Fleet Reserve Association Legislative Update 2017 Fleet Reserve Association

What is the FRA? FRA is the largest and most experienced professional military association representing current, retired and former enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. FRA is a Congressionally chartered, non-profit military association. Since 1924 we have listened to the needs of our members and have been committed to bringing awareness to improving pay, benefits and the quality of life for our members and their families to Capitol Hill. FRA’s legislative advocacy focuses on pay, health care, family readiness quality-of-life programs and other benefits. We assist members in dealing with DoD, VA and other agencies. We work closely with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard leadership including MCPON, SgtMajMC, MCPOCG, and other senior enlisted leaders. FRA is named after the Navy and Marine Corps’ program for personnel transferring to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve after 20 or more years of service.

What Congress Gives, Congress Can Take Away When Congress tried to remove some benefits for retired military service members it was the FRA who were the first enlisted service members of any service to testify before Congress in 1924. There is NO LAW on the books to protect the pay and benefits you have earned. Your benefits can be reduced or repealed during any legislative cycle. Because there are no guarantees that benefits will not be changed, it is important to have advocates representing your needs and the needs and concerns of your family!

FRA Works to Protect & Improve: Treatment for Wounded Warriors Active and Reserve Pay and Benefits Retired Pay & Benefits Veterans Benefits Reform of the Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) Health Care Access & Funding Education Programs Family Readiness Bonuses & Special Pays Commissaries, exchanges and other Quality of Life Programs

2016 Legislative Victories Blocking efforts to abolish TRICARE (except for TRICARE for Life) and replace it with an entirely new health care system; Successfully opposed the Admin. call for a TRICARE for Life (TFL) enrollment fee for new beneficiaries; Successfully blocked TRICARE Prime and Standard fee increases; (More) Stopped big cuts to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for active duty.

More Victories Stopped proposed drastic pharmacy co-pay increases for retirees under age 65; Successfully obtained veteran status for Reservists with 20 years or more of service that were never mobilized; The House passing Agent Orange/Blue Water Navy presumption provision as an amendment to the House appro. bill; House Agent Orange/Blue Water Navy bill had more co-sponsors than any other bill (335) in 114th Congress (2015-2016);

More 2016 Victories Obtained larger than requested pay increase (2.1% vice 1.6%); Included reform of the Uniform Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) in final Defense Authorization bill; Stopped authorization of pilot program for privatizing five stateside commissaries; Extended Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) payments for military widows and widowers until May 31, 2018;

Get Involved or Lose your Benefits Congress responds to those who are organized - “When I feel the heat I see the light” – Senator Everett Dirksen (IL) Talking to your elected official is in the Constitution, “petition gov’t for redress of grievances” Associations provides info, focuses message and multiplies the effect at the right time Let your voice be heard and VOTE!!! Take advantage of the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org)

FRA Response to Benefit Threats FRA mobilizes grassroots program for members. FRA testifies before Congressional committees and subcommittees. Benefit cuts devalues military service that will impact recruitment and retention. Military service is unique and benefits should reflect the enormous commitment individuals make when they select a military career. Benefit cuts severely undermines morale for the less-than-one-percent of the Americans currently bearing 100 percent of the burden of our nation’s defense.

FRA has your back! Working to protect big increases in active duty benefits that were enacted since 2000. Larger pay increases than civilian pay. Post 9/11 GI Bill (2008) pays tuition, books, housing costs and allows transfer to spouse and kids. Kept TRICARE and VA health care from becoming part of Affordable Health Care Act (ObamaCare).

Challenges FRA Faces Keeping pay, health care, and benefits adequately funded Fewer and fewer members of Congress and staff personnel have military experience Lack of awareness about the power of grassroots support Sustaining a strong and active membership base Navy has allowed Navy and Marine Corps Legislative Fellows to tell “the story.”

What You Can Do! Encourage others to Join! Stay informed about threats to your pay and benefits and visit the Action Center at www.fra.org Call 1-800-FRA-1924 and request a copy of FRA’s “Communicate with your Elected Officials” FRA Membership will help you Stay informed and up to date Participate in the legislative process – VOTE! Qualify for FRA Scholarships Communicate with elected officials (via FRA’s Action Center) Connect through Facebook & Twitter