Retired Chief fights for Airmen on Capitol Hill Published Aug. 12, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The international president of the Air Force Sergeants Association spoke at an enlisted call at the base theater here August 8. Retired Chief Master Sgt. John "Doc" McCauslin came here to inform Airmen of the power they have to influence federal legislation that affects military members and their families. The Air Force Sergeants Association is comprised of more than 150,000 Airmen of all ranks, whose mission is to advocate improved quality of life and economic fairness that will support the well being of Air Force enlisted personnel and their families, according to the associations Web site. The chief said getting Airmen to voice their opinions to their congressional representatives can have a major impact on shaping federal legislation. "We need to do something," he said. "Get your mom to make a call. Then get your dad to make a call. Then get someone else. They have to respond to pressure." Mr. McCauslin said that the AFSA is now trying to influence federal legislation related to servicemembers' education, healthcare, child care, and guard and reserve troops. The chief explained the impact the AFSA has had on Congress, including their fight for the new Post- 9/11 G.I. Bill that goes into effect August 2009. He said the new bill has been passed, but the benefits cannot be used until August. The second issue was Bill HR303, which sets to amend title 10 United States Code to permit retired members, who have a service-related disability, such as a hearing problem, to receive a disability check in addition to their retirement pay. He urged Airmen to ensure their medical records reflect any disabilities that occurred while serving in the military. On the subject of retired members, the chief also explained Bill HR579, proposed to prohibit certain fee increases for military healthcare. This bill also ties into HR 1223, which seeks to waive Medicare part B premiums, and keep healthcare plans low for all retired and present military members and their dependants. "It's ridiculous what they are trying to raise the rates to," he said, addressing the first term Airmen in the audience. "This year, I pay $79, next year it's going up to $125. Imagine what it's going to be when you guys retire," he said. He also explained how the Quadrennial Defense Review, which is conducted every four years, impacts Airmen. Its purpose is to help shape the process of change to provide the United States with strong, sound and effective war-fighting capabilities in the decades ahead, according to the Department of Defense Web site. In the last review, held in 2006, Mr. McCauslin said there were talks of making five major changes. The review recommended changing the age to receive retirement benefits to 62, eliminating "unnecessary" special-duty pay, changing guard and reserve retirements to decrease their benefits, charging for prescriptions at on-base pharmacies, and increasing the co-pay for dependants. Chief Master Sgt. Leroy Frink, 4th Fighter Wing command chief, said that although Airmen cannot speak on Capitol Hill, there is a voice for the enlisted force. "It is the duty of the enlisted Airmen to support this kind of organization," Chief Frink said.