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Military retirees, and widows of retirees, are an integral part of every military community in Germany. The KMC is the “home town” for many of these retirees and widows.
Currently, nearly all military communities have a retiree council. These councils provide the respective community commanders with a window into a constituency that supports the community with volunteers.
Every installation commander knows his retiree constituency is essentially a silent minority, yet no less a responsibility than his active-duty personnel, the family members accompanying them and the civilian members of the force.
The retiree council would keep its commander informed about the overall situation.
The minutes of the retiree council meetings would be submitted to the commander for information and approval. The minutes are similar to a “situation report” the commander uses to feel the retiree pulse of his command.
The KMC does not have a retiree council either on the Air Force or on the Army side of the community. Based on the success stories from other communities, a local retiree council would be a big plus for both the military community and the retirees.
The KMC is a mix of primarily Air Force and Army retirees with some Navy and even Department of Defense civilian retirees added. A retiree council would logically be a mix of representatives from all retired military and civilians, including at least one widow of a military retiree.
The KMC Retiree Council would be chartered and members appointed by the commander. They would meet at least quarterly.
Generally, meetings would be open to the public, and council members would be able to obtain information on grass roots concerns and needs.
There would always be a lively exchange of ideas and information. Many widows could attend the meetings and appreciate the opportunity to be able to stay connected.
The important issues would include host nation health care, Tricare claims, casualty assistance and general administrative support (retired pay, Social Security, veterans benefits, legal, customs regulations, etc.).
The retiree council within the military community is supervised by the Retirement Services Office (Army) or the Retiree Activities Office (Air Force). These offices provide guidance and support to the retiree council president and the members of the council.
Although we have never had a retiree council in the KMC, there is no better time than the present to organize. We need a core cadre of patriots that want to continue to serve to accept the challenge and organize a council that the commander will charter and support.
To show your interest and willingness to have a retiree council, send an email to 86aw.rao@ramstein.af.mil with “KMC Retiree Council” in the subject line, or call the Retiree Activities Office at 480-5486 or 06371-47- 5486.
