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conference to resolve differences between the House and As always NERA continues to follow and represent our
Senate versions and then signature by the President. Over members with Congress, Department of Defense and
the last 15 years Congress has failed to pass a budget and Department of Veterans Affairs to protect and promote
funding by the start of the new Fiscal Year (FY) on October the benefits and compensation earned by our members.
1, resulting in the government running on a Continuing There are numerous other issues and areas we are follow-
Resolution (CR) which limits funding to the previous year’s ing. These are just specific current areas of interest.
allowance and program limits with no new programs.

If you have specific questions and/or issues please contact me by

calling or texting me on my cell phone at 1-443-812-9591.
You can also email me at [email protected].

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Shipmates,

The military, in its “wisdom," Supply Depot in Northeast Philadelphia, the Air National
has again mandated that all Guard in Warminster (the old Willow Grove Naval Air
active duty, reservists, and Station), and Fort Dix. New Jersey. I am lucky to be so
retirees obtain the latest ID close to so many facilities, however for many retirees
card. Although active duty across the United States, it may mean several hours of
and reserve have a relatively traveling to get to a facility.
easy way to update their card
by going to their Base Pass Ultimately, I made an appointment for myself at the Air
and ID, for the retirees, it may National Guard in Warminster. My appointment, at this
Joanne Elliott, YNC prove to be more difficult. I am writing, is not until a month and a half away. Luckily, I
National President
thinking especially about those still have the ability to drive to this facility. My concern
who are housebound, in hospitals, nursing homes or those is for those who no longer drive, are in the hospital or
who are not near a military facility. nursing homes and are unable to travel. It is imperative
that those of you who are reading this need to get your ID
I recently received a call from a retiree who I have known cards updated. The new cards are CAT card which con-
since 1990. He was in the hospital, where he was informed tain all your benefit information. Thus far, I do not have
that they needed his updated retiree card to obtain the a ready answer to issue. One suggestion I would make is
information for TRICARE. When he retired, he received that these individuals be allowed to update their IDs via
a card which was marked indefinite. I informed him that mail. If we can get our passports reissued via the mail, why
the retiree “indefinite” card has changed several times over not our IDs.
the past years. He had to wait until he was discharged to
have his son take him to a facility to update his card. STANDBY TO STANDBY!!!

I have thought about this for over two weeks and decided
to become a test case. There are four facilities in my geo-
graphic area – the old Philadelphia Navy Yard, Navy Joanne Elliott, President

The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association 5

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Mariner Summer 2023 Volume 66 Issue 2 091923.indd 5
Mariner Summer 2023 Volume 66 Issue 2 091923.indd 5 9/19/23 9:31 AM