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 The e-WORD January 2009 |
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To paraphrase Mark Twain, ‘Rumors of our demise are somewhat premature.” Fortunately, we have a small group of dedicated volunteer board members who remain convinced that a reversal of the organization’s current status is possible. They are, and have been for almost a year and a half, backing up that commitment by giving the two most precious commodities necessary for success – time and money. We are still committed to conducting the business of the Association, albeit on a smaller scale than previously. Gunny Green Our by-laws require that we conduct an annual meeting. Accordingly, we are currently in the process of making arrangements for such a meeting to be held on 15-17 May 2009 in the Quantico, Virginia area. Specific lodging, rates and agenda will be provided at a later date. At that meeting, a majority of positions on the Board of Directors will become vacant. Consequently, we are issuing this “Call for Nominations”, pursuant to MCRA’s Bylaws. If you are interested in developing your organization and bringing it to the next level, nominate yourself for board membership! If you know of a Marine Reserve member who you think is particularly well suited to hold a leadership position in your organization, nominate him or her! The Association shall stagger the terms of its voting officers, district vice-presidents and councilors-at-large to ensure continuity and to maintain a cadre of experienced individuals. All members of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the president, shall serve for terms of three (3) years, or until their successors are elected. The president shall serve for two (2) years, or until his/her successor is elected. Terms shall be as outlined below: Category 1: Two (2) vice presidents, two (2) district vice-presidents (1st and 4th Marine Corps Districts), the secretary, and the treasurer. The first election for these positions will be for the 2009 to 2012 term. Category 2: One (1) vice president, two (2) district vice-presidents (6th and 8th Marine Corps Districts), and two (2) councilors-at-large. The first election for these positions will be for the 2010 to 2013 term. Category 3: One (1) vice president, two (2) district vice-presidents (9th and 12th Marine Corps Districts), one (1) councilor-at-large, the judge advocate general, the chaplain and the medical officer. The first election for these positions will be for the 2011 to 2014 term. Positions to be filled: * President * Vice President (2) * Treasurer * Judge Advocate General * District Vice-Presidents (2) * Chaplain* * Medical Officer* * Councilors-at-large (1) Pursuant to the Bylaws, you must be classified as an “Active” or “Life Member” to nominate, vote or hold national office. You are requested to submit your nominations, utilizing the below form. It may be either reproduced and faxed to MCRA headquarters at 1-410-547-2758 or emailed to hqs@usmcra.org if you have electronic signature capability NLT 15 February 2009. Article XVI of the Association’s Bylaws provides its members the opportunity to participate in MCRA’s management and direction by allowing them to propose amendments for consideration by the Board of Directors. This announcement constitutes a “Call for Amendments to the Bylaws” that addresses legislative and management issues related to the objectives of the Association. Proposed amendments, utilizing the form below should be submitted to MCRA’s Bylaws Committee. It may either be reproduced and faxed to MCRA headquarters at 1-410-547-2758 or emailed to hqs@usmcra.org if you have electronic signature capability NLT 15 February 2009 Article XVI of MCRA’s Bylaws provides its members the opportunity to submit proposed resolutions for consideration by the Board of Directors, which will guide its actions and policies. This announcement constitutes a “Call for Resolutions”. Proposed resolutions, utilizing the form below, should be submitted for consideration to MCRA’s Resolutions Committee. It may either be reproduced and faxed to MCRA headquarters at 1-410-547-2758 or emailed to hqs@usmcra.org if you have electronic signature capability NLT 15 February 2009. Legislation of interest to the membership has been introduced in the new Congressional Session. The following bills will be posted on the Legislative News page with links for members to track the progress of these bills through the legislative process. H.R. 208 was introduced January 6, 2009 by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) to amend title 10, United States Code, to make Active Duty service by Reservists creditable for early retirement, retroactive to September 11, 2001. Last year, Congress authorized such service after January 28, 2008 to retire 3 months early for each 90 days on Active Duty after that date. Latest Major Action: Referred to House Committee on Armed Services H.R. 270 was introduced January 7, 2009 by Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH) to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide continuity of TRICARE Standard for Reserve retirees not yet age 60. The bill would authorize these retirees to purchase TRICARE Standard coverage. Currently drilling Reserve members can purchase TRICARE Reserve Select but they lose health coverage when they stop drilling until they reach age 60 and qualify for retirement. Latest Major Action: Referred to House Committee on Armed Services H.R. 303 was introduced January 8, 2009 by Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces who have service-connected disability to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation and to elimate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt. Latest Major Action: Referred to House Committee on Armed Services, and addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned H.R. 333 was introduced January 8, 2009 by Jim Marshall (D-GA) to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, to eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, to extend concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees (medically retired) with less than 20 years of service and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: Referred to House Committee on Armed Services, and addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned S. 157 was introduced January 6, 2009 by Sen Snowe (R-ME) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the temporary waiver of required minimum distribution rules for certain retirement plans and accounts. The bill would waive the requirementfor retirees age 70 1/2 to take a minimum distribution for tax years 2008 through 2010. Current law authorizes this only for tax year 2009. Latest Major Action: Read twice and referred to Committee on Finance. General Petraeus has made a round of visits with senior government officials of several Central Asian Countries Speaking with President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on January 17, the General pointed out the economic development help Kazakhstan is providing to Afghanistan. Petraeus explained that our objective is to prevent an escalation of extremism in Afghanistan and reduce the illegal drug trade. Contrary to some reports, the US does not plan to open a military base in Kazakhstan, however both sides have agreed for coalition forces to use Kasakh air space as well as transit of cargo and non-military goods through Kazakhstan to Afghanistan. General Petraeus also visited Kyrgyzstan on January 17. Both Russia and the US have military bases in Kyrgyzstan, much to the annoyance of the Russians because Kyrgyzstan was a part of the former USSR. There have been persistent predictions that President Bakiyev will ask the US to abandon the critically important Manas Air Base which serves as a staging point for sorties into Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan has $180 million in debts to Russia and like so many countries in Central Asia, its economy is struggling and the infrastructure of the country is suffering from the loss of Russian technicians after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Many believe that the Kyrgyz need to appease the Russians because of the debt obligations and the need to get technical assistance from the Russians. During his visit, Petraeus met with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Ghudinov, Defense Minister Kalyev, as well as other security officials. Discussions included security operations, the US Military Base in Bishkek as well as terrorism issues. Following these meetings Petraeus told reporters that Kyrgyz officials denied they have plans to ask the US Military to leave the Manas Air Base. Russia has responded with denial of service cyber attacks on Kyrgyz Internet sites. General Petreaus meet with President Rakhmon of Tajikistan on January 19 regarding transportation of materials for rehabilitation of Afghanistan's infrastructure. To assist Tajikistan in this matter, the US is considering the building of another bridge across the Pyanj river separating Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Military officials also discussed issues of preventing terrorism and combating illegal drug trafficking. Tajikistan is a major illegal drug traffic route. Tajikistan is deeply concerned about its own internal stability. The country was rocked by civil war during the '90s and terrorist activities continued even after settlement of the war with islamic rebels. Extreme islamic militant activities decreased significantly when the US attacked the Taliban in Afganistan following 9/11, presumably because the extremist travelled to Afghanistan to fight US forces. Considering the recent difficulties of transporting goods to Afghanistan through Pakistan, it is obvious that the opening of another route for supplies to Afghanistan would alleviate the situation. Possible new routes include an overland route from Russia through Kazakhstan and on through Uzbekistan using trucks and trains. Another possible route is through Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea to the Kazakh port of Aktau and then through Uzbekistan. These new routes would supplement supply shipments through Pakistan where Taliban militants have been attacking up to 75 percent of NATO''s "non-lethal" supplies such as food, fuel and building materials. Unconfirmed sources indicate that Iran is running short on its supply of yellowcake. Yellowcake is processed uranium ore and is so called because of its yellow color and the way it is typically shaped during the ore processing. Yellowcake is used to manufacture nuclear weapons. If true, this could slow the manufacture of nuclear weapons by Iran. Iran could possibly turn to Tajikistan, since Tajikistan, as a part of the former Soviet Union, supplied places such as the closed city of Tomsk 7, Russia*, with yellowcake from its uranium ore processing facility in Chkalovsk. The facility in Chkalovsk stopped manufacturing yellowcake following the breakup of the Soviet Union and the exodus of Russian and German technicians. *Note: Tomsk 7 is not the City of Tomsk in Russia, but a name given to a nuclear weapons manufacturing facility located in what is now known as Seversk. LPM |