Bulletin 23 – 12 (13 JUL 2023)
Sounding TAPS
Phil Morgan, E-8 (RET MSG), Served with the 2nd 192 DA, passed on shortly after relocating from CT to GA, to be closer to his son and family.
** Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.
The initiative, known as the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP), will provide current and retired members of the Connecticut National Guard with the financial incentive of $500 per qualified lead that results in enlistment or commissioning. JEEP is open to all currently serving members of the Connecticut National Guard below the rank of general officer, regardless of duty status.
It was a celebratory moment for the Army in April when it hit its retention goal for the fourth year in a row. The achievement signaled that, despite a historic recruiting slump, once soldiers are in, they like the service and tend to stay.
“I do love our soldiers. They joined a great team, and I can say for the last four years, every time they’ve joined the team, they stayed on the team,” Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, the service’s top enlisted leader, said at a recent ceremony………
DOWNLOAD JEEP FLYERS HERE: CT JEEP 500 Program Flyer 2 CT JEEP 500 Program Flyer 1
CT JEEP 500 ANNOUCEMENT
The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (CT JEEP 500) begins on 1 July 2023. Each CTNG Guard Member (except for those members (and their relatives) who are assigned/attached to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion), CTNG Retiree and CT Militia Member is eligible to become a Recruiting Assistant (RA). An RA who enrolls a lead in CT JEEP 500 will receive an allowance of $500 for each lead who enlists in the CTNG within 180 days of being enrolled into CT JEEP 500.
CT-JEEP 500 is a win-win-win. RAs receive a $500 allowance. The CTNG receives a new Soldier or Airman. The Lead receives membership in the CTNG. Help yourself by helping the CTNG get leads to enlist.
See attached flyers for additional information. Take a picture of the QR code on either flyer to upload your lead and get started.
Point of contact for this message is CPT Ryan Campbell, CTNG’s CT JEEP 500 Officer.
Announcement — Women’s Equality Day Recognition
WHO: All CTNG Members and their Families
WHAT: Women’s Equality Day Recognition
WHERE: Middletown Armed Forces Reserve Center
1st Floor Assembly Hall
375 Smith Street, Middletown, CT 06457
WHEN: Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 1100 TO 1300
DEADLINE: Register by August 25, 2023
Personnel Accountability:
– Technician and Title 5 civilian employees attending are authorized excused absence for the hours absent from work to attend special events (See HRO Policy 23-02, attached). Timecards will be annotated as “LN,” administrative leave. A leave request will be required in ATAAPS. Choose “LN” as the Type Hours. Choose “Other” for the Purpose. In the Other box enter: To attend Women’s Equity Day Event. Appropriate leave will be charged for absences exceeding the travel time and the actual event time. Employees who do not attend are not authorized administrative leave.
– AGR and ADOS personnel are considered available for duty and no leave will be charged while attending the event. Approval to attend the event is subject to the approval of their supervisors.
– Supervisors must manage their forces to ensure coverage of all critical offices and functions during the excused absence period. Supervisors are also responsible for verifying the attendance of personnel authorized to attend the event.
See attached flyer for more information.
POC for this message:
Mark Soltau (860) 982-2852
** A health care bill prompted by the death of a Bolton man who was serving in the U.S. Army Reserve has cleared its first hurdle toward making benefits for members of the National Guard and military reserves who die during training exercises equal to those received by active-duty soldiers…..
** The June 2023 issue of our quarterly Retiree Newsletter is now available online.
The newsletter includes an article on how to do an annual pay account checkup and an overview of new, simpler eligibility verifications for retirees and SBP annuitants. It also includes information on the SBP Open Season, which began in late December of 2022 and ends January 1, 2024, 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/
Sincerely,
DFAS Retired & Annuitant Pay
Turning 65 Soon? Sign Up for May 18 TRICARE For Life Webinar TRICARE Newsroom
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is the TRICARE health plan for military retirees and their family members who are eligible for Medicare Part A, Part B, and …
Faced with the Survivor Benefit Plan Decision? 5 Things to Know
Military families getting ready to retire after 20-plus years have a lot on their plate as they transition to civilian life. What’s up next on the career front? Where will they land location-wise? How will the kids cope? With all that going on, it’s easy to understand how making a sound decision as it relates to the Survivor Benefit Plan could tumble down the list of priorities. Don’t let that happen, and give the SBP decision the attention it deserves.
The Moeller family wishes to thank the many Retirees who contacted CSM (Ret) Bob Moeller on the occasion of his 93d birthday on 3 Jun 2023. He received many phone calls and emails wishing him well on this special day
Preparing for a tropical storm or Hurricane
https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan
Advantages of SBP Coverage Dear Retiree: (Extracted from DFAS Newsletter)
You chose to make sure your family is taken care of with Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage. Did you know that you chose a plan that has several advantages over term life insurance?
- SBP has monthly annuity Term life insurance is typically a one-time lump sum.
- SBP annuity payments have Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) Term life insurance payment does not increase when the cost of living increases.
- A spouse may get SBP/RCSBP payments for many years, receiving several times the amount paid in In fact, even if you pay SBP premiums for 30 years, your spouse would recoup all of the premiums you’ve paid within the first 2 years and 8 months.
Find out more about the advantages of SBP at: https://www.dfas.mil/sbpadvantages
100 year old Female Marine to receive Living Legend Award. (Provided courtesy of Ben Jordan) There will be a ceremony on 12 Jun 2023 for a 100 year old World War II female marine. She received the living legend award from the Military Women’s Memorial from Arlington Virginia and they’re doing an official ceremony and presentation and it’s actually on the date of the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Forces Immigration Act. The event will be held at the department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill. For information call 860-985-2064.
Horse-Drawn Funerals at Arlington Suspended Until Mid-2024
Bill Guaranteeing Cost-of-Living Increase for Veterans in 2024 Heads to President’s Desk Legislation giving veterans a cost-of-living adjustment on benefits in 2024 — likely to result in an increase in payments — is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature following an agreement by the House….
Army Echoes Now Available
Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf
Army Echoes is the Army’s official newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. This month’s featured articles include:
- The Army Chief of Staff Retired Soldier Council’s historic meeting
- Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Update
- The VA disability rating and its full arsenal of benefits
- Gray Area Retired Soldier and ready for retired pay?
- Managing your retired pay allotments
- Use your military benefits for a great vacation
- Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period
To contact the Army Echoes editor, send an email to ArmyEchoes@army.mil.
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.
2023 Calendar of Events
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.
Fri, 25 Aug 23 – Retiree Picnic at Camp Nett at Niantic. Retiree briefings 1030, meal 1200. Flyer to follow. (Flyer @ 23-09 from NGACT)
Fri, 25 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.
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
CT MILITARY DEPARTMENT PICNIC 2023
Friday, 25th August 2023 at “Camp Nett at Niantic”, Niantic, CT.
Cutoff for early registration is Mon, August 21st 2023
Mark your calendar!
SCAN QR CODE TO PAY VIA NGCT VENMO: venmo_qrcode_220914_195533
DOWNLOAD PICNIC SIGN UP FORM HERE: CTMD Annual Picnic Registration Form – 2023
CTMD Annual Picnic Flyer – 2023
DOWNLOAD NECROLOGY LIST 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
