Esteemed AFSA Members,

Taking care of our families is one of the most important charges in life.  All of us do a great job of taking care of the mission; however, our military families are the bedrock on which our success is built and thus, protecting their interests and welfare once the service member passes is of utmost concern. 

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is an outstanding way many of our retired military brothers and sisters provide for their spouses in the event of their (retired members) death.    Thus, any reduction in the SBP payment can be detrimental to the welfare of the surviving spouse.

A House of Representatives Bill has been introduced  by Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-Tx) which will help protect and enhance this entitlement:

H.R. 775 SBP/DIC OFFSET UPDATE!!!

H.R. 775, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, serves to give military surviving spouses concurrent receipt of their Survivor Benefit Plan and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation without a reduction in the SBP money. This legislation is of utmost importance because we need to adequately take care of our surviving spouses who have also sacrificed so much.

Since introduction on January 28, 2009, H.R. 775 has gained 325 cosponsors, but has yet to be reported out of the House Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, for a vote. In order to force a vote on this important piece of legislation, Rep. Walter Jones, R-NC, filed a discharge petition on March 15, 2010. Once this petition gains 218 votes, a House Majority, it will come before the House for a vote. Therefore, we need you to call your Congressman and ask them to co-sponsor the discharge petition on H.R. 775, so that this important legislation can come before the House floor for a vote!

AFSA is working diligently to see this legislation passed. We have contacted many Congressional representatives through letters, phone calls, and office visits asking them to co-sponsor this legislation. We sent a letter to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, asking her to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. We have also sent a letter to First Lady Michelle Obama, asking her support of this repeal to aid spouses and their families. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 888-762-8760; give them your zip code, and they will connect you to your representative.

AFSA colleagues , I urge you to contact your respective elected officials and ensure they support the passage of H.R. 775!  We MUST ensure our surviving spouses are taken care of!

Thank you for what you do everyday!

V/r

Matthew R. “Mad Dog” Becker

Vice President, AFSA Chapter 984

Offutt AFB, Nebraska

Proud men and women of AFSA Division 89 our 2010 Professional Airmen’s Conference (PAC) is rapidly approaching.  From  April 29 – 1 May 2010, the beautiful Holiday Inn-Rushmore Plaza will prove to be the perfect venue to conduct our annual Division AFSA business yet afford a fun and relaxing environment.  Many of you may be on the fence regarding attending due to work or personal commitments; however, I guarantee attending an AFSA PAC will be both informative and enjoyable.

This year’s PAC will provide a prime opportunity to network and cross talk “AFSA Biz”, plus provides an outstanding training opportunity for new chapter leaders.   Here you will acquire some great “leadership tools” regarding recruiting and retention, legislation, conducting meetings, preparing chapter reports and ultimately get a GREAT “shot” of motivation and mentorship by some of our more seasoned AFSA professionals.  Moreover, we will gather in unity to honor and celebrate the great accomplishments of our Airmen, NCOs, Chapters and individual members through our formal awards presentation. 

AFSA warriors I guarantee your attendance at the 2010 AFSA Division 89 Professional Airmen’s Conference will be fun and rewarding.  Additionally, active duty members can work permissive TDY through your units to attend and save your leave days for later in the year—HOW COOL IS THAT!  Better yet, pack an extra bag or two, bring along your spouse and kids, and make it a weekend getaway or sorts, as the famous Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Bear County USA and many other attractions are only a short distance away!

So, if you like the idea of getting a shot of “AFSA-lutely” great motivation, celebrating the accomplishments of our chapters and awesome members, embrace the opportunity to connect or reconnect with some great friends or simply want a motivating and informative weekend surrounded by professionalism, enthusiasm, and fun—then the 2010 Division 89 PAC is for you.  Even if none of these great lures appeals to you stop for a minute and think—“Why should I attend”….well simply put, it is the right thing to do!   Check out the following website for more information http://www.afsa951.org/2010Con.html

Friends, I look forward to seeing you there!

SMSgt Matthew R. “Mad Dog” Becker

Vice President, AFSA Chapter 984

Offutt AFB, Nebraska

Recently I have the privilege of being included in the Division 89 “communication loop” and have had the honor of welcoming new chapter leadership throughout our “AFSA AOR”.  I have embraced this opportunity as it has provided me with a means to meet and network with some of our great, hard-charging leaders as well as afforded me an opportunity to communicate and exchange some new ideas.

The Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary defines communication as; “…a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system”, “…a personal rapport…”, and “...an exchange of information…”  The “AFSA Network” provides the perfect medium to communicate!

Utilizing the “AFSA Network” and cross-flowing successes and ideas will help create a motivational sense of enthusiasm!  Many folks are new to AFSA Chapter leadership positions and may feel a bit overwhelmed as they try to decipher through the rigorous regime of meeting agendas, community service events, supporting enlisted development and filling out those often, tricky reports.  NO NEED TO WORRY; as communication with your fellow AFSA members and leaders will help ease your pain.

AFSA professionals I encourage each one of you to practice open and honest communication with fellow AFSA members.  Ask those tough or challenging questions you may have; tap each other’s minds if you are confused about recruiting or fundraising opportunities…Ask those questions and ease your mind.  Remember we are ALL in this together and effective communication is in fact, the key to success!

SMSgt Matthew R. “Mad Dog” Becker

Vice President, AFSA Chapter 984

Offutt AFB, Nebraska

What a great time of the year as chapter elections are over and new councils have been voted in.   Change is definitely in the air and with that, chapter leadership must rally together and layout a roadmap forward to what they want to accomplish this year and what impact they want to make on their bases, in their communities and for AFSA as a whole.

The great American author Robert Frost wrote an amazing poem entitled, “The Road Not Taken”.   In the writing Frost described a fork in a road that represented a decision, which must be made.  This decision, in simple terms was to either take the “easy road”…that many people have ventured down repeatedly in a status quo fashion and a “less traveled” road, which was basically unchartered and unknown yet full of opportunities yet to be discovered.   It is a dilemma like this that many of us have faced and specifically, a decision many of you—novice AFSA chapter leaders are facing right now. 

Some may find it easy to “go with the flow” and follow the “easy road” and do what pervious chapter leaders have done which was basically embracing the status quo and simply pushing the chapter enough to “get by” each quarter or just enough to garner an awards or EPR bullet.  This is absolutely detrimental to the chapter, its morale and the basic principles on which AFSA was founded on back in 1961.

Conversely, others may elect to follow that second, unchartered road…the road “less traveled”.  Here, opportunities are endless and your chances for creativity, ingenuity and success will only be stifled by personal unwillingness to take a chance.  Motivation, dedication and determination are the fuel, which will cause chapters to thrive, grow and foster teamwork and excellence.  Following this path and foregoing, the status quo is a definite foundation to success!

Leaders, as you begin to assemble your executive councils to plan and execute your 2010 tenure I ask you to stop for a moment…think, look at that fork in the road before you and decide what path your chapter needs to take.  I only hope that you explore the road “less traveled”, and forego the easy way out.  Your chapter needs you, Division 89 needs you and more importantly, AFSA International needs you….Make the right choice!

SMSgt Matthew R. “Mad Dog” Becker 

Vice President, Chapter 984

Offutt AFB, Nebraska