NewsBytes October 9, 2020
In this issue:
FRA Provides Enlisted Marine Corps Legislative Fellows a Brief
FRA Opposes ANC Burial Restrictions
Education Foundation to Include Trade School and Community College
FRA NHQ Closed Monday/NewsBytes Schedule
Happy Birthday Navy!
FRA Provides Enlisted Marine Corps Legislative Fellows a Legislative Process Brief
The FRA staff (NED Chris Slawinski and DLP John Davis) gave a legislative process brief to the five CY 2021 Marine Corps enlisted Fellows, at FRA NHQ. The Marine Corps and Navy have separate Congressional Fellowship Programs that offer participants the opportunity to work in the legislative branch of the federal government for one year. The program also provides education through the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. An FRA legislative process brief for the CY 2021 Navy Legislative Fellows, both enlisted and officers, is pending.
FRA Opposes ANC Burial Restrictions
The Arlington National Cemetery Advisory Council (ANCAC) recently convened to review the changes to Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and discuss the Federal Register public comment period currently underway.
Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy recommended restrictions to eligibility criteria in September 2019, for burial at ANC that will include military retirees for above-ground inurnment. 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 Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) surveyed its members regarding proposed changes to eligibility criteria for burial at ANC that will include military retirees for above-ground inurnment. The survey question and results are as follows:
Should FRA oppose a regulation that prohibits in ground burial for retirees with no combat experience?
• YES 54%
• NO 28%
• Undecided/Unsure/Don’t care 18%
Many retirees believe that twenty or more years of arduous military service has earned them the option to be provided an in-ground burial at ANC.
Before implementing the proposed rule, the ANC must allow for public comment on the proposed rule in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. The FRA has shared these survey results with the ANC and with key members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee. The association has also signed onto a Military Coalition (TMC) letter. The TMC statement recommends grandfathering those currently eligible and conducting non-contiguous expansion to ensure ANC operations with full military honors can continue well into the future. The TMC is a group of organizations representing more than 5.5 million members of the uniformed services past and present, families, and survivors.
The public comment period opened Sept. 15 and will close Nov. 16. Members wanting to comment can go online. FRA members can also use the FRA Action Center to weigh in on this issue with their legislators.
Education Foundation Expands Awards to Include Trade School and Community College
The Fleet Reserve Association Education Foundation is expanding the scope of its annual scholarship awards to include students attending trade schools and community colleges for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The Foundation Board of Directors recently approved this expansion based on input from Sea Service personnel and others, and a belief in the importance of including deserving students attending these institutions with those attending four-year colleges and universities.
Anyone who has a connection to the US Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard may apply for Foundation scholarships, and FRA Shipmates and their family members qualify for a broader range of scholarships, several of which are funded through member legacy donations.
The FRA Education Foundation is an outgrowth of the FRA Scholarship Program, which dates back several decades. Today, the Foundation is a 501(c)3 educational organization that awards approximately $90,000 in scholarships each year, and since 2000, the initial program and Foundation have awarded scholarships totaling $2 million.
The Foundation's work is directly related to FRA’s mission and 1924 founding principles of loyalty, protection and service.
Scholarship applications are due each year on April 15. All submissions are reviewed by a panel of adjudicators and awards are based on academic standing, financial need, character and leadership qualities. Scholarships are awarded in July and range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Additional information, applications and recent award recipients are available online. Individuals wishing to make contributions, which may be tax deductible, to support future scholarships can also do so at that address. Questions about the program can be sent the Foundation Scholarship Coordinator at: scholars@fra.org.
Happy Birthday Navy!
The FRA will salute the U.S. Navy’s 245th birthday on Tuesday, October 13th.
The United States established its Continental Navy on October 13th, 1775, with the procurement, manning and dispatch of two armed vessels assigned to interrupt munitions shipments to the British Army in America. Over the course of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Navy amassed 50 ships, with approximately 20 active warships at its maximum strength.
The FRA acknowledges all Sailors for their important role in our nation’s history and their ongoing devotion to the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.
FRA NHQ Closed Monday/NewsBytes Schedule
The FRA NHQ will be closed Monday for Columbus Day. The House is not scheduled to be in session in October and the Senate will go into session only to vote to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. Therefore, NewsBytes will only be issued on a as need basis for October. The next issue of Newsbytes will be November 6, 2020.
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