LEGISLATION AND MILITARY POLICY UPDATES:
ROA Provides Testimony to House Military Personnel Subcommittee
ROA submitted testimony to the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel. The hearing was held on Feb. 25, with the committee receiving testimony on beneficiary and advocacy views. ROA advocated its legislative priorities including necessary changes to early retirement, gray-area access to TRICARE Reserve Select, improvements to the Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve among other issues.
A follow-on hearing was held March 3 where the Reserve Chiefs had a chance to testify before the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel about recruiting and retention. The committee is examining reductions in recruiting and retention incentives to save budget dollars, because the services are doing so well at recruiting and retention. All the Reserves Chiefs recommended that no change be made in the current RC incentives; several pointing out that a Reservist fearing unemployment will go on active duty, rather than remain in the Reserve Component. 
 Click here for details of the Reserve Chief hearing
 Click here to read ROA's testimony

ROA, Senate Leaders Discuss Veterans Issues
ROA attended a meeting on veterans issues that was hosted by Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Eighteen democratic senators attended the discussions on advanced funding on veterans health care, and a thorough screening of demobilizing veterans for invisible injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was emphasized that Guard and Reserve members who are being separated should receive their medical screening at the home station rather than at a demobilization site because a lot of injuries are not being reported, as Reserve Component members would rather go home, then be extended on medical hold. Another topic of discussion was the transferability of the new GI Bill. It was pointed out to the Senators that from military to veteran status is a continuum, so that military requirements have a correlation to veteran needs. This is especially true for the Guard and Reserve, where members separated from active duty remain in military status.

NATIONAL CONVENTION UPDATES:
This year, the National Convention will be held at the Marriott World Center Resort in Orlando, Fl.
 Check back for updates and don't forget to mark July 8-11 and SAVE THE DATE!

Candidates Corner Launched
ROA has created a page for the candidates in the running for National and Executive Committees. Read for more information on each candidate.
 Visit the "Meet the Candidates" page