I know most MOAA members are on Facebook. Now I’m not here to espouse Facebook or tell people to get hip and get a page – I have my problems with Facebook and hearing about people going to the store, or telling me political opinions that I don’t need to know. But, Facebook can offer some really interesting reading – and relevant to MOAA members.
One site in particular is MOAA Spouse. If you are looking for some interesting links and articles, log on to the MOAA Spouse page for info on matters that affect you and the military.
For instance, today you could find a link to an article on the first three women to graduate Marine infantry training – I don’t know if I should say “ooh rah” or “hoo rah”, so I’ll just give out a “woo hoo!”
Or, there are articles about benefit updates; Congressional hearings; job and career guides, and the differences between VA compensation and VA pensions (look here for the answer).
The important item though concerns how Congress is looking at changes to military benefits. These changes could include:
- Cap annual military pay raises at 0.5 percent below the average American’s
- Raise out-of-pocket costs for TRICARE for Life (TFL) by up to $6,000 a year per married couple
- Dramatically raise TRICARE fees for beneficiaries under age 65
- Bar working-age retirees and families from using TRICARE Prime
- Eliminate concurrent receipt of VA disability compensation and military retired pay
- Replace military personnel with civilians in certain positions
MOAA Spouse has a link to the The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) and explains how they need to hear from you. The MCRMC is reviewing military compensation and retirement and will make recommendations for changes (supposed “modernization” is what it’s called). But before they do that they are inviting you to add your voice and comment on what benefits you find important. Go to this link to find the details and make your comments known.
This is important, and the military can put their two-cents in, so act now and make your voice known.
And then, go to the MOAA Spouse page, like it, and enjoy the reading and your cup of coffee. It’s not your mom’s spouse page anymore.