The Air Force Sergeants Association
With reverence for God and Country and being ever mindful of
the glorious traditions of the United States Air Force, our duty
to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America,
our responsibility to aid in maintaining a superior aerospace defense
for our beloved country, and desire to assist in obtaining the highest
caliber of men and women for our Air Force, our interest in the
welfare of persons who served and are serving in the Air Force,
our devotion to our fellow airmen in fortune or distress, and our
reverence for the memory of our departed airmen, we unite to further
the aims and objectives of this association.
October Monthly Meeting
It is time once again for our monthly meeting. We will be meeting
on Tuesday, October 18th at SeaScapes by the marina on MacDill AFB.
The meeting will be called to order at 1130; however, if you would
like to come early for lunch, the kitchen opens at 1100 hrs. Several
of us come early for lunch and fellowship prior to the meeting.
It is time to start consideration for positions on next year's
council. If you would like to serve, please come out to the meeting
for more information. Nominations will be open from now until our
December meeting, when our elections will be held. Please let
your intentions be known prior to the elections so that you have
a chance to become acquainted with the responsibilities of the
position you wish to fill. Remember - in order to serve on the
executive council, or to vote in the general membership
elections, you must be a member in good standing.
Richard Blumenthal [D-CT]
Lindsey Graham [R-SC]
Charles Grassley [R-IA]
Kay Hagan [D-NC]
Thomas Harkin [D-IA]
John Isakson [R-GA]
Mike Johanns [R-NE]
Bill Nelson [D-FL]
This bill is a classic example of something that gets snuck in under
the radar because it helps some people...If you read it starts out
compensating people who were exposed to "bad water" at Camp Lejune,
NC. In section three it calls for the commissary to become
self-sufficient. This would do away with a huge benefit for military
personnel, basically making the commissary the same a super
Wal-Mart. I challenge everyone living with senators sponsor these
type of "Trojan Horse" bills to call them out.
CMSgt Dave Henry
International Trustee for Reserve Affairs
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* * * * AFSA Alert - September 7, 2011 1:07PM EST * * * *
________________________________________
TRICARE Pharmacy Copays to Increase on October 1
In 2010 Congress blocked DoD from increasing TRICARE-related fees
through September 30 of this year. That moratorium expires soon and
based on action earlier this year, it is clear Congress no longer
intends to block fees.
AFSA has confirmed that the new prescription copayments below will
take effect for all non-active duty TRICARE beneficiaries on Oct. 1,
2011. Copayments for active duty beneficiaries will remain the same.
| |
30 Day Supply Retail Pharmacy |
90 Day Supply Home Delivery |
| Formulary Generic |
$5.00 |
$0.00 |
| Formulary Brand |
$12.00 |
$9.00 |
| Non-Formulary |
$25.00 |
$25.00 |
In May, the House voted to allow DoD to raise TRICARE Prime Fees and
pharmacy copays for military beneficiaries. In June, the Senate
Armed Services Committee agreed with their House colleagues that
fees should be raised but the full chamber has yet to act on that
legislation. It is unclear if TRICARE Prime fee will rise also.
Language in the House and Senate versions of the FY 2012 National
Defense Authorization Act would increase TRICARE Prime fees to $520
per year for family coverage and to $260 per year for individual
coverage. AFSA was still trying to determine if these fees would
also increase on October 1 when this alert was being prepared. We
will keep you posted.
AFSA's Got Talent!
Now Prove it.
We are looking for someone to design our chapter coin. The coin
must contain two elements: it must reflect the fact that we are
the Air Force Sergeant's Association and it must also reflect the
spirit of the Buccaneer Chapter! We will have a take all accepted
coin designs and put it to a vote on the web and at a future General
Membership Meeting. The winner will receive a prize to be determined.
The deadline for submissions will be announced shortly.
Good Luck and we are looking forward to seeing your entries!
Get Promoted - Get Educated - Get Ahead.
The Buccaneer Chapter is proud to announce our "Partnership in
Education" with Bellevue University.
Bellevue University is a nonprofit university, regionally accredited
and offers Bachelor's, Masters, and PhD programs all online. Bellevue
University also provides benefits to our AFSA membership: FREE Evaluation
of your military training/prior credits, waived application fee,
college guidance, and a $500 Military Grant to help you get started.
Located just outside the gates of Offutt AFB in Nebraska, you can
complete your degree all online and accelerated. Bachelor's Degree
in 12 months and a Master's Degree in 16-18 months.
Contact Bellevue University local representative, email
Willie Woolford
or call him at 813-422-9918 to find out how to get the $500 grant,
a free evaluation, or just contact him for college guidance. Please
spread the word that AFSA has added this benefit to its membership
and use it to help build membership. AFSA works for you.
Invite a friend
As you know, membership is the key to any successful organization.
That is especially true with AFSA. Your membership dues continue
to support our cause - which is YOUR cause - ensuring our voice
is heard in the legislatures at the local, state, and federal level.
With that in mind, the executive committe challenges all AFSA members
to bring a friend to the next AFSA meeting. If they are an AFSA
member, great - we would love to meet them and get them involved.
If they are NOT an AFSA member, even better! We can help spread
the word about who we are and what we do to ensure the enlisted
voice is heard on the hill. If you would like more information on
becoming an AFSA member, contact our membership chair,
TSgt Rachel Davis or
visit our membership page for more
information. See you for lunch!
