Many retirees may be unaware of a number of services that remain available to them, even after leaving active duty. Regardless of their branch of service, retirees and their Family members may use the following support activities:
Army Community Service
The Army Community Service, or ACS, mission is to facilitate the commander’s ability to provide comprehensive, coordinated and responsive services that support readiness of Soldiers, civilian employees and their Families. ACS maximizes technology and resources, adapts to unique installation requirements, eliminates duplication in service delivery and measures service effectiveness.
In the United States, the following personnel are eligible for ACS assistance: Active duty and retired military personnel; members of the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve when on active duty; and Army appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund employees. Family members of the aforementioned groups, if otherwise eligible for services, may also use ACS.
Additionally, Family members of prisoners of war or personnel missing in action and surviving Family members of military personnel who died while on active duty, if otherwise eligible for services, may also use ACS.
ACS is located in Building 50010 near the traffic circle on Smith Street and can be contacted at 533.2330 or huacacs@conus.army.mil. ACS is closed on federal holidays and weekends. Normal hours of operation are Monday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 5 pm; Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Financial Peace of Mind
Beginning March 7 and occurring weekly through May 9, ACS will offer Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Each couple or single receives a Financial Peace Military Membership Kit containing all they need to become debt-free and financially sound. The kit includes workbook and other accessories.
Meetings will be held at Murr Community Center from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, call 533.2330 by Feb. 28.
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
The Arizona Coalition for Military Families, or ACMF, is a public/private partnership focused on building Arizona’s statewide capacity to serve and support all service members, veterans, their Families and communities. Arizona is home to more than 625,000 service members and veterans from all eras. To honor their service and sacrifice, ACMF partners are committed to providing the best care and support possible to them and their Families. Contact ACMF, 1.602.753.8802 or info@arizonacolaition.org.
Veteran Retraining Assistance Program
Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. This law includes the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, or VRAP, which offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed veterans.
To qualify, veterans must: be at least 35 but no more than 60; be employed on the date of application; have received an-other-than-dishonorable discharge; not be eligible for any other Veterans Affairs education benefit program such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance; not be receiving VA compensation due to unemployability; and not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program.
VRAP, which began in July 2012 and runs through March 31, 2014, is limited to 45,000 participants. So far, enrollment has been low.
Participants must attend training assistance programs full-time in order to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program. Effective since Oct. 1, 2012, the amount is $1,564. The Department of Labor will offer employment assistance to every participating veteran who completes the program.
VRAP participants must be enrolled in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an associate degree, non-college degree, or a certificate, and train the veteran for a high-demand occupation.
Location changes for next RC meeting
The next Retiree Council quarterly meeting will take place on April 12, 10 a.m., in Murr Community Center due to a conflict with the ACS conference room on that day. All military retirees are invited to attend.
