Stars & Stripes OpEd: VFW blasts proposed changes to retirement, Tricare
The following is part of an occasional series of guest columns highlighting the work and concerns of veterans groups
November 11, 2011
By Stars and Stripes
Published: November 10, 2011
The following is part of an occasional series of guest columns highlighting the work and concerns of veterans groups. Richard L. DeNoyer, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Middleton, Mass., is the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its auxiliaries.
Having just returned from a Defense Department-sponsored trip into Afghanistan, I can report that troop morale is as good as anyone can expect from veteran warriors who have spent more time in Afghanistan or Iraq over the past decade than they have at home. But their Number 1 concern is about proposals emanating from the White House and Congress that threaten to eliminate, reduce or tax whatever slim financial benefits there are to joining -- much less staying in -- the military.
The 100,000 American troops stationed in Afghanistan and more than 2 million elsewhere are right to be worried.
President Barack Obama wants to assemble a commission to examine the military retirement system, which currently provides a modest income immediately after someone donates 20 or more years of their youth to the nation. He would also impose an initial $200 enrollment fee on military retirees age 65 and older who use Tricare for Life as their insurance supplemental to Medicare Part B.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., would expand the scope of the president’s retirement commission to look at all pay and allowances, and possibly remove the non-taxed status of housing, separate rations and clothing allowances, as well as combat pay.
The committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, would prohibit new retirees and possibly all retirees from enrolling in Tricare Prime, which has the least out-of-pocket expenses.
The troops and commanders I spoke with in Afghanistan are of one voice against the proposals to change their pay and allowances, the existing military retirement system and the overall Tricare health program. They see it as a breach of faith and a complete lack of support, understanding and appreciation for what they do daily for the rest of America. They also cannot comprehend why anyone would even propose such measures while our nation is still engaged in two wars.
I absolutely agree, and will use my current position as the national commander of the nation’s oldest and largest combat veterans organization to help defeat any and all measures that would have those who sacrifice the most to sacrifice more.
http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-ruptured-duck/the-ruptured-duck-1.160117/vfw-blasts-proposed-changes-to-retirement-tricare-1.160464
BACK TO NEWS >