet.att.net
NATIONAL HISTORIAN
CAPT John C. Rice, Jr., USNR (Ret)
Fax: 504-486-6040
NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN
CDR Willard B. Stubbs, USNR
E-mail: willstubbs@cox.net
DISTRICT PRESIDENTS
FIRST DISTRICT
LCDR Paul R. Younes, USNR
E-mail: pyounes@amaltd.com
THIRD DISTRICT
CAPT Thomas J. Caulfield, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: clfield@canisius.edu
FOURTH DISTRICT
CDR John J. Thaler II, DC, USNR
E-mail: jjthalerII@aol.com
FIFTH DISTRICT
CAPT Robin L. Graf, USNR
E-mail: grafrl@earthlink.net
SIXTH DISTRICT
LT Louise M. Anderson, MSC, USNR
E-mail: louise.anderson@flhosp.org
EIGHTH DISTRICT
CDR Michael C. Leskin, USNR
E-mail: mleskin@sleh.com
NINTH DISTRICT
CAPT David P. Torma, USNR
E-mail: davet@jsco.com
ELEVENTH DISTRICT
CDR Joseph Quaglino, Jr., USNR (Ret)
E-mail: joseph.quaglino-jr@boeing.com
TWELFTH DISTRICT
CDR William J. Mellish, CEC, USNR (Ret)
H: 650-856-1998; FAX: 650-856-9037
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT
CAPT Marshall A. Hanson, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: pacnwmailbuoy@juno.com
FOURTEENTH DISTRICT
CAPT Gayle J. Lau, JAGC, USNR
E-mail: laug004@hawaii.rr.com

4
From the Editor
The transformation of the Naval Reserve Force was kicked up a notch in the closing months
of 2003. VADM Cotton was kind enough to come by our Headquarters between Christmas
and New Year and brief us on what has been happening in his areas of responsibility. His
echelon two Commander Naval Reserve Force (CNRF) staff now consists of eight people, and he
reports for additional duty (ADDU) to the Commander Fleet Forces Command (CFFC). The echelon
three Naval Reserve Forces Command (NRFC) is the ten-pound gorilla, if you will, and the
“go-to” organization for operational support from Reservists and Naval Reserve units. RADM
Debbout is the Commander NRFC and also reports ADDU to CFFC. RADM Kloeppel is the
NRFC Vice Commander, Commander Naval Air Force Reserve (NARF), and is ADDU to CFFC
when he is not at his civilian job. I apologize for the acronym soup here.
VADM Cotton was very helpful in explaining how busy the Naval Reserve is today. He
arranged for us to receive a briefing from members of HCS5 who are mobilized and flying daily
combat missions in Iraq. The Firehawks of HCS5 have been in country since March and will
more than likely be relieved by their sister squadron, HCS4, this spring. Here’s the sound bite
that I want to leave with you. HCS5 is homeported in San Diego, CA. They received the order
to mobilize on 11 Mar 03, with a report date of 14 Mar 03. Every Reservist showed up by 14 Mar 03.
By 23 Mar 03, they arrived in country and started to put the aircraft back together (some disassembly
required to get them into those Air Force transports). They flew the first flight on 24 Mar 03; and
on 29 Mar 03, they flew the first combat mission. Independently, past 11th District President,
CAPT Tom Morgan, writes a little about the mission and congratulates LCDR Harrington for
being the 11th District’s Junior Officer of the Year. That piece can be found on page 30. All in
all a phenomenal story – Bravo Zulu to every member of the “All-Pro” Firehawk Team! This
story just causes me to scratch my head because the Navy is planning to do something else with
this squadron in its transformation efforts.
VADM Cotton also mentioned that there will be a daylong event at the Navy Memorial on the 6th
of March to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the Naval Reserve. More on that when information
becomes available. I truly appreciate the time that VADM Cotton took to get us up-to-speed.
Such information and discussions are helpful to understand the issues so that we can form our
independent opinions and communicate them to you.
In this issue of the magazine, we’re pleased to present to you a special feature on the Space and
Naval Warfare Systems Command. It tells a wonderful story of transformation of Reserve talent
to better serve the warfighter. Here’s a command that valued these assets enough to redesign the
programs. It’s a win-win story; don’t miss it.
Our President takes time to answer some of the mail that we have been receiving and explains what
happens to it. He also talks about the process of deciding what to push for on the legislative front.
He also points out the conference registration material for our Spring Conference in San
Francisco, 16-18 April 2004. The registration material appears on page 27, and the President’s
column starts on page 6.
LT Soss is back with another article on taxes – his January tax issue is receiving rave reviews.
CAPT Hardy talks about laundry numbers; RADM Andrus talks about RAMIS; and CDR
Kleinschmidt, about a retirement seminar in Denver hosted by the Rocky Mountain Chapter. In
addition to the tidbits in our “Info That You Can Use” and “News Notes” columns, we have prepared
a status listing with explanation of recently enacted legislative benefits and entitlements. This
piece, by CAPT McAtee, starts on page 8.
We hope that you will find the content in this issue both useful and informative – enjoy the read.
Looking Ahead
Best regards,
Steve Keith
March. We will feature the Honorable Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. We will
have a special feature on the NRA Spring Conference Agenda, Naval Air Training Command, and
TRICARE for Life.
April. Our feature article will be an interview with the Honorable William A. Navas, Jr., Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). Also, there will be a special feature on
Naval Air Force Reserve.
May. Our special feature will be Entitlements for Reservists by CAPT Tom McAtee.
Naval Reserve Association
NEWS
1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-548-5800 • Fax: 703-683-3647
Toll Free Voice: 1-866-NRA-4-YOU (672-4968)
Toll Free Fax: 1-866-683-3647
E-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.org
Home Page: www.navy-reserve.org
EDITORIAL
Editor: RADM Stephen T. Keith, USNR (Ret)
Associate Editor: CAPT Thomas L. McAtee, USNR (Ret)
Assistant Editor: Linda Bautista
GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION
Linda Bautista
ADVERTISING
Mr. Bob Lyman
HEADQUARTERS STAFF
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RADM Steve Keith, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: execdir@navy-reserve.org
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Mr. Bob Lyman
E-mail: cfo@navy-reserve.org
DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION
CAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: legislat@navy-reserve.org
DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
CAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USNR (Ret)
E-mail: record.review@navy-reserve.org
DIRECTOR OF MEMBER
SERVICES
CAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (Ret)
E-mail: stratcom@navy-reserve.org
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
CAPT Art Schultz, Jr., USNR (Ret)
E-mail: memdir@navy-reserve.org
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANT
Mark De Ville
E-mail: membership@navy-reserve.org
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Linda Bautista
E-mail: nranews@navy-reserve.org
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Millie Pistolesi
E-mail: admin@navy-reserve.org
SUBMISSIONS
Letters to the Editor - Will be considered for
publication unless the writer requests otherwise.
They may be edited for clarity and space. Mail to
Letters To The Editor at NRA NEWS, or E-mail to
. Include your name,
address, and daytime telephone number.
Articles – For guidelines on article submission,
call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mail
.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
NRA NEWS is part of membership in the Association.
To join, renew your membership, or to report address
changes, call or write NRA Headquarters, or E-mail
.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

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NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

6 President’s Message
What Some of You Have
Been Telling Us
CAPT John Eric Lindell, USNR (Ret)
National President
PAST
NATIONAL PRESIDENTS
RADM Stephen S. Israel, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Richard W. Hendel, USNR (Ret)*
CAPT Arthur C. Monson, USNR (Ret)
RADM James J. Carey, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Robert Lamar Bell, JAGC, USNR (Ret)
CAPT J. Robert Lunney, JAGC, USNR (Ret)
RADM Lester R. Smith, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Kenneth J. Welch, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Pat R. Lucci, USNR (Ret)
CAPT John C. Rice, Jr., USNR (Ret)
CAPT Curtin R. Coleman II, USNR (Ret)
RADM Philip W. Smith, USNR (Ret)*
CAPT Fred D. Carl, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Robin W. Goodenough, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Morton Leavitt, USNR (Ret)*
CAPT Leslie A. Willig, USNR (Ret)*
RADM Ray Ackerman, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Robert B. Bolt, USNR (Ret)*
CAPT Robert I. Barto, USNR*
CAPT Donald V. Osborne, USNR (Ret)
CAPT George A. O’Connell, Jr., USNR*
CAPT A. Winfield Chapin, USNR*
CDR Richard K. West, USNR*
CWO Sidney Fields, USNR*
CDR Clayton L. Burwell, USNR (Ret)*
CAPT J. Mack Young, USNR*
CAPT Blaney C. Turner, USNR*
*Deceased
We were recently chastised by a member
for, among other things, taking too
much credit for legislation that has
been passed, for supporting legislation that
increases your benefits and entitlements, and for
not having a set of published principles by which
we operate. Hum! Two other members have
communicated their strong feelings that having
dedicated equipment is absolutely vital to the
future of the Naval Reserve. All these, we put in
“consider” folders. Others, we just put aside
without comment.
What gets put aside Not much, thankfully.
Recently, one letter was very disparaging of a
certain designator community that we featured,
and concluded with “Why not print this in
your NRA ‘Letters to the Editor’” “For what
purpose” we asked, and set it aside! Although
we are here to support our members, we are not
here to support individuals’ agendas.
What do we support First, and foremost, we
support our members with factual information,
answers, and advice. We support issues that
appear to be of interest or benefit to the majority
of our members. When I say “appear,” I mean
that we rely on both survey information (influence
legislation for benefits and equipment were #2
and #3 in both membership surveys, with a factual
source of information as #1) and grassroots
inputs from members in our Districts to let
their leadership know what’s important to them.
Why, because when these District officials come
to conferences, they vote on resolutions that
become mandates for the paid staff to pursue. To
that end, I ask if you have taken the time to
communicate with your leadership, either locally
or at the National level. Information on how to
contact us is in every issue of the magazine, and
also on our Web site. We were elected to serve
you, so we want you engaged and communicating
with us.
Speaking of conferences, the next one is in San
Francisco in April. The registration form for it is
in this magazine on page 27. Act now, plan to
attend, and engage to make a difference. There
are too many issues on the table in these
transformational times to leave it to someone
else to carry the water.
I will be preparing myself to testify before
Congress this spring, so this is the perfect
opportunity to let me know what you think.
Back to the member concern that we claim far
too much credit for legislation. We freely admit
that we are not of the size truly to influence
legislation by ourselves, but we are engaged on a
daily basis on these issues. Captain Puzon is
either on the telephone or visiting the legislative
and professional staff offices on Capitol Hill
nearly every day – that’s why we hired him. That
is his mission, and I think he is doing a superb
job. Captain Puzon, also, hasn’t missed a meeting
of The Military Coalition and sits on several
subcommittees. The Military Coalition is a
consortium of 35 military organizations that
collectively bring six million votes to the
“Hill.” We are equally involved in several other
consortium-type organizations – The National
Military Veterans Alliance, Navy/Marine Corps
Council, etc. Because of the resources being
committed to all of this, we say that we had a part
in getting legislation enacted, but have never
claimed that we did it alone.
As your National President, I want to know
when you are having a special function. I am
interested in attending these. This month, I will
be traveling to New York to speak to the Burke
Chapter there; they are having a dining out. So,
just e-mail me if you have a special event
planned and I will do my best to shoehorn it into
my schedule.
John Eric Lindell
Naval Reserve Association 2004 Conferences
Spring Conference - San Francisco, CA, 16-18 Apr. 2004
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, Toll Free Number 1-800-325-3535
Fall National Conference - Washington, DC, 15-18 Sep. 2004
Radison Hotel, Old Towne Alexandria, VA
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

Membership
7
We are pleased to welcome the following
individuals as our newest Life Members:
CDR James A. Albani, USNR
LCDR Nathan E. Beltz, USNR
CAPT Francis L. Berkeley, Jr., USNR (Ret)
CDR Joseph L. Bridge, USNR
CDR Serena A. Chetta, NC, USNR
CAPT John G. Colgan, USN (Ret)
CAPT James R. Collins, CEC, USNR (Ret)
CDR Henry R. Crais, USNR (Ret)
CAPT William J. Deas, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Victor E. Delnore, USNR (Ret)
LCDR David D. Diamond, USNR
CAPT Richard M. Dillow, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Charles E. Driscoll, USNR (Ret)
CDR Scott M. Fenning, USNR (Ret)
CDR John Bryan Fluhart, USNR
CDR Gerald S. Hanley, USNR (Ret)
LCDR Adam T. Harvey, USNR
CDR John S. Haynes, USNR (Ret)
LT John C. Hazlett, USNR
LCDR Robert M. Hemings, Jr., USNR (Ret)
CAPT William H. Holden, Jr., USNR (Ret)
CDR Philip L. Hooton, DC, USNR
ENS Randy M. Hoyt, USNR
CAPT George J. Katilus, Jr., USNR (Ret)
CDR Michael A. Kurz, USNR
TAP INTO A VALUABLE MEMBER SERVICE:
Mrs. Audrey W. Luethy
LT Kevin L. Martin, USNR
RADM Edward Masso, USNR
CDR James J. McGovern, USNR
CAPT Lauren M. Miralia, USNR (Ret)
CAPT John A. Neupert, USNR (Ret)
CAPT John C. Norris, USNR (Ret)
LCDR Carolyn J. O’Hara, USNR
LCDR Lynn A. Oschmann, USNR
RADM Stephen S. Oswald, USNR
CAPT James P. Pappas, USNR (Ret)
LCDR Leroy C. Parks, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Dennis J. Patin, MC, USNR
LCDR Osvaldo Perez-Maiy, NC, USNR
CAPT John H. Prey, DC, USNR (Ret)
CDR Craig J. Ryniewicz, USNR
CAPT Harlan R. Sager, USNR (Ret)
CDR Kenneth A. Schroeder, USNR
CDR Peter D. Stamps, USNR
CWO3 Philip L. Sullivan, USNR (Ret)
CAPT John T. Tapley, USNR (Ret)
LCDR Ben E. Taylor, Jr., USNR (Ret)
CDR Elizabeth M. Toedt, USNR (Ret)
CAPT Philip L. Vander Myde, USNR (Ret)
(For December 2003)
ASSISTANCE OVER THE
TELEPHONE
The Association’s staff is more than capable to answer your questions over
the phone. And in some cases, additional information provided by the staff
can be very rewarding. Case in point, in mid-December, a soon-to-turn age 60
commander called regarding the application for retired pay benefits. After her
question was answered, CAPT McAtee mentioned that since her birthday was
the last week of December, she could have requested the 1st of January 2004 and
gained the annual basic pay raise. Since NRPC was awaiting her SBP election
paperwork, they allowed her to change the requested retirement date. Bottom
line: she will receive $36 a month extra in retired pay for 2004 and beyond.
NRA’s
Scholarship
Program
2004-2005
APPLY NOW!
NRA is accepting scholarship
applications for sons and
daughters of members for the
2004/2005 academic year. Deadline
for completed applications is 1 May 2004.
Applicants desiring to apply must
adhere to the following requirements:
Must be children of NRA members.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Under 24 years of age. (Waiver for
active duty service time)
Must have registered with the draft,
if eligible.
Must be enrolled in or accepted for
full-time enrollment at an accredited
college, university, or a fullyaccredited
technical school.
Although not required for application,
applications are particularly
desired from individuals who have
demonstrated an interest in the hard
sciences, such as mathematics,
medicine, and engineering.
Applications from interested and
qualified individuals should be
requested from and forwarded,
upon completion, to:
Educational Assistance Program
Naval Reserve Association
1619 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2793
Tel.: (703) 548-5800
E-mail: admin@navy-reserve.org
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
TO SUSTAIN THIS PROGRAM
ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
NRANEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

8
Legislative Update
CAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)
Director of Legislation
Today, the American military may be
in one of the best positions of any
military in history. It should follow
that the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Naval Reserve
Force are in one of their best positions. The
victories in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with
the continued Global War on Terrorism,
have solidified the transformation of the
U.S. military, but have changed the way we
conduct war. The continued transformation
and these victories have changed the way
the world sees the U.S. and the U.S. military.
We are engaged on several fronts against a
wide perception of threats. There can be
little doubt that the American military is at
its height of military power and respect.
We have to ask, are the challenges facing
the military, including the Naval Reserve
Force, less daunting, or are opportunities
available that could extend our military and
national ascendancy Tensions remain high
throughout the world, and we do not have
to look far to find a potential enemy. Those
who think that our military is not stretched are
not listening to the real Sailor, Marine,
Airman, Soldier, or Coast Guardsman.
Current civilian leadership has opted for
transformation towards high-tech technology
that is efficient and effective, saves resources,
and remakes forces’ surge forces (for the
Navy). I contend that current planning is
relying on technology rather than the
Sailor, Marine, Airman, Soldier, or Coast
Guardsman.
At War, Internally
A lesson I learned: rely and ask the person
in the loop (not the flag officer) first and
last, if something is going to work. As we
have taken stock in a “Revolution in
Military Affairs,” it should follow that we
consider adopting a “Revolution in Human
Affairs.” This internal pull and push with
network warfare has not been solved. As
we move headstrong into more efficient
and more effective technology, we should
improve all forces that have shown success
and efficiency already. I submit that a
well-trained, well-equipped Guard and
Reserve is a force multiplier that is just
being recognized for what it really and
truly provides our nation. HCS-5, VFA-201,
Cargo Handlers, Medical, Intel units,
and NCW are just some examples for the
Naval Reserve. The Guard and Reserve
Forces are surge forces that are always
there at a much more efficient price than
recognized. Proof of this is readily available
as we prepare to switch out forces for
Iraqi.
As we prepare for the next phase of the
Global War on Terrorism, decisions on
change for the Naval Reserve Force are
being made that involve ignoring the
lessons learned from the past. The active
Navy force, historically skeptical of its
reserve force, due to ignorance, is reshaping
the Naval Reserve Force based on dollars
and force structure alone. As most other
services are embracing their reserve forces
in a new way, the Navy has decided to
transform the Naval Reserve Force based
on dollars, and Active concepts of operations.
What happened to efficiency, effectiveness,
and surgability Morale in the military is
soft, based on being stretched from what we
hear. We must do all we can at this time to
ensure that we maintain and gain the right
retention and recruiting tools to maintain
the people to go along with the influx of
technology. There can be no doubt that
we are using the Guard and Reserve
Forces at higher rates. We have to mold
the technology transformation with the
transformation of the humans and their
understanding of technology, especially
with the Guard and Reserve Forces.
The first Session of the 108 th Congress
was a resounding success for improving
the continuum of services for the people
(the humans in the loop) in the Reserve
Components of the U.S. military and
providing for a transformation of the
human element. The second Session of the
108 th Congress will be more challenging
in making the improvements in what it
means to be a Guardsman or a Reservist in
the U.S. military. Getting Congress to focus
on what our Reservists are doing every
day, providing what the fleet wants, is not
going to be easy. We still have Naval
Reservists serving in Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and we will have more mobilized
and returning to Iraq soon. Their service
is important. Their families and their
employer service are also important and
should not get lost in the shuffle of “that’s
just the way it is.” The synopsis below by
Captain McAtee provides a summary of
these benefits and entitlements.
One of the recent improvements gained
has been in health care for Guard and
Reserve Forces. As we begin the second
Session of the 108 th Congress, we hope to
improve more of the continuum of services
for the humans in the loop of the Naval
Reserve Force. Please see the following link,
to read about the new TRICARE for
Guard and Reserve. At this writing, the
implementation procedures have still not
been published, but hopefully will be
soon. Along with others, we are pushing
to get this process implemented as soon as
possible and extended beyond the one year
period.
THUMBNAIL SUMMARY OF RECENTLY
ENACTED LEGISLATION
Here are legislative amendments that have been passed
through several Congressional bills. They either have an
impact on or are of interest to Naval Reservists. The following
are only summaries, not complete amendment language.
By CAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (RET)
NDAA for FY 2004 (Unless specified otherwise, effective
date is 24 November 2003):
> Navy end strength 373,800.
> Naval Reserve end strength 85,900.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

9
> Navy FTS end strength 14,384
> Authority to reduce TIG for O-5 and above no longer has
an expiration date. The previous authority had an expiration
date of 31 December 2003. Procedure for requesting a
waiver remains unchanged. Go to our home page
and click on TIG information
under “Career.”
> Authority for Reserve and Retired Regular officer to hold
state and local office notwithstanding call to active duty.
> Retired Reservists under age 60 (“gray area”) are now
eligible to participate in the Federal Long-Term Care
Insurance Program. Go to , or call
800-582-3337 for additional information.
> Increase in basic pay for 2004, averaging 4.15 percent.
> Computation of basic pay for commissioned officer with
prior enlisted service. Those Reservists with enlisted service
points of 1460 or higher will be paid from O-1E through
O-3E tables regardless of funding source. Previously, only
orders paid from funds appropriated for Reserve personnel
could be paid from the O-1E through O-3E basic pay
tables. NOTE: For those who were on mobilization orders
or on active duty orders funded by an active duty account
(MPN) on or after 24 November 2003, orders may have to
be resubmitted to receive pay increase.
> Increase in Family Separation Allowance from $100 to
$250 per month for the period 1 October 2003 and ending
31 December 2004. Effective 10 September 2001.
> Increase in Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger special pay
from $150 to $225 per month for the period 1 October
2003 and ending on 31 December 2004.
> Payment of lodging expenses for members during authorized
leave from a temporary duty location. This amendment
corrects the situation of a Reservist on temporary duty,
such as occurred on certain mobilization orders, losing a
portion of lodging expense for the days in a leave status.
> Phase-in of full concurrent receipt of military retired pay
and veteran’s disability compensation for certain military
retirees. NOTE: This is a complicated amendment; call
the Association for additional information.
> Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity may now be paid to
the surviving spouse of a Reservist who was not eligible
for retirement but who died from a cause incurred or
aggravated while on inactive-duty training (IDT).
Effective 10 September 2001.
> Increase in death gratuity from $6,000 to $12,000, effective
11 September 2001.
> Unlimited commissary access for Selected Reserve, Ready
Reserve, and Reserve retirees under age 60. Effective 24
November 2003, commissary cards are no longer required
since access is now unlimited.
> Medical and dental screening and care for Ready Reserve
members alerted (informed) for mobilization orders for a
period of more than 30 days. Care may be provided to meet
medical and dental standards for deployment prior to
commencement of active duty.
> TRICARE program coverage for certain members of the
Ready Reserve under certain circumstances. May enroll in
TRICARE and receive benefits for any period the
Reservist is:
a. An eligible unemployment compensation recipient.
b. Not eligible for health care benefits under an employer –
sponsored plan.
Coverage may be self or self and family. NOTE: Currently
awaiting enrollment/implementation criteria from DoD.
> Earlier eligibility date (before commencement of active
duty) for TRICARE program for Reservist in receipt of
orders for more than 30 days. Reservist shall be treated as
being on active duty on the latter of the date:
a. Issuance of orders.
b. 90 days before commencement of active duty to which
ordered.
> Simplification of annual participation for purposes of
Ready Reserve Training Requirements. Changes requirement
from 48 drill periods and 14 days annual training to a total
of 38 day training per duty year.
> Reserve health care assistance amendment requires each
TRICARE Region to provide beneficiary counseling to
assist Reservists and families.
Service Member’s Civil Relief Act
(Effective on 19 December 2003)
NOTE: This act rewrites the previous 63-year-old Soldiers and
Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA)
> Automatic 90-day stay of legal proceedings when duties
interfere with ability to appear.
> Clarifies the six percent interest rate cap.
> Raises the amount of life insurance the government will
protect from default for nonpayment to $250, 000 while
Reservists are on active duty.
> Member sent to new duty station or deployed for at least 90
days could terminate housing leases without penalty.
> Active Duty or Reserve members deployed overseas or
called-up for at least 180 days could terminate auto lease
without penalty.
Veterans Benefits Act of 2003
(Effective 16 Dec 2003)
> Certain veterans’ survivor benefits for surviving spouses
remarrying after age 57. Previously DIC benefits were
terminated upon remarriage regardless of age.
> Lower VA loan origination fee for Reservists effective
1 January 2004, at 2.4 percent.
> Eligibility of surviving spouses, who remarry, for burial in
national cemeteries.
> Permits member with severe disabilities to apply for housing
grants before being discharged.
NRANEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

10
Retirees’ Corner
Local Chapter Hosts A
Retirement Seminar
By LCDR Joe Golding, USNR (Ret)
CDR Sharon K. Kleinschmidt, USNR (Ret)
National VP for Retired Personnel
Under the guidance of RADM
Richard E. Young, USNR (Ret),
the first retirement seminar
produced by the Rocky Mountain Chapter
of the Naval Reserve Association was held
at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve
Center in Aurora, CO, on 6 December
2003. Presented were four major topics
of concern: TRICARE, pay and
allowances, space availability military
travel, and Navy lodging.
The idea of hosting a retirement
seminar was first introduced at our local
chapter meeting in May 2003. LCDR Joe
Golding, USNR (Ret), volunteered to
undertake the project. He is also the
Chapter’s vice president for retirement
issues. He served as the moderator for the
December event attended by some 62
drilling Reservists, retirees, and many
spouses.
Invitations were extended to drilling
Reservists, “gray area” retirees, and those
personnel who are currently receiving a
retirement annuity. Included on the
invitation was a solicitation of interesting
and relevant topics. Of highest concern
were TRICARE health insurance, pay
issues, and “Space A” travel.
Ms. Linda Hood, the marketing field
service representative for the states of
Colorado and Wyoming at TRIWEST
Healthcare Alliance, began the seminar.
Ms. Hood briefly touched on the three
plans (Prime, Extra, and Standard) and
explained their features as it related to
retirees under the age of 65 and their
families. Ms. Hood continued by discussing
the TRICARE for Life features for those
who are age 65 and older and who are
enrolled in Medicare Part B. She took
ample time to answer questions before
departing for her home in Colorado
Springs. In typical western hospitality,
CAPT Peter Van Souest, USNR (Ret),
presented her a Stetson cowboy hat, in
appreciation of her efforts, at the conclusion
of the question and answer period.
CAPT Ron Servis, USNR (Ret), presented
a handout describing how to ensure your
points for service history are up-to-date,
calculation of retirement pay, and reporting
pay problems. He advised to contact the
Naval Personnel Center in New Orleans
for questions concerning points at
or toll
free 866-250-4778. For pay problems or
changes of address, contact the Defense
Financing and Accounting System
(DFAS) at or 800-321-
1080.
LCDR Golding presented the third part
of the seminar by talking about military
space availability air apportunities and
Navy lodging by describing the eligibility
and procedures for sponsors and their
dependents to travel. He continued by
talking about making reservations at the
numerous Navy lodges. Information on
recreational lodging can be obtained by
calling 1-800-NAVYINN, 1-888-AFLODGE
or 1-800-GOARMY1. For Space A travel,
only terminals have flight information;
there is no central flight information point
of contact.
During the two-hour seminar, RADM
Young served as timekeeper and provided
quarterly updates on the Army-Navy football
game. Those in attendance gave us
high marks on our presentation.
Project Identify and Recognize
The goal of this project is to locate, identify, and recognize those who have served or are presently serving in the
United States military and have a degree(s) in home economics, family and consumer sciences, dietetics, or other
related fields of study.
Current Chairperson and recipient, CDR Sherry Kleinschmidt, USNR (Ret), invites anyone who is serving, has served, or
knows of someone with active, reserve or retired service to complete the personal data form found on three Web sites:
www.ifhe-us.org
www.aafcs.org
www.womensmemorial.org
The second recognition ceremony for participants of Project Identify and Recognize will be held in San Diego, CA,
on Friday, 25 June 2004.
The project is co-sponsored by the International Division of the American Association of Family and Consumer
Sciences and the International Federation for Home Economics-United States. Participation in Project Identify will
enable the home economics profession to honor qualifying professionals in an appropriate manner.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

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A3069-1203 ©2004 USAA. All rights reserved.

12
News Notes
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR
MOST COMMISSARIES, OFFICIALS
EMPHASIZE
Defense Department officials are
emphasizing that DoD strongly supports
commissaries as an important benefit of
military service and that there are no plans
to close them.
John M. Molino, Deputy Undersecretary
of Defense for Community and Family
Policy, said, “The future of the commissary
benefit is very sound, very healthy. The
department is committed to maintain a
commissary benefit.”
Calling some recent press coverage of the
commissary issue “slanted and inaccurate,”
Secretary Molino said the controversy
goes back three years to when, shortly
after arriving at the Pentagon, Secretary of
Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld asked
whether the Defense Department should
be running a chain of grocery stores.
“We did a detailed analysis of whether
or not there were other ways to deliver the
commissary benefit,” Secretary Molino
said. “The conclusion was that the
commissary needs to stay (as) something
we do within the Department of Defense,
even though it is outside our core
competency.”
WAR TROPHIES NOT ALLOWED
TO BE RETURNED FROM IRAQ,
AFGHANISTAN
Defense Department officials have
warned service members returning home
from Iraq and Afghanistan not to bring
weapons, ammunition, and other prohibited
items with them.
Officials say that under no circumstances
can individuals take as souvenirs objects
that were formerly in the possession of the
enemy. “We didn’t go into Iraq or
Afghanistan to conquer them, but to
liberate them,” said Marine CAPT Bruce
Frame, a Central Command spokesman.
“Taking articles from those countries
sends the wrong message.”
2004 DIVIDENDS ARE ANNOUNCED
FOR 1.5 MILLION POLICYHOLDERS
The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) has announced the distribution of
more than $517 million in dividends to 1.5
million active policyholders of veterans’
life insurance.
Over the next year, veterans will receive
payments on the anniversary date of their
policies with the specific dividend amount
varying according to age, type of insurance,
and length of time the policy has been in
force.
Dividends will go only to veterans with
government life insurance policies who
served between 1917 and 1956. Veterans
enrolled after 1956 are covered by VA
term insurance programs that do not pay
dividends.
The largest group receiving payments in
2004 will be 1.2 million veterans of World
War II with National Service Life
Insurance (“V”) policies. Total payments
are expected to reach $416.8 million.
Dividends totaling $1.8 million will be
paid to about 11,000 veterans holding U.S.
Government Life Insurance (“K”) policies.
Nearly 200,000 Korean War era veterans
who have maintained Veterans Special
Life Insurance (“RS” and “W”) policies
can expect to receive dividends totaling
$83.9 million.
Veterans with questions about their
policies may call the VA Insurance toll-free
number at 1-800-669-8477.
APPLICATION DEADLINE NEARS
FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
February 18 is the deadline for the 2004
Scholarships for Military Children program
which benefits Reservists, active-duty
people, and retirees.
The academic scholarships, worth
$1,500 each, are provided by the Defense
Commissary Agency. Now in its fourth
year, the program has awarded nearly $2.5
million to some 1,500 children of U.S.
service members and retirees.
Funding comes from manufacturers and
suppliers whose products are sold at military
commissaries. Details are available at
local commissaries.
ORGANIZATION BRIEFS
RESERVISTS ON THEIR
RE-EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
The National Committee for Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
is briefing members of the National Guard
and Reserve on their civilian reemployment
rights while they are still serving in
Kuwait and Iraq and preparing to return
home.
“We want these people to know what
their rights are and how we can help them.
We believe the best place to tell them is in
Kuwait, and even in Iraq, while they are
preparing to return to their homes,” said
Air National Guard MSGT Bob Krenke,
an ESGR spokesman.
“It is a good way to get to the people
when they are most concerned about
reemployment issues,” SGT Krenke
added. “There are a lot fewer distractions
over there than there are when they get to
this country, when they are a lot more
interested in being with their families than
they are in sitting through a bunch of
briefings.”
The representatives are telling the
Reservists about their basic reemployment
rights when they return to their civilian
lives. They are also telling them that the
employment and reemployment rights act
applies to all employers, regardless of the
size of their businesses, and that it protects
most part-time and probationary positions.
Here are some of the law’s key provisions
for returning service members:
(1) They are entitled to prompt
reemployment.
(2) They are entitled to seniority and
seniority-related benefits, including
pensions, status, and rate of pay, as if
they were continuously employed
during their military absence.
(3) They are entitled to immediate
reinstatement of health insurance for
themselves and previously-covered
dependents.
(4) They are entitled to training or
retraining by their employers if necessary
to qualify them for reemployment.
FORE AND AFT:
As of 24 December, there were 87,431
members of the Naval Selected Reserve;
151,399 in the Ready Reserve; and 1,530
Naval Reservists on active duty . . . .
American Airlines has invited military
men and women under the Iraqi Freedom
Rest and Relaxation (R&R) Program to
spend time between flights at the
company’s elegant Admirals Club
facilities worldwide . . . . President Bush
has directed executive departments and
agencies to grant five days of uncharged
administrative leave from civilian duties to
federal employees returning from active
duty to reserve status . . . . It is now
possible for veterans and family members
of deceased veterans to obtain copies of
DD-214’s on-line by going to the National
Personnel Records Center’s Web site.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

13
Enabling Knowledge Superiority to the Warfighter
Through Integration and Innovation
Reserve Force Multiplier
It’s Friday afternoon and Gordon Hunt, a PhD student at
Stanford University and expert C++/Java programmer at
Real-Time Innovations, has just aced another Computer
Science exam and is ready to start a well-deserved weekend.
With his bags packed, he hops into his red Saab
convertible and drives south to the San Jose airport for a
direct flight to sunny San Diego. Within an hour, he’s
checked in and relaxing at the Admiral Kidd Club BOQ,
with a clear view of the San Diego harbor, getting ready to
report at 0700 the next morning for his weekend drill as an
engineering duty officer and Naval Reservist for the Navy’s
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).
His mission: Support the USS LINCOLN Battle Group, prior
to its deployment to the Middle East, by ensuring its C4ISR
& IT Integrated Logistics Systems documents are in order.
“Reservists are
critical and
seamless members
of our corporate
SPAWAR team.”
Rear Admiral
Kenneth D. Slaght, USN
Commander
Space and Naval Warfare
Systems Command
Earning Trust
How could such a large responsibility be placed on a Naval
Reservist By earning the trust of the gaining command and the
Fleet is the answer.
This trust began in the late 1990’s, when the SPAWAR Reserve
Program successfully demonstrated that it could effectively
support the Fleet on the deck plates with information
technology (IT) experts capable of completing a variety of missioncritical
tasks.
The Reservists performed IT-21 training that was deemed necessary
to enable the Warfighter with knowledge superiority.
An Innovative Organization
Completing such mission-critical tasks can only be accomplished
with strong leadership and an effective matrix organization that
assigns the more than 500 SPAWAR Reservists (civilian IT experts
with military experience) to dedicated Fleet Support Teams (FST)
in support of our nation’s Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and
Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG).
A FST consists of 50-60 Reservists, from 3-5 reserve units, that are
assigned to fulfill one of the following five key C4ISR & IT mission
areas to coincide with each Strike Group’s deployment plan:
SPACE & NAVAL WARFARE
SYSTEMS COMMAND
Providing Integrated Information Solutions to the Fleet
At the heart of a battle are the systems of Command, Control, Communications,
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR).
The purpose of C4ISR, and the mission of the Space and Naval Warfare
Systems Command (SPAWAR), is to provide the battle force commander
with knowledge superiority – the means to see the battlefield, understand its
activities, formulate effective courses of action, and transmit orders for action.
SPAWAR is the Navy’s agent responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding
C4ISR systems. SPAWAR is an Echelon II command, headquartered in San
Diego, CA, with offices located across the globe.
1. Configuration Validation (CONVAL)
2. DG Systems Integration & Testing (DGSIT)
3. Integrated Logistics Support (ILS)
4. Surface & Sub Systems Installations
5. Information Technology Training (IT-21)
Each mission area is supported by a shipboard
detachment consisting of a team leader, a subject
matter expert, and five or more qualified
Reservists who are hand-picked from the FST to
perform the assigned task (e.g., CONVAL). The
objective is to select the “right Reservist for the
right Job.” The team leader is the Fleet’s
single point of contact to get the job done.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

14
Supporting the Fleet
Supporting Fleet Battle Readiness
SPAWAR Reserve Fleet
Since 1999, Reservists have been instrumental in preparing
the C4ISR and IT systems aboard every Strike Force battle
unit in the Navy, worldwide.
CONVAL
Sailors validating the Functional
Interface Diagrams of the C4ISR & IT
network configuration aboard the USS
LINCOLN (CVN-72). These diagrams
are used to set the architecture for the
next set of network upgrades.
Photo by CDR Steve Clancy
“I recommend that this (FST) concept be expanded to
support each deploying Battle Group during the rapid
migration of C4ISR systems to the Fleet.”
Commodore Tom Gallagher
COMDESRON 18
30 months 18 months 12 months MONTHS TO
INSTALLATIONS
Reservists augment SPAWAR in
planning the scheduled installations of
C4ISR systems aboard surface ships
and submarines. They ensure all naval
combatants have the requisite systems
and strike capabilities installed prior to
their next deployment.
Photo by PH1 David Lloyd
IT-21 TRAINING
IT experts (Reservists) increase a ship’s
combat readiness by training Sailors on how
to maintain and operate the 21st Century
IT systems aboard their ship.
Photo by PH1 David Lloyd
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

15
on the Deck Plates
Supporting Teams in Action
ILS
Sailors check the accuracy and
availability of logistics documents,
spare parts, and technical publications
to ensure the Strike Group’s C4ISR &
IT Integrated Logistics Systems are
100 percent ready for battle.
Photo by CDR Dave Lynn
“Their professionalism and knowledge of Fleet
communications greatly improved connectivity and have
made them indispensable members of the BGSIT team.”
Monica R. Shepard
Director, C4ISR
DEPLOYMENT 6 months 4 months
Deployment
“The deployed IT-21 Fly Away Team validated the
requirement for the SPAWAR IT-21 Reserve Program
and the mission it fulfills.”
LT Murphy,
CSIO, USS CONSTELLATION
DGSIT
Integrating and testing the C4ISR systems
aboard the USS LINCOLN (CVN 74).
Reservists support SPAWAR in ensuring
that its C4ISR & IT systems are fully
integrated with the rest of the Strike Group
so it can complete its combat missions.
Photo by LCDR Janet Garrington
IT-21 FLY AWAYS
Providing “Over-the-Shoulder” IT-21
training for ship’s force, while underway
aboard the USS CONSTELLATION
(CVN 64).
Photo by SPAWAR
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

16
Transformation to Support Integration and Innovation
Integration with the Gaining Command
A transformation of the SPAWAR Reserve Program began
in October 1998, when COMSPAWARSYSCOM directed a
newly-assigned Reserve Liaison Officer to reengineer the
program better to support SPAWAR’s main customer –
deploying Naval Forces. Prior to that, the Reserve units
were conducting “nonessential work” for various SPAWAR
program codes.
The mobilization goal for the Reservists was changed to augment
the manpower of SPAWAR in crisis scenarios to support the
Strike Group and its battle systems.
SPAWAR then took full advantage of the broad range of technical
talents and expertise that its 500+ Reservists offered and began
utilizing them to the fullest extent possible in providing direct Fleet
support.
Today, SPAWAR Reservists perform a wide spectrum of work
from addressing acute C4ISR/IT architecture issues to providing
advanced IT-21 Fly Away training aboard ships.
A Flexible and Modular Matrix Organization
Due to the rapid pace of C4ISR enhancements and having to
respond to each Strike Group’s deployment cycle, the SPAWAR
Reserve Program reorganized itself from a hierarchical
organization to a more flexible and modular matrix organization
that is competency based to ensure that the Navy’s C4ISR &
IT systems are ready for war.
Units Work Together in Fleet Support Teams
Drilling with the Fleet
SPAWAR Reservists proved their flexibility and initiative by
deploying over 150 shipboard detachments each year to more
than 60 different warfighting ships.
“Reservists represent SPAWAR on the deck plates.”
RDML Mike Sharp
Vice Commander, SPAWAR
Whenever FST Reservists aren’t aboard a warship, they’re
drilling (training) with one of the 22 SPAWAR Reserve units
nationwide. These units are strategically located near to our
nation’s most prestigious high-tech universities and technology
centers such as Cambridge, MA; San Diego, CA; Silicon
Valley, CA; Technology Triangle, NC; and Bellevue, WA, to
help recruit the best educated and most-experienced IT talent
available.
Most of the Naval Reservists in the FST Program are seasoned
network technicians, software engineers, Cisco Certified
Network Associates, or Microsoft Certified System Engineers
who bring thousands of dollars of education, training, and
experience to the Fleet.
These highly-qualified Reservists adhere to a single focus –
which is to serve the Fleet. They aren’t distracted by having to
perform administrative tasks that are nonmission oriented.
These recurring tasks are executed by a small and dedicated
team of professionals who are located at the gaining command
in San Diego.
An Integrated and Fleet-Centric Organization
Reservists are
aligned in a
project matrix
organization
better to serve
the Fleet.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

17
Reinventing the Naval Reserve
Part of a Team
SPAWAR Reservists are an integral part of the SPAWAR team.
They are woven into every aspect of the SPAWAR mission.
They use the exact same badges, share the same resources
and have access to the same mission-critical information.
They work hand-in-hand with their active duty and civilian
counterparts between drill periods to get the job done. They
embody the One Navy mantra and are appreciated and
awarded for their efforts.
Fleet, SPAWAR, & Reserve Recognition:
Three commendation letters from CLF (N6), four Lightening Bolts
(SPAWAR’s internal award for outstanding teamwork), four BZ’s
from the Fleet, nine Bilger awards, and hundreds of personal
awards.
Force Multiplier
The 500+ Reserve Force makes up most of the uniformed staff
at SPAWAR and the PEO, by a ratio of 4:1. The active duty
contingent of SPAWAR relies heavily on the assistance of the
Reservists to leverage their limited resources. For example,
the active duty staff delegates the execution of Deployment
Group Integration and Testing (DGSIT) onboard ships to the
officers in the Reserve Program.
SPAWAR Reservists are highly integrated with
the active duty and civilian staff at SPAWAR.
Responding to the Needs of the Fleet
Our nation must be prepared to respond in a rapid and effective
manner to combat the threat of an attack. The CNO is changing
the way our Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups maintain
their combat readiness to prepare for deployments on relatively
short notice. Likewise, the Reserve community is changing
the way it responds to the emergent needs of the Fleet.
The SPAWAR Reserve Program embraces new and innovative
ways to manage the mobilization and contributory support of
its Reservists to the Fleet:
1) Precertification ensures that every Reservist in the
Program is administratively and medically certified at the
beginning of each fiscal year so that he/she can be mobilized
almost immediately.
2) SPAWAR created its own Reserve Program Office (RPO)
to support the mission delegated to the Reserves. The RPO,
which is staffed by Reservists, was given the tools necessary
to fund temporary duty assignments, write orders, purchase
airline tickets, etc.
SPAWAR has full ownership and control of
its Selected Reserves.
Reservists are precertified and supported 24/7 by a
program office for mobilization.
By assuming the administrative responsibilities needed to
fulfill its mission, the RPO became highly responsive to the
needs of the Fleet, while providing world-class customer
service to its Reservists. Orders are typically cut within 24
working hours after receiving the request.
SPAWAR has taken full ownership and responsibility for its
mission and the readiness of its SELRES Force.
Integrated Communications
The SPAWAR Program seeks to facilitate a highly dispersed
and dynamic work environment. Specific tools are used to
facilitate communications and information-sharing between 22
Reserve units nationwide:
VTC: Each drill weekend, the units participate in a video
teleconference (VTC) to share mission-critical information and
receive SPAWAR training.
VPO: A Virtual Program Office (VPO) collaborative Web site,
integral to SPAWAR’s Intranet, is used to store, access, and
share mission-critical information on-line.
Job Jar & Skills Database: A job request and occupational
skills database used to assign the best qualified Reservist to
the appropriate contributory support job.
Strategic Communications: A comprehensive strategic
communications plan that is used to communicate with the
Program’s clients, members, stakeholders, and partners.
Interactive Training CDs, Videos & Manuals: High-quality
CDs, videos, and manuals are used to train and indoctrinate
individuals unfamiliar with the Program.
STE: The Program’s “Best Practices” are transferred to other
Echelon II commands via the Reserve Science, Technology, &
Engineering (STE) consortium.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

18
Providing Innovative Support to the Fleet Today
Y2K
SPAWAR assigned Naval Reservists
to ensure the Navy and Marine Corps’
more than 25,000 IT systems were
ready for the year 2000.
Photo by YN1 Kevin Valdez
SPAWAR’s
confidence in
assigning new
missions to its
Reserve Program
is based on past
performance.
Operation Enduring
Freedom
Reservists manned SPAWAR’s
Special Operations Center to ensure
all C4ISR systems engaged in both
Gulf Wars were maintained in their
upmost readiness condition.
Photo by SPAWAR
9/11
SPAWAR Reservists coordinated the
C4ISR installs in the Navy Operations
Centers at the Pentagon after the 9/11
terrorist attack.
Photo by R. D.
Keeping the Fleet Connected
In addition to supporting the normal five Fleet Support Team
programs for the CSG’s and ESG’s, SPAWAR Reservists have
been called upon to respond to emergent needs such Y2K,
rebuilding the Pentagon’s Navy Operations Center (destroyed
during the 9/11 terrorist attack), and staffing SPAWAR’s
Special Operations Center during Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Information to the Warfighter
at the Right Time and Right Place
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

19
Supporting the Fleet with Innovation for Tomorrow
Evaluating Tomorrow’s Technologies
To determine the potential value of future SPAWAR systems and
technologies and to help make Network Centric Warfare a
reality, SPAWAR Reservists are tapped to support several system
development efforts, including the following CNO-sponsored
projects:
Fleet Battle Experiment-Juliet (FBE-J)
Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (JWID)
FORCEnet.
Reservists are an
integral part of the
FORCEnet effort,
which is a key
enabler towards
making the NAVAL
POWER 21 concept
a reality.
UGV
Reservists with knowledge and experience
in robotics are playing a key role in training
Explosive Ordinance Detachments and
evaluating unmanned vehicles in a
simulated battle environment, like the
Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV).
Photo by EM1 (SS) Thomas Hoover
FORCEnet
Reservists demonstrating and assessing
the human element of a FORCEnet
multi-modal work station designed to
integrate warriors, sensors, networks,
command & control platforms, and
weapons in the battlefield.
Photo by Janet Garrington
FBE-J
During Joint Exercise Millennium
Challenge, Reservists experimented
with innovative operational concepts
such as Naval Simulation Systems
and the Maritime Planning Process
designed to enhance the warfighter’s
tactical planning capabilities.
Photo by EM1 (SS) Thomas Hoover
JWID
As Battle Commander of a
five-nation coalition force,
CAPT Jim Cain, USNR, is
demonstrating and testing
the interoperability of new
and emerging C4ISR & IT
technologies (in a simulated
warfighting environment
using a global wide-area
network) that may be used
by the U.S. and its Allies in
the near future. SPAWAR
Reservists make up 90
percent of the JWID officer
ranks.
Photo by Janet Garrington
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

20
An Opportunity
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
An Innovative Approach to Serving the Fleet
On Monday morning, Tom Hoover, an R&D Engineer for
Loral and Reserve Electricians Mate First Class Petty
Officer, receives a phone call from SPAWAR’s CONVAL
Program Manager, CDR Eric Billies, asking him if he could
break away from work within the next week to be the technical
lead in verifying the Functional Interface Diagrams of the
C4ISR systems aboard the USS CONSTELATION (CV-64)
before it deploys (two months early) to the Gulf in support
of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer Hoover
accepts the duty assignment and the challenge of pulling
together a team of six qualified petty officers in a matter of days.
After finishing his coffee and contemplating the logistics of
such an effort, EM1 Hoover logs onto his computer; enters
SPAWAR’s Intranet, the VPO; and creates a list of prospects.
Using the On-line Skills Database, he identifies all of the
CONVAL team members within the five Reserve units that
are assigned to Fleet Support Team Three that supports the
USS Constellation Strike Group.
EM1 Hoover then e-mails his requirements and a 20-person
prospect list to the Reserve Program Office (RPO) in
San Diego and asks them to call each candidate to determine
his/her availability. By the end of the day, six Sailors
from five separate Reserve units agree to help. The RPO
directs each member to submit an AT order request via
the Navy Order Writing System (NOWS). Each sailor
can be mobilized at a moment’s notice, because they were
precertified for active duty earlier in the year.
By early Wednesday morning, the Commanding Officers
have approved the orders and the RPO is busy requesting
airline reservations for four Reservists outside of San
Diego.
By 1600 on Wednesday, the RPO notifies the CONVAL team
to print out their orders and electronic airline tickets from
NOWS and reminds them to bring their CONVAL
Qualification Card and review the interactive CONVAL
training video on Disc 2 of their Program Familiarization
CD Binder.
On Thursday morning, CDR Billies calls EM1 Hoover to ask
him to attend the N6 Brief on CONVAL at 1500 that afternoon.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team is driving or flying to San
Diego to report for duty the next morning.
At 0700 on Friday morning, EM1 Hoover and the rest of his
CONVAL team report aboard the USS CONSTELLATION
for duty to begin a two-week effort to ensure the configuration
of its C4ISR and IT systems are well documented before
the carrier heads to the Iraqi war within the next three
weeks for an unspecified period of time.
Enjoying the Journey
The success of the SPAWAR Program is based on performance
of its Reservists who have a passion for excellence
and enjoy what they do in the Reserves.
The Program engages itself with a sharp focus on the
customer, the Fleet, to determine what needs to be done.
Then, well-defined training and processes are documented
and communicated to the Reservists.
SPAWAR Reservists have the freedom to choose where
they want to make a contribution based on their desire, skills,
passion, availability, and so on. They have the liberty to pick
and fulfill an existing mission or to create a new mission within
the boundaries that have been established by the gaining
command.
The Reservists are also free to define how and when they
can best accomplish their objectives. They are given the
requisite knowledge and tools to perform their jobs well, within
the highest standards of quality.
Whenever a Sailor is given the freedom to chose the mission
he/she wants to own and solve, and is given the requisite
resources to define the solution, the possibilities are endless!
The Fleet Defines a Job Well Done
When defining the value of a Reserve Program, one must
examine feedback received from its end customer, the Fleet.
“SPAWAR’s approach of refocusing the
model of the Reserve mission to provide
direct support to the Fleet, at no cost to units
supported, is clearly a way to ensure success
of the warfighter.”
CAPT Ronald Thomas
COMPHIBRON Seven
The SPAWAR Reserve Program is looking
for innovative and professional men and
women with IT knowledge and experience.
Please contact our
SPAWAR Reserve Program Office at
www.spawar.navy.mil or (619) 524-7349.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

Letters
21
Dear Editor,
Having read Vice Admiral Cotton’s
article on pages 26/27 of the January
2004 issue, I’m now confused, agitated
and excited about the new terminology
that I almost wrote to Ann Landers.
Instead, since it appeared in your
publication I appeal to you.
I know the term Naval to be an
adjective, and Navy to be a noun. Like
Naval as in CNO, ONI, etc. Yet, the
author is constrained from using the noun
Navy and uses the possessive form Navy’s
no less than six times in two pages. Am I
to understand it is now United States
Navy’s Reserve Accordingly, is he now
Chief of Navy’s Reserve and Commander
Navy’s Reserve Force Will NRA be
named Navy’s Reserve Association (I
understand it to be a cultural thing). Will
other English speakers do the same, such
as Royal Australian Navy’ Reserve
Seriously, was there a change in United
States Code or directives regarding
Navy’s vice Naval We live in such
exciting transformational times.
Adelbert Balunek
Subject: NRA ADOPTED
RESOLUTION 03-11 SUPPORT OF
NAVAL SEA CADET PROGRAM
Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps
(NSCC) National Chairman, CAPT H. W.
Learson, USNR (Ret), the Sea Cadets
Corps would like to thank you for the
recent adoption of resolution 03-11. The
resolution for continued support of the
NSCC by Congress is greatly appreciated
and meaningful to the continued success
and development of the program. These
funds are used solely to support summer
training for the cadets at Navy, Coast
Guard, and other DoD facilities. Because
of this support, we are able to send over
7,000 cadets on two week training during
the summer. Many of these cadets would
not be able to pay for the cost of the
training they get since the cadets must pay
for their own messing and berthing for the
two week period.
We, also, enjoy the strong support of
Reservists, both at local drill sites and
during summer training where they act as
instructor for the cadets. Without this
support, many of our training opportunities
would not take place. Each year we
count on the Reservists to fill out the
eighteen recruit training camp instructors
requirements . . . . and we have never been
disappointed.
NRA’s continued support is highly
valued. You can be proud of the fact you
have helped America’s youth in developing
the strong core values we all want to see
in a young person’s development. We look
forward to NRA’s continued support of
USA’s premier youth program.
Mike Ford
ED, NSCC
As a reservist your job
might change,
but ours stays the same.
Compare SGLI to the
Navy Mutual Family Plan
This plan includes $250,000 coverage for you, the
service member, and $100,000 for your spouse,
assuming you are both healthy non-smokers, and
$10,000 coverage for your children.
✪ From part-time service to active duty, we’re always
there for you and your family.
✪ Call 1-800-628-6011 ext. 105, e-mail counselor@navymutual.org
NAVY MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION
Serving: Navy • Marines • Coast Guard • NOAA • Public Health Service
A Veterans Benefit Association Since 1879
w w w . n a v y m u t u a l . o r g
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

22
Professional Development
Get in Line
CAPT G. Mark Hardy III, USNR
National VP for Professional Development
Did you ever wonder how relative
seniority or “precedence” is
determined It is determined by
either a lineal number or register number.
Do you know yours If you know how this
element of the promotion system works,
you can better predict when you will be in
zone for promotion, or when to expect a
date of rank. Let’s take a look.
Getting started
The Navy uses a multistep process to
determine seniority of all officers upon
commissioning and entrance on active duty.
The first criterion is date of commissioning.
Officers commissioned from ROTC units
at the end of the academic year (usually
May or June) are assigned the same date
of rank as graduates of the Naval
Academy. Since many midshipmen
receive commissions each spring, the
Navy uses additional criteria to place new
ensigns in seniority order. Class ranking,
based on grade point average (GPA),
breaks most ties. A midshipman graduating
with a 4.0 average will be the senior
officer; a midshipman graduating with a
2.01 average will be the junior officer.
Other criteria apply until ultimately birth
date and alphabetic name order become
the final tie breakers. According to the
Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS),
this actually happened once, with twins,
graduating together with the same GPA,
being assigned seniority alphabetically.
The honor graduate from Officer
Candidate School (OCS) receives the most
senior number for the class; other graduates
are assigned seniority by date of birth; ties
are broken by alphabetical order. Other
commissioning sources, like our own Naval
Reserve direct commission program, assign
new officers the next available register
number as of the date of commissioning if
in grades O-2 or above. Because seniority
among ensigns is meaningful only to other
ensigns trying to determine who should
be “George,” lineal and register numbers
aren’t assigned until an officer is promoted
to lieutenant (junior grade) (O-2).
Moving on up
A lineal number for an active duty list
officer remains unchanged unless the
officer promotes, a court-martial orders a
loss of seniority, or the officer transfers to
the Naval Reserve (at which point the
lineal number changes to a register number).
Register numbers for Reservists are
formatted differently than a lineal number
is for an active duty list officer. At each
promotion, a Reserve officer receives a
new, numerically lower register number.
Admirals on active duty have one-or-two
digit lineal numbers. The lower the
number, the more senior the officer. The
most senior Naval officer (CNO) has
lineal number 1. (For you trivia buffs, if
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is
a Naval officer, that admiral gets lineal
number 0.)
Currently, there are no selection boards
for promotion to LTjg and LT. Except in
unusual circumstances, promotion to LTjg
is automatic two years from ENS date of
rank. If screened for LT, promotion is
effective the first day of the month following
four years from the date of rank of ENS.
Thus, most USNA and ROTC graduates
have dates of rank for LT of 1 June or 1 July.
By the time a Reserve officer selects to
LCDR, things begin to change. Instead of
promoting all officers on the same date,
date-of-rank assignments or promotions
are spread out over twelve months.
Congress and money have something to
do with this, so promotions are “backloaded”
in the fiscal year. Under normal
circumstances, 40 percent of Active Duty
selectees promote in each of the first eight
months (October through May), and 15
percent of the selectees promote in each of
the last four months (June through
September). Reserve officer promotions
are not as predictable, however.
Each Reserve officer has a “running
mate,” who is the next junior officer on
active duty. When the running mate is
eligible for promotion, the Reserve officer
is eligible for promotion. Thus, while
active duty promotes on a very predictable
pattern, the Naval Reserve may vary
widely month-to-month at the beginning
of the fiscal year. For example, Reserve
boards usually select more above zone
officers for promotion than Active Duty
boards. October may have a large number
of Reserve promotions (five-to-ten percent)
because these Reserve officers are senior
to the Active Duty officers promoted in
October. Likewise, there may be months
when no Reserve officer gets promoted
because no one had seniority above the
lineal number of the junior Active Duty
officer promoted that month. Thus, even
if a Reserve officer is the next person on
the promotion list, it could be a month or
two before a date of rank is assigned. This
can be confusing and is a good reason to
know your own register number.
Over time, promotion dates spread out
more and more as fewer officers remain
at higher ranks. By the time an officer is
up for captain, that C- in English
Literature or those parties the night before
finals 20+ years ago might be the difference
between several months of seniority. In
years when the promotion zone is relatively
small, being near the bottom of the
class can mean delay of an entire fiscal
year for promotion if the junior in-zone
bisects a list of officers with the same date
of rank.
To look up your own register number,
go to , click on
“Selection Board,” then click “Check Your
Precedence Number.”
Now that you know your register number
and where it came from, next month we’ll
take a look at how promotion zones are
determined and how to estimate the date
of your next promotion board.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
23

24
Health Affairs
RAMIS
RADM Peter L. Andrus, MC, USNR
National VP for Health Programs
In April 2002, the Naval Reserve
deployed the Reserve Automated
Medical Interim System (RAMIS),
elevating medical readiness tracking and
disability management to new heights. The
database contains all medical requirements,
such as immunizations, physical exams,
and medical tests. It also provides the
medical department representatives
(MDRs) and Force Medical, Commander
Naval Reserve Forces Command
(COMNAVRESFORCOM) with a tool to
manage Temporarily Not Physically
Qualified (TNPQ), Temporarily Not
Dentally Qualified (TNDQ), Medical
Retention Review (MRR), and Line of
Duty (LOD) processes. RAMIS allows
active and reserve decision makers to
coordinate personnel and supplies to ensure
the completion of medical requirements.
Additionally, it provides all levels of the
chain of command visibility of their
personnel in a real-time environment.
The development team of Space and
Naval Warfare Information Technology
Command (SPAWAR ITC) New Orleans
developed RAMIS to meet a Congressionally
mandated requirement to track disability
benefits requested and received by Reserve
members. The opportunity was also seized
to replace the antiquated medical module
of the Reserve Standard Training
Administration and Readiness Support
(RSTARS MM) by adding a medical
readiness-tracking module within RAMIS.
SPAWAR ITC solicited field users to
submit stand-alone databases that had
been created to automate medical business
practices. Understanding these field
practices and using collaborative efforts of
technical and functional subject matter
experts resulted in a system that was
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004
completed on time, within budget, and that
far exceeded original requirements and
expectations. The Naval Reserve Force
is now a leader in medical information
technology.
RAMIS was developed utilizing Oracle
forms and reports to create a user-friendly
layout and style. Future upgrades to the
system include a redesign of the application
to a Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition
(J2EE), which is the latest technology.
The information, stored in an Oracle 9i
database, provides scalability, flexibility,
and security. This Web-based application
is approved to run on the Navy and Marine
Corps Internet (NMCI) and has several
benefits. First, existing computer systems
are able to access the application, requiring
no hardware upgrade purchases. Second,
updates and upgrades are made at a
central location with no user or system
administrator intervention required. This
allows for immediate system changes to
be implemented, such as the ability to
track Individual Medical Readiness (IMR)
and smallpox immunizations. Third, the
system includes interactive help text, thus
saving time and money for required
training. Fourth, centralization allows a
single help desk via a 1-800 number
providing continuous 24-hour support.
Fifth, utilizing an industry standard report
format, Adobe Acrobat Reader, ensures
readability, flexibility, and further cost
savings. Sixth, centralization of security
ensures only authorized personnel have
access to personal data. Finally, the system
provides for worldwide accessibility.
Leveraging the latest technologies
allows implementation of innovative
database connections, ensures data
integrity, and minimizes the level of effort
required to maintain the system by
MDRs. RAMIS utilizes authoritative data
sources for a myriad of informational
needs. Demographic information is
updated nightly with a connection to the
Reserve Headquarters System (RHS),
allowing for the seamless transfer of
medical and personnel data between units.
This also allows for the tracking of
chemical and biological suit-sizing
requirements, in a separate module.
Using another database interface, DNA
registration dates are automatically obtained
from the Armed Forces Institute of
Pathology (AFIP). The first reconciliation
with this data found and corrected a
deficiency of approximately 19,000 DNA
registration dates not previously captured
in RAMIS. This initiative produced
savings both monetarily and in MDR/
Naval Reserve man-hours. In addition, the
Navy Central HIV Command provides
HIV test dates (but not results) electronically
to RAMIS.
RAMIS not only receives and collects
information, but also provides this data to
other systems. Medical information is
provided to the Naval Reserve Order
Writing System (NROWS), enabling
Naval Reservists to receive orders for
Annual Training and Inactive Duty
Training Travel without the need to report
to medical. The system passes information
needed to place “hard holds” on orders for
Reservists missing mandatory medical
requirements or who are under review
for medical fitness for Naval service.
Additionally, the system sends immunization
data to Defense Enrollment Eligibility
Reporting System (DEERS) as required
by the Department of Defense. RAMIS
also provides medical data to the Naval
Reserve Data Warehouse for aggregation
with administrative requirements, to be
viewed as dashboard indicators.
Collaborative efforts between the
SPAWAR ITC and the Force Medical
Office of COMNAVRESFORCOM are
taking the system further into the future.
Efforts to share data between systems that
require Reserve medical information are
ongoing. The RAMIS team is working
with the Bureau of Naval Personnel
(BUPERS) to send medical information to
the Navy-Marine Corps Mobilization
Processing System (NMCMPS). This
program was developed for the tracking
of mobilization requirements, both
administrative and medical, for Naval
Reserve personnel. The team is also
working with the Naval Medical
Information Management Command
Cont’d. on page 30

Info That You Can Use
25
The Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003
and How It Affects You
By LT Marc J. Soss, SC, USNR
On 11 November 2003, after both the House and Senate
unanimously passed HR 3365 (the Military Family Tax
Relief Act of 2003), President Bush signed it into law.
The new law provides tax breaks to military personnel and their
families in the following areas:
Travel Expenses:
Retroactive to 1 January 2003, members of the military are
eligible to use an above-the-line deduction for the overnight
transportation, meals and lodging expenses they incur when
traveling more than 100 miles away from home and staying
overnight to attend meetings. The deduction amount will be
calculated at the maximum rate allowed for travel expenses for
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
United States Code. This provision will provide a substantial
benefit to members of the military, regardless of whether they
itemize on their income tax returns, since the prior law only
allowed members who itemized their expenses to deduct
unreimbursed travel expenses to the extent they exceeded two
(2%) percent of their adjusted gross income.
Exclusion from Gross Income:
The law extends the gross income exclusion to include any
adjustment in the amount of death gratuity payable with respect
to the death of a member of the U.S. military. This provision
includes a member serving on active duty, inactive duty training,
or engaged in authorized travel. In addition, retroactive to 10
September 2001, the exclusion amount is increased from $6,000
to $12,000.
Sale of Principal Residence:
Under current law, individuals who reside in their principal
residence for two of the preceding five years before sale may
exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing
jointly) of gain. The new law allows military personnel to elect
to disregard, a period not exceeding ten years, the time away from
home on official extended duty for purposes of determining this
requirement. If the service member makes this election, the fiveyear
period ending on the date of the sale or exchange of a
principal residence does not include any period of up to ten years
during which the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse served on
official extended duty as a member of the uniformed services.
For definition purposes, qualified official extended duty is
“any period of extended duty while serving at a duty station at
least 50 miles away from the taxpayer’s principal residence or
under orders requiring residence in government-furnished
quarters.” Extended duty is any period of duty under a call or
order to such duty for a period of more than 90 days or for an
indefinite period. The election may be made with respect to only
one property for a suspension period, and may be revoked at any
time. The law is effective for sales or exchanges after 6 May
1997, with the statute of limitations on refund claims suspended
for a one-year period.
Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP):
Income received, under the Department of Defense
Homeowners Assistance Program, will be classified as a tax-free
benefit and not included as wages for federal income tax
purposes. The excludible amount will be limited to the reduction
in the fair market value of the property. The program was
originally created to compensate members of the military for any
decrease in the value of their home resulting from military base
closures or realignments.
Dependent Care Assistance:
The law clarifies that dependent care assistance, provided
under a military dependent care assistance program, is tax-free to
the recipient member and not considered wages for federal
income tax purposes. The law is retroactive to 1 January 2003.
Terrorism:
The law suspends a tax-exempt organization’s status for any
period during which it is identified, by U.S. federal authorities, as
a terrorist organization or supporter of terrorism. The suspension
period will commence on the date the organization is first
classified or identified as a terrorist organization or supporter
and will terminate on the date, if any, when rescinded pursuant to
the law or executive order under which it was made.
For definition purposes, a terrorist organization is “an
organization that has been designated or otherwise individually
identified: (1) as a terrorist organization or foreign terrorist
organization under either ß212(a)(3)(B)(vi)(II) or ß219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act; (2) in or pursuant to an
executive order that is related to terrorism and issued under the
authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
or ß5 of the United Nations Participation Act for the purpose of
imposing on such organization an economic or other sanction; or
(3) in or pursuant to an executive order that refers to the Act and
is issued under the authority of any federal law if the organization
is designated or otherwise individually identified in or pursuant
to such executive order as supporting or engaging in terrorist
activity (as defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act,
ß212(a)(3)(B)) or supporting terrorism (as defined in the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, ß140(d)(2), for fiscal years 1988
and 1989).” During the suspension period, no contribution
deduction will be allowed.
Cont’d. on page 26
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

26
Info That You Can Use
The Military Family Tax Relief Act 2003 – Cont’d. from page 25
Distributions from Qualified Tuition Programs and
Education Savings Accounts:
Under current law, distributions from a qualified tuition
program or a Coverdell Education Savings Account are subject to
a ten-percent penalty if they are not used for qualified higher
education expenses. An exception is available if the student
receives a scholarship. The law clarifies this issue and provides that
appointments to a military academy will be treated as scholarships
for purposes of the exception to the ten-percent penalty.
Extended Tax Filing Rules:
The law applies the current deadline extensions available under
the Tax Code (for filing tax returns and making tax payments) for
individuals serving in a combat zone to those serving in “contingency
operations.” Contingency operations are defined as “operations
designated by the Secretary of Defense in which personnel are or
may become involved in military actions during a war or national
emergency declared by the President or Congress.”
Marc J. Soss is a tax, estate planning, probate and guardianship
attorney with the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. He is located
in the firm’s Sarasota office and can be reached at
.
O-1E Through O-3E Pay,
AGAIN
By CAPT Tom McAtee, USNR (Ret)
NDAA 2004 amends an amendment enacted with NDAA 2002
and finally gets it right for commissioned Reservists with at least
four years of enlisted service.
Prior to NDAA 2004, section 203 of Title 37, USC, provided for
the payment of O-1E through O-3E pay to those commissioned
Reservists who accrued at least 1460 points as a warrant officer
and/or as an enlisted member. However, whether or not you receive
such pay depended upon the type of duty performed or the fund
account which paid for the orders — Reserve Personnel Navy (RPN)
or Military Personnel Navy (MPN). For IDT, if entitled, you would
receive O-1E through O-3E pay. If entitled and performed active
duty (regardless of type) paid from the RPN account, you would
receive O-1E through O-3E pay. However, if on active duty orders,
regardless of type, paid from the MPN account, you were denied
O-1E through O-3E basic pay.
The latter situation has been corrected by a NDAA 2004 amendment.
Now, regardless of type duty or funding source, if a commissioned
Reservist has at least 1460 points of warrant and/or enlisted service,
he/she is entitled to be paid from the O-1E through O-3E basic pay
tables. This amendment became effective 24 November 2003 for pay
purposes, which is significant to an eligible officer on mobilization
orders or orders funded by MPN on that date.
New HM to BSN Reserve
Drill Option
By CAPT (Sel) Karen Kreutzberg, NC, USNR
Director for Medical Reserve Recruiting Programs
Program Details:
A new program is now offered to Hospital Corpsman
(HM) and Dental Technician (DT) drilling Reservists who
are interested in pursuing a Baccalaureate in Nursing
Degree. (BSN). This new drilling option allows a drilling
HM or DT to earn drill pay and credit for attending school.
Eligibility:
Interested Selected Reservists (SELRES) must be U.S.
citizens; have a letter of acceptance or be enrolled in an
accredited baccalaureate nursing program (verified by
or ); and be enrolled
for a minimum of six credits/semester or session. This program
is offered to Program 32 (MTF) and Program 46 (Fleet
Hospital) units. Participation is limited to a maximum of
three years.
How to Apply:
SELRES will need to have a Letter of Endorsement for
approval from their Unit Commanding Officer. While in the
program, the student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better.
If, at any time, the SELRES stops taking courses, he/she
must muster and drill with his/her unit in the traditional manner.
While in school, the SELRES must drill with his/her unit
twice annually (4 drills) in order to complete all required
Reserve unit and Naval Reserve Activity (NRA) or Reserve
Center administrative requirements. This includes the
twice-annual Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) test.
While in this program, the HM is eligible for mobilization,
but may request a deferment from BUPERS.
After earning a BSN degree and passing a state board of
nursing licensure exam (NCLEX), the member may apply
for a Nurse Corps commission. There will be no additional
Reserve obligation if the member is not selected for Nurse
Corps.
It is the expectation that anyone interested in this program
ultimately desires to continue his or her Naval Reserve
career as a commissioned Nurse Corps Officer. This program
is designed to assist that goal by allowing the Reservist
time to pursue school while continuing his/her Naval career.
For more information on this program, contact CAPT
(Sel) Karen Kreutzberg, NC, USNR, Director for Medical
Reserve Recruiting Programs at (202) 762-3824 or e-mail
.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

27
Naval Reserve Association
Spring Conference
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel
San Francisco, CA
16-18 April 2004
REGISTRATION
NAME/ LIFE
RANK___________________________________________ MEMBER: YES ______ NO ______
(AS DESIRED ON NAME TAG)
MAILING
ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________________________
CITY _________________________ STATE ____ ZIP ________ PHONE: (_____)___________________
SPOUSE'S NAME LIFE
(IF ATTENDING)__________________________________ MEMBER: YES ______ NO _______
(AS DESIRED ON NAME TAG)
HOTEL ARRIVAL DATE____________________________ DEPARTURE DATE:______________________
REGISTRATION FEES: MEMBER: $135.00 SPOUSE/ANCHORS: $135.00
AFTER 15 Mar. 2004: MEMBER: $145.00 SPOUSE/ANCHORS: $145.00
TOTAL FORWARDED $_________ ________________________________________
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
REGISTRATION FEES INCLUDE:
Friday night President’s Reception;
Saturday & Sunday Continental Breakfast;
Saturday Awards Lunch.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE, FOR
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE ONLY
_ Delegate NRA Chapter__________
_________ Certified Delegate
Credit card type: Authorized Signature:______________________________
(AMEX, VISA, Master Card, Discover)
Credit card number:__________________________________________ Exp. Date: ___________
Make checks payable to: NRA 2004 Spring Conference
Mail this form to: NRA 2004 Spring Conference
c/o Chief Financial Officer
1619 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax: 703-683-3647 E-mail: cfo@navy-reserve.org
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel
is pleased to welcome the:
Naval Reserve Association
16-18 April 2004
Name(s)____________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
City _________________State_______ Zip _________ Phone ( ) _______- ____________
Arrival Date __________________________ Departure Date __________________________
Estimated Arrival Time _________________ Airline & Flight # _________________________
Room Rate: $139.00 plus 14% tax ($158.46)
Type of Room: ____ Non-Smoking ____ Smoking
Special requests: _____________________________________________________________
Room preferences cannot be guaranteed. Room assignment is controlled by availability at time
of check-in.
NOTE: Make reservations by mail to SHERATON FISHERMAN’S WHARF HOTEL, Attn:
Reservations Department; 2500 Mason Street; San Francisco, CA 94133, or by phoning the
hotel at (800) 325-3535, or by faxing this form to the hotel at (415) 956-5275. All
reservations must be accompanied by the first night’s room charge plus tax per
room or a valid credit card number. REQUESTS RECEIVED AFTER 15 March 2004
ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR THE GROUP RATE.
Any reservations cancelled less than 72 hours prior to 4:00 p.m. on arrival date will be
assessed one night’s room plus tax.
Credit card type: Authorized Signature:__________________________
(AMEX, VISA, Master Card, Discover)
Credit card number:_________________________________________ Exp. Date: _________
Send reservations to:
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel
Attn: Reservations
2500 Mason Street; San Francisco, CA 94133
Tel: (800) 325-3535 or (415) 362-5500
FAX: (415) 956-5275
NRA 2004 SPRING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

28
Reservists in Action
Training to Assess the Threat:
NAVAIRSYSCOM Det. 0474 Personnel Support
Joint Combat Assessment Team Readiness
By Air Systems Program Public Affairs and LT Mike Randazzo, NAVAIR Air Systems Program PAO
Mission planners rely on
small arms, AAA, rocket-propelled
real-time combat data
grenades (RPGs), manned
to establish immediately
portable air defense systems,
the threat environment and
improve planning of ongoing
operations. As an integral part of a
joint service combat assessment
team, Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR) Air Systems Program
(ASP) personnel aggressively
train to add value to this effort
and contribute to current and
future Naval aircraft combat
readiness.
and the latest Russian surfaceto-air
missile systems. Threat
exploitation hardware displays
and live-fire demonstrations of
small arms, RPGs, and a Stinger
missile serve to reinforce the
classroom material.
The second phase of JCAT
training consisted of hands-on
combat data collection training
hosted by the NAVAIR Weapons
Sponsored by the Joint Technical
Survivability Laboratory at
Coordinating Group on Aircraft
China Lake, CA.
Survivability (JTCG/AS), the Joint
“We received valuable training
JCAT Team with live-fire testing F-14: As an integral part
Combat Assessment Team (JCAT)
on the effects of hydrodynamic
of a joint service combat assessment team, Naval Air
is comprised of Reservists from
ram from armor piercing and high
Systems Command (NAVAIR) Air Systems Program (ASP)
the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
explosive AAA, conventional
personnel from NAVAIRSYSCOM Det. 0474 aggressively
JCAT’s primary mission is to
metal versus composite structural
train to contribute to current and future Naval aircraft
collect data on aircraft combat
damage, and warhead fragment
combat readiness. (LCDR James Bogden is second from
damage and losses.
and pattern identification.
left on top, and LT Mike Neaves is third from left on top.)
During recent conflicts, the
“The combat data collection
lack of a permanent combat damage reporting system
resulted in the loss of valuable combat damage data. In
1999, JCAT was established as a Reserve unit ready to deploy
rapidly and collect combat data anywhere in the world.
LCDR James Bogden and LT Mike Neaves joined JCAT
from NAVAIRSYSCOM Det. 0474, which supports
NAVAIR’s Naval Aviation Depot at Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, FL. Det. 0474 is aligned with NAVAIR’s
Industrial Capabilities unit which delivers the people, skills,
knowledge, facilities, and equipment required to perform
depot-level maintenance and repair of aircraft, engines,
components, and other aeronautical equipment, and performs
manufacturing and prototyping operations.
The JCAT unit, also, provides threat training to aviators
and battle damage repair personnel. “An important part of
this mission is to ensure that we continually train for the
mission to ensure that we are ready to be deployed whenever
and whereever we are needed,” LCDR Bogden said.
Bogden and Neaves recently participated in a two-phase
training session geared toward raising awareness of threat
assessment and combat data collection.
The first phase of the training was the 2003 Threat
Warheads and Effects Seminar at Hurlburt and Eglin Air
Force Bases, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. The annual threat seminar
covers the entire spectrum of threat weapons, including
training provided us with the techniques and abilities needed to
collect damage information in the fluid combat environment
while minimizing the impact on the maintenance personnel
trying to get the aircraft back into action,” Neaves said of his
recent training experience.
Participants observed an F-14 live-fire demonstration and
collected damage data on a variety of aircraft, including an
F/A-18 Super Hornet, V-22 Osprey, Harrier, and C-130.
Each complete training assessment consisted of data collection
(measurements, photographs, interviews, etc.), preparing a
presentation, briefing the findings, and an instructor critique
of student performance. Emphasis was placed on proper
damage documentation for future reference and briefing
operational commands.
“Projecting ASP technology and operations support at the
depot level, even in a joint operating environment such as
JCAT, is key to the ASP strategic planning process: to create a
more ready and responsive Naval Air Systems Reserve
Force,” said Rear Admiral Mark Hazara, Director, Naval
Reserve Air Systems Program.
“Harvesting combat data to improve survivability and
provide a database of lessons learned for future aircraft
designers supports our effort to provide NAVAIR with readily
deployable assets to provide optimum current and future
material readiness,” Hazara added.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

29
The Air Systems Program (ASP) provides qualified and
diverse civilian and military experience in operational support of
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) research and
development, engineering, program management, logistics,
and industrial capability activities. The 600 Naval Reserve
officers and enlisted men and women of the ASP train
constantly to respond to evolving NAVAIR missions
enabling the organization to harvest tangible cost savings
for fleet recapitalization. The ASP is comprised of 32 commands
that are headquartered in 14 states.
For more information about ASP, please contact LT Mike
Randazzo, ASP Public Affairs Officer via e-mail at .
NAVAIR (www.navair.navy.mil) provides advanced
warfare technologies through the efforts of a seamless,
integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology
experts. From aircraft and weapons development to
carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time
communications to precision targeting; from aircraft
and weapons sustainment to state-of-the-art training,
NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless
capabilities to the American warfighter.
Naval Reservists Assigned to Supply Management Assist Teams
(SMATs) Provide Vital Assistance to Atlantic Fleet Ships!
By CWO3 Gene F. Hoffman (NRA member) and SKCS John P. Flores (NR COMNAVSURFLANT DET 606)
The mission of the
Naval Reserve Supply
Management Assist
Teams (SMATs) is to provide
logistic readiness support to
Commander, Naval Surface
Force, Atlantic (CNSL)
Afloat Training Groups
(ATGs). Currently, there are
five SMAT units located in
Norfolk, VA; Orlando, FL;
St. Petersburg, FL; and
Ingleside, TX. Each team
provides direct fleet support
to CNSL surface ships and
provides prompt and sustained
operations at sea or portside.
The teams, which are generally
made up of 27 Reservists
representing the MS, SH, and
SK ratings, augment and
assist ATG and CNSL ships’
supply departments. They
provide critical assistance in the preparation for Supply
Management Assessments (SMAs), inventory and financial
reconciliation, predeployment preparation, storage,
supply/financial ADP, and Food Service support.
Personnel assigned to SMAT units have the opportunity to
receive in-rate training while performing Annual Training
(AT) or provide drill weekend support to the Fleet. In May
2003, SMAT Detachments 102, 104, and 105 provided
valuable fleet support to the USS KLAKRING (FFG 42) in
Mayport, FL. The Commanding Officer, CDR Mark
Genrung, stated, “The SMAT support we received from the
Reservists was critical and well-timed. Their assistance
helped prepare us for our upcoming Supply Management
Assessment (SMA). The
Reservists who came on
board performed duties
that the ship’s crew would
have otherwise performed
under significant time
constraints. They also
provided a different set of
eyes with which to review
and preaudit our Supply
records.”
The SMAT program,
which is similar to
COMNAVSURFPAC’s
Supply Management Assist
Reserve Team (SMART)
units, is a win-win situation.
It benefits the ship, the
Reserve Sailor, the Navy,
and the Naval Reserve.
The team concept was
introduced in the early
1990’s to support the
“Supply Corps 2010” strategy released in 1989, which
served as a Supply Corps strategic road map into the 21st
Century, and the Reserve Supply community’s November
1991 “Vision” study, which emphasized “customer support and
assistance to the Fleet.” A prototype team was tested from
1992-1994, and the first COMNAVSURFLANT SMAT Unit
was formally established in December 1995.
Naval Reserve, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic
(CNSL) Det 606 provides oversight to the five SMAT units.
Reserve personnel in the SK, SH, and MS ratings, who are
interested in joining the SMAT Program, may contact Senior
Chief Storekeeper John Flores (NR COMNAVSURFLANT DET
606), at .
SK3 Laura Dawson and KS2 Jackie Harris (SMAT DET 104) and other
SMAT personnel perform inventory for USS KLAKRING in advance
of the ship’s SMA.
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

30 Reservists in Action
NRA 11th District Officer Receives Award
By CAPT Thomas L. Morgan, USNR
LCDR Thomas R. Harrington, USNR, recently
received the 11th District’s Outstanding Junior
Officer of the Year Award for Naval Air. He was
cited for his leadership and managerial skills, dedication to
the U.S. Naval Reserve, as well as a proven track record of
taking on the tough jobs and excelling.
LCDR Harrington currently serves as the Operations
Officer and Combat Plans Officer for HCS-5 Detachment
ONE based in Baghdad, Iraq. He has been with HCS-5 for
the past five years; and since the commencement of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, he has flown 28 combat missions
and over 50 combat flight hours. He is a Selected Reservist
and is employed by the Paso Robles High School
(California) as a Social Studies teacher and football/
baseball coach.
The Firehawks of Helicopter Combat Support Special
Squadron (HCS) 5, based at NAS North Island, CA, are
currently in Baghdad, Iraq, mobilized and deployed for the
first time since Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Flying the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter, the Firehawks
specialize in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and Naval
Special Warfare (NSW) support. In March, over 70 of the
squadron’s Selected Reservists were called to active duty
and by the end of the month were deployed to Kuwait and
flying combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. In addition to 80 personnel, the Firehawks
took four Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawk helicopters to the
CENCOM AOR. In June, they were the first Naval air
squadron deployed to Iraq. Expeditionary by nature, they
are attached to the Joint Special Operations Air Detachment
– Arabian Peninsula (JSOAD-AP). The Firehawks are
tasked with providing aviation support for U.S. Army
Special Forces, U.S. Navy Special Warfare (SEALS) and
coalition forces. As of December 1st, they have flown more
than 400 combat missions and logged more than 1,300
flight hours.
CDR Russ Allen, USNR, Executive Officer of Helicopter
Combat Support Special Squadron FIVE (right) presents the
11th District’s Junior Officer of the Year award to LCDR Thomas
R. Harrington, USNR, at their base in Baghdad, Iraq.
LCDR Harrington currently serves as the Detachment
Operations Officer and has been mobilized since March.
Health Affairs– Cont’d. from page 24
(NMIMC) to develop plans for inclusion of RAMIS data
within Navy Medicine On-line (NMO) and the active duty
dental tracking program DENCAS. In addition, a database
connection with Naval Aerospace Medicine Institute
(NAMI) will provide data regarding medical flight
waivers. Furthermore, RAMIS will integrate with the
TYCOM Readiness Management System (TRMS) to
provide the ability for supported commands to provide
oversight of their Reserve assets.
The RAMIS application is a terrific example of synergy
within the “One Navy” environment. RAMIS represents
the success that can be achieved when Navy teams work
together for a common goal. In this case, the result yielded
a system that allows the Naval Reserve to meet medical
reporting requirements with ease, at all levels of the chain of
command, in a real-time environment. RAMIS is a noteworthy
model for the future direction of military medical
information technology.
(My special thanks to HMC Tina Stanco of the CNRFC
Force Medical staff who prepared this informative article
and has been the RAMIS guru since its inception.)
NRA NEWS/FEBRUARY 2004

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88145 PRAD NRA 12/2003

You will succeed.
You believe success comes from testing yourself and meeting challenges
head on. When you join the Naval Reserve, your part-time service will result
in many character building opportunities. You will also experience benefits
and rewards that will help advance your career and enhance your life. To
learn more, go to our website or give us a call.
www.navalreserve.com
1-800-USA-USNR
To learn more about the Naval Reservist depicted here, go to navalreserve.com/eric