FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arlington, VA, January 15, 1999 -- The Air Force Association endorses the findings of the newly released report of the Principi Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance, most of which are already contained in current AFA policy.

The Principi Commission was created by Congress to review the adequacy and effectiveness of veterans transition assistance programs. After 18 months of study, the Commission publicly released its report yesterday during a Capitol Hill press conference. The conclusions in the report addressed not only veterans transition assistance programs, but also included recommendations aimed at improving military retention.

Commission Chairman Anthony Principi, a former Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs, said that “the [current benefits] system is broken, and the Commission took a ‘no holds barred’ approach to fixing it . . . Some recommendations are going to raise eyebrows.”

Air Force Association National President Tom McKee lauded the Commission’s findings. “I believe these bold recommendations represent a positive step forward in easing service members’ and veterans’ transitions into a civilian lifestyle. It also recognized the key role played by the military family. The Association will work hard to support the Commission’s recommendations.”

The major recommendations fall into the realm of education, health care, and financial security. Among them is a proposal for a number of enhancements to the Montgomery GI Bill. The Commission also recommended that Congress provide a separate benefit for individuals who choose enlistment or re-enlistment for a minimum of 48 months by enacting legislation which would pay qualifying veterans the full cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies at any college or university. In addition, the Commission recommended service members be allowed educational leave from active duty or have the opportunity to transfer the educational benefit to a spouse or qualified dependent.

The Air Force Association also praised the Commission’s support for the extension of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) to retired military members. A Congressionally-mandated test program is about to begin. Enactment of FEHBP +65 as a health care option for military retirees has been a long-time AFA goal.

The Principi Commission further encouraged Congress to support on-going tests of Medicare Subvention (TRICARE Senior Prime) and recommended that the Department of Defense investigate the option of providing Medigap insurance for Medicare-eligible military retirees, another AFA priority.

Another recommendation of the commission was aimed at a refocused VA Housing Program for veterans in transition. The commission believes persons beginning active duty on or after the effective date of such legislation should not have to pay the current funding fee for VA-guaranteed loans, a position AFA fully endorses. The Association believes elimination of this burdensome fee is essential, especially for junior-enlisted members and their families.

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