Army Chief of Staff's Retiree Council

Army Chief of Staff's Retiree Council

What is it'

The Army Chief of Staff's (CSA) Retiree Council is made up of 14 retired Soldiers who are nominated by their installation retiree councils, approved by the CSA, and serve four-year terms, representing more than a million retired Soldiers, surviving spouses and family members worldwide.

These retired Soldiers are recalled to active duty annually for a meeting. At the meeting, DoD and Army leaders brief their programs, address retiree concerns and ask for the continued support of retired Soldiers and families. Armed with this knowledge and their research before the meeting, the Council addresses retiree issues submitted by installation councils. At the close of the meeting, the Council co-chairs, meet with the CSA to report the council's recommendations on these issues and to reinforce retired Soldiers' and spouses' continued support for the Army.

What has the Army done'

The CSA Retiree Council, once separate officer and enlisted councils, met for the first time from June 5-9 , 1972, and was welcomed by the retired CSA Gen. William C. Westmoreland. Since then, council recommendations have contributed to the Retiree Dental Plan; Direct Deposit for retirees and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitants living overseas; compensation for retirees whose retired pay was reduced by VA disability compensation; and phasing out of the reduction of the SBP annuity at age 62. This year, the 2011 Army Chief of Staff's (CSA) Retiree Council met from April 18-22 at the Pentagon.

Why is this important to the Army'

Retired Soldiers and families are important to the Army. They have given literally millions of years of service to our Army and our nation. They continue to serve not only as volunteers on and off post but as the face of the Army to the majority of the nation who are many miles from a military installation and have no military background. The council is the voice of retired Soldiers and families, raising retiree issues to Army leaders and taking the leaders' messages to retired Soldiers and families who carry them to their communities.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

The CSA Retiree Council and installation retiree councils will continue to serve retired Soldiers and families and the Army itself. The CSA Retiree Council will continue to meet annually and installation retiree councils will meet at least semiannually.

Resource:

<a href=" http://www.armyg1.army.mil/retire " target="_blank">Army Retirement Services</a>