Photo By Scott Sturkol | A speaker talks to military retirees and their family members during Retiree...... read more read more
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More than 400 military retirees and Family members attended the 2017 Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD) at Fort McCoy on Sept. 8.
The annual event is coordinated by the Fort McCoy Soldier For Life-Retirement Services Office (SFL-RSO) of the Directorate of Human Resources (DHR).
“This was a one-stop shop for military retirees and their Family members, and overall, it went very well,” said Retirement Services Officer Mitzi Hinton. “Retiree Appreciation Day is an important event where they can get updates on the resources, entitlements, and benefits they have.”
RAD included a full day filled with a variety of activities. During the morning session in building 905, speakers gave briefings on health care, veterans’ services, retirement benefits, legislative actions that could affect retirees, and more.
Garrison Commander Col. David J. Pinter Sr. welcomed all the RAD attendees to kick off the event. He described Fort McCoy, what the installation offers, and noted the Fort McCoy SFL-RSO holds eight other RAD events in a five-state region in addition to Fort McCoy’s event.
“Mitzi along with the (DHR) do a great job taking care of veterans and their Families,” Pinter said. “The efforts they provide in outreach is for (veterans) of all services. … (They) don’t just focus on the Army — they focus on everyone out there.”
Pinter also reminded the attendees to take advantage of the opportunity as much as possible. “This is your day,” he said. “Enjoy your day.”
Following the morning events, attendees then were able to grab a buffet lunch on their own at McCoy’s Community Center, which had been set up with extra seating.
An afternoon benefits fair held at Rumpel Fitness Center rounded out the day.The benefits fair included mainly numerous agencies that support military retirees and their Families.
Additionally, the Fort McCoy Commissary held a “sidewalk” sale that offered customers extra savings on items. Fort McCoy's Commemorative Area and History Center also were open for RAD attendees to learn more about the post’s 108-year history.
Hinton said the SFL-RSO can provide military retirees and Family members with more information and support for pre-retirement and post-retirement services.
Pre-retirement services include individual pre-retirement counseling; preparation of the Retired Pay Application, DD Form 2656; Career Status Bonus/REDUX counseling; and active-duty survivor assistance.
SFL-RSO post-retirement services include assistance with retired pay actions; providing TRICARE, Medicare, and Social Security information; referral to the Veterans Administration; obtaining lost service documents; and more.
The date for the 2018 RAD will be set soon.
Fort McCoy has supported America’s armed forces since 1909. The installation’s motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” The post’s varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure, combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.
Today, Fort McCoy has become the Army’s premier Total Force Training Center for Army Early Response Force early deployers to meet the Army's operational demand requirements. Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2017 08:46 |
| Story ID: | 248217 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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