Posted By Dir. of Administration, Diane Markham,
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Want to get more involved in ROA? Now is your chance!
You have two opportunities:
1. Run for national office. ROA’s Executive Committee is a policy-driven body focused on the strategic direction of the Association.
During ROA’s annual meeting, delegates will elect 12 new members to the National Executive Committee.Each service section will elect a vice president (two-year term), two executive committeemen (two-year term), and a junior vice president (two-year term). For the Naval Services, one executive committeeman will be from the Navy, PHS, or NOAA, the other will be from the Marine Corps, PHS, or NOAA.
Be sure to check the Candidates’ Corner regularly at www.roa.org/candidates to see who has been added to the list of endorsed members running for office.
To be considered for an elected office, you must be endorsed by your department. Endorsement letters must be signed by your department president or secretary and should be sent to Diane Markham (dmarkham@roa.orgor 1 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002).
2. Serve on a national committee. ROA has several national committees that cover everything from budget, to membership, to legislation. Visit our website at www.roa.org/page/Committees for a full list and description of committees. If you are interested in applying to be appointed by the president to serve on a committee, let us know. Contact Diane Markham (dmarkham@roa.org) and let her know which committees you are interested in.
Posted By Dir. of Legislation and Military Policy Matt Schwartzman,
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Morgan Freeman provides remarks at the Blue Star Families’ Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services event, July 2023.
On July 26, ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, and defense fellow, Zoe Wertlieb, attended a panel symposium hosted by Blue Star Families titled “Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services.”
The symposium, located at Howard University, celebrated the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9981, which integrated the U.S. armed forces in 1948.
"There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin," the E.O. reads.
Notable symposium speakers included the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, and Morgan Freeman.
“While Executive Orders 9980 and 81 of 1948 were certainly not the nation’s first steps towards advancing equality and the fair treatment of all, they had a marked effect on our national psyche,” said secretary Del Toro. “Indeed, these orders, laid a strong foundation for our national leaders to build upon the civil rights movement in the following decades.”
Following the event, ROA’s director of operations, retired navy Cmdr. Trey Criner, spoke to the significance of E.O. 9981.
“Desegregation offers the full potential of the American people and military,” said ROA’s director of operations, retired Navy Commander Trey Criner. “We must continue to ensure the uniformed services are well equipped to provide an attractive value proposition for Americans from all backgrounds. Having signed both E.O. 9981 and ROA’s congressional charter, we commend President Truman for his actions in this arena and continue to fight for freedom, a strong national security, and servicemembers and their families.”
ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, and defense fellow, Zoe Wertlieb, pictured with USAF Master Sgt. Nykita Stoudemire, at the Blue Star Families’ Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services event, July 2023.
Posted By Dir. of Legislation and Military Policy Matt Schwartzman,
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
ROA urges congressional support for Air National Guard modernization On Aug. 1, ROA’s executive director, Jeff Phillips, wrote to the chairs and ranking members of the U.S. House and Senate Armed Services committees urging support for the inclusion of U.S. House Amendment 1074 in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
The amendment, introduced by Rep. John James (MI-10), enables the Air National Guard to purchase two additional F-15EX Eagle II aircraft in 2025, increasing the total number of purchases to 112.
“The Air National Guard is experiencing an unacceptable gap in readiness caused by insufficient funding for reserve component weapons systems sustainment accounts and the use of continuing resolutions,” Phillips wrote. “Including Amendment 1074 in the final version of the FY 2024 NDAA is necessary to overcome the current readiness challenges posed by aging capabilities.”
Posted By Dir. of Legislation and Military Policy Matt Schwartzman,
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
ROA successfully secured the inclusion of the Dental Care for Our Troops Act in the U.S. House’s version of the FY 2024 NDAA and its introduction in the Senate.
More information on the Dental Care for Our Troops Act is available here.
Posted By Dir. of Legislation and Military Policy Matt Schwartzman,
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
On Thursday, July 13, President Biden signed an executive order that authorizes the Department of Defense to call up to 3,000 reserve component service members to active duty for Operation Atlantic Resolve, the military operation that was launched in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.
In the days following, ROA issued a law review advising those who might be called up for service, their families, and civilian employers of legal protections associated with their service.
“The president’s executive order shows how essential the reserve components are for our national security and the ability of our armed forces to do their job,” said retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, ROA’s executive director.
Posted By Dir. of Operations Tremayne Criner ,
Monday, August 7, 2023
Is the Law Review a bit overwhelming to navigate? We are here to help!
This month, we are providing a list of categories to quickly reference the Law Review Subject Index. The list is designed to help you facilitate finding articles about specific topics.
Retired Navy Capt. Sam Wright authored more than 90 percent of the “Law Review” articles that ROA has published in the last quarter century.
This link will take you directly to the Law Review Subject Index webpage.
Category 1—USERRA. (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act).
Category 2—Paid Leave for Government Employees.
Category 3—Reserve Retirement and Civilian Employment. These articles are about section 12736 of title 10, United States Code.
Posted By Dir. of Operations Tremayne Criner ,
Monday, August 7, 2023
U.S. Air Force Reserve Update:
The U.S. Air Force provides weekly updates. Here are items from its reserve component notes:
Air Force delays some PCSs, bonuses: The Air Force is experiencing a shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2023 Military Personnel Appropriation driven by higher-than-projected personnel costs.
Headquarters Air Force is directing actions to be taken now to avoid exhausting funds. Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) is currently approving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders for Airmen with projected departure dates in July. For all other Airmen awaiting PCS orders with projected departure dates of August or later, orders are being reviewed and approved on a priority basis.
AFPC will continue to prioritize and authenticate orders for mandatory moves and will consider Exception to Policy requests on a case-by-case basis.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Quinton Brown Jr. addressed the issue stating, “We're working through the process of reprogramming so, we don't go through an Antideficiency Act [violation] and not spend money we don't have,” said Brown. “Part of this is for [the Air Force] to be able to work with Congress to get the reprogramming in place so all the programs and impacts that were outlined in that article that we communicated to the force here recently. We can reverse and minimize the impact to Airmen and their families through the rest of this fiscal year.”
Airmen who have specific questions should call the Total Force Service Center at 210-565-0102, or toll-free at 800-525-0102.
AFRC/AFSOUTH: For the first time, US Air Force Reserve Command’s exercise Patriot Fury has been incorporated into Resolute Sentinel 23, a 12th Air Force (Air Force Southern)-led US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) exercise, which provides joint training and improved readiness of United States and partner nation civil engineers, medical professionals and support personnel through humanitarian assistance activities.
Four A-10s deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base as part of Patriot Fury, marking the aircrafts first ever launch out of South America, where they focused on agile combat employment and the new Air Force Force Generation model.
Resolute Sentinel 23 is being held in Peru and integrates combat interoperability and disaster response training in addition to medical exchanges, training, and aid and construction projects.
Resolute Sentinel was first held in 2021 and evolved out of the longstanding New Horizons and Beyond the Horizons annual joint humanitarian assistance exercises in Latin America or the Caribbean.
Posted By Dir. of Operations, Tremayne Criner,
Monday, August 7, 2023
The Department of South Carolina hosted their 2023 Department Convention in the final weekend of July at the Fort Jackson NonCommissioned Officers Club that included a series of briefings, and culminating with a semi-formal banquet Saturday evening.
The convention kicked off Friday evening with a social gathering at the home of one of our members, to include three representatives from North Carolina. New connections were made and rekindled old ones.
Members of the South Carolina Department pose for a photo with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (center). He is the most senior member of the House Armed Services Committee where he is on the Subcommittees on Readiness and Strategic Forces.
The Honorable Joe Wilson (SC-R),the most senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), addressed the SC department and joined members of ROA for lunch. He is a friend of the military having served in the Guard/Reserves.
The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the U.S. Army and a cross section of corporations, companies, and public sector agencies. The program provides America's Soldiers with an opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future.
PaYS partners guarantee Soldiers an interview and possible employment after the Army. This unique program is part of the Army's effort to partner with America's business community and reconnect America with its Army.
P3 works to connect Soldiers and their family members with internship, employment, and education opportunities. P3 has been very successful in converting Active Duty to Reserve by partnering with the private sector.
We also heard from Matthew Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military Policy of the 118th Congress and Layne Wroblewski, our future national president.
We were energized by gathering and committed to "influencing" Reserve legislation through our elected officials and by visiting local Reserve units.
Posted By Dir. of Legislation and Military Policy Matt Schwartzman,
Monday, August 7, 2023
On July 19, ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, joined mission partners at the National Military Family Association and Military Officers Association of America for a day of advocacy focused on the Military Spouse Hiring Act.
This legislation allows employers to claim a tax credit (referred to as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit) if they hire military spouses. Misconceptions about the transient nature of the military spouse workforce have resulted in unfriendly hiring practices, causing an unemployment rate of 20 percent or more each year for the past decade.
ROA believes that industry should be incentivized to hire military spouses. By extending the WOTC to include military spouses, the Military Spouse Hiring Act is a commonsense solution to a longstanding problem that takes industry into account.
Posted By Dir.of Legislation and Military Policy Matt Schwartzman,
Saturday, August 5, 2023
ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, provides an Up to the Minuteman Update on the biggest benefits parity package for the U.S. Public Health Service Ready Reserve in history, July 2023.
ROA spearheads introduction of Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act Putting ROA’s longstanding support for the uniformed reservists of the U.S. Public Health Service into legislation, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the Public Health
Service Ready Reserve Act on July 13. This legislation is the most significant benefits parity package for the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Ready Reserve in history.
To watch ROA’s Up to the Minuteman Update on this legislation, click here.
The Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act codifies the PHS Ready Reserve’s structure and enables access to benefits and entitlements for its members, including Post-9/11 GI Bill assistance, dual compensation, leave, and medical and dental care under
TRICARE. The bill reflects priorities ROA suggested after meeting with USPHS officials and learning what they need to support their Ready Reserve.
“ROA thanks Senator Duckworth for working with ROA to introduce this important legislation,” said ROA’s Executive Director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips. “With many Public Health Service officers deployed in support of the COVID-19 response,
ROA was instrumental in establishing the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps in 2020. The corps’ contribution to ensuring the health of our nation and overall medical readiness cannot be overstated. The Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act would greatly
enhance the PHS Ready Reserve’s ability to serve the nation’s medical readiness. ROA is proud to support this bill and will fight for its swift signing into law.”
In March, at the Minute Man Memorial Headquarters on Capitol Hill, ROA joined forces with the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service to host a uniformed services education forum on service in the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps
and several other legislative initiatives ROA and COA are working on together.
Attendees included congressional staff and representatives from the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps, including Rear Adm. Susan Orsega, Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary for Health and U.S. Surgeon General Vice Adm. Vivek H. Murthy.
The Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act is a direct byproduct of these efforts and includes seven of the proposals spotlighted at the forum.
“COA appreciates the continued efforts of Senator Tammy Duckworth to support the mission of the USPHS and the Ready Reserve. The Fiscal Responsibility Act had devastating consequences to the USPHS Ready Reserve, and this legislation will ensure funding
for a vital resource of the USPHS in its fight to protect, promote, and enhance the health and safety of our nation,” said COA’s Executive Director, Jacqueline Rychnovsky.
“The Senator has proven to be an ally to the USPHS once again. Earlier this year, COA awarded Senator Duckworth with the Congressional Public Health Leader Award for her ongoing support of the Commissioned Corps. COA also appreciates the partnership with
the Reserve Organization of America. COA and ROA have been hard at work all year fighting to promote and enhance the USPHS Ready Reserve.”
ROA and COA’s fight to promote and enhance the USPHS Ready Reserve includes working to restore $84 million in funding cut from the Ready Reserve program by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, signed into law on June 3.
Immediately after the act’s signing into law, ROA’s Director of Legislation and Military Policy Matthew Schwartzman, visited more than 20 congressional offices to call attention to the harmful effects of this deficit driven decision.
“ROA understands the risks of defaulting on the nation’s debt. However, the USPHS Ready Reserve program is not the place to look for budget cuts,” said Schwartzman. “The workforce reductions driven by the act will degrade the nation’s ability to rapidly
respond to public health emergencies, such as those we see with increasing frequency. ROA urges Congress to restore this funding without delay.”
To join ROA’s Minuteman Movement and help influence Congress to restore the $84 million in lost funding, please click here.
On July 16, the USPHS celebrated 225 years of protecting and promoting the nation’s health and safety. ROA commends the officers of the USPHS Commissioned Corps for their commitment and service to the nation.
ROA commits itself to the cause of ensuring the force’s readiness and the protection of those that serve in it.
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1. Run for national office. ROA’s Executive Committee is a policy-driven body focused on the strategic direction of the Association.
