Use of one of the Pentagon’s newer Defense Mobilization Authorities can directly impact benefits for deploying Reservists. Title 10 U.S.C. 12304b, Mobilization for Preplanned Mission Support, was approved in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act as cost saving measure. Unlike other deployment codes, Reserve Airmen mobilized under 12304b do not receive benefits like pre-mobilization health care, reduced age for retirement, or Post 9/11 education benefit credit. That latter restriction drew attention in the press recently and as mentioned in this Stars and Stripes article “Pentagon holds GI Bill benefits for reservists“, a large number of reservists seem to be unaware that these exemptions exists.
Many professional military organizations (including MNGEA) have been working very hard to get legislators on Capitol Hill to look more closely at this legislation. Recently members of the 148th Fighter Wing recently fell into this category as they deployed to Osan Air Base, ROK in support of a Theater Security Package (TSP). MNGEA and EANGUS (its’ National Office partner) continue to work towards having this deployment time count towards the reduced age retirement format. If you support this as well, please Write your State Legislators today!