JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
RAOS NEED YOUR HELP - Retiree Activities Offices at Joint Base Andrews and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling are among 105 outlets at bases around the world offering assistance to military retirees and their families.
Volunteers staffing these offices, through the Air Force Retiree Council, serve as eyes and ears of the retiree community for the Air Force Chief of Staff. Council members oversee retiree activities within their geographic area of responsibility. A volunteer in the Bolling RAO for 16 years, retired Chief Master Sgt. Chuck Lucas, Springfield, Va., represents Andrews, Bolling and Dover installations.
Attrition is one of the biggest challenges for the RAOs. Without sufficient support from those they serve, the offices will cease to exist. The local offices are operating with skeleton staffing.
The goal of at least two volunteers manning the offices from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays is not being met. Retirees from all military branches and dependents are welcome candidates. Work schedules are flexible and on-the-job training a snap for anyone familiar with the military. For some, its a unique opportunity to stay in touch with a major part of a lifetime.
Others simply add the gift of giving to weekly trips to the base for pharmacy, commissary or exchange visits. In any event, the RAOs can only be as strong as the clientele it serves. Your contribution costs very little. Call the Andrews RAO at (301) 981-2726 or at Bolling, (202) 767-5244, for further information on how to help keep this vital retiree benefit alive and well.
EXCHANGE DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTED - Military families shopping and dining at Army & Air Force Exchange Service facilities last year generated a dividend of $261.1 million. The exchange has a dual mission of providing patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings for military family and morale, welfare and Recreation programs. Because the exchange operates at Marine and Navy locations, funds were also returned to Marines and Sailors. Army received $158.1 million; Air Force, $90.6 million; Marines, $11.4 million; and Navy, $1 million. Worldwide purchases made in the past 10 years have provided more than $2.4 billion to military morale, welfare and recreation programs such as youth services, post functions and aquatic centers. Roughly two-thirds of exchange earnings are paid to quality of life programs. Exchange earnings also are used to build new stores and renovate existing facilities.
NEW CALL CENTER HOURS - The appointment call center at Joint Base Andrews' Malcolm Grow Medical Center has new hours of operation. The call center, 1-888-999-1212, is open from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Patients are encouraged to use Tricareonline.com to make appointments outside of these hours.