FRAtoday January 2020
comunicaitons
FROM THE BRIDGE
SHIPMATE FORUM	4
On & Off captol hill	6
FEATURE  STORies
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS18
SHIPMATE NEWS20
TAPS21
AUXILIARY OF THE FRA25
FINANCE MATTERS26

COMMINICATIONS

40 Years Ago This Month, the BLACKTHORN Accident Improved USCG Training Forever

The past few years have seen some collisions between Navy vessels and other ships, resulting in policy changes being put into place. Following the USS McCAIN and the USS FITZGERALD accidents, command changes were also made. 

Any accident or collision is not what our Navy wants, but they must and did respond. One incident for the U.S. Coast Guard that comes to mind is the USCG BLACKTHORN, a 180-foot seagoing buoy tender (WLB). The BLACKTHORN was assigned to the Great Lakes as an icebreaker. The ship then went to San Pedro, Calif. for several years before going to the Gulf Coast region to serve Mobile, Alabama, then Galveston, Texas. The ship underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida, from 1979 to 1980, and was then outward-bound from Tampa Bay on the evening of Jan. 28, 1980. 

The tanker Capricorn was heading into the bay with the captain on the bridge and a junior officer had the conn. The BLACKTHORN had just been overtaken by the Russian passenger ship Kazakhstan and continued almost in mid-channel. The passenger ship had blocked the view of the crews of the BLACKTHORN and the Capricorn. 
The Capricorn began to turn left, which did not allow the ships to pass port-to-port. They were not able to make radio contact with the buoy tender, so the Capricorn’s pilot blew two short whistle blasts to indicate the two ships would pass starboard-to-starboard. 

The junior officer of the deck was confused about the standard operating procedure, so BLACKTHORN’s captain issued evasive action. The collision was imminent but major damage was not expected. However, the Capricorn’s anchor was ready for letting go and it became embedded in the buoy tender’s hull and ripped open the port side.
 Seconds after the slack in the anchor chain became taut, BLACKTHORN capsized. Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped in the skin of the ship. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and became trapped in the engine room. Even though 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished.

The BLACKTHORN collision led to the establishment of the Command and Operations School at the Coast Guard Leadership Development Center in New London, Connecticut. The school offers courses to prepare command-level officers and senior enlisted members for command duty afloat. The Coast Guard also developed new training requirements, invested in more safety equipment and made changes to the navigational aids in and around the Tampa Bay. This is what the outcome can and should be, in order to move ahead knowing how to better handle any situation in the future.      

In Loyalty, Protection and Service,
William D. Stevenson, Editor-in-Chief

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FROM THE BRIDGE

Being a Good Steward
Shipmates, I have something funny to relate to you that happened to me — I am sure it has happened to all of us in some way.  Every month, I receive FRAtoday and I skim through it that first day. Then, I take my magazine to work and throughout the month when I have a few free minutes, I glance through it again and read some of the articles.  I certainly do not go through page by page, but I do eventually get through the magazine. I only tell you all this because this past July, as the passdown from PNP Bob Washington began, I was asked if I could write six articles during my term.  I have been reading this magazine since 1992 and have read many national president’s articles, but for some reason, it never occurred to me that one of the duties of president is to write articles for the magazine.  Nevertheless, of course that is one of the duties!  
Now, I am not telling you this to complain, or gripe, or to somehow belittle anyone.  It is just an example of how much is routinely done on a daily basis by FRA leadership and may be taken for granted. The responsibilities of leadership need to be passed on to those new volunteers who are coming into their new leadership positions.  
I am grateful that I was able to visit HQ ahead of time and learn that I would have to write six articles before this first deadline was upon me.  Shipmates taking branch and regional positions also need to know what needs to be done.  It is part of mentoring — of being a good steward of the FRA.  
So many of our branches struggle to develop relationships, get interaction and execute their tasks properly.  Branches should not be run by only a few.  Shipmates need to be comfortable enough to take reasonable risks when they communicate, take actions and accept these stewardship positions.  Shipmates do not want to be chastised for disagreeing; disagreement is expected and should be appreciated.  If you are a branch president, one of your responsibilities is to support the development of your Shipmates in the process of branch business. This does not mean always agreeing but certainly staying on an even keel.

The Auxiliary of the FRA
We are all in this together!  Auxiliary members have earned their eligibility by having a relative who was in the sea services.  With more than 5,000 members, they volunteer thousands of hours to help you. They raise funds for special projects and organize charitable events.  They assist us with our legislative efforts, volunteer at VA hospitals, conduct patriotic programs and offer scholarships. They are the backbone of the FRA.  Please consider helping them by signing up a family member to the auxiliary. If you do not have an auxiliary right now, think about starting one. 

In Loyalty, Protection and Service, 
Donna M. Jansky, AMSC USNR (Ret.)   

Donna is national president of the Fleet Reserve Association and may be reached by email at: janskyd@comcast.net

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sHIPMATE FORUM

VA Disability and SSDI claims 
I just received my November issue of FRAtoday in the mail and quickly began to read. However to my surprise the article regarding VA Disability and SSDI claims has some bad information regarding VA disability compensation claims. It states, “the VA will review your military medical records. Any outside medical records will not be considered to determine if you are disabled.” This is bad information to our disabled veterans.  The VA reviews military, Veterans Health Administration, and private medical records.  The veteran must provide these private or “outside” medical records or give VA permission to retrieve them from the physician’s office to use them as evidence in a disability claim. Also, the writer neglects to say that the FRA provides assistance to Veterans in filing a disability compensation claim. We as veterans receive so much wrong information, we need to make sure that we are putting the best information out we can, as to ensure the benefits are awarded as they are deserved.

Please put this in the FRAtoday’s Shipmate Forum and urge any and all veterans in need of VBA assistance to reach out to the FRA or other accredited VSO.
Very respectfully,
Peter A. Hawkins, AE1(AW) USN
(Honorably Discharged Veteran)

BenFed Not Paying My Bills
I just read the article about the BenFeds Plan. I ran into the same issues with an eye care service provider in Rochester, New Hampshire. The place would not accept the BenFed program because they were having trouble getting paid. They want me to pay the bill and send the bill to the company for payment myself. I called Martin’s Point about the problem and they are still handling dental and vision, but the government needs to provide the benefits to the military that the military worked for as promised. I still have not been paid the money that was taken out of my retired pay that the VA owes me.   
Thank You,
SKCS Gerald H. Marsh, retired, 24 years 8 months

All Hands, Use the Action Center
In the October FRAtoday, AZ1 Phillips wrote about cuts to military benefits. In his letter he stated “I have no input on [how cuts are determined].” We all have a voice through sending comments to Senators and Congresspersons. The FRA makes that task easy by using the FRA Action Center. It does not sound like much but if a high number of people would use this, then the people in Washington would listen.
John Leek, SH2 PO2, Santa Clara Branch 101

Pearl Harbor and the King 
I just got my December issue of FRAtoday and read the story about Pearl Harbor. Why was there not any mention of the effort that Elvis Presley contributed in donating time and money for the Arizona Memorial?  
Yours in Loyalty, Protection and Service
Donald G. Frazier, PO1 USN (Ret.)

FRAtoday: The Boots Randolph and Elvis Presley show on March 25, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii raised nearly $65,000 for the USS Arizona Memorial building fund. This show created one of the biggest private donations to the memorial.
 
TRICARE Co-payment Changes for 2020
I received a letter from TRICARE Express Scripts listing the price changes for my medications this year. I enlisted in the Navy June 9, 1948, and retired after 20 years in 1968. What ever happened to all the promises regarding free health care for us veterans? Why are military retirees being discriminated against because we must pay co-payment fees just because we do not live near a military pharmacy at a base? If you live near a base, there is no charge for the medications you need.
Respectfully, Jerry Kaschak, USN (Ret.)

FRAtoday: TRICARE costs have indeed been changed this year. By law, TRICARE fees go up slightly every year. For retirees, the cost bump is tied to the annual cost of living increase (COLA). Some of the other fee increases are set ahead of time by Congress, such as the letter you received stating the co-payment fees for 2020 were set by the National Defense Authorization Act of FY2018. Here is a link to an article that outlines the specifics: www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/02/tricare-costs-changing-2020.html.

Submit letters to FRAtoday, 125 N. West St. Alexandria, VA 22314 or to fratoday@fra.org. Please include Shipmate Forum in the subject line. The FRA reserves the right to select and edit letters for publication. Letters published in Shipmate Forum reflect the opinions and views of individual FRA members. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of the FRA as a whole. The FRA is not responsible for the accuracy of letter content. 

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ON AND OFF CAPITOL HILL

Delayed Spending Bills and NDAA Impacts Military 
As you get this issue of FRAtoday, the second year of the 116th Congress will be strating. It’s a presidential election year with one third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives are up for re-election. Further, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is holding an impeachment inquiry. Hopefully the Congress has passed an omnibus spending bill and also passed the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congress is supposed to enact appropriations and the annual NDAA before Oct. 1. In all but four of the past 40 years, Congress has passed continuing resolutions (CR) to keep agencies running between budgets. 
The Pentagon has informed Congress that passing CRs rather than the spending bills will disrupt various programs. The Navy disruptions would include operation and maintenance fund shortfalls that would curtail the availability of 14 ships, cancel deployed ship training and shutdown non-deployed carrier air wing and expeditionary squadrons. Further, the Navy could also see delayed delivery of one Virginia-class fast attack submarine, one fleet ocean tug and two Landing Craft Utility vessels. 

Retiree and Veteran’s Issues
ANC Survey About Burials for Retirees
Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for burial at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) that will include military retirees, without combat experience, for above-ground inurnment. For more details on proposed changes see the 10/4/2019 NewsBytes located online in the archives on the FRA website www.fra.org/fra/Web/Content/FRA_NewsBytes_Archive.aspx. 
The FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Secretary of the Army to revise eligibility criteria to keep the cemetery functioning as an active burial ground “well into the future” – defined as 150 years. The Army will now begin the federal government’s public rule making process, which includes soliciting public feedback to the proposed changes. The FRA would like to know your thoughts on providing retirees above-ground inurnment at ANC.
Please complete the short survey (www.surveymonkey.com/r/J3XW3VF) and we will share your responses with ANC.

The FRA Speaks About Suicide Prevention at Capitol Hill Meeting
NED Chris Slawinski was one of four featured speakers at the Veteran and Servicemember Suicide Prevention roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill that was sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It was noted during the meeting that suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 34. Suicide is tenth leading cause of death in the United States and on average, 129 Americans die by suicide each day. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than civilians. 

Speaking before a room of mostly Capitol Hill staffers, Slawinski spoke from a personal perspective as a Veteran Service Officer. He shared a particular story of being on the telephone with the wife of a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. The veteran was considering suicide and it was the intervention of his spouse, along with Slawinski, that helped the veteran get assistance. 

One of the speakers was Psych Hub Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Keita Franklin, who acknowledged suicide is a “very complex issue” and some causes that trigger feelings of suicide often include failed relationship, substance abuse and legal troubles. Franklin stressed that one of the most productive steps that can be taken is to reduce the stigma that surrounds suicide. This “mental health literacy” is important in bringing the issue of suicide out into the open. Chief Advocacy Officer of the Independence Fund Bob Carey spoke of current legislation that intends to help those seeking help, are able to receive it. Director of Psychological Health, District of Columbia National Guard Torrie Osterholm encouraged everyone to take a moment and ask, “how can I help?”

The FRA Participates in House Speaker Veterans Roundtable
Director of Legislative Programs John Davis participated in a VSO/MSO roundtable discussion of pending issues with House Democrats. The Capitol Hill event was hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (Calif). Other legislators in attendance include Reps. Gil Cisneros (Calif.), Mike Levin (Calif.), Julia Brownley (Calif.) Susan Lee (N.V.), Elaine Luria (Va.), Debra Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), Joe Cunningham (S.C.) and Donald Norcross (N.J.).
Speaker Pelosi boasted that the House had just recently passed nine veteran bills, including the Debra Sampson Act (H.R.3224) while expression concern about the veteran suicide problem. In closing she expressed opposition to any effort to privatize the VA.

The group of MSO/VSO organizations thanked Chairman Takano for his efforts to pass the Agent Orange Blue Water Navy Bill (H.R.299) and thanked the committee for holding hearings to ensure prompt implementation of the Act.

The FRA issues that were shared are, concurrent receipt expansion, opposing the “skinny” NDAA and ensuring timely implementation of Agent Orange Blue Water Navy law.  Other issues discussed included veteran suicides, helping women veterans, SBP/DIC offset repeal, opposing the “skinny” NDAA, veteran homelessness and the GI Bill housing payments backlog. Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Chair of the House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, discussed how the MilCon/VA Appropriations Bill passed the House unanimously and has now stalled in the Senate.

The DOD to Expand Commissary, MWR and Exchange Access
The Department of Defense is expanding commissary, military exchange, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail privileges on U.S. military installations as required by the FY2019 Defense Authorization Act. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, access will expand to include all veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former prisoners of war, and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program for Family Caregivers. While this expansion will extend eligibility to more than 4.1 million new patrons, the DOD expects little to no impact on current patrons in most locations. There may be some impact in areas with a high cost of living, but the DOD is preparing to accommodate all new patrons.

New patrons now eligible by the Act should be aware that the law requires the DOD charge them a small user fee to offset the increased expense incurred by the Department of the Treasury for processing commercial credit or debit cards used for purchases at commissary stores.

The DOD is finalizing the details for these new privileges with the VA, Homeland Security and the Treasury. Information will be announced soon regarding installation access and the authentication process for these privileges. To learn more about the commissary, military exchange and MWR expansion, visit https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf.

Oversight of Agent Orange Law Implementation
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing on the efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement the Agent Orange Blue Water Navy Act (H.R.299-P.L.116-23). The effective date for the Act is Jan. 1, 2020. Under Secretary for Veterans Benefits Administration Paul Lawrence, was a no-show at the hearing. Subcommittee members stressed the importance of providing timely benefits to Blue Water Navy veterans and reducing the complexity of the disability claims process. Members of the subcommittee urged VA to adjudicate claims before the effective date of January 1, especially for veterans who are critically ill. The FRA welcomes this oversight hearing to keep pressure on the VA to implement a claims process for Blue Water Navy veterans that is timely and not overly bureaucratic. 

PDBR Review of Disability Claims Continues
The Physical Disability Board of Review was created by an FRA-supported provision in the FY2008 Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that reassess the accuracy and fairness of combined disability ratings of 20 percent or less for service members who were separated from service, rather than medically retired because of medical conditions. 

In order to be eligible for a PDBR review, service members must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2009, with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and found ineligible for retirement. According to Military.com only 19,000 of the more than 71,000 eligible have requested a review of their claim. The Physical Disability Board of Review claims that more than half of the reviewed claims have been upgraded to a disability rating of 30 percent or more. 

The review panel is authorized to recommend an increase in a disability rating, uphold the previous finding or issue a disability rating when the previous board did not assign one. The board, however, is NOT able to recommend a lower rating. Eligible veterans can request a board review by submitting a Department of Defense Form 294, Application for Review of Physical Disability Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, which is available online, https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Conditions-and-Treatments/Physical-Disability/Disability-Evaluation/Physical-Disability-Board-of-Review/PDBR-Application-Process.  

Veterans requesting a review must mail their completed and signed DD Form 294 to SAF/MRBR, 550 C St. W., Suite 41, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4743. Applicants may submit statements, briefs, medical records or affidavits supporting their application. 

For more information about the PDBR go online, https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Conditions-and-Treatments/Physical-Disability/Disability-Evaluation/Physical-Disability-Board-of-Review.

Veterans’ Day 11-11-2019 and the Marine Corps’ 244th Birthday
In accordance with a long-standing tradition, FRA shipmates participated in Veterans’ Day ceremonies around the country on Monday, Nov. 11th, 2019, which also marked the FRA’s 95th anniversary. The FRA National President Donna Jansky attended a Veterans Day breakfast in Washington, DC with other VSO organizations before attending the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. NP Jansky was joined by National Vice President Michael “Mick” Fulton and others at a special wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, following the address from Vice President Mike Pence to veterans and their families. The following link provides the ceremony, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB8eV7izCi8. NP Jansky is sitting directly behind Vice President when he gave his address. 

The FRA staff wants to thank members for their service in defending the nation, and for their FRA membership. 

Veteran’s Day is also known as Armistice Day and was originally created to recognize the end of World War I. This Veteran’s Day marks the 100th anniversary the armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities between the warring nations that ended World War I. It went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

In November, DLP John Davis and ADVP Brian Condon attended the annual luncheon ceremony that was held in observance of the Marine Corps Birthday at the Marine Corps Commandant’s residence/MCHQ in Washington, DC. 

The VA is Approving More Appeals
The Board of Veterans Appeals is adjudicating more disability claims appeals. The Board processed 11 percent more claims (more than 95,000) and held 38 percent more hearings in FY2019 when compared to FY2018. The improvement at the BVA is due to more staff and to a new appeals structure that was mandated by Congress and supported by the FRA. The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (H.R.2288-Public Law 115-55) sponsored by Rep. Mike Bost (Ill.) was enacted into law on Aug. 23, 2017. The law created three “lanes” for veterans’ appeals including: The Local Higher Level Review Lane where an adjudicator reviews the same evidence considered by the original claims processor; The New Evidence Lane where the veteran may submit new evidence for review and have a hearing and, The Board Lane where jurisdiction for the appeal would transfer immediately to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Act would allow some veterans, who were already going through the appeals process, to opt into the new system.

Bill Allows DOJ to Help State and Local Veteran Treatment Courts
The House passed the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act (H.R.886), sponsored by Reps. Charlie Crist (Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (N.Y.). The Act creates a new office in the Department of Justice that is responsible for providing grants and assistance to strengthen and expand state and local veteran treatment court programs across the country. The legislation, which passed the House by voice vote, will support the unique needs of veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system. The veteran’s treatment court program offers life-saving and life-changing second chances to non-violent veterans caught in the criminal justice system. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration. 

Active Duty/Reserve Issues
Secretary of Defense Dismisses Secretary of the Navy
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer was fired after allegedly suggesting a secret deal with the White House regarding the fate of Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher. This led to the “loss of trust and confidence” in the Navy leader among top officials at the Department of Defense. Gallagher was demoted earlier this year after a military court convicted him of posing for photographs with a corpse of an enemy combatant in Iraq in 2017. He was acquitted of murder and other charges in the case. Spencer launched a peer review process that was going to result in Chief Gallagher’s loss of his Trident and being removed from the Navy SEALs.   

Navy Undersecretary Thomas Modley will now serve as Acting Navy Secretary. President Trump has indicated that he will nominate Kenneth Braithwaite, the current ambassador to Norway. Braithwaite graduated from the Naval Academy in 1984 and was an aviator before moving on to head several Navy public affairs shops in the U.S. and overseas. After retirement as a rear Admiral in 2011, he worked as an executive in various businesses, ran communications at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan and was senior advisor to Senator Arlen Specter (Pa.).

CR Passes to Keep Government open 
The House and Senate recently passed a second Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government operating until Dec. 20, 2019. The first CR passed before the Oct. 1, 2019 deadline for enactment of the 12 appropriations (spending) bills, and kept government operating until Nov. 21, 2019. The sticking point is funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall. President Trump diverted several billion dollars from military projects last year, which enraged the Democrats. The issue is now in the courts.  

As FRAtoday goes to press, the House has passed 10 out of 12 FY2020 funding bills, while the Senate has passed four funding bills. The Senate did not have enough support on Oct. 31 to overcome procedural obstacles to debate a second four-bill spending package. Further, The FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act is in conference committee awaiting the House and Senate to resolve the differences between the two bills but efforts have stalled.

Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of CFPB
The Supreme Court of the United States has indicated it will hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CFPB is an independent agency controlled by one person. The agency’s funding does not come from Congress and the leader of the agency cannot be fired by the president. Lower courts have made conflicting rulings on the agency’s existence.   

The CFPB was created in 2010 as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (S.3712-P.L.111-203). As this gigantic bill moved through the process, the FRA successfully advocated to include an Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) to be within the bureau. The CFPB became operational in June 2011. This was part of the FRA’s overarching effort to ensure that the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is enforced by regulatory agencies, including the CFPB, Office of Servicemembers Affairs. They work to ensure that active duty personnel are protected from predatory lenders, under the Military Lending Act (MLA), which was an FRA-supported provision in the FY2007 National Defense Authorization Act.

Although the act created the OSA, it did not specifically empower the OSA to enforce the MLA. The need for the OSA was demonstrated when the House Veterans Affairs Committee held hearings in 2011 on banks that were ignoring the SCRA. This long-established law provides a wide range of protections for individuals joining the military, being called to active duty or being deployed. The SCRA postpones or suspends certain civil obligations so a service member can devote their attention to military duties.   

Oppose “Skinny” NDAA 
The Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (Okla.) introduced a “Skinny” National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). He did this to ensure that critical defense programs are authorized, including; pay for our service members and Department of Defense civilians, quality-of-life programs for military families, support for U.S. troops and partners conducting operations overseas, oversight of military construction and acquisition programs, and critical readiness efforts. However, this “Skinny” NDAA leaves out critical provisions for troops, retirees and widows. The FRA believes the House and Senate should pass a full NDAA, which has been done every year for the past 58 years.

The FRA wants a full NDAA that includes: ending the Widow’s Tax; delaying the elimination of nearly 18,000 medical billets; allowing service members to sue the DOD for instances of medical malpractice unrelated to combat; and requiring the Pentagon to implement military housing reform. Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center to ask their legislators to oppose the “Skinny” NDAA and pass the full NDAA with the provisions listed above. If this issue is not listed on Action Center it is because the NDAA has passed.

POW/MIA Flag at Federal Buildings
President Trump recently signed into law the National POW/MIA Flag Act (S.693), sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). The act requires prominent federal buildings and national war memorials to fly the POW/MIA flag alongside the American flag throughout the year. The flag is designed to help highlight the continued suffering of military families with service members who are unaccounted for overseas (82,000). The FRA wants to ensure that the Defense Department makes every effort for a complete accounting of all Prisoners Of War and Missing in Action service members for past and current conflicts.

WW II Coast Guard POW Comes Home
Lt. Thomas James Eugene “Jimmy” Crotty was the only member of the U.S. Coast Guard to become a POW of Japan. His remains were recently identified, after being exhumed from a common grave in the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila in the Philippines. 

He will be buried with full military honors next to his parents in Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, Erie County, New York. The Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Karl L. Schultz, was expected to attend. The family received LT Crotty’s Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Medal of Honor during the ceremony. It symbolizes Congressional recognition of the enduring bond between the American and Filipino forces who defended the Philippines against Imperial Japan’s invasion.  
FEATURE  STORY

Cryptologic Technicians of the Navy
By W.D. Stevenson

Before World War II, the jobs performed by cryptographers (QCR) were done by sailors selected from several ratings such as radiomen, yeomen, electronic technicians, and others. Those QCRs were eventually organized into one unit called the Naval Security Group. Realizing that the work done by the sailors assigned to the NSG would need special skills and training that was not available to all the ratings, the Navy established the Communications Technician rating in April 1948. The CTs, along with specially designated officers, comprised the NSG or NAVSECGRU. 

As the NSG’s scope grew, the group became responsible for a broad variety of technical programs. Because specialization within the CT rating was necessary, six separate branches evolved under the Communications Technician O-3 and 2 rating: the R, or Collection Branch; the O, or Communications Branch; the A, or Administrative Branch; the M, or Maintenance Branch; the T, or Technical Branch; and the I, or Interpretive Branch.

Achieving the CT rating and advancements were difficult and required security background checks, personal integrity, a decent education and an enormous amount of reading. The minute you became a CT, you were responsible for protecting all the classified material and information that you handled. Maintaining the security of classified material was not an extra job but was really a basic part of your assignment. Just think how little the job would mean to the Navy if the classified material was not given the security protection required — secrecy has been the trait most prized among cryptologists.

The highly classified and secure work environment required very restricted access, and it was not always possible to share resources with other commands. Nearly every detail surrounding the CT world, from administration to operations to repair, needed dedicated technicians with security clearances, which accounted for most of the branches within the CT rating. 

Members of the CT community have a broad range of career and training options. Once trained, a CT might serve ashore, afloat, or in an airborne capacity. Some CT sailors have been underway for months while some have never boarded a ship.

The Cold War of the 1960s
During the height of the Cold War, the CT rating was divided into four branches: A performed administrative functions, M was responsible for maintaining the various equipment, O was for essentially communicators and R was for cryptologic radiomen who were charged with analytical tasks. 

Myron Struck: a Cold War CTT
FRA Imperial Branch 289 member Myron R. Struck served at the naval base in Pensacola, Florida, from 1965 to 1969 as a CTT. He was born on Aug. 12, 1947, and is still living up to the code and integrity of a CT. He was a bit reticent about being interviewed.

Struck never served on a ship. “T-branchers were never allowed on ships, as far as I know,” he said. 
He went to “A” school in Pensacola, Florida, and was sent to Guam for the remaining three or so years of his service before being discharged. During boot camp, he was recruited to the CTT branch but was never told what CT stood for until after his clearance. His motivation for choosing the “A” school was because it was located in his hometown. The training for the “A” school was long compared to other schools in the Navy, but that was because the background checks took so long. The Navy took advantage of that time by teaching morse code.
Struck feels that what the CTs did was quite meaningful and important. 
“I am sure our work helped the Navy,” said Struck. “Everything we did was top secret and on a need-to-know basis. Once we were done with our job in our compartment, we then passed it along to the next person who would make sure the information made it to the Pentagon or to whoever was supposed to receive it. We never had the need to know where it was going. We were very proud of what we did and I think we did a good job even though we had to walk on eggshells,” said Struck. 

He considered the work that he did to be very intriguing and thinks the work of today’s CTs must be even more so. 

“Today’s CTs have satellites, computers and other much more advanced technology. I can’t imagine how they do the job,” Struck said. In closing, Struck recalled: “In 1969, when I was about to get out, we got word we were going to get a computer and we all thought ‘Wow, what a big deal.’ It turned out that the computer was so big that they ran a forklift through it trying to unload it. Times have changed!”

Thomas Parish: a Cold War CTR
Shipmate Thomas R. Parish enlisted out of high school at 17 and was considered a “kiddie cruiser,” which meant he would get out of active service when he reached 21-years old. He joined the Navy to travel and to see the world. He went from Ohio to San Diego, which had reopened after being closed for a hepatitis outbreak.  He graduated boot camp on Nov. 22, 1963 — the day President Kennedy was shot — tested rather well and was recruited to the CTs. Since he showed aptitude for foreign languages based on his testing with strange symbols, he was asked to join linguistics, but respectfully declined. He said, “You must be crazy!”  His final choice was to do Morse code in “A” school at Pensacola, Florida. The school was overbooked so he was on a temporary assignment until space opened up. 

His TAD was being sent to Quonset Point, Rhode Island, to his first ship, the World War II USS Essex (CV-9). The Essex was coming back from the Northeast following a tremendous storm that punished that old ship. 
“Not a single plane or helicopter was flyable. They had all been tossed about and slid into one another. There were cracks one-half inch wide in the bulkhead. It was a real mess,” said Parish. 

His first berthing was six decks down, with no lights.  The whole ship was illuminated by battle lanterns. While at the Brooklyn New York Naval yards, he was aboard just to keep busy until the “A” school reopened. While on shore leave, he was able to see some great Broadway shows like “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.”

While in Pensacola in 1964, he started out in Morse code. “I failed to copy the eight-word-per-minute minimum,” Parish said. “They had me repeat the initial two-week class and I got up to 10 words, but that was not seen to be enough. Because of my high scores, I wasn’t failed out to the ‘fleet,’ instead moved to the ‘O’ Branch on the teletype. I did finish first in my class, so I suppose that was a good thing to switch branches.” 

His orders from school were to Guam. While waiting for the top secret clearance, he was at Anderson Air Force Base working in the courier transfer services. “The food was absolutely terrible, those poor Air Force guys,” chuckled Parish.

“When my clearance came, my assignment was to the relay station at Naval Base Guam,” Parish recalled. “Most connections were by air and it was rare to use a land line to San Francisco. Other connections were to Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan, I think. I had been TAD to the Philippines to fill assignments to cover the Tonkin Gulf, offshore of North Vietnam. While on board, we had to send offline encrypted messages every four hours that told of our latitude, longitude, speed and route. There were only two of us who had to cover the shifts. One to encrypt and the other to decrypt before we sent the information across unencrypted lines.” 

The process (unchanged since WWII) used metal discs that all had to align according to an instruction manual, so the messages indicated the day, time etc. Once the message was tested, they would pass it along to a radioman. Because of the four hour shifts, Parish developed some pretty funky sleep patterns.

The most advanced technology Parish used was a relay station and some land lines. “There were no satellites,” said Parish. “Most of our time was spent sending and checking repeat messages because the relays and line would always pick up static. You would send it and resend it, then check it and re-check it. We really didn’t understand what was being sent, you just go through the process. When you listened to any messages it was just all garbled up. You couldn’t understand it without those discs. We just did our jobs. Understanding the information was up to those guys at Ft. Meade.”

After the Cold War 
The cryptologic community became more ethnically and racially diverse than the Navy as a whole. Many first-generation Americans who had unique backgrounds were a perfect fit for the special needs in linguistics. 
Several female CTs became officers in the 1970s. The direct commissioning of enlisted sailors was a point of pride in the National Security Group. Petty officers and chiefs who had an excellent record with relevant skills and education were frequently commissioned ensigns or sometimes lieutenants, junior grade without attending Officer Candidate School.  It was a cost-effective way of ensuring a steady supply of competent junior officers and was a morale-booster that offered a commission to ambitious enlisted sailors.

The Next Rate Changes
More rating changes were made in 1976 when the Communications Technician rate was renamed Cryptologic Technician. The change was made to better align the officer community of the time. The rating stayed pretty much the same for several decades until Oct. 1, 2003, when the Electronic Warfare Technicians (EW) rate was merged with CTT. The next significant change happened on Oct. 1, 2007, when the CTA rating was removed from the CT branches and was merged with the Yeoman (YN) and Legalman ratings.
The Cryptologic Technician Communications (CTO) transitioned to CTN and the legacy CTOs became information system technicians (IT). The CTM branch was scheduled to be disestablished in 2008. The sailors with certain skill sets would have been converted to Electronics Technician (ET) and Information Systems Technician (IT) billets, but this plan has been set on hold for further planning.

Shipmate Toulotte CTR 
Shipmate Past National Chaplain and current Branch 24 President Valerie Toulotte was in the Navy from May 1994 to April 1999. She went to “A” and “C” schools before being stationed in Guam and extended her enlistment one year to be stationed as a CTR in Harrogate, England.

“There was no military tension socially or politically. The Clinton scandal was going on; which was embarrassing being overseas and having that on their news.  I’m sure the same is going on now.  It is very bad for morale when your commander in chief has questionable behavior,” said Toulotte. “The military seemed like a good option to get an education.  I knew I couldn’t afford school since I could barely make rent.  I’m from Banning, California, and moving home didn’t appeal to me either.”

Toulotte thinks joining was the best thing she could have done and is grateful that she was in Guam, visited Japan and Korea and also got a scuba license.  While in England, she visited Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and traveled by Chunnel to Paris.  

During her day to day work for the Navy, she was taught Morse Code and copied call signs, mostly Russian.  Much of what she copied concerned Russia’s rail-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The call signs were sent at the same time each day and if the message was different, they were to alert the chain of command, but that never happened. 
“If the signs changed, it meant they were moving something.  The watch was two 12-hour day shifts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 24 hours off, which we would try to stay up as late as possible in order to sleep between the two mid-shifts, then we had 72 hours off and once again, stay awake as long as possible to get sleep between day shifts,” states Toulette.

While in England, she didn’t copy code. There were machines that collected signals, deciphered and sent pertinent information to the NSA. “It was really boring.  One of the things I remember is the new people are told to go fix the 1D10T,” Toulotte said. 

She was tired of the shift and could not envision doing that 10 years down the road, so she did not re-enlist. “I was very grateful of the opportunity to serve, and to be honest, it’s weird that people thank me, but I appreciate it!”   Toulotte said, “My life was never at risk and I was reaping the benefits of seeing the world, getting a GI bill to further my education and maturing (slightly).”

Cryptology in Today’s Navy
The goal of today’s Navy is maintaining information dominance. Cryptology today has five branches that each have their own training and job. Each CT works under cryptologic warfare officers or cyber warfare engineers (both of whom must obtain a four-year degree).

Cryptologic technician interpretive (CTIs) are experts in linguistics and foreign languages, that can include Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Farsi, Russian and Spanish. They collect, decipher, analyze and exploit foreign languages by transcribing, translating and interpreting foreign content. They can also provide cultural guidance to support Navy, joint force and multinational needs. 

Cryptologic technician technical (CTTs) are experts in airborne, shipborne and land-based radar signals. They operate intelligence-receiving and direction-finding systems, digital recording devices, analysis terminals and equipment that produces jamming signals. They also provide technical and tactical guidance in support of surface, subsurface, air and special warfare operations. 

Cryptologic technician networks (CTNs) are experts in communication network defense and forensics. They monitor, identify, collect and analyze information for network risk mitigation and network vulnerability assessments. The CTN maintains computer networks worldwide.

Cryptologic technician maintenance (CTMs) are experts in preventive and corrective maintenance of cryptologic equipment, networks and systems.  They install, test, troubleshoot and repair cryptologic networks, security systems, electronic equipment, antennas, personal computers, interfaces and data systems.

Cryptologic technician collection (CTRs) serve as experts in intercepting and analyzing signals. They report on communication signals using computers, video terminals and electronic or magnetic tape recorders. They exploit signals to identify, locate and report worldwide threats and provide signals intelligence, guidance and information to support surface, subsurface, air and special warfare units.

Technology certainly has changed since the first cryptographers of pre-World War II. The rating and branches have both evolved to keep pace with the needs of the Navy. The equipment used by today’s cryptologic technicians is far more encompassing, complicated and sophisticated, all to make sure our information dominance is effective world wide.    

FEATURE

The Real NCIS: From Quantico to Hollywood
By Ann Norvell Gray

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the civilian federal law enforcement agency inside the Department of the Navy. Its essential responsibilities for the Navy and the Marine Corps are the investigation of serious crime, the prevention of terrorism and the protection of sensitive information.
The agency was renamed NCIS as part of the 1992 restructuring of the Naval Investigative Service into a civilian-led organization. Ever since the 1950s, the use of civilian special agents to handle both criminal and counter-intelligence responsibilities in the Office of Naval Intelligence had grown. In the 1970s, NIS was created as a separate entity within ONI. 
In 1992, responding to the DOD inspector general’s initial review of what appeared to be problematic NIS investigations into the 1991 Tailhook scandal, Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean O’Keefe concluded that the existing procedures were inadequate. He recommended adding “criminal” to the name and made the decision to choose an executive-level civilian criminal justice professional as director, reporting to the Secretary of the Navy. O’Keefe’s plan also included one Navy and one Marine senior line officer as deputies. Other changes would follow, designed to strengthen the professionalism and effectiveness of all the NCIS components, as well as increase the resources and variety of disciplines available to them.
NCIS personnel serve all over the world at major naval commands and aboard all the Navy’s aircraft carriers. Many of the civilians are ex-military and are cross-trained in more than one area. Their ranks include, among other things, investigators, forensic field and laboratory specialists, psychologists and highly trained computer experts. There are machinists, legal professionals, weapons and physical security experts, information analysts, hostage crisis negotiators and cybercrime experts.
Because the agency often works as part of larger operations, NCIS also fosters support and cooperation among civilian and military law enforcement and security forces. The agency fosters a culture of collaboration, building relationships with other organizations and providing specific skill sets to assist in joint operations.  In particular, the NCIS Law Enforcement Information Exchange program is on the forefront of information sharing among counterpart agencies. This supports the efficiency and accuracy of investigations into criminal, terrorist and espionage activity.

NCIS Cases 
To give you an idea of the variety of criminal activities investigated by NCIS, here are excerpts from three Department of Justice news releases, each describing a case from 2018.
January 2018: “Former Contractor at Military Sealift Command Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Bribery, and Honest Services Fraud: A former contractor at the Military Sealift Command (MSC) [defendant 1] pleaded guilty today for accepting bribes totaling approximately $2.8 million in the course of a bribery and fraud scheme that lasted more than a decade. … The FBI, DCIS and NCIS are investigating the case.” 1  
August 2018: “U.S. Soldier Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS: ‘This is the first case in the State of Hawaii where someone was convicted of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. organization,’ Special Agent in Charge Kaul [said]. ... ‘I would like to personally thank the US Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Army, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Honolulu Police Department, and the entire Joint Terrorism Task Force Community here in Hawaii for bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.’” 2 
December 2018: “Two Chinese Hackers Associated With the Ministry of State Security Charged with Global Computer Intrusion Campaigns Targeting Intellectual Property and Confidential Business Information: … [Hackers] engaged in an intrusion campaign to obtain unauthorized access to the computers and computer networks of more than 45 technology companies and U.S. government agencies [including the U.S. Navy] … [Deputy Attorney General] Mr. Rosenstein, [U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York] Mr. Berman and [Assistant Attorney General for National Security] Mr. Demers praised the outstanding investigative work of, and collaboration among, the FBI, DCIS, and NCIS.” 3 
9/11 at the Pentagon
The extraordinary month following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, offers a clear illustration of the capabilities, commitment and collaborative nature of the people of NCIS. When the second plane went into the second World Trade Center tower, NCIS began organizing its response. One hour later, the third plane hit the west wall of the Pentagon. NCIS headquarters at Quantico, Virgina, established a command center, collected and organized data as it came in, and with the Washington, Norfolk, and Lejeune field offices, scrambled to send people to the Pentagon. Operation Noble Eagle was underway.
The Navy’s command and control center on the first floor of the Pentagon’s D-ring was obliterated. More than half of the 125 people killed inside the building were in that center.4  While the fires burned, NCIS agents on the ground planned their entry to recover and secure sensitive data and equipment. An NCIS forensic team walked the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery to retrieve airplane debris and human remains. Tents were set up in the Pentagon parking lot as teams from other agencies arrived. The volunteers organized a steady flow of equipment, supplies, food and water.
Once the fires were out, workers were duct taped into hazmat suits and began the cleanup. It was dark, hot, dangerous work. Every bit of rubble from the huge explosion had to be collected, brought outside, sorted and examined. NCIS had charge of collecting crime scene evidence and recovering everything that contained classified information. As the debris piled up, the process grew better organized and better managed, and the spirit of unselfish cooperation turned strangers into friends. For a month, the Pentagon parking lot functioned as a small city, housing, feeding and caring for the teams who spent long hours doing detailed, labor-intensive work.
As the broader investigations into the attacks began, the senior agents deployed their meticulous data collection skills to build the foundations for a more proactive stance against the likelihood of another catastrophe like this one. The command center developed first into the Counterterrorism Task Force and then into the Counterterrorism Division. Today’s NCIS has exclusive investigative jurisdiction within the Department of the Navy into acts of terrorism.5 

NCIS Goes to Hollywood
At the start of the millennium, you would have been hard-pressed to find a civilian in the country who had ever heard of NCIS. In 2002, Donald Bellisario, producer of the popular TV series “JAG”, approached NCIS Communications Director Tom Houston about creating a pilot for a new series about the agency. Bellisario was not the first to express interest, but he was the first choice for the project because of his experience and the respect he had already earned working with the Navy and Marines. 
For the rest of the year, the producers dove into every possible aspect of an NCIS Major Case Response Team. They toured field offices and forensic labs and picked the brains of agents and everyone else who could sit down with them. True to their collaborative nature, NCIS personnel offered stories of their experiences for the writers, photographs for the set designers and samples of clothing and supplies for the costume and prop departments. Each of the primary actors spent time in the field office departments with NCIS professionals corresponding to their roles. 
In the spring of 2003, a two-episode “backdoor pilot” on “JAG” introduced the agency and the characters. CBS picked up the series for the fall. Leon Carroll Jr., himself a retired senior NCIS special agent in charge with a long and admirable record, was attached to the show as a special advisor. Before long, Carroll became a member of the family. He is the wardrobe and equipment expert, the vocabulary and acronym coach, and the guardian of the million details that keep “NCIS” a coherent expression of the NCIS. The character of NCIS Director Leon Vance, who joined the show in 2008, is named for him, and Vance’s wife, like Mrs. Carroll, is called Jackie. But it is only a coincidence that the real name of the actor playing Leon Vance is Rocky Carroll.
Out of the thousands of ideas for pilots, the few hundred that make it to scripting, the small percentage of those that get into production, and the few dozen that are picked up, only few actually make it past the first season. The care and precision of the producers, the cast and the crews, coupled with “NCIS”’s dedication to keeping it real, paid off despite overwhelming odds against success in the business. “NCIS” is now well into its 17th season and all over the USA, everybody knows its name.   

1. News Release, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
2. News Release, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, Wednesday, August 29, 2018.
3. News Release, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, Thursday, December 20, 2018.
4. www.911research.wtc7.net/sept11/victims/docs/pentagon_victims.jpg.
5. Research source: NCIS Bulletin, Summer 2002.

Return to Table of Contents

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

We have been working on an analysis of the inactive members across the country. The map you see of the lower 48 states is divided into “Zip3” regions, which are the geographical area as defined by the first three digits of a zip code. We then identified all known inactive FRA members aged 75 and younger who became inactive at any time during the past five years. By matching their addresses to these Zip3 regions, we were able to chart past member distribution (see Figure 1 on page 38). We also overlaid blue dots that represent the locations of all active branches. You can also use the Branch Locator online at www.fra.org/branchlocator.

There are some surprising lessons to be learned from this map. As we discuss them in this article, we’d like you to remember we are defined as an association by the population of Shipmates we serve. It is ultimately critical that we all stand up and be counted. There are more than 4 million former enlisted members of the sea services; our membership would be dramatically impacted if we could reach even 1 percent of these enlisted veterans and welcome them into our ranks. We need you to reach out to your fellow Shipmates or those you see wearing sea service gear and ask them to either join or re-join so our voice becomes even stronger on Capitol Hill.  

The first big takeaway from this map is that no matter where you live, you are probably among Shipmates represented on this map. It is not at all correct to assume that they are highly concentrated in traditional Navy towns like San Diego or Norfolk. There are literally thousands of Shipmates who live a thousand miles or more from a major naval port. While they don’t all have the luxury of a branch within a 20-minute drive, many of them are still surprisingly well-serviced by existing branch locations. Remember that we have contact information for everyone on this map. Together, we can work with the branches to reconnect with these Shipmates.

The second takeaway is that there are big opportunities for Shipmates who are interested in forming new branches. I was contacted by numerous Shipmates after the recent Membership Matters article in the September issue of FRAtoday that described the Two Bell Ceremony. They wanted contact information for their closest branch, and a full copy of the ceremony script. They learned that they needed a larger local network of FRA members in order to have the ceremony performed correctly. Instructions on how to form a branch can be obtained from your regional president or by typing “Forming a New FRA branch” in the search field of www.fra.org. In summary, if you have 20 or more shipmates willing to participate in starting a branch, we will assist you. Let’s look at a couple of areas in the country that have very high numbers of inactive members and do not have many local branches.

Here is one example (Figure 2), of an area that is centered around Wilmington, North Carolina. There are six branches (indicated by the blue dots) to the north and south, up and down the coast and inland, but nothing to speak of between Fayetteville and Wilmington. It’s a great town, it has the majestic battleship USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55), just across the river from downtown Wilmington, and yet we no longer have an FRA branch there, nobody to foster and encourage today’s youth to consider a career in the sea services of tomorrow. So, which of our Shipmates living there will stand up and be counted? 

Here is an example (Figure 3) that shows the area from the Los Angeles basin south to San Diego, and east toward Phoenix, Arizona.

You can see there are two branches in the Los Angeles area, six near San Diego and one farther east in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. This is an area that has increased in population and development, particularly among retirees, throughout the past 20 years. It seems apparent that we are not reaching as many potential Shipmates as we could in this region. Nobody is expected to do it alone; we need Shipmates who live in these areas to step up to the job.
These types of demographic analysis were not available to us until recently. Technology provides us with new tools like these that can really help. We want to use them to promote discussion and brainstorming. We want to know what is the best way to encourage inactive Shipmates to engage? How do we leverage their networks, which quite possibly include others among those 4 million, to reach those who have never even heard about the Fleet Reserve Association?

We understand it is not always an option to drive several hours each direction for a meeting or otherwise jump through endless hoops to reach these veterans. We welcome your ideas about how best to engage these inactive members. We need to know about your experiences, which are grounded in the home truths of where you live and how things work for you. As with all things, this is a team effort and your mission and voice are the currency that define our success. 

We are looking forward to a great 2020, and with your help, we can strengthen this organization with 
new voices who share our common experience in the sea services. Please do not hesitate to reach out and 
get in touch with me regarding any thoughts, questions or suggestions.      

Yours in Loyalty, Protection and Service,
Christina Hitchcock

Christina is the FRA’s director of membership. She can be reached at ChristinaH@fra.org or 703-683-1400, ext. 123.

Shipmate News

1. Branch 18, Seattle, Wash.
Shipmate Chief Donald Anderson celebrated his 85th birthday. Anderson was a very loyal Shipmate who served in the Pacific during World War II. He was an avid golfer and while enlisted was responsible for writing two training manuals for the postal clerks of the Navy. Fair winds and following seas.

2. Unit 289, Imperial Beach, Calif.
During the FRA National Convention in Memphis, Tennessee, FRA NP Donna Jansky (L) shared a moment with Pat Justice (R) who was at her first national convention. Justice has been a member since August 1966 and is 95 years old.

3. Branch 208, Jacksonville, N.C.
Camp Lejeune Branch members attended the Annual Military Retiree Appreciation Day at the Marston Pavilion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. FRA information was handed out to everyone on Sept. 28, 2019. (L to R) Branch President Raymond Applewhite and Chapter Secretary Paul Miethker.

4. Branch 136, Minneapolis, Minn.
Seated (L to R): Jack Iverson receiving his 40-year continuous membership pin and certificate from Branch President Gene Jarnagin. Standing (L to R): Tom Dooley, Chuck Pollock and Daryl Kuyper. All four served together with Iverson during his 20 years of active duty.
 
5. Branch 258, Erie, Pa.
Shipmate Henry Perry was awarded his 45-year continuous membership pin and certificate. He is flanked on the left by Branch Vice President George Greenawalt and on the right by Branch Secretary John Harriger.

6. Branch 222, Slidell, La.
Branch Secretary Mark Dernovsek received three copies of the book “One Flag, One America” from author Michelle Hirstius. The branch is coordinating with other local veteran organizations to donate the books to local school libraries.
7. Branch 130, Indianapolis, InD.
(L to R) Jim Hayes, Charles Cleveland and Hank Jacoby represented Fleet Reserve Association USS Indianapolis Memorial Branch 130 at the Oct. 26, 2019, commissioning of the USS Indianapolis LCS-17 at Burns Harbor. Although the weather was cold and windy, the three veterans enjoyed firsthand the ceremonies and the newest ship in the Navy named after the capital city of Indiana.

8. Branch 238, Plover, Wis.
(L to R) Michael Witt presents a $200 donation to American Heroes Café founder Bill Haack in September in Wisconsin Rapids. The donation supports those who have served in the armed services as well as the police, firefighters and other first responders.

9. Branch 294, Crossville, Tenn. 
CWO Alexander Alenitsch USCG (Ret.) provided a historical presentation to the fourth graders from Glenn Martin and Stone elementary schools, during a downtown Crossville tour. The students attentively listened to facts from the Revolutionary War to the post-9/11 era.  At the conclusion, students repeated the Pledge of Allegiance and they did a wonderful job.  

10. Branch 166, Virginia Beach, Va.
Information tables were set up at the Retiree Summit put on by Morale Welfare & Recreation at the Rockwell Hall Gym at Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek. (L to R) PRPEC Ray Santee, LA FRA NVP Jackie Scarbro, RPEC Sha’ron D. Martin and Shipmate Daniel Kenney. They had the most Shipmates join in the past four years.

11. West Coast Region
William Matthews, along with his wife Linda holding the Bible, is sworn in as the new West Coast regional president for the 2019-2020 term during the regional convention in August. Photo by Leonard Churilla.

12. Branch 197, Modesto, Calif.
Branch President Dale Wild receives the “Best in the West” plaque during the West Coast Regional Convention in Carson City, Nevada, in August. The award is for his recruiting and retention efforts.

TAPS
 
Name	Rating	Branch
Baisden, Jack A.	SA, USN	245 
Balancier, Victor	BMC, USN	101
Bissell, Thomas A.	RM1, USN	310
Boll, Walter G.	CEP1, USN	42 
Borel, Sylvain A.	CAPT, USN	08
Bowman, Larry A.	ADJ1, USN	335
Breyfogle, Delane H.	ADR1, USN	166
Brown, Marvin E	OSCS, USN	MAL
Buchli, Nicholas	USN	172

Carr, Robert W.	GYSGT, USMC	208
Childs, Edward I.	EMCS, USN	20
Chubb, Kenneth C.	EMC(SS), USN	MAL
Cline, George A.	FTMC, USN	130
Crouch, Earnest G.	AMS1, USN	159

Dillard, Walter C.	USN	101
Dobson, Norman R.	PFC-CS3, USMCR	31

Fasteen, Richard L.	USN	MAL
Ford, Edward A.	MSGT, USMC	208
Fralix, Will M.	ATC, USN 	MAL

Gebelin, Henry	1CC, USN	MAL
Geer, James W.	OSCM, USN	24
Glasscock, Richard H.	NC1, USN	MAL
Glynn, William G.	LCDR, USN	MAL
Goodwin, Carl J.	BMC, USN	MAL

Hamilton, Charles T.	LTJG, USN	57
Hargraves, John K.	ETCM(SS), USN	MAL
Harmon, John L.	EM, USN	40
Heflin, Robert W.	ABFC, USN	MAL
Hilbert, William D.	AMS1, USN	126
Hitchrick, Michael J.	AQC, USN	47

Johnston, John G.	ADR1, USN	18 

Kaup, Donald K.	MMC, USN	117
Knapp, Joseph F.	PNCS, USN	MAL
Koryciak, Robert L.	AT1, USN	89

Marlin, Joseph C.	QMC, USN	MAL
McAtee, Carroll R.	 BM1, USN	201 
McKay, Wayne	ET1, USN	MAL
Melbourne, Warren L.	CTC, USN	MAL
Minter, William F.	AQCS, USN	364
Morgan, Floyd J.	YNC, USN	187
Morphis, John E.	CPO, USN	MAL
Mulzoff, Michael T.	ADC, USN	226
Murray, Arthur P.	LT, USN	MAL
Myers, William	CE1, USN	MAL

Nadeo, Francis A.	FTC(SS), USN	57
Nash, Lemuel M.	RM1, USN	MAL
Neubert, Richard M.	AMCS, USN	MAL
Noland, Howard D.	HMC, USN	MAL

Peal, Marlon E.	FTCS(SS), USN	53 
Putman, Alvin F.	CWO4, USN	MAL

Reisinger, Richard L.	BTCS, USN	106
Rhoades, Ira	BMC, USN	MAL
Rittenhouse, Ferness L.	LCDR, USN	106
Robbins, James P.	BM2, USN	289 
Rogers, Philip A.	OSCS, USN	166
Ross, Merrill L.	ABHC, USN	47 
Roubal, Edward F.	SH1, USN	162

Schmalz, Herbert J.	ENC, USN	MAL
Schmidt, Jerome F.	CMC, USN	307 
Shepherd, Everett D.	CPO, USN	MAL
Soler, Peter J.	DMCM, USN	23

Taylor, Stephen C.	SKC, USN	MAL
Thomas, Dean O.	SGT, USMC	MAL 
Thompson, Bruce E.	ADR1/AC, USN	89
Towey, Michael E.	ADJC, USN	261 
Truelsen, Marlan K.	AEC, USN	210

Werntz, William R.	MSGT, USMC	MAL
Westerberg, Allen R.	PNC, USN	136
Whitham, Leroy F.	MSGT, USMC	72
Windsor, Dudley I.	BTCM, USN	117
Winn, George R.	SKC, USN	MAL 
Winther, Robert H	 ADRC, USN	22 
Wood, James B.	PO2	346
Wright, John D.	ATCS, USN	289

To report the death of a Shipmate, please contact us via email at mserfra@fra.org or by telephone at 703-683-1400 ext 1. 

Return to Table of Contents

REUNIONS/lOOKINGFOR…

Reunions

VT-29
4/16/2020-4/18/2020
Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: Rene Ferrell
Phone: 361-765-1591
Email: rferrell@grandecom.net
 
USS Steinaker (DD-863)
4/23/2020 - 4/26/2020
Gettysburg, Pa. 
Contact: Ken Kohnen
Phone: 904-654-7321
Email: ken.kohnen@yahoo.com
 
USS Bluefish 
(SSN-675 & SS-222)
4/23/2020- 4/26/2020
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Contact: John Wittenstrom
Phone: 910-638-1716
Email: jwittenstrom@nc.rr.com

Old Salts and Assorted Spies
4/26/2020 - 4/30/2020
Frederickburg, Texas
Phone: 210-861-4932
Email: OLDSALTS2020@gmail.com
 
Florida USN/USCG CPOA
4/27/2020-5/1/2020
Port Canaveral, Fla.
Contact: Joanne Hykes
Phone: 863-424-6869
Email: vistacruises@yahoo.com
Website: www.flcpoa.com
 
USS Yosemite (AD-19)
4/29/2020 - 5/3/2020
Jacksonville, Fla.
Contact: Bill Krug
Phone: 352-419-6620
Email: w.krugiii@gmail.com
Website: ussyosemite.net

USS Mauna Kea (AE-22)
4/30/2020 - 5/3/2020
Milwaukee, Wisc.
Contact: Dennis Thieme
Phone: 262-758-3984
Email: dtctthieme@outlook.com
Website: ussmauna

Looking For... 

A list of reunions is at: www.fra.org/Reunions. All Reunions/LookingFor… must be submitted online, via email to reunions@fra.org or in writing to FRA Reunions/LookingFor…at 125 N. West St. Alexandria, VA 22314. Include your Member ID and a daytime telephone number. For help, contact FRA Member Services at 800-FRA-1924.

A list of Reunions is at: www.fra.org/Reunions. All Reunions/lookingFor… must be submitted online, via email to reunions@fra.org or in writing to FRA Reunions/LookingFor…at 125 N. West St. Alexandria, VA 22314. Include your Member ID and a daytime telephone number. For help, contact FRA Member Services at: 1-800-FRA-1924.

AUXILIARY OF THE FRA

LA FRA Southeast Regional President

It is an honor to have been elected as the Southeast regional president for the 2019-2020 year. Our southeastern regional units have been and will continue to be interested in helping our communities, sea service personnel and their families in many endeavors all along the region.

The units in the Southeast are always busy helping at the veteran’s hospital, Fisher House, nursing homes and animal shelters as well as working stand-downs for our veteran’s. 

The units hold various types of fundraising event such as yard sales, bake sales, auctions, cake walks and 50/50 sales to help offset operational costs.
The Units donate toys and monetary donations to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to help provide happiness and joy to many children on Christmas morning. It’s such a good feeling to see a smile on a child’s face. 

Auxiliary members support their communities by providing local schools and the Teacher Supply Closet with school supplies for children who are less fortunate. Most units provide Thanksgiving Dinner items to less fortunate military families in their areas.
Unit members also work with Operation Christmas Child, and donate toys, food and blankets to animal shelters in their towns.
Some units work with their branches, placing flags on graves during Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. Units and branches set up membership tables to promote the LA FRA and FRA.

Units of the Southeast Region participate in the National Wreaths Across America Day by placing wreaths on veterans’ graves during the month of December.

I will in my tenure as LA FRA Southeast regional president, continue to carry out the proud and noble efforts of my predecessors to make the LA FRA the foremost organization, to successfully help the LA FRA and FRA make the right choices for our organizations, and most importantly, to help our membership thrive and expand.   FRA
In Loyalty, Protection and Service, 
Gale Nathan
Gale is the LA FRA Southeast regional president.

FINANCE MATTERS

Saving for Retirement and Your Child’s College Education

Y
ou want to retire comfortably when the time comes. But you also want to help your child pay for college. With the cost of college tuition increasing and no guarantee that Social Security will be around at the time you retire, the amount of money you need to save may seem overwhelming. How do you balance both of those goals?

By starting to plan now, you can strike a strategic balance between saving for retirement and saving for college, says Will Larson, retirement planning strategist for Wells Fargo Advisors. 

“A good way to help achieve both goals is to sit down with your financial advisor as soon as possible and create an investment plan,” he says. Your financial advisor will talk to you about your goals, estimate how much money you need, and then put together a plan to get you on your way toward saving for both retirement and your child’s college education.
These strategies can be a good place to start.

Pay Yourself First 
Your top priority should be saving for retirement, Larson says. He recommends putting aside around 15 percent of your income every year. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can tap into your retirement plan to pay tuition — taxes and penalties mean you’ll take a big hit.

Invest Your Money in Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Your money will work harder for you if you take advantage of tax-friendly accounts like 529 savings plans. The key is starting as early as possible, says Kirk Pacatte, planning and life events specialist at Wells Fargo Advisors. 
“The earlier you get money in there, the better the potential for it to grow tax-deferred and compound,” he says. “That’s especially important when saving for education because you have a shorter window to save than you do for retirement.”

Take Advantage of Changes in Income or Expenses
If you get an unexpected inheritance, stash at least some of it in your savings. And if you get a 2 percent raise, consider putting 1 percent toward college savings and 1 percent toward retirement. If you no longer have to pay for day care or preschool because your child goes to public elementary school, keep making those payments, but put them into your child’s college savings account instead, Larson suggests. 

Set Clear Expectations with Your Child 
Have a frank conversation with your high-school-aged children about the level of financial support you can provide for college, Pacatte suggests. Some parents commit to paying the equivalent of the cost of in-state tuition for four years at a state school. Others agree to pay for half of the bill and let their children know they are expected to cover the rest. 

Look for Ways to Save on Tuition 
Even if you have significant savings for college, apply for scholarships and financial aid — you never know what you’ll get, Pacatte says. You can also encourage your children to take Advanced Placement or college-level courses in high school. If they earn enough college credit, they could potentially graduate from college in three years. 
“Being able to lop off a full year of college funding makes a huge difference in cost,” Larson says. FRA

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice President- Investments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602.
Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
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