11 July, 2005
ADM Donald L. Pilling, USN (Ret.)
Chairman
Defense Advisory Commission on Military Compensation
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Fleet Reserve
Association (FRA), representing 115,000 dues paying members, all active duty,
reserve or retired uniformed service personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard, submits the attached statement
to the Commission during its quest to review and make recommendations related
to the military compensation system. For more than 80 years, FRA has devoted
itself to representing its membership before Congress and other Federal
entities on compensation and other quality of life programs. Its success has been
exceptional when comparing the Association’s legislative endeavors to
those of other enlisted organizations.
Among its major
victories are; the first appearance by enlisted representatives before the
Congress of the United States leading to a pay increase for enlisted personnel,
the introduction of an all-service medical plan that became the Civilian Health
and Medical Program for the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), a "Widows’
Equity" proposal enacted by Congress as the Uniformed Services Survivor
Benefit Plan (SBP), targeted pay increases for mid-grade enlisted personnel,
and a proposal to repeal the 1986 military retirement system known as REDUX.
FRA continues to appear
before Congress as an invited witness or to submit statements concerning
military personnel issues, veterans’ programs, and Coast Guard matters.
Recent efforts have resulted in increased uniformed personnel for the Coast
Guard and the authorization for the Commandant of the Coast Guard to offer his
personal views before Congressional committees as authorized for the current
chiefs of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
Members of the FRA
headquarters staff have been instrumental in guiding The Military Coalition
(TMC) since its founding in 1985. The below signatory is the elected co-chairman
of the Coalition and its Military Personnel, Compensation and Commissary
Committee. Its Director for Membership Development co-chairs the Health Care
Committee. The Acting Director for Legislative Programs was recently elected as
co-chairman Military Construction, MWR and Exchange Committee. Additionally, FRA’s Legislative Counsel, one of the two founders of
TMC, is the Coalition’s elected Administrator and was the first Coalition
co-chairmen elected to that position of responsibility.
FRA believes its
comments contained in the attached statement may assist the Commission in
making its recommendations beneficial to the men and women serving in the
uniformed services. If the Commission has questions concerning the comments
therein, please contact Matt Schafer, Acting Director for Legislative Programs,
at the above telephone number.
With appreciation,
JOSEPH L. BARNES
National Executive Secretary
JLB:aal