Legislative Alert #113-20: SUPPORT H.R. 2907, National Guardsmen & Reservists Parity for Patriots Act Take Action! VETERANS Issue Background: Since 11 September 2001, members of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces have deployed and fought alongside their Active Duty counterparts. Between 11 September 2001 and 28 January 2008, more than 600,000 members of the Reserve Components have been mobilized in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other contingency operations. Of this amount, more than 142,000 members of the Reserve Components have been mobilized more than once during this same period. In recognition of the service performed by these members of the Reserve Component, Congress enacted Section 647 of the Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which amended Section 12731 of Title 10, United States Code, to offer an earlier retirement benefit for members of the Reserve Component who are mobilized in support of contingency operations. However, the amendment made by this section of the FY08 NDAA only considers service performed after the enactment of the FY08 NDAA, 28 January 2008. This effective date fails to recognize the service and sacrifice made by members of the Reserve Component between 11 September 2001 and 28 January 2008. Action Required: Contact your Representatives and urge them to support and cosponsor H.R. 2907, introduced by Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), the National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act, which would amend Title 10 of the United States Code, to ensure that members of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces who have served on Active Duty or performed active service since 11 September 2001, in support of a contingency operation or in other emergency situations receive credit for such service in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay. Details (To Be Put Into Letter): Since 11 September 2001, members of the Reserve Component have served as an operational force alongside their active counterparts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other dangerous locations around the globe. The Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) National Defense Authorization Act reduced the 60 year eligibility age for retired members of the Ready Reserve to collect retirement pay three months for each aggregate of 90 days per fiscal year of Active Duty performed in Title 10 status in support of a contingency operation or in Title 32 status in responding to a national emergency. However, the amendment of Section 12731 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, in the FY08 NDAA, only considers service performed after the enactment of the FY08 NDAA, 28 January 2008. This effective date fails to recognize the service and sacrifice made by members of the Reserve Component between 11 September 2001 and 28 January 2008. H.R. 2907 would allow qualifying National Guard and Reserve retirees to draw retirement pay three months earlier for each aggregate of 90 days per fiscal year of deployed service performed after 11 September 2001 in support of a contingency operation or national emergency, thereby correcting the arbitrary eligibility requirement. Since Active Duty service of the Reserve Components in wartime and national emergencies after 28 January 2008 is now recognized in reducing the age to collect military retirement pay, it is only fair and appropriate to credit retroactively all otherwise qualifying service performed after 11 September 2001. H.R. 2907 would make these necessary corrections to Title 10, recognizing the service of members of the Reserve Component between 2001 and 2008 and retroactively rewarding their service with the retirement credit they deserve. Take Action: Click the “Take Action” link at the top of the Alert to immediately email and/or write to your Senators and Representatives. This is the quickest and most effective method of expressing your views to Congress. You can also write and/or e-mail the ‘Details’ section or edit as you desire for a more personalized communication . Also, contact friends and family and urge them to use the Contact Congress feature on AUSN’s website as well. Please direct any questions concerning this issue to our Director of Legislation, Anthony Wallis, at 703-548-5800 or at [email protected]
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 17:06:22 +0000
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