While many older soldiers are concerned about being forced into early retirement, some younger soldiers are concerned over what cuts might occur between now and their own retirement.

Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

The U.S. Army plans to cut 80,000 troops over the next six years. 

Troop Cuts and Separations

The Army has announced it will dismantle at least eight of its 45 Brigade Combat Teams, each containing approximately 4,000 troops. This will mean several thousand troops will be forced to separate or relocate over the course of the transition. It also means forces will be able to deploy to fewer locations simultaneously. Service members who have had disciplinary issues or problems with the physical fitness test can expect to be among the first in these troop cuts.  It is also possible that the Army will bar re-enlistment, depending on a soldier’s career field and performance history. The Army could also enact early-out authority if the troop cuts become hard to make; this can be used to discharge active duty soldiers up to one year prior to the end of enlistment. The consolation is that soldiers who are separated in this manner will still retain traditional separation benefits.

Separation Incentives

The 2012 Defense Authorization Act re-established several of the incentives designed to minimize instances of involuntary separation and ease the burden of involuntary separations. These options include:

• Special Separation Benefit: a lump-sum payment calculated through monthly pay and years of active service.
• Voluntary Separation Incentive: a monthly annuity calculated through monthly pay and years of active service.
• Early retirement: offered to soldiers with 15-20 years of active service with retirement pay adjusted accordingly. Service members who take this option will still qualify for all other retirement benefits.

These incentives will be available until Dec. 31, 2018 and are designed to encourage voluntary separation and in turn reduce the number of involuntary troop cuts.

Uncertain Future

The instability in the Middle East continues to be a major concern for senior military leaders and political officials when evaluating troop cuts and the impact it will have on overall military readiness. “That’s another reason why I asked for six years to downsize the Army — if something happens, you want to make sure the president has the option to react however he so chooses,” Army Gen. Raymond Odierno told reporters last month. The needs of the military will dictate whether these initiatives proceed as planned. Service members who are concerned about being separated should check out some of Veteran United’s other resources, including Budgeting your Military Service Separation or Out of the Military and Unemployed: Best Industries to Find Work.

Before you lose your mind, here are some tips to help you make your way through the paperwork:

1. 1. Keep Paperwork All In One Place

   

   Don’t let the process overwhelm you!

   The most important item is a giant folder for all your military documents. After a few years that folder will morph into a drawer, then a cabinet, and then a filing system that rivals the IRS.

2. Be Polite

Be respectful and courteous to everyone you encounter.

The person on the other end of the phone or email probably deals with a steady stream of frustrated service members and families. Ranting and raving won’t make them care more about your issue.

You don’t have to be less insistent about your needs or agree with them. Just maintain a civil, respectful and polite attitude.

3. Be Early

Complete tasks far in advance of deadlines, make note of any deadlines in the process and plan to leave time to spare.

4. Go in person

You will be harder to ignore, brush off or delay when you are right in front of a representative. Bring all paperwork and documents you think might be even semi-related to your issue.

5. Keep copies

Make a copy anytime you’re asked to send or hand over a document. I have sent my marriage license to Veterans Affairs no less than five times. I would not be surprised to have to send it again.  Some offices just have a special talent for losing things. Also note when you sent that document, how you sent it and to whom it was sent.

6. Follow Up

Avoid snail mail if at all possible. I prefer physically handing in paperwork, emailing or faxing. This way you can have someone verify that your documents were received. However, some paperwork may require you to mail an original copy. Always follow up to be sure the office received your documents. Most offices will not let you know they did not receive something.

Maintain your cool even in stressful situations.

7. Ask Questions

Ask for clarification if you don’t understand something and make sure you understand the process.

Whenever I was shuffled from one administrative office to another, someone would ask what I needed or why the last place couldn’t help. I would say, “I don’t know, they just told me this is what I should do.” You know what happens? They send you back to the first office, which may or may not send you back to the second office.

Know why you are doing what you are doing.

8. Move on up

The military understands chain of command. Many times the first person you talk to  has limited knowledge and resources. If you feel you’re getting nowhere or feel you have a special circumstance, you need to ask for a supervisor.

9. There is a rule for everything

The military defines every situation. They may not encounter your situation very often but there is probably a regulation, policy, manual, code or some other ruling on it. Plug away until you find it. Always ask to see the applicable regulations and read and review them yourself.

10. A Warning About Overrides

Overrides or exceptions to regulations do exist. But working within the rules to get what you want is always preferable to getting an exception. This is an area where being polite, making friends and following the process can pay off. Most overrides include language like: “…at the discretion of the Company Commander.” Hard to imagine the average company commander exercising much discretion for a pushy loudmouth.

11. Use Other Resources

Learn about all the resources at your disposal, both within Veterans Affairs and beyond. For example, with Tricare you can contact a Patient Advocate anytime you have a problem with your treatment. The Patient Advocate can help you get to the right person faster, help you with paperwork and often they are able to eliminate steps from the process. Family Readiness Groups can also act as a resource or point you toward groups and individuals that can solve your issues.

Photo thanks to DBduo Photography and Dullhunk via Flickr Creative Commons license

Here are a few things to know about no-fee passports and the process of getting one:

What it is

No-fee passports identify the owner is abroad for official travel. Aside from any service fees, no-fee passports are free of charge for the dependents of those needing to travel on government business. Spouses, children, parents and siblings of fallen member with an overseas funeral may also apply.

How to Apply

If a passport is deemed necessary for spouses, the installation’s human resource office will provide a DD Form 1056, or you can download one online. The application for the passport should be submitted to the local military passport and visa sector.

Once approved, the form becomes proof of your authorization and can be presented to the Department of State with the official travel orders. After the paperwork goes through, the Department can issue the passport. Typically, passports take 8-12 weeks and are sent to the branch of service, rather than the individual.

What You Need

The official forms aren’t the only required items to submit for a passport. You will also need to present:

• Passport Photos: Two identical pictures, measuring 2×2 inches on white or off-white background. Your head must be clear of all gear, including glasses. Your military installation may have a DA photo lab to get pictures done, but you can also go to store photo departments.
• Birth Certificate: You will need the original as well as a copy. You may not use birth registrations, notifications or hospital birth certificates, even with notarization. Previous passports may be used in lieu of a certificate, unless for a child under the age of 16.
• Original Marriage/Divorce Certificate
• Parent IDs for children:Children under 14 must have both parents’ IDs presented as well as a copies made. Those aged 14-15 only need one parent ID.
  • If a parent is divorced, single or the only one listed on the birth certificate for a child 13 and under, the parent must present: 1) An original notarized SPOA/DS-3053 for either single biological parents/divorced biological parents that have joint custody OR 2) The original finalized court document that states that a biological single parent and/or biological divorced parent has sole custody/primary custody.

What Else is Required

When families PCS, the DoD Directive requires members and dependents to have a Status of Forces Agreement stamp. A SOFA stamp gives legal rights that exempt the holder from the host country’s immigration laws regarding alien registration.

Where to Apply

Depending on your current location, you can use Department of State search tool to find where you can apply.

What Else to Know

No-fee passports are only used for official business. If you want to travel for leisure, you must obtain a regular-fee tourist passport. You are able to have both at the same time.

Apply as soon as you can. Peg Crippen describes her extra lengthy experience  and advises spouses to “hope for the best, but plan for the worst.”

Photo thanks to clapstarr via Flickr Creative Commons

And that’s where a unique piece of legislation can help: the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Financial Safeguards

The SCRA provides a range of financial safeguards for active duty U.S. service members and their families. The act, which President Bush signed into law in December 2003, is basically an update and expansion of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act passed in 1940.

Military spouses often have to handle the finances and any problems that come along with it!

The newer, wide-ranging SCRA covers a host of civil and fiscal obligations, such as mortgage payments, credit card debt and apartment leases.

Active duty members and Reservists and National Guard members on active duty are eligible to receive SCRA benefits from the start of their active duty to about 30 to 90 days after. This includes their dependents.

How the SCRA Can Help

Here’s a look at some of the key ways military spouses can utilize the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act:

• Mortgage and Foreclosure

Lenders in most cases can’t foreclose upon or take a property because of mortgage debt while service members are on active duty and for up to nine months after discharge. The SCRA also provides caps interest rates at 6 percent for active duty service members and their families, no matter the loan type.

• Leases and Eviction

The SCRA prevents service members and their families from being evicted because of failure to pay rent, so long as the monthly rent doesn’t exceed $2,932.21. The property must be considered the residential home of the member and dependents as opposed to an extra property. If an eviction notice is issued, spouses can submit an SCRA request to the court. Petitioners must show that the inability to pay is because of the service member’s military duties. If approved, the court can postpone the eviction for three months.
Service members can also terminate a lease if they receive deployment orders within 30 days of signing.

It can be overwhelming, but there is help available.

• Credit Card Interest Rates

The SCRA provides a 6-percent cap on credit card interest rates. Once applied for, monthly payments are reduced by the interest saved for the time of active duty. Beyond that, any debt interest beyond the 6 percent is forgiven.

• Special Deposit Program

The SCRA can offer financial opportunities along with financial relief.

Service members deployed to a combat zone or a qualified hazardous zone can take advantage of a Special Deposit Program that allows a 10-percent interest rate on any money deposited while deployed.

With a power of attorney, a spouse can start allotment payments up to $10,000 and receive a rate that is one to 10 times higher than banks and credit unions. The money will remain in the high interest account until the deployment ends, but can be withdrawn if hard times arise.

Photos thanks to meddygarnet and Casey Serin via Flickr Creative Commons