NATIONAL CONVENTION UPDATE:
Join us in Orlando, Fl., as We Honor the HEROES AMONG US—Our Nation’s Citizen Warriors
In what is scheduled to be the last large-scale summer annual meeting for the Association—ROA will hold elections, host a slate of national security briefings, armed services and policy updates, and education programs, including the Joint Officer Leadership Training Seminar.
 For registration information, visit ROA's Orlando Web page  

LEGISLATION AND MILITARY POLICY UPDATES:
ROA To Co-Sponsor Press Conference on Expanding Retirement Benefits
ROA co-sponsored a press conference on expanding retirement benefits for the National Guard and Reserve with Congressmen Joe Wilson (S.C.-02) and Dan Boren (Okla.-02), at the headquarters on Wednesday, March 25 at 2 p.m.
 See the media advisory (PDF)
 Visit the ROA Press Room
 Read "On the table: Early Reservist Retirement Pay" 
  (MilitaryTimes.com) 

3rd Party Billing for VA Health Care - DOA
Solid front derails funding plan.
Last week, ROA reported about an administration plan that would permit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to charge private health care insurers for medical treatments of veterans who became ill, or were wounded or injured during the line of duty. A unanimous dissent by military and veterans service organizations and family groups caused the White House to back down.
     ROA was instrumental in getting two joint letters published that added another 60 associations’ objection to the plan.  
 National Military and Veterans Alliance Voices Veterans’ Insurance Concern to President (PDF)
 The Military Coalition (TMC) letter to President Obama on VA billing of Private Insurance (PDF)
These letters reinforced the objections voiced in earlier meetings that the President had with veterans service organizations such as the American Legion, and the VFW.  Pressure from the organizations caused support for the plan in Congress to evaporate. Congress approval would be required for authorization so that the Department of Veterans Affairs to seek 3rd party payments.
     Last Wednesday at a meeting in the Capitol, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), personally informed ROA and other major military and veterans associations that President Obama would not proceed with the proposal that could have forced veterans to use their private insurance for the treatment of service-connected injuries.
 See the article on CNS News 

ROA thanks our members who contacted us with their concerns and added their voice to help stop this proposal dead in its tracks. ROA will continue to be vigilant, and remain in the role as a leader to let a broad base of military, veteran, and family associations to remain involved in this and other issues in the coming year.

ROA Activities on Capitol Hill
U.S. House Reserve Component Caucus Breakfast - ROA was a prime sponsor of this event, which brought together House members and staffers to meet with the Reserve Component chiefs in the Rayburn House Office Building. Almost 200 people attended including 18 members of Congress in the final count. 

Meeting with Speaker Pelosi and House Leadership - ROA joined nearly two dozen veteran organizations at the Capitol to meet with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and most Chairs of the House military, veteran and budget committees to discuss personnel and defense issues. The House leadership included Chairmen Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), David Obey (D-Wis.), Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), John Spratt (D-S.C.), Chet Edwards (D-Texas), Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), and other key Congressional leaders. With a dominance of Veteran Service organizations, ROA was one of the few organizations that talked about serving members. Among the issues that ROA addressed was the need for COBRA health care protections for members and families when no longer eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select, and ROA is seeking to provide transitional TRS to those leaving for the IRR, or being separated from the Reserves.
 See the group photos on Facebook page

U.S. Senate Caucus Breakfast Meeting - ROA hosted the Senate Reserve Caucus Breakfast on Thursday, March 19, and provided an opportunity for the Reserve Chiefs to meet with member offices in the Senate. Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), spoke before the breakfast and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), was in attendance. In a round robin, Reserve Component Chiefs discuss their priorities for Congress. Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., USAFR, was the keynote speaker, but Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, USAR; VADM Dirk J. Debbink, USNR; Lt. Gen. John W. Bergman, USMCR; RADM Daniel R. May, USCGR; and General Joseph Lengyel, USANG, each had a chance to speak for a couple of minutes. The three “M”s were emphasized: manpower, modernization, and military construction. An emphasis was placed on the continuum of service, and how each service needs their own mix of an operational and strategic Reserve. The importance of the National Guard and Reserve Equipment appropriation was stressed, as it provides the Reserve Components with budget flexibility. 

Photo: Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman addresses issues at the Senate Reserve Component Breakfast with Senators Chambliss and Pryor in the background.

ROA also had meetings on Capitol Hill about TRICARE, and  Gray-area buy-in into TRICARE Reserve Select.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES:
Feb. 2008 Department Retention Statistics:
The top 5 ROA Departments for retention of term members are:

1.	Maine	86%
2.	New Hampshire	83%
3.	South Dakota	83%
4.	Montana	79%
5.	Rhode Island	77%

The 5 lowest ranking ROA Departments for retention of term members are:

1.	Far East	33%
2.	Illinois	41%
3.	Vermont	44%
4.	Arizona	49%
5.	Wyoming	50%

Membership Survey: Last Call
March 31 is the last day to send your feedback. Your voice counts, so take it today!
 Take the survey