1. CMSGT (RET.) MARK R. CLARK LEGISLATIVE TRUSTEE
2017 AFSA CHAPTER 951
LEGISLATIVE TRAINING
CMSGT (RET.) MARK R. CLARK LEGISLATIVE TRUSTEE
6 May 2017

2. INFORMATION UPDATE 2016 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES 115TH CONGRESS
AFSA WORKS TO CLARIFY MISCONCEPTIONS
DETERMINING PAY RAISES AND RETIREE COLAs
CURRENT, HOT ISSUES
AMERICAN HEALTHCARE ACT OF 2017 UPDATE
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

3. LEGISLATIVE TRUSTEE NOTES
UNDERSTAND
HOW A DEFENSE BILL IS FORMED
HOW DOD SETS ITS BUDGET PRIORITIES
COMMUNICATE VICTORIES THAT PROVE AFSA CHANGES LIVES
HELP BUILD AFSA’S LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COMMUNICATING EASILY WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS
ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE AWARDS
POW/MIA RECOGNITION AND LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS WEEK
STRONG MEMBERSHIP ADDS TO LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS
MAKE EACH MEETING COUNT – INCLUDE FOCUS ON LEGISLATION
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

4. 2016 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES (A SAMPLE)
2.1 % PAY RAISE
COMMISSARY PROTECTION
BLOCKED BAH CHANGE PROPOSALS
USFSPA MODIFICATION
INCREASED MATERNITY/ADOPTION LEAVE FOR BOTH PARENTS
BLOCKED TRICARE ENROLLMENT FEES FOR FAMILIES, TFL
G/R VETERAN RECOGNITION - SBP FOR RESERVE IDT DEATHS
FOR ENTIRE LIST, REFER TO AFSA WEBSITE
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

5. 115TH CONGRESS 535 18.7 % MEMBERS SERVED
HOUSE 435 MBRS
2-YR TERMS
SENATE 100 MBRS
6-YR TERMS
THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES -
TELL THEM WHAT YOU EXPECT !
CONGRESS IS A RESPONSIVE/REACTIVE BODY, INFLUENCED BY POLITICS, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AND INPUTS FROM “OUTSIDE FORCES”—ESPECIALLY THE “GRASS ROOTS” (POTENTIAL VOTES).
HELP COMPLEMENT THE WORK OF OUR LEGISLATIVE TEAM BY COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. HELP US EDUCATE THEM ON THE ISSUES IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

6. GENEROUS ANNUAL PAYRAISES OVERLY-GENEROUS ALLOWANCES & BENEFITS
AFSA WORKS TO CLARIFYING MISCONCEPTIONS
(ABOUT MILITARY LIFE AND BENEFITS)
GENEROUS ANNUAL PAYRAISES
OVERLY-GENEROUS ALLOWANCES & BENEFITS
FREE HEALTHCARE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
FREE FOOD AT COMMISSARIES
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

7. MILITARY RETIREMENT COLAS
ANNUAL
MILITARY PAY RAISES &
MILITARY RETIREMENT COLAS
MILITARY PAY RAISES: BASED ON EMPLOYMENT COST
INDEX (ECI) -- PRIVATE SECTOR WAGE GROWTH –
MEASURED 15 MONTHS IN ADVANCE SHOULD BE 2.4%
MILITARY RETIREE COLAS: BASED ON CONSUMER
PRICE INDEX – INFLATION – MEASURED 3 MONTHS IN
ADVANCE. 1 JAN WAS .3%.
DIFFERENT FORMULAS, BUT BOTH TAKE ANNUAL SEPTEMBER-TO-SEPTEMBER MEASUREMENTS TO DETERMINE ANY INCREASE.
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

8. CURRENT, HOT ISSUES BUDGET DEFICIT/NATIONAL DEBT/SEQUESTRATION
BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM
BUDGET DEFICIT/NATIONAL DEBT/SEQUESTRATION
POTENTIAL PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVERTED!
COMMISSARY FUTURE
SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM (MEDICARE FOR ALL)
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

9. HOW A DEFENSE BILL IS FORMED
PRESIDENT SUBMITS BUDGET PROPOSAL
SUBCOMMITTEE HEARINGS
SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUPS
FULL COMMITTEE DEBATES AND PASSES BILL
FULL CHAMBER DEBATES AND PASSES BILL
CONFERENCE WITH OTHER CHAMBER
CONFERENCE REPORT SENT TO PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT SIGNS OR VETOES NDAA CONFERENCE REPORT
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

10. HOW DOD SETS ITS BUDGET PRIORITES (DOD IS NOT A QUALITY-OF-LIFE BUSINESS, ITS MISSION IS TO FIGHT AND WIN WARS/PROTECT OUR HOMELAND)
MISSION ESSENTIAL
WEAPONS SYSTEMS, R&D, O&M, ACQUISITION,
PROCUREMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, ETC.
DOD BUDGET
PRIORITIZATION =
DRIVEN BY NECESSITY,
TOP TO BOTTOM.
PERSONNEL PROGRAMS:
PAY & ALLOWANCES, EDUCATION, HOUSING,
HEALTHCARE, MWR, FAMILY PROGRAMS, ETC.
LOWEST PRIORITY: RETIREMENT PROGRAMS.
NON-MISSION ESSENTIAL
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

11. AFSA AFFECTS LIVES, EVERY DAY
SAMPLE NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS -- NOT INITIATED BY DOD
HIGHER PAY
BAS WHILE DEPLOYED/TDY/HOSPITALIZED
COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL PAYS, TAX EXCLUSIONS
ADOPTION LEAVE/PATERNITY LEAVE/R&R LEAVE
COMPENSATION
CREATION AND ENCHANCEMENTS OF POST-9/11 GI BILL
100 PERCENT TUITION ASSISTANCE
IN-STATE TUITION RATES FOR GI BILL AND TA USERS
SPOUSAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
EDUCATION
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

12. AFSA AFFECTS LIVES, EVERY DAY
SAMPLE NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS -- NOT INITIATED BY DOD
NO TRICARE PRIME COPAYMENTS FOR MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS
TRICARE TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
CREATION OF TRICARE FOR LIFE, TRICARE PRIME REMOTE,
RETIREE DENTAL PLAN
HEALTHCARE
FAMILY SEPARATION ALLOWANCE
TLE FOR 1ST PCS MOVE
POV SHIPMENT/PTDY TO SHIP POV/POV STORAGE
GREATER HOUSEHOLD GOODS WEIGHT ALLOWANCES
PCS AND TDY BENEFITS
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

13. SAMPLE NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS
RETIREES/SURVIVOR S
CREATION OF DEATH GRATUITY AND INCREASES
CONCURRENT RECEIPT PROGRESS; FULL FOR > 40% VA DISABILITY
CREATION OF SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN (SBP); PAID-UP FEATURE
SBP FOR ACTIVE DUTY DEATHS
GUARD AND RESERVE
DUTY/TRAINING TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
INCREASED POINTS TOWARD RETIREMENT
EARLIER RETIREMENT BASED ON DEPLOYMENTS SINCE 9/11
THE PASSAGE OF THE USERRA LAW IN 1994; AND IMPROVEMENTS
YEAR-ROUND BX AND COMMISSARY BENEFITS
SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

14. SAMPLE NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS
COMMISSARY PROTECTION
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
DORMITORY/HOUSING IMPROVEMENT & FUNDING
CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTIONS WHILE DEPLOYED
VOTING PROTECTION
OTHER PROGRAMS
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

15. HELP US BUILD OUR PLATFORM; GET INPUTS TO ME AS THEY OCCUR.
AFSA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
A LIST OF MAJOR TARGETS FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE TEAM TO PURSUE ON CAPITOL HILL. OUR MEMBERS DESIGNATE/APPROVE THE TARGETS. SOME TARGETS BEING PURSUED THIS YEAR:
* FULL MILITARY PAY RAISES IAW THE LAW
* IMPROVE ACCESS TO VA HEALTHCARE BENEFITS / CLAIMS PROCESS
* FIGHT TO ELIMINATE VA DIC/SBP OFFSET FOR SERVICE CONNECTED DEATHS
* SUSTAIN MILITARY PAY COMPARABILITY WITH PRIVATE SECTOR (BAH, BONUSES,
SPECIAL PAYS, COMMISSARIES, BASE EXCHANGE, DEPENDENT SCHOOLS,
AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS)
* FULL MILITARY RETIREMENT COLAs (CPI-W vs CPI-U vs CPI-E)
TO VIEW OUR ENTIRE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM, GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE SECTION OF THE AFSA WEBSITE
HELP US BUILD OUR PLATFORM; GET INPUTS TO ME AS THEY OCCUR.
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

16. HELP US BUILD OUR PLATFORM; GET INPUTS TO ME AS THEY OCCUR.
AFSA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
A LIST OF MAJOR TARGETS FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE TEAM TO PURSUE ON CAPITOL HILL. OUR MEMBERS DESIGNATE/APPROVE THE TARGETS. SOME TARGETS BEING PURSUED THIS YEAR:
* FIX THE COMPLEX RESERVE DUTY STATUS SYSTEM AND REDUCE
RETIRMENT AGE FROM 60 TO 55
* FULL CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF RETIREMENT & VA DISABILITY COMPENSATION
* PROTECT/PRESERVE GI BILL AND TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
* IMPROVE GUARD/RESERVE HEALTHCARE/EDUCATION PROGRAMS
* REPEAL/MODIFY THE USFSPA (MILITARY-UNIQUE DIVORCE LAW)
TO VIEW OUR ENTIRE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM, GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE SECTION OF THE AFSA WEBSITE
HELP US BUILD OUR PLATFORM; GET INPUTS TO ME AS THEY OCCUR.
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

17. COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS
VOTERVOICE ALERT LETTERS. AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO COMPLEMENT THE WORK
OUR AFSA HEADQUARTERS LEGISLATIVE TEAM DOES ON THE HILL.
CMSAF CODY : “WE WANT TO REMIND OUR MILITARY MEMBERS THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO CONTACT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO INFORM THEM OF THEIR VIEWS ON LEGISLATION.”
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

18. COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

19. HELP COMPLEMENT THE WORK OF AFSA’S LEGISLATIVE TEAM
RULES WHEN USING THIS PROGRAM
HELP COMPLEMENT THE WORK OF
AFSA’S LEGISLATIVE TEAM
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

20. ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE AWARDS
BUILD YOUR PACKAGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
RECOGNIZE YOUR TEAM
RECOGNIZE AN INDIVIDUAL
USE PROPER FORM/FORMAT
MEET DEADLINES
DON’T FAIL TO RECOGNIZE DUE TO MISSION
DO YOU HAVE AN AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CHAIR TO
KEEP YOUR PROGRAM ON TRACK?
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

21. POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY AFSA LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS WEEK
2017
POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY
15 SEPTEMBER
WEEK: SEPTEMBER
AFSA LEGISLATIVE AWARENESS WEEK
1-7 OCTOBER 2017
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

22. STRONG MEMBERSHIP NEEDED
AFSA – 100,000
THE MILITARY COALITION – 5,500,000
SIZE = ACCESS, INFLUENCE, OPPORTUNITIES
SIZE IS A MAJOR FACTOR THAT GREATLY ENHANCES
PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS ON CAPITOL HILL
RECRUIT AND RETAIN !
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

23. MAKE EACH MEETING COUNT – FOCUS ON LEGISLATION
UPDATE
SOLICIT INPUTS
ASSIST IN CONTACTING ELECTED OFFICIALS
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!

24. QUESTIONS?
BUDGET DEFICIT/NATIONAL DEBT
SBP
BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM
MILITARY DIVORCE
BAH
COMMISSARIES
SEQUESTRATION
COLAs
FACTS ABOUT CONGRESS
CMSgt (Ret.) Mark R. Clark (816)
AFSA Division 3 Legislative Trustee
AFSA HEADQUARTERS: (301) or
MSgt (Ret.) Morgan Brown, Director of Military and Government Relations
WEB:
Serving the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and Their Families – Past, Present, and Future!