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JANUARY 2012 - NEW DEERS INFORMATION
For Military ID's and DEERs update appointments, Building 1875, 100 Starlifter Avenue, Hours: Monday,0900-1500, Tuesday, 1300-1500, Wednesday through Friday, 0900-1500. Please make appointments via website: https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil
2. Pulling up to the Gates soon will involve, having you ID cards scanned. Base Security forces will be scanning ALL military ID's with a hand scanner. The device will show a picture of the individual trying to enter the base, If any discrepancies show up, the Security person can scan the fingerprints using a separate scanner. This will cover ALL military personnel, civilians contractors. Westover was chosen with Dobbins ARB in Ga. As test sites. More information will be coming, as the change over comes due.
APRIL 2011 - NEW BASE NEWS ITEMS
1. As of June 1st, the Westover Consolidated club will be closed for renovations. Improvements to the building will include a new roof, new carpet, furniture, fixtures, HVAC windows and paint.
The renovated ballroom will get a "elegant changeover". The parking lot will be resurfaced and relined, says Chris Menard, Director of 439th Sustainment Flight ( Old Services Squadron) The renovation is scheduled to take 10 months, but everyone is hoping for less time Grand reopening date will be announced.
From the Base News "PATRIOT" March, 2011
2. Pulling up to the Gates soon will involve, having you ID cards scanned. Base Security forces will be scanning ALL military ID's with a hand scanner. The device will show a picture of the individual trying to enter the base, If any discrepancies show up, the Security person can scan the fingerprints using a separate scanner. This will cover ALL military personnel, civilians contractors. Westover was chosen with Dobbins ARB in Ga. As test sites. More information will be coming, as the change over comes due.
From the Base News "PATRIOT" April, 2011
Three Vaccines Available at Tricare Network Pharmacies
Release No. 12-08-09
Dec. 29, 2009
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFRNS) -- Tricare beneficiaries can now receive select vaccines with no out-of-pocket expense at retail pharmacies.
For the first time ever, beneficiaries can visit Tricare retail network pharmacies to receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost. This expanded coverage is available to all beneficiaries eligible to use the Tricare retail pharmacy benefit.
Other vaccines must still be administered in a doctor's office or authorized convenience clinic to be fully covered by Tricare's preventive health services cost-share waiver.
"Vaccines are the most effective defense against the seasonal and H1N1 flu and pneumonia," said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, Tricare's chief pharmacy officer. "We hope this new, convenient and affordable option encourages Tricare beneficiaries to get their vaccinations."
To receive the vaccines, beneficiaries should call their local Tricare retail network pharmacy to make sure it participates in the vaccine program and has the vaccine in stock. To locate a participating retail network pharmacy, go to
www.express-scripts.com/tricare or call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303. (Courtesy of Tricare)
READ THE HANSCOM AFB WINTER 2009 NEWSLETTER
This issue contains a lot of very valuable information
for all military retirees
1099R FORMS AVAILABLE ONLINE DECEMBER 14, 2009
Release 02-09
Dec. 3, 2009
CLEVELAND (AFRNS) - Air Force retirees with a myPay online account can now download their annual account statements. Annuitant statements will be available online Dec. 14.
There will not be a cost-of-living adjustment increase for military retirees or annuitants in 2010.
COLA increases are determined each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. The Department of Labor calculates the change in the CPI for goods and services from the third quarter average of the previous year to the third quarter average for the current year.
Although Congress and the Administration decide how much to increase federal pay, because military retirees and annuitants do not receive pay increases but cost-of-living adjustments, they rely on the final CPI results.
Internal Revenue Service 1099R forms for retirees and annuitants will be posted Dec. Dec. 14.
Retirees who rely on the U.S. Postal Service for DFAS correspondence can expect to see their account statements soon as they are now in the mail, while tax forms will be mailed Dec. 11.
For annuitants, account statements and 1099R forms begin mailing Dec. 14.
Statements and forms are mailed to the address on file with DFAS.
Retirees with questions about account statements or tax forms should call the DFAS Contact Center at www.dfas.mil or at 800-321-1080. (Courtesy of DFAS)
Related sites:
2009 Tax Forms and Statements
DFAS
  
Big Discounts at Military Gas Stations
Military Star(r) Card Gas Discount to Increase by 60 Percent
DALLAS - Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) gas stations worldwide are helping take the pain out of the pump by increasing discounts for drivers using a Military Star(r) Card.
Beginning August 8, pumps currently programmed to reflect a discount of three cents a gallon for drivers who pay with a Military Star(r) Card will jump to five cents a gallon.
In addition to the everyday nickel discount, AAFES will periodically be offering increased savings opportunities at specified times throughout the year.
The first of these promotions, from Aug. 21-23, will provide a 20 cents per gallon discount, up to 20 gallons, for drivers paying with a Military Star(r) Card.
"The savings opportunities are going to be unprecedented," said AAFES' Chief Operating Officer Mike Howard. "I'm excited about the exclusive gas savings we're going to offer Military Star(r) cardholders in the coming months."
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at www.aafes.com
*****WEBMASTERS NOTE****
It is a rare occasion that I would editoralize on this website. However, because of the tremendous importance of this subject, I have taken some editorial liberty. First: Text in RED to denote importance. Second: I have underlined some of the text that, either needs to be stressed and remembered as promises and other text that would appear to be contradictory or questionable!!!
Health Care Reform Won't Impact VA, Tricare
WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- In ongoing discussions about health-care reform, President Barack Obama offered assurance to those receiving medical care through Tricare or the Department of Veterans Affairs: Your benefits are safe.
Eligibility for health care under VA or Tricare "will not be affected by our efforts at broader health-care reform," President Obama told military reporters at the White House on Aug. 4.
President Obama said he also made that point clear after meeting with the American Legion's national commander, Dave Rehbein, and executive director, Peter Gaytan.
"I want to make sure that message gets out to our veterans," the president said. "I think it's very important to get the message out: If you are in the VA system and are happy with your care, great. We have no intention of changing your eligibility."
While a new, national program will not force anyone to change health-care systems, President Obama said it could offer benefits or geographic convenience that might make some veterans elect to join it. A national program "will actually give them more choices, more flexibility," he said.
President Obama cited problems in U.S. health-care delivery systems, which he said cost more than other countries' programs and too often deliver less.
The VA "has probably made more progress than most systems out there in increasing quality" during the past 25 years, and could help shed light on better ways of delivering health care, he said.
But the cost of delivering that care is high even at VA, and Tricare consumes a big piece of the Defense Department's budget, he said.
With the fiscal 2010 budget reflecting the largest VA funding increase in 30 years, President Obama told American Legion leaders he is committed to ensuring that VA provides America's veterans the highest-quality health care possible.
Meanwhile, he told reporters VA will increase its outreach to more veterans to make sure they're aware of their medical benefits and other entitlements.
"Although there are hundreds of thousands of veterans who are using our services, we know there are hundreds of thousands more who may not know that benefits are available," he said.
"And we are working really hard to make sure that every single veteran -- not just our active force, but also National Guard and reservists -- are aware of the benefits that are available to them.
"Guiding them through that process, we think, is extraordinarily important."
Tricare Gets Lower Prices On Retail Prescription Drugs
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFRNS) - The Defense Department is projected to reduce spending by $1.67 billion on prescription medications sold in retail pharmacies in fiscal 2010, following the full implementation of Section 703 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2008.
"These are significant savings to the Department of Defense and are crucial to our effort to slow the rapid growth of pharmacy costs," said Rear Adm. Thomas McGinnis, chief of Tricare pharmaceutical operations.
For the past several years the DoD has paid commercial rates for prescription drugs purchased in the Tricare retail pharmacy network; however, the DoD is included in the 1992 Veterans Health Care Act as one of the "big four" government agencies entitled to federal prices when it purchases pharmaceuticals for its beneficiaries.
The DoD currently receives federal ceiling prices, the maximum price that can be charged for brand name drugs in military treatment facilities and the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy. Through authority provided in Section 703 of the 2008 NDAA and the "final rule" implementing the regulation, the DoD will now get these same discounts in the Tricare retail pharmacy network.
Tricare beneficiaries who need a prescription filled right away and are unable to get to a military pharmacy, can visit one of the more than 54,000 civilian pharmacies that are part of the Tricare retail pharmacy network.
Through retail network pharmacies, beneficiaries can fill prescriptions -- up to a 30-day supply of most prescription medications -- for minimal out-of-pocket costs. They present the pharmacist with a written prescription, along with their uniformed services identification card.
TRICARE retail network pharmacies are available in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. They are not located in any other overseas areas.
To locate a retail pharmacies in the network based on ZIP code, call the Tricare retail pharmacy program at 866-363-8779. (Courtesy of Tricare)
New AMC Web site Offers Space-Available Travel Information
by Mark Diamond
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFRNS) -- Air Mobility Command here recently unveiled its first official, command-level AMC Travel Web site.
People planning to travel the AMC military travel system can now point their Web browsers to AMC TRAVEL WEBSITE for the latest in AMC travel information.
The site, which officially went live July 24, offers prospective space-available travelers a wealth of information, including an updated AMC passenger terminal contact list (complete with phone, e-mail and Web links), and more than a dozen travel documents, example letters and brochures.
Every day around the world, hundreds of military and military-contracted commercial aircraft travel the world delivering troops and cargo. And each year, hundreds of thousands of military personnel, retirees, and their family members go along for the ride, courtesy of the AMC space-available travel program.
Space-available flights, also known as "military hops," are a unique benefit to U.S. servicemembers, retirees and their families. Under the AMC travel program, unused seats on U.S. military and military-contracted aircraft are made available to non-duty passengers on a space-available basis (once space-required or official-duty passengers and cargo have been accommodated).
According to one AMC travel expert, the AMC Travel Web site was created simply because "AMC customers deserve it."
"(The AMC Travel) site was created to provide our customers a wealth of AMC travel information, which can be counted on to contain the most accurate and up-to-date travel information available," said Tech. Sgt. Steve Katsonis of the AMC passenger policy branch. "Our customers deserved a Web site where they can obtain travel information that is correct, up to date and validated by AMC. This Web site will give them that."
Sergeant Katsonis said AMC officials understand the massive amount of anxiety and stress felt by space-required and space-available travelers.
"Our goal is that this site will answer any questions the passengers will have, therefore minimizing their stress before they leave their homes," he said.
In the past, prospective space-available passengers frequently turned to one of several AMC headquarters offices in search of travel information. Sergeant Katsonis said although headquarters personnel are trained to respond to these public queries, he hopes the new Web site will provide all their information and more. Additionally, he said trained passenger service agents at AMC terminals worldwide are standing by to assist. People searching for up-to-the-minute AMC travel information are encouraged to contact their nearest AMC passenger terminal. A current listing is available on the new AMC Travel site.
Another benefit of the new AMC Travel site is that it will be updated with the latest breaking news and updates. For instance, Sergeant Katsonis said active-duty dependent travel policies have gone through a few significant changes during the past few years.
He said Department of Defense officials now allow unaccompanied travel by dependents when the military spouse is deployed on contingency/exercise/deployment orders, also known as CED orders. According to Sergeant Katsonis, when the deployment is for 120 days or more, unaccompanied travel is authorized in category IV; and for deployments of 366 days or more, unaccompanied travel is authorized in the bottom of category III.
Sergeant Katsonis said he wants people to know that space-available travel is a great benefit, but it can be a stressful experience without the proper planning.
"AMC never guarantees travel, and passengers need to be prepared for their (space-available) trip to take more time than it would were they traveling commercial," the sergeant said. <>BR>
He added that not every base is equipped with facilities or lodging capable of handling passengers stranded by a broken or rerouted aircraft.
"The most important thing to remember when traveling Space-A is be prepared to fly commercial if problems are encountered" Sergeant Katsonis said. "The key to a stress-free trip is to have a plan. Have enough money for all contingencies, and be mentally prepared for disappointment when plans don't come together." (Courtesy of AMC News Service)
TELEPHONE NEWS LINETRICARE CHANGESCOLA NEWS
Telephone news line set up for 'non-wired' retirees
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS)
A toll-free telephone news line has been set up for those retirees and surviving spouses who do not have computer access.
By calling (800) 558-1404, retirees and spouses can stay informed using this new easy-to-use menu-driven service.
Callers can select from several different topics that are compiled from various electronic news sources. Topics include pay and annuity matters, medical and health care, and other benefits and entitlements.
DOD Announces New Tricare Regional Care Contractors
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFRNS) -- Department of Defense officials have announced the selection of new Tricare managed care support contractors for the North, South and West Tricare regions in the United States.
Tricare Management Activity administers the health care plan for 9.4 million servicemembers, retirees and their families worldwide. Managed care support contractors provide health, medical and administrative support services to eligible beneficiaries in each of the three Tricare regions within the United States.
The third generation, or T-3, contracts are worth an estimated $55.5 billion over the base and five options periods. Transition from the current contracts is scheduled to begin immediately, with the start of health care delivery under the new contracts anticipated to be April 1, 2010. The transition will occur during the base period and health care delivery will begin with the first option.
The Tricare West region retains its current contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp. The selected contractors in both North and South are new.
Aetna Government Health Plans of Hartford, Conn., is selected for the North region where Health Net Federal Services is the current contractor. UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services of Minnetonka, Minn., is selected for the South region where Humana Military Healthcare Services is the current contractor.
"We expect all of our managed care support contractors to provide top quality health care and the highest possible customer satisfaction," said Ellen Embrey, acting director of TMA. "Delivering quality health care to our nation's heroes and their families is our number one priority -- with a special emphasis on our wounded warriors."
Ms. Embrey is also performing the duties of theassistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
"Our military hospitals and clinics continue to be at the center of our health care delivery system," said Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, TMA deputy director. "At Tricare we are fully committed to augmenting that system with high-quality care for all beneficiaries."
Although two new contractors have been selected, the three-region structure in the United States and all of the Tricare benefit options offered under the current contracts remain the same.
The T-3 contracts feature financial incentives to encourage exceptional customer service; high-quality care; detection of fraud, waste and abuse; increased electronic claims processing; better program management, improved preventive care and cost savings. To apply these incentives fairly, Tricare has improved methods to measure and assess network provider, beneficiary, and military treatment facility commander satisfaction.
As with the current contracts, the new contracts require prime service areas around military treatment facilities and Base Realignment and Closure sites. Under T-3, some prime service areas may be discontinued, and as a result some beneficiaries will no longer be offered Prime. These beneficiaries still retain Tricare coverage under the Standard or Extra plan. Tricare Standard is the most flexible of the Tricare options and is available everywhere, said officials. Tricare Extra is a discount given to Tricare Standard beneficiaries when they use a Tricare network provider. Officials remind beneficiaries that both Tricare Prime and Standard are excellent options with high satisfaction rates.
"TMA and all the managed care contractors are dedicated to making a smooth transition with minimal impact on beneficiaries," said Admiral Hunter. "We will ensure that key information flows to all of our beneficiaries and stakeholders, in particular those affected by the changes in contractors or providers."
States included in each region and other contract information can be found at a special Web page at www.TRICARE.com
COLA Bill Heads to White House
The House and Senate both approved a measure on June 24 that could increase the
cost-of-living allowance paid to disabled and indigent veterans, dependency and
indemnity compensation for eligible surviving spouses and children of veterans,
and other benefit payments offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The
bill now is on its way to the White House for President Obama's signature. Any
change in benefits payments, which would be pegged to the Consumer Price Index,
would take effect Dec. 1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the CPI to
measure inflation. If the CPI goes up, benefits payments rise accordingly. If
it declines or stays the same, the payments would remain unchanged. The CPI
also determines how much Social Security benefits change. Although the CPI
typically rises each year, some analysts believe that it may actually decline
because of the sluggish economy. The BLS should release the CPI sometime this
fall.
Release No. 09-02-08, Sept. 22, 2008
More Documentation Is Now Necessary To Replace And Renew ID Cards
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas (AFRN) -- Homeland Security Directive 12 now requires retirees and family members seeking to renew or replace a military identification card to provide two types of ID.
Retirees and family members needing identification cards must have two of the following types of current identification -- one of which must include a photo:
* Driver’s license or ID issued by a state or outlying U.S. commonwealth or possession
* ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities
* School ID card with a photograph
* Voter’s registration card
* U.S. military ID card
* U.S. passport
* Certificate of U.S. citizenship
* Certificate of naturalization
For persons younger than 18, who are unable to present a document previously listed, they may bring:
* School record or report card
* Clinic, doctor or hospital record
* Day-care or nursery school record
The listing above is not all inclusive. A list of acceptable documents can be found on Page 4 at CLICK HERE
Before visiting a military ID card issuing facility, people may want to call first to determine what specific documents may be required, and to verify the process to renew or replace an ID card.
For contact information and the location of the nearest ID card issuing facility, visit CLICK HERE On this Web site, people can search by city, state or ZIP code.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "WOUNDED WARRIORS" CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "HEROES" CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION "MEDALS" CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "REPLACEMENT MEDALS" CLICK HERE
First Female 4-Star Confirmed
The Senate confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody as the first female four-star general in the U.S. Armed Forces on July 24. In her new position, Dunwoody will head U.S. Army Materiel Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. Dunwoody brings 33 years of experience to the job, including command stints at: the 5th Quartermaster Detachment, 33th Maintenance Battalion, 29th Area Support Group, Germany; Division Support Command, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., and Combined Support Command, Fort Lee, Va. Before earning her fourth star, Dunwoody served as Army Materiel Command’s deputy commanding general and chief of staff.
Air Force Clubs Announce 'U CHOOSE' Program!!
10/23/2006 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) -- Starting in January 2007, Air Education and Training Command members can choose the Air Force Club membership card that best suits them. Developed by Headquarters Air Force Services Agency, "U Choose" allows new and current club members to chose the Private Label or the MasterCard club membership card.
"We're very excited about the 'U Choose' program," said Frank Black, chief or Air Force Clubs. "In analyzing our Corporate PRISM data and surveys conducted, we've learned that one reason for not becoming a club member was the issue of having a credit card as their membership card. We listened to those individuals, and now are offering all potential members as well as our current members the opportunity to 'choose' the Private Label club membership card."
While both cards have the same membership benefits, card member benefits are different. The Private Label card has a maximum credit limit of $500, and members have charging privileges limited to on base at the club and other services activities. There is also no rewards program associated with the Private Label card.
The MasterCard Club membership card carries a credit line starting at $1,000 and has a rewards program. The Military Free Cash Rewards program offers Air Force Club members two points for every dollar in purchases made on their club membership card in all services activities, the base exchange (except gas purchases -- 1 point), and the commissary. All purchases made off base generate one point per dollar spent. For as few as 2,500 points, members can redeem for cash ($25) or for gift cards to major merchants and restaurants.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE "U CHOOSE" PROGRAM AND CLUB MEMBERSHIP, STOP BY YOUR LOCAL CLUB OR CALL OR CALL THE AIR FORCE CLUB DIVISION AT 1-800-443-4834.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE AF CLUB MEMBERSHIP MASTER CARD CLICK ON THE BUTTON
Click Below For Latest Pentagon News About
"Operation Iraqi Freedom"
 
 CHECK FOR LATEST LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
and last...but not least...a little trivia about heroes.
CLICK HERE FOR LITTLE KNOWN HERO INFORMATION
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