Hidden treasures to claim

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
An Air Force master sergeant has hit his 20-year mark and is curious about retiree benefits in the very near future. A first-term staff sergeant will be separating and doesn't know the injuries he acquired while deployed can be filed as a veteran's disability several years down the road. A widow is unsure of her husband's financial affairs and burial arrangements.

All of these real-life scenarios have been brought to the attention of a Retiree Activities Office somewhere throughout the Air Force.

Based on Air Force Instruction 36-3106, the RAO here, with seven retired Air Force volunteers, works throughout the week to address the needs, questions and concerns of the base populace and service members and veterans in the surrounding communities.

"Though we adhere to what the AFI states, we also go above and beyond it to do the very best we can to accommodate everyone, including our sister services," said retired Lt. Col. John Storey, RAO deputy director.

The RAO volunteers assist retirees with several actions including serving as an information center for TRICARE and base services; offering referrals for financial assistance and pay matters; counseling active-duty Airmen nearing retirement eligibility; and providing literature on retirement issues.

Though military members, retirees and families alike may walk-in the office here for information, the office contributes to a 20-page monthly newspaper, "The Armed Forces: Retiree News," that's subscribed to by more than 7,500 people, said Storey.

"We support the Barksdale community and the ARK-LA-TEX," he said. "We even have subscribers across the states from Colorado to Georgia."

Information included in the newspaper highlights from Barksdale events, such as the upcoming air show, POW-Purple Heart luncheon, updated policies and current veteran's issues.

"We're not only here for the retired members of the Shreveport/Bossier community, but for the Airmen who are separating or retiring themselves," said Storey.

Ret. Chief Master Sgt. Herman Nock briefs Air Force members who are separating.

"I think it's safe to say not many young Airmen really understand the benefits they're eligible for after they've separated," he said. "Most think they have to retire to acquire military benefits but that's simply not the case. There have been many injuries throughout an Airman's career that they may claim. It may not seem like the sprained ankle they had during an exercise or a broken bone while deployed is bothering them so much now, but further down the road, it's going to. By attending the briefings I give, they'll have more knowledge on VA medical claims and other benefits, such as education, as they transition into the civilian sector."

Two briefings are held every Thursday by the RAO. Nock's separation briefing is held at 9 a.m. and retired Senior Master Sgt. O.K. Friesen's retirement briefing is held at 1 p.m.

"When an Airman has reached his or her 20-year plus mark, he or she definitely wants to know what the next chapter of his or her life will bring," said Friesen. "It may just seem like a check mark in his or her out-processing, but there's valuable information on insurance and disabilities in our briefings that he or she won't get elsewhere."

"We didn't have briefings back when I retired in 1978," added Nock. "So, a few years ago, when someone looked at my medical records, they found 18 items I could have filed disability for. I had only claimed three."

The RAO here has been able to provide a wealth of information and assistance to thousands of Team Barksdale members over the years, thanks to the volunteers and RAO Director, retired Col. Steven DePyssler.

"The office has definitely grown from what the responsibilities were a long time ago," said Storey. "It's grown to meet the current force. Colonel DePyssler has volunteered almost his entire retired life to this base and has done an amazing job sharing his knowledge with the rest of us volunteers."

DePyssler, who has worked as the RAO director for decades, even developed a handbook for widows and widowers to assist them in getting their affairs in order. It's a several page "cheat sheet" listing everything that needs to be taken care of from insurance, family support and the phone calls that need to be made, said Storey.

"We're constantly revising the veteran's handbook to get out the most current information in our briefings about updated disability amounts, new claims and regulations," he said.

The "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors" has more than 150 pages worth of information regarding state-specific guidelines for retirement benefits, phone numbers and websites for different insurance and veteran's associations. It also includes information on replacing medals and honors awarded to retirees and veterans, both living and deceased.

"We wouldn't be able to provide everything that we do if it wasn't for the amazing support we receive from Team Barksdale," said Nock. "That includes when we hold our annual World War II and POW/Purple Heart luncheons. Hundreds of veterans and their families attend the events on base and we have current Barksdale Airmen joining us to celebrate these people. It's a blessing."

The RAO volunteers put in a lot of time and effort to its briefings and informational services.

"Herman and O.K. do a fantastic job walking people through their retirement and separation packages, and taking the time to work with people individually as well," said Storey. "Even when people come into the office for a question, it's a team effort to make sure we're all on the same page and to provide the best and most thorough answer possible."

With the volunteers all being retired active-duty Air Force members, they bring more than enough experience and charisma to the RAO, Storey said.

"Airmen, whether they've been in for four years or 20, have given their time, effort and life to protect our country," he said. "Some have lost limbs or eye sight, or have dealt with combat-related injuries and family strife. The benefits we help them acquire is what the country owes them back. It'll never cover everything for the sacrifice we've given, but it's a little bit to say 'thank you' and to help you in the next part of your life. That's why we volunteer... to help our fellow Airmen and sister services with the next chapter in their lives."