WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (Nov. 19, 2015) -- In a small room on the edge of a building built during World War I is a small team of volunteers who celebrated quite an achievement this month.
The Watervliet Arsenal's Retirement Services Office, located in the former Arsenal post restaurant, celebrated on November 14 the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Army Retirement Services.
Ken Hunter, the Arsenal's RSO senior volunteer, said that although the Army has been providing retirement services for 60 years, the Arsenal's operations started 25 years ago by a retired Army colonel. Through the years, the Arsenal's operations have grown from supporting about 1,000 retirees to today's number that exceeds 7,500 retirees from all branches of military service.
Hunter said that he and four other military retirees offer support to not only the retiree, but also to their family members. In fact, most of the queries and walk-in traffic are about family benefits.
"We are a one-stop shop for any military retiree and their family members who may have questions about survivor benefits, health care, retirement pay, and military awards," Hunter said.
But as the mission has grown in recent years, the funding for the retirement office has not.
"We are truly an operation funded by the spirit of volunteerism," Hunter said. "Our operation here was initially funded by the Army, but funding stopped several years ago."
Hunter and his staff do not get paid and must fight for every resource they get to run their operation.
"We even had several of our volunteers attend training out of state at their own expense," Hunter said. "But they didn't complain because they believe in the mission."
This sense of duty and support for the troops is evident in each volunteer who do the best they can with the limited resources they have. The Arsenal does provide free administrative office space and communications support.
So, why do these volunteers keep supporting a mission that receives such limited support from the Army?
"Several years ago, I became interested in what this retirement service office offered through a newsletter they (RSO office) had sent me," said Adrienne Daniels, a former Navy senior chief who retired about 11 years ago. "But when I came in I found that they did not have any Navy representation and so, who better to answer questions from former sailors than a former Navy senior chief? I started volunteering."
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tom Hatlee quickly echoed Daniels' comments.
"Although I retired in 2003, it wasn't until five years ago that I walked into this office and saw the value that it provided, Hatlee said. "I had a great 40-year Army career and so, working here makes me feel as if I am still serving, giving back to the military that I love."
Hunter had 29 years of military service and retired as a Master Sergeant. He has been volunteering at Watervliet since the office opened 25 years ago.
The two other volunteers are retired Maj. Wayne Petterson and Sgt. Maj. Joe Novak.
The Retirement Service office is looking for more retired military volunteers, especially those who may be fluent in social media skills.
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