Reservist

ISS3 2014

Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security

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ROA Expands Membership to Include Enlisted Members Story by PAC Judy L. Silverstein, 7th District Public Affairs Founded in 1922, the Reserve Officer Association (ROA) advises the Commander-in-Chief and Congress about national security. Its proven track record as an advocate for readiness and wellness of the Reserve Force highlights its role serving as a voice for those in the National Guard and Reserve. That is matched by an impressive list of accomplishments on behalf of reservists including extension of the VA home loan program, securing the right for military members to vote, promotion of the 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, and ensuring the Thrift Savings Plan was available. Now the 55,000-member ROA is actively inviting enlisted members at pay grade E-4 and above to join their ranks. While the ROA had discussed combining the strengths of enlisted members with officers for some time, the formal move one year ago made sense. The change was logical since issues tackled by the association are specific to all Reserve members, according to Lani Burnett, Acting Executive Director, and the first former enlisted person to serve in that role. Burnett retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant after 24 years of combined active duty and Reserve service. As an example of ROA advocacy, she offered the landmark achievement of veteran status for reservists. While some members call the change to inclusion of enlisted personnel a paradigm shift, it is widely believed that expansion of membership is beneficial for all. Retired Coast Guard Reserve Rear Adm. Robert Merrilees, a past ROA president, applauded the change. "It's a good move...the right thing to do because it gives a strong voice to both enlisted and officer members," said Merrilees, a former Radioman, who continues to be active in the ROA. Retired Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Allen concurred. "The ROA is critical to support for troops and veteran rights and benefits," he said. A list posted on the ROA website highlights the impact of legislative efforts undertaken by the ROA resulting in improved benefits, support and representation. There are legislative updates, white papers and a policy agenda posted as well. In addition, the ROA offers insurance, travel discounts, financial services, a job board, and a weekly newsletter for members. "Another example of the work we do is ensuring reservists aren't facing a gap in Tricare coverage when switching their drilling status," Burnett said. Allen also pointed out that the Coast Guard has had a long and trusting relationship with the association, detailing how in the 1960s, ROA staff worked tirelessly to preserve the USCG Reserve Force. Merrilees highlighted the Servicemember's Law Center, a benefit unique to the ROA, assisting members navigating issues of re-employment covered by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as well as financial and contractual agreements covered by the Servicemember's Civil Relief Act. "Their efforts on our behalf have protected many rights of reservists, whether actively drilling or retired," Merrilees said. The ROA is also one of 32 members of a Military Coalition that is more than 5.5 million members strong. That has a sizeable impact on legislation, according to Burnett. As issues surrounding appropriate military strength and an austere budget converge, the association has a full plate. "We remain engaged on behalf of our members, actively providing advocacy through our experience in Reserve funding, re-employment and legislation, all of which, are particularly important right now," Burnett said. The cost of membership is tiered according to rank. Log on to learn more about the ROA. Training Quota Management Center Announces FY15 Class Schedules The following guidance is for FY15 class 'C' school orders. The 'C' school schedules are available on the Training Quota Management Center (TQC) website (http://www.uscg.mil/ hq/tqc/default.asp) and in Direct Access. However, TQC has not received the Department of Defense (DOD) FY 15 course schedule in its entirety. New DOD class convenings will be uploaded in to Direct Access and posted on the TQC website as they become available. Unit Training Officers are authorized to begin submitting 'C' school electronic training requests (ETRs) for the courses currently listed in Direct Access and on the website. All pending FY14 ETRs will be deleted from Direct Access. Units should submit ETRs for class 'C' schools as soon as a training requirement is identified and the unit can accommodate the member attending. ETR submissions should occur 10 weeks prior to the course convening date. Two alternate course dates are required (if other course dates are available) in the remarks block. However, all dates that the unit can support the member attending training should be listed in the comments section of the ETR to minimize need for resubmission. ETRs are only removed from Direct Access when no available convenings remain on the request or a unit requests deletion. The unit Training Officer shall also indicate the status of reservists or reservists on — active duty/ADOS/ Title-10/etc. — in the comments block. Additional information pertaining to the FY15 'C' School process can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/tqc/Training_ Info.asp. 44 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2014

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