What is FRA

1
What is FRA?

• FRA is the largest and most experienced
  professional military association representing
  enlisted active duty, Reserve and retired Navy,
  Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel.
• FRA is named after the Navys program for
  personnel transferring to the Fleet Reserve or
  Fleet Marine Corps Reserve after 20 or more years
  of service.
• We listen to the needs of our members and provide
  avenues for their message to be heard on Capitol
  Hill.
• FRAs legislative program focuses on pay, health
  care, benefits, family readiness and quality of
  life programs.
• We assist members in dealing with DoD, VA and
  other agencies.
• We work closely with Navy, Marine Corps, and
  Coast Guard Leadership including MCPON, SgtMaj
  USMC, MCPOCG, and other Senior Enlisted Leaders.

2
What Congress Gives,Congress Can Take Away

• FRA shipmates were the first enlisted service
  members of any service to testify before
  Congress.
• There is NO LAW on the books to protect the pay
  and benefits youve earned. Your benefits can be
  reduced or repealed during any legislative
  cycle.
• The 111th Congress has the fewest members
  (Senators/ Congressmen) with military experience
  since World War II.
• Because there are no guarantees that benefits
  will not be changed, it is important to have
  advocates representing your needs and the needs
  and concerns of your family!

3
FRA Works to Improve

• Treatment for Wounded Warriors
• Active and Reserve Pay and Benefits
• Retired Pay Benefits
• Veterans Benefits
• Health Care Access Funding
• Education Programs
• Family Readiness
• Bonuses Special Pays
• Other Quality of Life Programs

4
FRA-Led Initiatives

• Benefit active duty, reserve, veteran, and
  retired sea service personnel and their families
• Landmark Pay Study resulted in targeted Senior
  Enlisted pay hikes in 2001 through 2005 and
  significantly influenced higher basic pay than
  ECI increases
• Enactment of Post 911 GI Bill Education benefits
  for VEAP-era personnel (2008)
• Active duty protection from predatory lenders
  (2007)
• Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP) for USCG
  Boarding Teams (2004)
• Sea Pay Reform
• Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal REDUX (1999)
• The Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) (1972)
• Establishment of CHAMPUS (1966)

5
Current Legislation

• FRA is tracking a broad range legislation on a
  daily basis on important issues that include
• Prohibition of Retiree Health Care Fee Increases
• Active Duty Pay Raise at least 0.5 above ECI
• Lower Reserve Retirement Age Retroactive to
  9/11/01
• Concurrent Receipt Improvements
• MGIB Improvements for Reserve/Active and VEAP-Era
• Updating BAH Standards
• More Wounded Warrior Assistance
• Restoration of Medical Personnel Cuts
• Dislocation Allowance for Retiring Personnel
• Retention of Last Months Retiree Pay by
  Surviving Spouse

6
Challenges FRA Faces

• Keeping pay, health care, and benefits adequately
  funded
• Fewer and fewer members of Congress and staff
  personnel have military experience
• Lack of awareness about the power of grassroots
  support
• Sustaining a strong membership base

7
What You Can Do!

• VOTE
• Stay informed about threats to your pay and
  benefits
• Visit the Action Center at www.fra.org
• Call 1-800-FRA-1924 and request a copy of FRAs
  Communicate with your Elected Officials
• FRA Membership will help you
• Stay informed
• Participate in the legislative process
• Qualify for FRA Scholarships
• Communicate with elected officials (via FRAs
  Action Center)