Outstanding Message from Col Eric Bratu

Please see below a message from Col Eric Bratu. He does an outstanding job of explaining his thoughts on taking care of Service members by making sure their families can keep afloat financially if something tragic should happen as well as how important it is for a Service member to keep themselves informed and on top of their military careers.

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It’s that time of the year, Association dues. Each year we solicit dues from our personnel to join their respective associations. However, do we take the time to explain the benefits? I agree membership is voluntary and we as senior officers have to be careful in how we discuss association membership. However, don’t we typically share information with others when we find a good deal? Well our associations are good deals so hopefully you will share some of this information. I have attached an “unofficial NGAMS brochure” that lists some of the benefits of NGAMS. Since some may not read the attached document, I wanted to provide a short comparison on the association insurance based on what I could find on line based on the TV advertisements for life insurance.

Also notify your personnel of the limited time offer to get their lifetime national and state dues at a 25% discount ($750) and they can set-up a payment plan (24 months). Further, if you have already paid your dues for this past year then you also get subtract that amount from the active life membership plan as long as you do it prior to December 31, 2016. For example, an O5 that paid $103 annual dues for 2016 can subtract that amount from the $750. That means an active life membership would only cost $647. Conservatively, an officer over a 26 year span will spend $2,347 in NGAMS/NGAUS dues. For longer careers, this number only increases. That is why a life membership makes so much financial sense. See https://ngams.org/membership/life-membership-savings for more information and cost comparisons.

Insurance spill (for all MS NG personnel, officer and enlisted):
Part of taking care of our fellow Guardsmen is taking care of them and their families in the very unfortunate incident when the unthinkable happens in the death of either the husband or wife. How many or our personnel are not aware of the life insurance program offered by their association?

For only $6.80 per month, NGAMS will provide $10,000 for the member (increases to $12,500 after the first year), $10,000 for the member’s spouse and $2,500 per child. For $25.25 per month, the member can increase their FAMILY’S coverage to $35,000 for the member (increases to $45,000 after the first year), $50,000 for the spouse and $15,000 per child. Compare this to $30+ per month for a female only (no coverage for spouse or child) from the insurance companies advertising on TV.

In addition, MS National Guardsmen can increase their coverage in increments of $50,000 for an additional $400,000 in coverage on them and their spouse as needed. Hopefully, most of our guardsmen have the $400,000 of SGLI. However, how many of our young men and women do not know they can get the same level of coverage on their spouses? What would happen if the unimaginable happens and a young airman loses his spouse who may have a job of which they are dependent to make ends meet or stays home and takes care of their children? We cannot replace the loss of a loved one but we can relieve some of the stress of how he/she pays the bills or hires a care giver for young children. For an additional $32 per month, a member can add $400,000 of coverage for their spouse (under age 50, nontobacco user). Note the member pays $29 per month for SGLI and believes that is a deal so covering the spouse with $400,000 for an additional $32 per month is not a deal? Additional information and rates for different increments is available at https://ngams.org/insurance/state-sponsored-life-insurance/.

I admit, life insurance premiums increase dramatically with age. From age 50-59, that same $32 will only get you closer to $100,000 of insurance. However, typically, we are most vulnerable to debt at the younger ages. There are mortgages, young children, etc. As we get older, we don’t need as much life insurance so even if the member decides to cancel their enhanced insurance in the later years, they can keep their basic coverage for life (coverage reduces at age 60 and again at age 70). That’s right, even after you retire, you can keep a basic policy. However, you must have the coverage for at least 12 months prior to retirement and the good news is the premiums don’t increase based on age (coverage decreases to $5,000 for member and spouse).

Following are some comparisons from Internet sites. At a minimum, this should get our people to relook at their existing policies.

Whole life policy comparison (Mutual of Omaha site)
$10,000 for a female age 50 – $30 per mo from Mutual of Omaha, $37.20 per mo from New York Life and $47.80 per month from Colonial Penn

Other numbers are below:

MetLife – Whole Life policy – At age 50, $25,000 costs $126.50 per mo (male
https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/guaranteed-acceptance.html

AIG – 10 year term life – At age 40, $250,000 costs $13.75 per mo (male)
https://www.aigdirect.com/protect-your-family?dnis=9199&cmpid=Online&KNC=google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Online&gclid=CO_3sNKgjdACFdc9gQodDU0DBA

Mutual of Omaha – Term Life- $100,000 for ages 50-54 costs $62.75 per mo and ages 55-59 increases to $100.33 per mo
https://www.mutualofomaha-lifeinsurance.com/?src=mutualdirect
Eric
NGAMS/NGAUS Life Member

Nominations for NGAMS 2017-18 Officers

The Committee on Nominations will meet on Tuesday, 7 February 2017, to consider nominations for elected offices of NGAMS for 2017 – 2018.

Before this meeting takes place, I solicit recommendations for nominations from all members for the four (4) elected positions, plus the Delegate at Large to the 2017 NGAUS Conference. You are encouraged to submit the names of individuals for the positions shown. Each name submitted will be thoroughly evaluated by the Committee on Nominations.

A very brief biographical sketch of no more that one paragraph must accompany each name submitted.

VICE PRESIDENT – ARMY ___________________________
(President Elect 2018)

VICE PRESIDENT – AIR ___________________________

SECRETARY (AIR) ___________________________

TREASURER (ARNG) ___________________________

DELEGATE AT LARGE (ARMY) ___________________________
(NGAUS Conference, Louisville, KY)

Your recommendation and biographical sketch should be mailed or e-mailed to the attention of the Committee on Nominations, NGAMS, P.O. Box 627, Jackson, MS 39205 or via e-mail to LTC Allen McDaniel at amcdaniel@ngams.org. It is your responsibility to ensure that the nominated individuals are aware of the nomination and are willing to serve in this capacity, if elected.

All nominations must be received NLT Friday, 27 January 2017, for consideration by the committee. The names of committee members are listed in the attachment below for your information.

BG (Ret.) J. ROY ROBINSON
Executive Director

Nominations-2017-18-letter

Updated Credit Card Numbers

If you are using a credit card for a recurring payment and the number or expiration date has changed on the card please call Ms Terrie Price at 601-354-7555 or email her at tprice@ngams.org with your updated information.  Please be aware that USAA recently changed their cards from MasterCard to Visa and it is impacting many life membership payments.  Thank you for your help.

Officers and Enlisted Servicemembers- Let your voice be heard!

Your NGAMS Company Grade Representative CPT Susie Hubbard wants you to share your opinions with leadership.  Please click on the link below and read the attached article.  After that click on the survey at the bottom of the article and let the NGAUS and EANGUS leadership know what is important to you.

http://www.ngaus.org/newsroom/news/call-us

Again, thanks to CPT Susie Hubbard for pushing this very important issue.

NGAUS Conference Update

What does a Town Crier, Crab Cakes and a speech by a Presidential candidate have in common?

An official town crier (Hint: perhaps Francis Scott Key) will greet you, plus mouthwatering Maryland crab cakes (with Old Bay seasoning! J are on the menu, when you arrive at NGAUS 2016.

Plus, you may have a chance to witness history if Presidential candidates confirm that they will address the NGAUS audience.

Feel free to use the attached zip files to spread the word about what to expect when 50 States/4 Territories, representing your National Guard colleague ‘Casey, Sean M BG USARMY (US)’ <sean.m.casey8.mil@mail.mil>s, gather at NGAUS 2016.

Late Breaking news…

Ø The National Guard will be publicly recognized and will participate in pre-game, on field ceremonies at the Ravens/Bills season opener on 9/11, when they unfurl the American flag. The Md National Guard will also conduct another dramatic flyover during the pre-game singing of our National Anthem.

Ø Advance Online Conference Registration continues open for business. Hotel Guest rooms ARE still available at an affordable group discounted rate. Contact: ngaus2016@epponline 410 / 997 0763 410/997 0764 fax

Ø Here is a brand new way to save on conference registration fees… the host State is continuing to process sponsorship applications from industry, for high profile recognition during the Conference. It is NOT too late for industry to be recognized and to support the Guard via a sponsorship!

Refer an industry contact to ngaus2016@epponline.com. If they become a new sponsor, you will receive a complimentary full conference registration.

Dining NGAUS NGAUS Town Crier NGAUS2016AdMagazine

NGAUS Fellowship

Please find attached information on the National Guard Association of the United States Fellowship Program. This program is designed for Army and Air National Guard Lieutenants, Captains and Warrant Officers (in the grade of WO1 and/or CW2) to the headquarters of NGAUS for a period of one year. This is a paid program that allows experience in the interaction between the US Congress and the agencies that affect the National Guard. Applications to this program will be made directly to NGAUS with the point of contact listed in the attached letter. However we would be happy to assist in any way. Please help us disseminate this announcement as widely as possible.

NGAUS Fellows Program 2017