Bulletin 23 – 07 (01 MAY 2023)
DFAS Retiree Newsletter March 2023
The newsletter includes a detailed overview of the SBP Open Season, which began in late December of 2022 and ends January 1, 2024. It also features tips for the end of tax season, important information to share with your beneficiaries, reminders for what student annuitants need to do for School Cert season, and a special spotlight article for Gray Area Retirees. Plus, helpful information from our partners.
To access the newsletter, please copy and paste the link below to your internet browser. You will find a list of topics in the newsletter with a brief description of each article. After copying and pasting the link to your internet browser, click on the link for the article you want to read, and the full text will appear.
We also have a downloadable PDF of the newsletter you can share with others in the military retiree community.
https://www.dfas.mil/retireenews
Sincerely,
DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay
DD214: What You Need to Know Your military discharge papers are officially known as DD Form 214, or just DD214. All veterans receive this Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty once they are out of the military…..
Massachusetts National Guard attends 386th Anniversary of the First Muster in Salem Common “Soldiers and Airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard attended the 386th Anniversary of the First Muster in Salem Common, Apr 22, 2023….
Portugal Travel Guide (Excerpted from the current “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter)
Before we took up residence in Spain, we visited Portugal to see if it was our next home. Long story short, we planned to spend a week or two and ended up staying more than 2 months! Although we chose to live in Spain, we still love Portugal. Click here to find out what we loved about it and get the highlights of our visit, plus valuable tips to help you plan your own trip to Portugal!
US Military Recreation Facilities (Excerpted from the “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter) If you want a fun vacation that won’t break the bank, don’t forget that you can use your benefits to stay in military recreational lodging. Here are 17 ideas to get you started with your planning.
Air National Guard Suspends 2 Commanders After Classified Leak – Military.com Military.com
Two leaders of the Massachusetts Air National Guard unit that is home to a 21-year-old airman charged with leaking classified documents online …2023 Calendar of Events
Thu, 11 May – Sat 13 May – Vietnam War Commemoration, National Mall, Washington, DC https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/ (Flyer with Bulletin 23-03)
Sat, 13 May 23 – Memorial Service for CW5 (Ret) Glen E Crowell, 1400 at St John’s Episcopal Church in Vernon CT. With full Military Honors.
Fri, 19 May 23 – Armed Forces Day Luncheon: 1100 at Aqua Turf Club, Southington. More Information at: https://ct.ng.mil/About/Events/Armed-Forces-Day-Luncheon/ or https://www.facebook.com/CTArmedForcesDay (SFC Blake 17 Jan email) (Flyers @ 23-06)
The Connecticut Armed Forces Day committee is pleased to announce our guest speaker for the 2023 luncheon is the Director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh.
Thu, 25 May 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pop’s Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Lane, Milford.
Thu, 29 Jun 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at the Hangry Goose, 11 Halls Rd, Old Lyme.
Sat, 8 Jul 23 – 192 Engineer Bn Formal Military Ball, Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa. Flyer @ 23-05
Mon, 17 Jul 23 – CT National Guard Foundation 2023 Charity Golf Outing, Chippanee Country Club, Bristol. (Save the Date flyer @ 23-04)
Thu, 27 Jul 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Athenian Diner, 864 Washington St, Middletown.
Thu, 24 Aug 23 – Retiree Picnic at Camp Nett at Niantic. Retiree briefings 1030, meal 1200. Flyer to follow.
Thu, 24 Aug 23 – 242d Engr Bn Association summer meeting. 1130 at Camp Nett at Niantic
Thu, 31 Aug 23 – Retiree Breakfast: 0900 at Pop’s Family Restaurant, 134 Old Gate Lane, Milford.
Armed Forces Day Luncheon 2023
DOWNLOAD RSP HERE: AFD Luncheon
FY23 NGACT Scholarship Announcement
National Guard Association of Connecticut 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105-3795 www.ngact.org
A Message from the Scholarship Committee of the National Guard Association of Connecticut (NGACT)
The National Guard Association of Connecticut (NGACT) proudly announces the F Y 23 Scholarship Application for NGACT members and their dependents. For a full list of those eligible to apply, please visit our website at https://www.ngact.org.
Background: NGACT was founded in 1994 as a combined officer and enlisted organization for the purpose of representing active and retired members of the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard.
NGACT was originally organized as a non-profit organization designed to serve as the collective voice of all Guard officer and enlisted personnel. Together, members share in the pride, patriotism, and vigilance that keep America strong, accomplishing together what no person could accomplish alone. This united voice helps keep the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard ready and equipped to defend our freedom and represented at the national level through the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
NGACT provides a means to express the wishes of its many members. In the past it has proven its value through improved benefits, modem facilities, and better equipment. Moreover, NGACT offers individual and family benefits otherwise not available; Group Insurance for members and families, annual NGACT Conference, and support services including co-sponsor of National Guard events and support of Send Off and Welcome Home Celebrations. The Scholarships program is just one of the many ways the organization gives back to the members, and recognizes its members for exceptional service and academics.
Please take a moment to review the online application at: https://www.ngact.org. Complete and return no later than 0 1 June 2023.
Three (3) $1,000 scholarships from the National Guard Association of CT. One (1) $1,000 scholarship from USAA.
Must be uploaded to website, or postmarked no later than 01 June 2023.
Best of Luck to our Applicants.
Please contact Mark Soltau for additional information at (203) 727-4379.
The Scholarship Committee
DOWNLOAD SCHOLARSHIP FLYER HERE: NGACT SCHOLARSHIPS Welcome Letter AY23 (Academic Year)
DOWNLOAD NGACT SCHOLARSHIP PAPER APPLICATION HERE: NGACT-Scholarship-Paper-Application-JUL-2023
FY22 Scholarship Awardees were presented with their check at the Scholarship Award Brunch at JFHQ:
The National Guard Association of CT State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI)
- Up to $1,000,000 coverage available*
- Members covered in combat
- Covered 24/365
- Most valid claims paid within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of proof of loss
- All military occupations covered
- Spouse and Children coverage available
- Coverage does not end and rates DO NOT go up just because you separate from the National Guard
- SSLI can be payroll deducted from drill check or AGR payroll
- All SSLI group plans cover members while serving in the Connecticut National Guard including deployment
For coverage details including eligibility, benefits, rates, exclusions, limitations and renewal provisions please contact the plan administrator tollfree at 800-633-8333.
National Guard Association of Connecticut State Sponsored Life Insurance is provided under group life insurance policies issued to the Militia Insurance Trust (MIT). The
Guardian group life policy and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA) 10, 15 and 20 year level term life policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: SSLI FLYER
Download 01 MAY 2023 Bulletin HERE:
Honor Flight Connecticut
A Hub of the National Honor Flight Network
Honor Flight CT recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to see THEIR memorials at no cost. Current priority is chronological by conflict (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) with special consideration given to terminally ill veterans from all wars. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.
Please note: Veterans are only eligible once for the Honor Flight experience.
Your information MUST be exactly as it appears on your ID For Airline Travel (License, Passport, Govt ID):
DOWNLOAD THE HONOR FLIGHT APPLICATION HERE:Honor Flight – HFCT Vet App
Please submit this form to:
Honor Flight Connecticut
c/o Amy Casey
26 Copperstone Lane
Madison, CT 06443
