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Show AFSA 15 is spokesman for Air Force enlisted personnel Editor's Note: The following article is reprinted throueh courtesy of Voice of The Airman." Although the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) is now 15 years old, it is still one of the youngest military associations. Despite its comparative youth, the organization has become one of the most knowledgeable, credible and viable military affiliations in the fields of enlisted personnel and personal CHAMPUS program by DoD. AFSA statement became part of the record of hearings on the issue. The only association to testify on behalf of the U.S. Soldiers and Airmens Home. benefits on Capitol Hill. To illustrate the performance of AFSA as spokesman for Air Force enlisted personnel, here, are a few accomplishments and, with a view to the future, some of the objectives : Instrumental in obtaining CHAMPUS ) military medical care) for active duty dependents and retirees. Lobbied and testified on the enlisted promotion program resulting in the adoption of the Weighted Airmen Promotion System (WAPS) for the active duty force. Fully supported through testimony in Congress, the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Testified on the inequities of per diem between the enlisted and officer traveler. By request of Congress submitted a AFSA position paper on enlisted per diem inequities, which appeared in the Congressional Record. The Congress requested DoD to study the issue and recommended action. Results still pending. Requested the Air Force and DoD increase payment for the movement of mobile homes. Action pending. . 108-pa- ge ENLISTED FLIGHT PAY During hearings on the Officer Flight Pay Legislation, AFSA was the only enlisted association to appear before Congress on behalf of the Enlisted Flying Program. The Congress directed DoD to publish a directive making it mandatory to provide enlisted aircrew members with a minimum of 120 days advance notification prior to removal from flying status. Air Force is developing legislation on the Enlisted Aircrew Flying Program, somewhat similar to the Officer Flying Program. Fully supported the bill providing Reserve and Guard (SGL1) up to age 60. ENLISTED EQUITY Senator Daniel K. Inouye supported a request to to count their Reserve a enlisted bill submit allowing people time similar to officers. Pending. .) Sen. John Tower responded to AFSA's request to enter a bill in the Senate extending from one to three years the period qf time for a retiree to select his final residence of retirement. Pending. Testified before the House Armed Service Subcommittee opposing the allocation of future pay raises for the duty among base pay, quarters and subsistence allowances. Submitted testimony also to the Senate on this issue. Submitted letters to all members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees urging them to pass the "save pav" legislation that would preclude those retiring after Oct. 1, 1974. from receiving less retired pay than those who retired prior to that date. Responded to a request from a member ot congress AFSA analysis of the proposed changes to the (D-Hawa- ii) (R-Tex- Is Page HILL TOP TIMES October 8. 1976 NO DISABILITY PAY TAX AFSA testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee was effective in the committee's final decision not to tax military disability pay. AFSA letter to the Chief, Air National Guard, precluded the reduction of 250 Chief Master Sergeants, due to change in manpower authorizations. Urged complete revision of the promotion program in fairness to all. Opposed the collective bargaining feature of labor unions becoming a part of the military services. Testified in support of the bill granting full credit for past technician service to members of the Guard and Reserve on Civil Service retired pay. Expressed disdain for the implementation of the new enlisted leave law without including the full payment of rations and quarters allowance, similar to the officer leave law. Submitted statements to the Congress rendering full support to the acquisition of the B-- l bomber to replace our aging bomber force. AFSA was the only association to testify before the Veterans Administration Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials last year. AFSA continues to work closely with the National League of Families of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Action in Southeast Asia. Expressed opposition to members of Congress on the measure that the House passed eliminating the G.I. Education Bill and reducing the present time from ten to eight years for completion of this program. til X3 FAIR HOUSING REVIEW Full review of the Fair Housing Rental Plan as submitted by DoD. The plan is another reduction in active duty compensation. Vigorously oppose the abolition of the one per cent kicker in the CPI increases to retirees' pay. Legislation to halt any attempt to unionize the members of the U.S. armed forces. Strongly oppose any state taxation on commissary and exchange sales. Total opposition to any reductions in medical care under CHAMPUS. Complete opposition to the five per cent cap on active duty pay. Full support to provide SBP annuity for widows of members who died before the effective date of SBP. Amend SBP to provide spouse with eligibility if married to a retiree at least one year before his death. Eliminate SBP premiums during periods when not married or lack of beneficiary. Support changes of offset for Social Security under the SBP from 100 to 50 per cent and reopen enrollment for an additional nine months. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? With continued support, the AFSA will push for: Retirement credit for enlisted reserve service similar VIC'S TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST to officers. An equitable and adequate retirement income for those now serving. Protection of the medical benefits for actived duty and retired dependents and their widows. Exemption of the first $5,000 of a retiree's pay from federal income tax. A dental care program under CHAMPUS for dependents of active duty people and those retired and their families. women upon Payment of BAS to all enlisted men and like them thus of basic "people," treating training, completion LOW PRICE 5 1 INSTALLED PLUS FLUID & TAX ON ANY AMERICAN CAR Convertor extra if needed. We also work on most Foreign Cars xxxxx FULLY GUARANTEED ono oniL ci oir iij 3111 OL Iff. UUULfl nnru Rhymes of the Times , Humdrum chokes Musr oft yfvL WON ...n-AFP- v " U N , . I " W.'t COLOR TV Check This One! . rs3 135 VMS? s if your fuel bill higher? t permitting them to have a "freedom of choice" in maintaining good eating habits. A fair and equitable recomputation of retired pay Further ' testimony is a must. Guard and Reserve retirement at age 55. Elimination of the integration of Social Security with retired pay at age 65, as proposed under the new retired system. . Permit retirees possessing required skills to participate in the Guard and Reserve and receive drill pay along with retirement pay. Active duty for training being counted toward increased entitlement for education benefits.. j; RCA XL-10- Qf " (?) 0 15" INSULATING MfiMnfHnrc win PAY FOR THEMSELVES RCA Mood U3S3 15 diagonal RCA's most popular portable. 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