IN THIS ISSUE

&nbs= p;

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

History Made!

New Air Guard Dir= ector

FMLA Improves

Mileage Allowance= goes up

Army RCPs<= /a>

Resource Director= y

Humana Warrior He= lp

Legislative Works= hop

Travel Deals

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

November = 20, 2008

This is= an official publication of the Enlisted Association of the National Gu= ard of the United States. Feel free to forward and share this informati= on. EANGUS is non-partisan. We report the facts - you decide on your position.

Quote of the Week--

"The real stars are wearing body armor on top of their battle dress uniforms in 130 degree heat and they do not have stunt doubles to come in for them when the going gets rough and the shrapnel starts flying."

Actor Ben Stein

History Made As Guard Chief Gets 4th Star 3D"Crai= <= o:p>

Hearty cheers filled= the Pentagon auditorium Monday afternoon as history was made when a fou= rth star was pinned on the shoulders of the new chief of the National G= uard Bureau - for the first time in it's almost four centuries of existe= nce.

Just as important to the hundreds of Guardsmen in attendance, Air F= orce Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley also will serve as principal adviser to the defense secretary, through the Joint Chiefs chairman, on all Nation= al Guard matters. No such position previously existed.

McKinley will also continue as principal adviser to the Army and Air Force secretaries and staff chiefs on matters related to the Army a= nd Air National Guard.

"This elevation of the chief of the National Guard Bureau to f= our stars underscores the critical importance of the Guard to America's overall national defense," Defense Secretary Robert Gates told= the gathering. "It also signifies the vital role the chief has in bridging the state and federal components of our government, and the active and reserve components of our military."

McKinley's promotion "is recognition of his outstanding leader= ship abilities, and shows the confidence the president and I have in him= to be the nation's senior Guard officer at such a critical time," Gates said.

Several of the roughly 30 states adjutants general in attendance sa= id the move is long overdue.
"The awareness will be much increased about the critical role = that the National Guard plays for our nation, both at home and in combat operations around the world," said Army Maj. Gen. Bob Lee, Hawaii's adjutant general. "When you add the Army and the Air Guard together, it's just short of a half-million folks. So it's ab= out time we got a four-star general that controls so many resources.&qu= ot;

The fourth star and new advisory role follow recommendations by the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves and last year's Defen= se Authorization Act, in which Congress also established the Guard as a joint activity of the Defense Department.

McKinley succeeds Lt. Gen. Stephen Blum, who in January will become= the first National Guard deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command - another commission recommendation.

[ArmyTimes.com, November 17, 2008, By William H. McMichael (article truncated for publication)]

New Air National Guard 3D"MG Director <= br style=3D'mso-special-character:line-break'>

Major General Harry = H. "Bud" Wyatt, Adjutant General of Oklahoma, has been nomin= ated by President Bush for appointment to the grade of Lieutenant General and assignment as the next Director, Air National Guard. He w= ill replace General Craig R. McKinley, who was promoted Monday to his current grade as Chief, National Guard Bureau.

General Wyatt entered the United States Air Force in June 1971 after graduating from Southern Methodist University, and was commissioned= a Second Lieutenant in November 1971. He entered undergraduate pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas and graduated in January 1= 973. He is a command pilot with over 3,000 hours in the A-7, C-26, F-16, F-100, F-106, T-33, T-37, and T-38 aircraft.

In August 1977, General Wyatt entered service into the Oklahoma Air National Guard. During his tenure with the Guard, Wyatt has served = as a fighter pilot, flight commander, vice wing commander, wing commande= r, and Chief of Staff of the Oklahoma National Guard. Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry appointed then Brig. Gen. Wyatt to the position= of Adjutant General of Oklahoma in 2003, raising him to the rank of Ma= jor General.

US Dept of Labor Expands, Clarifies FMLA Rules =

The U.S. Department of Labor will publish a final rule= on Nov. 17 to update its regulations under the 15-year-old Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) -- a measure that will help workers and th= eir employers better understand their rights and responsibilities, and speed the implementation of a new law that expands FMLA coverage for military family members.

"This common sense, balanced rule is the product = of a two year-long transparent process involving about 20,000 public comments and reflects the careful consideration of the views of FML= A's stakeholders," said Victoria A. Lipnic, Assistant Secretary for the Labor Department's Employment Standards Administration.

Provisions in the final rule call for increased notice obligations for employers so that employees will better understand their FMLA rights, while revising the employee notice rules to mini= mize workplace disruptions due to unscheduled FMLA absences. The final r= ule also contains technical changes that reflect decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts.

Featured final rule actions implementing the statutory expansion of FMLA for military families =

= M= ilitary Caregiver Leave: Implements the requirement to expand FMLA protections for family members caring for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty. These family members are able to take up to 26 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period.
Leave for Qualifying Exigencies for Families of National Guard a= nd Reserves: The law allows families of National Guard and Reserve personnel on active duty to take FMLA job-protected leave to manage their affairs - "qualifying exigencies." The rule defines "qualifying exigencies" as:

(1) short-notice deployment
(2) military events and related activities
(3) childcare and school activities
(4) financial and legal arrangements
(5) counseling
(6) rest and recuperation
(7) post-deployment activities and
(8) additional activities where the employer and employee agree to = the leave.

= &= nbsp;

= T= he public can view the entire text of the final rule as it will appear= in the Federal Register at: http://www.federalregister.gov/page2.aspx#reg_W. For further information about the FMLA and the proposed regulations, visit the = Wage and Hour Division's website, http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/index.htm. =

Travel Reimbursement Increases for Eligible Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they rec= eive for travel to VA facilities for medical care.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced that he = will use his authority to raise the mileage reimbursement = from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans= .

"We owe it to our veterans to give them the best care possible," said Peake. "The increase will once again prov= ide assistance to our veterans, especially in these difficult economic times, to help offset gasoline costs and to assist veterans with ac= cess to the VA's world-class health system."

Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding = to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which goes into effect on November 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receivi= ng VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement.

While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applie= d to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maxi= mum of $16 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran. <= /span>

Monthly Premiums Decrease for TRICARE Reserve Select<= /p>

<= /p>

Effective Jan. 1, 2= 009, TRICARE will reduce the rates for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS). Monthly premiums for TRS individual coverage will drop 44% from $81.00 to $47.51, and TRS family coverage will drop 29% from $253.00 to $180.17.

The 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), section 704, required TRICARE to analyze Reserve Select costs from 2006 and 2007, and set new rates for 2009.
Established in 2005, TRS is a premium-based health plan for National Guard and Reserve personnel available for purchase by members of the Selected Reserve who are not eligible for or enrolled in Federal Employee Health Benefit plans.

TRS provides a health plan option to members of the Selected Reserve and their families when they are not on active duty status. The TRS plan delivers coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and Extra to eligible members who purchase the coverage and pay monthly premiums. TRS also features continuously open enrollment.

For more information about TRS visit the TRICARE Web site at http://= www.tricare.mil.

Army Retention Control Points Change<= br>
The Army issued a personnel policy message, ALARACT 267/2008 CHANGE= TO RETENTION CONTROL POINTS (RCP) AND AGE REQUIREMENT FOR ENLISTED SOLDIERS SERVING IN THE REGULAR ARMY OR UNDER THE ACTIVE GUARD RESE= RVE (AGR) PROGRAM, DTG 080025Z NOV 08.

The message implements retention control points (RCPs) and age requirements that are consistent for enlisted Soldiers serving on active duty across all Army components. The policy will apply= to Soldiers serving in the Regular Army (RA), and to Soldiers of the A= rmy Reserve (AR) or Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) w= ho are serving under the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program. The policy does not apply to Soldiers serving in the AR or ARNG who are mobilized, assigned to the IRR, M-day status, or a Troop Program Un= it.

Army Retention Control Points are: PVT-PFC, 8 years service; CPL/SPC, 10 years service; CPL/SPC (Promotable), 15 years service; = SGT, 15 years service; SGT (Promotable), 20 years service; SSG, 23 years service; SSG (Promotable) (Except For Band Members), 26 years servi= ce; SFC, 26 years service; SFC (Promotable), 29 years service; 1SG/MSG,= 29 years service (unless selected for USASMA, which extends RCP to 32 years service); 1SG/MSG (Promotable), 32 years service; CSM/SGM, 32 years service (unless serving in nominative position, which extends= RCP to 35 years service).

This change in policy is effective November 1, 2008. There ar= e a few exceptions not noted, and you should refer to the actual message from HQ US Army for the exact policy in all cases.

National Resource Directory for Wounded Warriors, Fami= lies and Caregivers

The Department of Defense launched the National Resource Directory,= a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs.

The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen a= nd those who support them.

Located at http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.org , the directory offers more than 10,000 medical and non-medical services and resour= ces to help service members and veterans achieve personal and professio= nal goals along their journey from recovery through rehabilitation to community reintegration.

The National Resource Directory is organized into six major categor= ies: Benefits and Compensation; Education, Training and Employment; Fami= ly and Caregiver Support; Health; Housing and Transportation; and Serv= ices and Resources. It also provides helpful checklists, Frequently Asked Questions, and connections to peer support groups. All information on the Web site can be found through a general or state= and local search tool.

Humana Military Offers Guidance to Service Members In Transition and Families

Humana Military Healthcare Services (HMHS) announces the Warrior Navigation & Assistance Program (WNAP), to support service memb= ers in transition and their families with information and assistance ab= out the TRICARE program and seamless transition through the military he= alth system.

The program offers person-to-person guidance and access to an advoc= acy unit, specially trained around unique challenges that many service members may face as it relates to access to care or the need for in= formation on all available resources, whether it is the Military Health Syste= m, Veterans Affairs or community assets.

It also offers a broad spectrum of clinical programs designed to me= et the special needs of military members and their families. Add= itionally this new specialized unit will oversee education and assistance initiatives for civilian providers caring for service members and t= heir families.

One attribute of the dedicated unit is a toll-free number for servi= ce members in transition and their families. This telephone numb= er, 1-888-4GO-WNAP, provides direct access t= o a multi-disciplinary team who will assist service members and/or fami= ly members in problem solving and other needed medical or community resources.

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009

Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South

5821 Richmond Highwa= y, Alexandria, Virginia 22303 (703) 329-1400 F= ax (703)329-1424

** Hotel room rate is $139
**Hotel has 57 new studio suites as well as 133 regular rooms
**Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to Metro Station and= Old Town
**Hotel provides hot breakfast every morning at no additional charg= e
**Hotel does not charge for parking
**No registration fee for workshop

Monday March 2, 2009

**Track I and II combined training sessions
** Catered lunch (Subway-provided by EANGUS) with all day track training
**Icebreaker social Monday night at Hampton

Tuesday March 3, 2009

** Awards Breakfast and Tracks I session (new attendees) continues = on the Hill. Track II attendees (past attendees) ends at the end= of Awards Breakfast, with Hill visits the rest of the day. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotel to the hill for the Awards Breakfast only. Getting back to the hotel will be on y= our own.

Wednesday March 4, 2009

** Hill visits (you provide your own transportation)

Travel days March 1 and 4 or 5

Arrive Sunday March 1; fly into DCA Reagan National Airport. Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to/from DCA; IAD Dulle= s is 40 miles away; BWI Baltimore is 30 miles away

Depart either Wednesday afternoon March 4 or Thursday March 5

Make your own appointments = with your Hill lawmakers before attending the workshop<= o:p>

EANGUS Travel Advantage Deal of the Week

<= /span>

Follow this link for travel values:

Travel = deal of the Week

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

Lame Duck Session=

Walgreens<= /a>

Senate Election R= esults

House Election Re= sults

Video on TRS

Disability Eval S= ystem Pilot

Legislative Works= hop

Travel Deals

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

<= o:p>

= EANGUS MINUTEMAN UPDATE

November = 13, 2008

Quote of the Week--

"Whoever = said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons"
(General Douglas MacArthur)

Lame Duck Sessions of Congress 3D"Lam= <= br>
Next week will be the "lame duck" session of the 110th Congress. Congress plans to be in session for just one w= eek, adjourning at the end of the week until the start of the 111th Cong= ress in early January 2009.

A "lame duck" session is when the House or the Senat= e, or both, reconvene in an even-numbered year following the November general elections to consider various items of business. Some lawma= kers who return for this session will not be in the next Congress because they have been voted out of office or they plan to resign or retire from Congress. Hence, they are informally called "lame duck&qu= ot; Members participating in a "lame duck" session.

The possibility of lame duck sessions of Congress began in 1935, wh= en the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took effect. Under this amendment, ratified in 1933, regular sessions of Congress begin on January 3 of each year, unless Congress passes a law in the previous session changing the date. Also, the terms of members begin and end= on January 3 of odd-numbered years. Under these arrangements, any meet= ing of Congress between Election Day in an even-numbered year and the following January 3 is considered a lame duck session.

Why lame duck sessions are= bad<= br> Lame duck sessions are never desirable. Defeated lame duck lawmaker= s, knowing they will not have jobs in the new Congress, either tend to "just go through the motions" while debating and voting on remaining important legislation or, in worse cases, attempt to hind= er or even damage the lawmaking process.

Why lame duck sessions hap= pen<= br> The typical "target" date for the annual adjournment of e= ach session of Congress is during the first week in October. During far= too many recent years, the main reason for lame duck sessions has been Congress' failure to complete its work on the spending, or "appropriations" bills that form the basis of the annual federal budget. By law, the federal budget process, including passa= ge of the spending bills, begins the first Monday in February of each = year and should be concluded by October 1st, the start of the federal government's Federal Fiscal Year. In this particular lame duck sess= ion, Congress will be considering an economic stimulus package for the country, due to the financial crisis the country is in.<= /span>

More on Walgreens

Good news! Walgreens and Express Scripts have reached = an agreement concerning their 2009 contract to provide retail prescriptions to TRICARE beneficiaries.

In a change from last week's Minuteman Update, Walgreens will now continue to be a provider of prescription medicines in 2009.

Beneficiaries who received letters from Express Scripts concerning Walgreens will receive another letter from Express Scripts stating = that Walgreens is still a viable retail option in 2009.

If you are affected by this change, and have any questions, = please feel free to contact Express Scripts at 1-877-425-1139 anytime.

US Senate-Election Results<= br> &= nbsp;
With three races yet to be determined, Democrats had scored a net g= ain of six seat in the Senate. The Senate result currently stands= at 55 Democrats, 40 Republicans and 2 Independents. The Independents usually caucus with the Democrats.

Sen Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) failed to achieve a 50% +1 threshold required by Georgia statue, so he and his Democratic challenger, Jim Martin will stand for a runoff election on 2 December. Chambl= is led his challenger by 110,985 votes, but that was 8,370 short of the required 50% + 1 threshold.

In Minnesota, Sen Norm Coleman (R-MN) leads former comedian Al Fran= ken by 221 votes. The Minnesota Secretary of State's office is mo= ving toward a recount, which Republicans seem confident about because the state's ballots are electronically scanned and not subject to as mu= ch interpretation from poll workers. Counties must certify their results by 10 November and their final results will be sent to the Minnesota Secretary of State by 14 November. The recount proc= ess will not begin until 19 November.

In Alaska, Sen Ted Stevens (R-AK) is also clinging to a 3,353 vote margin against former Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a Democrat. The longest-serving Republican senator seems to be in a solid posit= ion, with a 3,353-vote lead with 99 percent of precincts reporting, thou= gh the race has yet to be called due to a high number of uncounted absentee ballots.

Obama's and Biden's Senate seats must also be filled. Democra= tic Governors of Illinois and Delaware are expected to name Democrats to those seats. Each replacement would serve until to 2010 elect= ion.

New Senators include Mark Udall (D-CO); Jim Risch (R-ID); Mi= ke Johanns (R-NE); Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); Tom Udall (D-NM); Kay Hagan (D-NC); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); and Mark Warner (D-VA). None of these newly elected Senators have military experience.

= Appropriations Committee

Sen Robert C Byrd (D-WV) announced Friday 7 November that he will relinquish his chairmanship. Sen Daniel Inouye (D-HI) is next= in seniority to replace Byrd as the full committee chair. Inouye would likely elect to retain the gavel of the Defense subcommittee too. If Inouye elects to forego the Defense subcommittee post, then Sen Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is nest in seniority to fill the post. Sen Byrd will remain as a member of the committee and w= ill retain his chairmanship of the Homeland Security subcommittee..

On the Republican side, Thad Cochran should return as the ranking member for the full committee. Sen Ted Steven's (R-AK) remains under a cloud following his conviction on 7 felony counts last month. And, his election remains too close to call at this point. If he does return to the Senate, his conviction would preclude any leadership position. Sen Thad Cochran (R-MS) has temporarily filled the ranking position on the Defense subcommittee= and is expected to retain that position.

Departing the panel are Sen Pete Domenici (R-NM) retired; Sen Larry Craig (R-ID) retired; and Sen Wayne Allard (R-CO) retired.

= Armed Services Committee

Sen Carl Levin (D-MI) is expected to remain as chairman. Sen = John McCain (R-AZ) returns as the ranking member. Sen Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) currently chairs the Airland subcommittee but may = be forced to relinquish the post.

Departing the panel are Sen John Warner (R-VA) retired; and Sen Eli= zabeth Dole (R-NC) defeated.

US House of Representatives Election Results

With six races yet to be determined Democrats have scored a net gai= n of 19 seats in the House. The House result currently stands at 2= 55 Democrats and 174 Republicans.

House races in Alaska's At Large district, California's 4th distric= t, Ohio's 15th district, and Virginia's 5th district also remain too c= lose to call and could all be headed toward recounts. In addition,= two Louisiana races (2nd & 4th districts) will be decided in run-of= fs on 6 December 2008.

New representatives include:

Bobby Bright (D-2-AL) - this district includes Ft Rucker

Parker Griffith (D-5-AL) - this district includes Redstone Arsenal. USAR 1970-73

Ann Kirkpatrick (D-1-AZ)

TBD (-4-CA) - this district includes Sierra Army Depot

Duncan Hunter (R-52-CA) - son of the retiring HASC Ranking member; = USMC 2002-2005; USMCR 2005-2008

Jared Polis (D-2-CO)

Betsy Markey (D-4-CO)

Mike Coffman (R-6-CO) - US Army 1972-74; USAR 1975-79; USMC 1979-83; USMCR 1983-94, 2005-06

Jim Hines (D-4-CT)

Alan Grayson (D-8-FL)

Bill Posey (R-15-FL)

Tom Rooney (R-16-FL) - US Army 2000-2004

Suzanne Kosmas (D-24-FL)

Walt Minnick (D-1-ID) - US Army 1970-72

Debbie Halvorson (D-11-IL)

Aaron Schock (R-18-IL)

Lynn Jenkins (R-2-KS) - district includes Ft Leavenworth and Fort R= iley

Brett Guthrie (R-2-KY) - district includes Ft Knox; USMA grad '87; = US Army 1987-90; USAR 1990-2002

Bill Cassidy (R-6-LA)

Chellie Pingree (D-1-ME) - district includes Portsmouth Naval Shipy= ard and NAS Brunswick

Frank Kratovil, Jr. (D-1-MD)

Mark Schauer (D-7-MI)

Gary Peters (D-9-MI) - USNR 1993-2000; 2001-05

Erik Paulsen (R-3-MN)

Gregg Harper (R-3-MS) - district includes NAS Meridian

Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-9-MO)

Dian Titus (D-3-NV)

John Adler (D-3-NJ)

Leonard Lance (R-7-NJ)

Martin Heinrich (D-1-NM) - district includes Kirtland AFB

Harry Teague (D-2-NM) - district includes WSMR

Ben Ray Lujan (D-3-NM) - district includes Cannon AFB

Michael McMahon (D-13-NY)

Paul Tonko (D-21-NY) - district includes Watervliet Arsenal

Dan Maffei (D-25-NY)

Christopher Lee (R-26-NY)

Eric Massa (D-29-NY) - USN 1981-2001; former HASC staffer

Larry Kissell (D-8-NC) - district includes Fort Bragg and Pope AFB<= br>
Steve Driehaus (D-1-OH)

Steve Austria (R-7-OH)

Marcia Fudge (D-11-OH)

TBD (-15-OH)

John Boccieri (D-16-OH) - USAF 1994-98; USAFR 2000-present

Kurt Schrader (D-5-OR)

Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3-PA)

Glenn Thompson (R-5-PA)

Phil Roe (R-1-TN) - district includes Holston AAP; US Army Medical Corps 1973-74

Pete Olson (R-22-TX) - USN 1988-98

Jason Chaffetz (R-3-UT)

Glenn Nye (D-2-VA) - district includes NAS Oceana, NAB Little Creek=

TBD (-5-VA)

Gerald Connolly (D-11-VA) - district includes a portion of Ft Belvo= ir

Cynthia Lummis (R-At Large-WY) - district includes FE Warren AFB

= House Committee on Appropriations

The Democratic leadership should remain mostly intact with Rep David Obey (D-WI) returning as the Chairman. Changes in the Republi= can membership will be significant with six retirements and one elector= al defeat..

Departing the panel are Rep Bud Cramer (D-AL) retired; Rep Tom Udall (D-NM) elected to the Senate; Rep Ralph Regula (R-OH) retired; Rep = Jim Walsh (R-NY) retired; Rep David Hobson (R-OH) retired; Rep Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) defeated; Rep John Peterson (R-PA) retired; Rep LaHood (R-IL) retired; Rep Weldon (R-FL) retired.

Democratic members who serve on this committee cannot serve on any other panel according to party rules.

= House Committee on Armed Services

The Democratic leadership should remain mostly intact Changes= in the Republican membership will be significant. John McHugh (R-23-NY) is expected to replace Duncan Hunter (R-52-CA) as the ran= king member. Ranking members on the subcommittees are also expecte= d to shuffle.

Departing the panel are Rep Mark Udall (D-CO) elected to the Senate; Rep Nancy Boyda (D-KS) defeated; Rep Duncan Hunter (R-CA) retired; = Rep Jim Saxton (R-NJ) retired; Rep Robin Hayes (R-NC) defeated.

Rep Thelma Drake (R-VA) is awaiting the count of more than 26,000 absentee ballots in her southern Virginia district and has not conceded. Democrat Glenn Nye now leads in that race by nearly 8,000 votes, but Republicans hope many of the absentee votes were cast by military personnel who could boost Drake to victory in the defense-heavy district.

During the campaign, House Democratic leaders promised Nye, a former Foreign Service official who served in Iraq as an adviser to the U.= S. Agency for International Development, a seat on the panel. Democrat= ic leaders also have promised Alabama Democratic Rep.-elect Bobby Brig= ht, who won Everett's seat, an assignment to the committee. Rep.-elect Larry Kissell, a high school teacher who ousted Hayes, could also m= ake a strong case for taking a seat on the panel because the district includes Fort Bragg, home to the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Oth= er possible Democratic contenders for an Armed Services seat may inclu= de Rep.-elect John Boccieri, who won Ohio's 16th District. Although the Canton-area district does not contain any military bases, Boccieri = is a C-130 pilot who has done four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and cou= ld add heft to his party's national security agenda.

On the Republican side, GOP leaders will almost certainly assign Rep.-elect Duncan Duane Hunter, who won the San Diego-area seat bei= ng vacated by his father, to the panel. His district includes several = Navy installations and defense firms, and Hunter served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine Corps officer. Rep.-elect Lynn Jenkins of Kansas, an accountant who defeated Boyda, could claim a seat. The district, which is home to Fort Leavenworth, has long had representation on the committee.

New Video on TRICARE Reserve Select<= span style=3D'mso-bookmark:"LETTER\.BLOCK25"'>

Health Net Federal Services is very proud to announce the release of its first online beneficiary video. The National Guard and Reserve TRICARE Benefits Video educates National Guard and Reserve members = and their families on the health care benefits they are entitled to dur= ing the various phases of a member's service.

The video highlights TRICARE program eligibility; enrollment instructions for TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Prime and other programs; costs for care; dental and pharmacy benefits; and direct links to National Guard and Reserve, and TRICARE Web sites.

Health Net Federal Services developed this video in response to the growing need to educate all National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Furthermore, it is designed to support all U.= S. National Guard and Reserve families regardless of the TRICARE regio= n in which they are located. Customer service contact information for ea= ch region is provided in the video. To view the video, visit https:/= /www.hnfs.net/training/guard_reserve/index.html

Expansion of the Defense and VA Disability Evaluation System Pilot=

The Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the expansion of the Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot from = the National Capital Region to 19 installations across the country, representing all military departments.

On Oct. 1, 2008, the pilot was expanded to Fort Meade, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va. The remaining 17 installations will be introduce= d to the pilot upon completion of site preparations and personnel orientation and training, during a 7-month period from November 200= 8 to May 2009.

The remaining installations to begin the program are: Army: Fo= rt Carson, Colo., Fort Drum, N.Y., Fort Stewart, Ga., Fort Richardson, Alaska, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas,= and Fort Polk, La.; Navy: Naval Medical Center (NMC) San Diego and Camp Pendleton, Calif., NMC Bremerton, Wash., NMC Jacksonville, Fla= ., and Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and Air Force: Vance Air Force Base, Okla., Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska., and Travis Air Force Base, Calif. &nb= sp;

In November 2007 DOD and VA implemented the pilot test for disabili= ty cases originating at the three major military treatment facilities = in the national capital region. The pilot is a test of a new proc= ess design eliminating the duplicative, time-consuming, and often confu= sing elements of the two current disability processes of the departments. Key features of the DES pilot include one medical examination and a single-sourced disability rating. To date, m= ore than 700 service members have participated in the pilot during the = last ten months.

The pilot is focused on recommendations from the reports of the Task Force on Returning Global War on Terrorism Heroes, the Independent Review Group, the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors (the Dole/Shalala Commission), and the Commission on Veterans' Disability Benefits.

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009

Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South

EANGUS Travel Advantage Deal of the Week

<= /span>

Follow this link for travel values:

Travel = deal of the Week

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the official website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>

&nbs= p;

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

Legislative Works= hop

Travel Deals

= E= ANGUS

38TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 9-12, 2009

RAH-RAH-ROCHESTER

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= EANGUS= MINUTEMAN UPDATE

November = 6, 2008

This is= an official publication of the Enlisted Association of the National Gu= ard of the Unite= d States. Feel free to forward and share this information. EANGUS is non-partisan. We report the facts - you decide on your position.<= o:p>

Quote of the Week--

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night on= ly because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." (George Orwell)

Veterans Day, 2008 =
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the= men and women who in defense of our freedom have bravely worn the unifo= rm of the Unite= d States.

From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave patriots have protected our Nation's ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe. America's veterans answered the call when asked to protect our Nation from so= me of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants, terrorists, and militaries= the world has ever known. They stood tall in the face of grave danger a= nd enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history. Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast G= uard have answered a high calling to serve and have helped secure America at every turn.

Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet cou= rage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid do= wn their lives in freedom's defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember th= ese heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their = selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace= and extend freedom around the world.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the worl= d, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of ea= ch year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor America's veterans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2008, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 9 through November 15, 2008, as Natio= nal Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayer= s. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United S= tates and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first d= ay of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the = Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH

Capitol Hill Landsc= ape Changing in 2009<= br>
Congratulations to Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden= on their election as President and Vice-President of the US.<= /p>

With President-elect Barack Obama moving from the Sena= te to the White House, the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch will both be led by members of the Democratic Party. When the 111th Congress convenes in early January 2009, the Democrats will have ev= en more of a stronghold on both legislative bodies.

For the 110th Congress, in the Senate, the split was 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and 2 Independents, who caucused with the Democrats. For the 111th Congress, in the Senate, the split is currently 40 Republicans, 54 Democrats, 2 Independents (who will continue to caucus with the Democrats), with 4 other races still to= be finalized (Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon, and Alaska). 35 seats were up for election this year. In the Senate, 51 vo= tes are necessary for passage of most legislation, 60 votes are necessa= ry for any cloture votes, and 67 votes are necessary to override a Presidential veto.

Senator Barack Obama's seat in the Senate will be filled by the Governor of Illinois, and an election to fill the seat to be held in 2010. Senator Joe Biden's seat in the Senate will be filled by the Governor of Delaware, and although he was just reelected as a Senator, an election to fill the seat to be held in 2010.

For the 110th Congress, in the House of Representatives, the split was 199 Republicans and 231 Democrats. For the 111th Congress, in the House of Representatives, the split is currently 1= 73 Republicans and 254 Democrats, with 8 other races still to be finalized. All 435 seats were up for election this year. In t= he House, 218 votes are necessary for passage of most legislation and = 287 votes are necessary to override a Presidential veto.

We at EANGUS congratulate all who we elected and reelected to serve their country on Capitol Hill.

Corps waives recrea= tion fees on Veterans Day =

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it will waive a= ll day-use fees for veterans, service members and their families at its recreation areas nationwide on Nov. 11.

Day-use fees will be waived for Reserve and National Guard members = Nov. 11, as well as for veterans, active-duty servicemembers and their families visiting the more than 2,400 Corps-operated recreation sit= es nationwide Corps-managed recreation areas. This waiver includes boat-launch ramp and swim-beach fees. However, fees for camping and camping-related services as well as fees for specialized facilities, such as picnic shelters, will not be waived, officials said.

The Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation in the nation. The Corps hosts about 372 million visits = each year at its lakes, beaches and other areas, and estimates that 70 percent of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of a Corps lake. To find a nearby Corps lake, visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitor= s.cfm.
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Golden Corral 8th Annual Military Appreciation Monday November 17

All Golden Corral restaurants will participate in the 8th annual Military Appreciation Monday free 'thank you' dinner to any person = who is serving or has ever served in the United States Military. Milita= ry Appreciation Monday is scheduled for Monday night, November 17, 2008
from 5 to 9 pm. <= br>
No identification is required to participate in this free 'thank yo= u' dinner on November 17, 2008. There are no take out meals associated with this event as Golden Corral wants all current and former milit= ary personnel to come in and be honored for their service to this great Country. Over the past seven years, Golden Corral restaurants have served over 1.8 million free 'thank you' meals to our heroes in the military. During this same period, Golden Corral restaurants and th= eir guests have donated over $2.5 million dollars to the Disabled Ameri= can
Veterans.

If you are serving or have served in the military, please join Gold= en Corral on November 17, 2008 = at any of the 485 Golden Corral restaurants located across the United States. You can find the nearest Golden Corral restaurant by visiting www.goldencorral.com and looking on the left side navigation bar for "Restaurant Locator". You can search by city or state for= a location near you.

Walgreens Being Dro= pped as a TRICARE Network Pharmacy

When Express Scripts (ESI) was chosen to administer the TRICARE pharmacy benefit, they committed to doing their part to provide a quality benefit that DOD beneficiaries can count on for years to co= me. One way they do this is by effectively managing their retail pharma= cy networks.

Unfortunately, Walgreens has been unable to reach a contractual agreement with Express Scripts, the TRICARE Pharmacy Contractor. Therefore, as of Jan. 1, 2009, Walgreens will no longer be in the network used= by the TRICARE pharmacy plan. If you fill a prescription at Walgreens after Dec. 31, 2008, you will pay 100% of= the cost and you will need to file a paper claim for non- network benef= it reimbursement. = For more information on cost shares when using a non-network pharmacy g= o to: http://member.express-scripts.com/dodCustom/benefitSummary.do#3.

There are three easy ways to transfer your prescriptions:
1.      Have the medications you take on an ongoing basis safely and conveniently delivered through Home Delive= ry from the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP). Visit www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE to switch your eligible prescriptio= ns to Home Delivery today.
2.      Transfer the prescriptions you tak= e on an ongoing basis to TMOP by asking your doctor to fax your eligible prescription(s) to 1.877.895.1900. This fax number is for healthcare providers only.
3.      Have your prescription bottles rea= dy and call or visit the network pharmacy of your choice. You may fill your prescriptions at other major pharmacies and independent drug stores that remain part of the network used by TRICARE. The pharmac= ies listed below are close to your current pharmacy and ready to serve = you.

For a complete list of local pharmacies in the network used by the TRICARE pharmacy plan, go to www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE. = = If you have questions, please call Express Scripts anytime at 1.877.425.1139 (beginning November 7th).
&= nbsp;
Key facts:
1)      With Walgreens out of the network,= ESI will still exceed all TRICARE Pharmacy contractual access and size requirements
a.      Current network has 60,149 stores, less 6,528 (Walgreens) =3D 53,621 (dropping by 3.2%)
b.      Access standards:
1.      Urban (1 pharmacy in 2 miles) 96.1= %
2.      Suburban (1 pharmacy in 5 miles) 9= 9.8%
3.      Rural (1 pharmacy in 15 miles) 99.= 0%

2) Beginning November 7, sending lett= ers to beneficiaries. There are 756,000 beneficiaries who will receive letters (those beneficiaries who use Walgreens). The letter has been reviewed and approved by DOD and is currently in production.

3)      Top metropolitan areas impacted include:
a.      Virginia Beach/Norfolk, VA
b.      Tampa/St. Pe= tersburg/Clearwater, FL
c.      Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, AZ
d.      Jacksonville, FL
e.      San Antonio, TX
f.      Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
g.      Colorado Springs, CO
h.      St Louis, MO
i.      Orlando/Kissimmee, FL
j.      Oklahoma City, OK
k.      Tucson, AZ
l.      Chicago/Naperville, IL<= /span>

4) ESI is hopeful that Walgreens will ultimately decide to continue their service to TRICARE beneficiaries.

5) There is the possibility that ESI = will strike a deal after the beneficiary letters have been sent. If that is the case, then ESI will inform beneficiaries of the change = via letter, press releases and web updates, as well as customer service= lines.

November is Warrior Care Month for Army, DOD

Beginning Nov. 1, the Army and its sister services will focus atten= tion to one of the Defense Department's highest priorities - caring for wounded ill, and injured warriors.

As directed by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, November has been designated as "Warrior Care Month." Each branch of the U.= S. Armed Forces has events planned during the month to highlight warri= or care.

Warrior Care Month is meant to provide a clear message to servicemembers and the public that caring for those who have sacrif= iced for America<= /st1:place> is one of the military's highest priorities.

The Army has unique activities planned throughout Warrior Care Mont= h, which begins with the Department of Defense kick-off event Nov. 5.<= br>
The Army's 36 Warrior Transition Units, in cooperation with Military Treatment Facilities and installations across the Army will be conducting a variety of events and activities to help educate the f= orce on wounded warrior resources, and to thank local communities and elected officials for their support.

On Nov. 17, designated as Army Service Day for warrior care, Secret= ary of the Army Pete Geren and the Army Surgeon General are scheduled to host a town hall meeting for Soldiers and families assigned to the = Walter Reed Warrior Transition Unit.

Other events during the November observance include a visit by the = Army chief of staff with Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Nov. 2 and 11; Brooke Army Medical= Center at Fort Sam Houst= on, Texas, Nov. 19; and Bethesda National Naval Medic= al Center Nov.= 29 and 30.

Besides visits by officials to major military medical facilities, caregivers and recovering Soldiers alike will speak at various publ= ic venues about the state of care of wounded and ill Soldiers during Operation Tribute to Freedom events.

Debt Relief Act

The President signed the "National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008" into law on October 20, 2008 (Public Law 110-438). It amends federal bankruptcy law to prohibit the ba= nkruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing w= hile the debtor: (1) is either on active duty in the military service of= the United States or performing a homeland defense activity for at leas= t 90 days, and during the 540 days following the end of such period; and= (3) was called to such active duty or performed such homeland defense activity after September 11, 2001, as a member of a reserve compone= nt of the Armed Forces or the National Guard.

It directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress = on whether and to what degree members of reserve components of the Arm= ed Forces and the National Guard: (1) avail themselves of the benefits= of this Act; (2) are debtors in federal bankruptcy cases substantially related to service that qualifies such members for such benefits of this Act; and (3) are debtors in federal bankruptcy cases materially related to such service.

It requires such study to include the effects that the use by such members of this Act has upon: (1) the bankruptcy system; (2) credit= ors; and (3) the debt-incurrence practices of such members.

DOD Employer Support Freedom Award<= br>
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, has opened the nomination season for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

National Guard and Reserve members and their families are eligible = and encouraged to nominate employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military employees.

Nominations will be accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil from November = 3, 2008 to January 19, 2009.

For questions regarding the Freedom Award nomination process, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil or contact Beth Sherman, ESGR Public Affairs, at 703-380-9717.

Humana Military Ass= ists Guard & Reserve Members in Understanding Health Benefits=

Humana Military Healthcare Services (HMHS) operates a dedicated ser= vice unit specifically for National Guard and Reserve members and their families in the South Region. Through education, training, website enhancements and customer service; HMHS is providing guidance to service members when they need it most.

One attribute of the dedicated service unit is a new toll-free numb= er for our National Guard and Reserve beneficiaries. This teleph= one number, 1-877-298-3408, provides direct access for any member of the Guard a= nd Reserve and their families to use when they have questions about th= eir medical benefits. The dedicated service unit has been special= ly trained on the unique aspects and status types that Guard and Reser= ve members may experience. Beneficiaries with questions and concerns relating to TRICARE Reserve Select and enrollment into the program = may call the new line for assistance.

In order to maintain our quality level of customer service to these beneficiaries, HMHS associates receive special training on the uniq= ue characteristics of the Guard and Reserve. In addition, HMHS is reac= hing out to educate the Guard and Reserve population about TRICARE by meeting with Family Program Directors, Senior Leadership and over 4= ,000 individual units. There is also a special section on the HMHS webpa= ge for the National Guard and Reserve, http://www.humana-military.com/south/misc/TRS.htm. Service members visiting the website will find many resources and information.

VA To Deploy Mobile Counseling Centers across America
50 Motor Coaches to Bring Services Closer to Veterans<= /span><= /p>

The first of a fleet of 50 new mobile counseling cente= rs for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) = Vet Center<= /st1:PlaceType> program was put into service October 22nd with the remainder schedu= led to be activated over the next three months. Each vehicle will be assigned to one of VA's existing Vet Centers, enabling the center to improve access to counseling by bringing services closer to veterans.

The 38-foot motor coaches, which have spaces for confidential counseling, will carry Vet Center counselors and outreach workers to events and activities to reach veterans in broad geographic areas, supplementing VA's 232 current Vet Centers, which are scheduled to increase to 271 facilities by the end of 2009.

Vet Centers, operated by VA's Readjustment Counseling Service, prov= ide non-medical readjustment counseling in easily accessible, consumer-oriented facilities, addressing the social and economic dimensions of post-war needs. This includes psychological counseling for traumatic military-related experiences and family counseling when needed for the veteran's readjustment.

These vehicles will be used to provide outreach and direct readjust= ment counseling at active-duty, reserve and National Guard activities, including post-deployment health reassessments for returning combat service members.

The vehicles will also be used to visit events typically staffed by local Vet Center staff, including homeless "stand downs," veteran community events, county fairs, and unit reunions at sites ranging from Native American reservations to colleges.

While most of their use will be in Vet Centers' delivery of readjustment counseling services, the local manager may arrange wit= h VA hospitals or clinics in the region to provide occasional support for health promotion activities such as health screenings.

The normal counseling layout can be converted to support emergency medical missions, such as hurricanes and other natural disasters.
The 50 vehicles are being manufactured for VA by Farber Specialty Vehicles of Columbus, Ohio. For a listing of where the new coaches will be fielded, click h= ere.

EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Awards Reception March 1-2-3-4-5, 2009<= br>
Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Town Area South

**Track I and II combined training sessions
** Catered lunch (Subway-provided by EANGUS) with all day track training
**Icebreaker social Monday night at Hampton

Tuesday March 3, 2009

** Awards Breakfast and Tracks I session (new attendees) continues = on the Hill. Track II attendees (past attendees) ends at the end= of Awards Breakfast, with Hill visits the rest of the day. Bus transportation will be provided from the hotel to the hill for the Awards Breakfast only. Getting back to the hotel will be on y= our own.

Wednesday March 4, 2009

** Hill visits (you provide your own transportation)

Travel days March 1 and 4 or 5

Arrive Sunday March 1; fly into DCA Reagan<= /st1:PlaceName> National Airport. Hotel provi= des complimentary shuttle service to/from DCA; IAD Dulles is 40 miles a= way; BWI Baltimore is 30 miles away

Depart either Wednesday afternoon March 4 or Thursday March 5

Make your own appointments = with your Hill lawmakers before attending the workshop<= o:p>

EANGUS Travel Advant= age Deal of the Week

Follow this link for travel values: =

Travel = deal of the Week

= EANGUS Merchandise

This is the officia= l website to order your custom EANGUS apparel. www.com= panycasuals.com/eangus<= o:p>

<= o:p>

If you have further inquiries, please call AdPro Graphics 208-938-0660...... <= o:p>

<= o:p>

For a full line of other products visit our site: www.com= panycasuals.com/adpro<= o:p>