• Education
• Family Members
• Guard and Reserve
• Health Care
• Pay and Compensation
• Survivor Benefits
• Veterans/Retirees
• Other Bills of Interest

Education

AFSA has long maintained that the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) needs to be updated to reflect the increasing cost of education. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on August 1, 2009, will provide education benefits for servicemembers who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. These benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a benefit package that gives current and previously activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as active duty servicemembers. The “education benefit” continues to be a major reason that Airmen enter the service.

Family Members

AFSA appreciates the unique challenges, capabilities, accomplishments, and sacrifices of military family members. Accordingly, we will continue to promote recognition of the supportive role they play in defending this nation, and we will work for improvement of the benefit programs for these great Americans.

Guard and Reserve

Members of the Selected Reserve continue to play an increasingly important role in this nation’s defense. Because many members of the Guard and Reserve also have civilian occupations, their challenges are unique. The burdens and sacrifices of the employers of these members have also been extraordinary. AFSA has worked very hard to improve the benefits of those currently serving in the Guard and Reserve, and we will continue to lead the effort on Capitol Hill to attain a better, more equitable retirement system for these patriots.

Health Care

AFSA continues to work closely with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to improve the health care programs of those serving and who have served–and the health care benefits of family members and survivors. During an era of ever-increasing budgetary scrutiny, it is critical that full funding is appropriated for these programs. We will continue to remind the “bean counters” about past government promises, expectations created, and the unique service and sacrifice of those who defend this nation. Annual efforts to decrease health care benefits and raise benefit costs of military retirees and their family members and survivors must be stopped. Your AFSA representatives are fully engaged in this effort.

Pay and Compensation

Now in the fourth decade of the “All-Volunteer Force” and with servicemembers deployed around the world in combating the Global War on Terrorism, it is imperative that we maintain a fully manned, equitably compensated force. The Subcommittee Personnel, Committee on Armed Services has stated that a “pay gap” no longer exists between military pay and private sector pay.

Survivor Benefits

One major legislative effort for your AFSA Headquarters has been to promote and improve the benefits afforded to the survivors of military members. With current military deployments and increasing casualties, it is imperative that we plan to properly take care of those who may be left behind if a military member makes the ultimate sacrifice. So, too, must we ensure that the survivors of military retirees are protected and rewarded for the unique sacrifices they have made for this Nation.

Veterans/Retirees

Military members make freedom possible. AFSA works hard to ensure that those who have served are given the benefits they have earned. The issue of disabled veterans paying for their own retirement has long been an embarrassment for this nation. We are working for improved veterans health care and benefits programs. We continue to push Congress to improve the veterans’ claims process. We remain in the forefront of the effort to attain full concurrent receipt of military retirement pay and VA disability compensation. Finally, we maintain the fight toward Combat-related Special Compensation eligibility for all of those who have been wounded in combat or in preparing for it.

Other Bills of Interest

Other bills that support AFSA’s Legislative Platform initiatives or that may be of special interest to AFSA members.