1 Marine For Life Brief for MCCC Update Lt Col Tom Russell 21 October 2006

2 Mission Statement Classic Program/Hometown Links Injured Support Areas of Assistance/Additional Functions Current Status Program Successes Ways to Help Agenda

3 Mission The Marine For Life Program assists honorably discharged Marines as they transition from the Corps to the community, and provides support to injured Marines and Sailors (and their families) throughout the phases of recovery.

4 M4L Classic The Classic functions of M4L serve to reflect the following: –Reinforcement of positive message “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” 43,000+ Marines served since Feb 04 7,000+ Marine-friendly employers registered 600 Jobs posted on M4L Job Board 1,700 Mentors offering variety of assistance 120 Hometown Links (HTLs) Refined focus on injured Marines and Sailors Continue to expand network resources to support the 27,000 honorably discharged Marine per year

5 Transition Center Veteran Marines Reserve Marines Local VA, DOL, State Programs Other Support Marine Friendly Employers Hometown Link Transition Center Hometown Links - the Human Element

6 CMC White Letter –Announced the program –Designated M4L as the lead for Injured Support –Directed Corps-wide support Program launched January 2005 –Main focus of effort at inception was HQ level outreach calls and MTF visits –Over last 18 months program has been refined and expanded significantly –Continue to build the M4L program to create real differences in the lives of the injured and their family members M4L-Injured Support (IS)

7 Information Resource and Referral service to injured Marines, sailors and their family members in the following areas: – Benefits and Entitlements – Navigating the Medical and Physical Evaluation Boards – Referrals to VSOs, Charitable Orgs, and other public and private support orgs. – Job placement assistance with Corporate America (via classic program), and other VA, DoD, and DoL job placement programs – Remote-access information regarding federal and local disability and benefit information via M4L web site Representation at VA Seamless Transition Office to provide integrated approach to the handling of USMC cases Representation at Department of Defense Military Severely Injured Center Representation at BUMED to facilitate Reserve treatment and med boards Problem resolution/assistance for Marines/Sailors/family members Needs Assessment surveys and pre/post separation uniformed case support Assist MEF’s and I&Is M4L-IS Areas of Assistance

8 Mission Additional Functions Reserve Medical Entitlements (RMED) – Coordinates/manages care for activated reservists retained on MEDHOLD – Approves/coordinates NOE benefits for reservists/officer candidates injured in the line of duty – Coordinates with BUMED to provide unity of effort to the injured Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) – Service certification authority for all USMC claims (MI moving to M4L) – Forwards claims to OSGLI for final disposition – As requested, reviews claims for reconsideration – As requested, assists Naval Board of Appeals (TSGLI) –1312 USMC Claims submitted –$50,200, paid to date

9 Aggressive Outreach Efforts – Calls/visits made to injured and family members – Marines have requested/received assistance to date. Improving VA Seamless Transition Process Upgrading Case Mgt & follow-up system Additional M4L personnel to support MEF ISU’s District Injured Support Cell concept created and being stood up to provide increased assistance to injured. Current Status

10  Greatest Success… Making a difference – One Marine, one family at a time! Program Successes

11 How you can help Disseminate program information throughout membership. Mentors - Encourage interested members, especially combat veterans and purple heart recipients to attend to the injured population. Continue to establish ties in local communities with Hometown Links, VSO’s and Marine-friendly employers. Job Postings, Network Resources.

12 Website: Phone: (703) Toll Free: (866) M4L-USMC (866) M4L Contact Information