Deputy Chief of Staff - Army G-1

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service would like to thank the over twenty-five hundred retirees who participated in our recent survey that was solicited though Army Echoes and the Air Force Afterburner. As with most surveys of our customers, we were told both what we wanted to hear and also what we needed to hear.

We were delighted to hear that fifty-seven percent of our eligible retired patrons still choose to shop at the Exchange monthly or more frequently.

We also found that almost twenty-five percent of our retirees have discovered our online store, shopmyexchange.com, and shop there quarterly or more frequently. Many of the comments received regarding our online store will be used as we continually improve the online shopping experience.

Again, the Exchange would like to thank those who participated in the survey.

Commissaries announce coupon policy changes

Family Fun Fitness Festival events a 'must visit' for savings in May

More patrons choose to use their commissary benefit

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans in non-VA facilities.

“This provision helps ensure eligible Veterans continue to get the emergency care they need when VA facilities are not available,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

The new regulation extends VA’s authority to pay for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans at non-VA facilities until the Veterans can be safely transferred to a VA medical facility.

More than 100,000 Veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules, at a cost of about $44 million annually.

VA operates 121 emergency departments across the country, which provide resuscitative therapy and stabilization in life-threatening situations. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

VA also has 46 urgent care units, which provide care for patients without scheduled appointments who need immediate medical or psychiatric attention.

For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit www.nonvacare.va.gov for more information

The following table reflects the DFAS schedule of retiree and annuitant pay dates through 2012. This information may help to avoid any confusion as to when you should expect to see the payment deposited to your account. Remember that payday is always on the first business day of the month.

FALLS CHURCH, VA – Gray-area retirees from the National Guard and Reserves who want to purchase TRICARE health care coverage now have a new way to get a DoD Self-service Logon (DS Logon). Most will need a DS Logon to qualify for and purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) health coverage.

Since Sept. 1, 2010, members of the Retired Reserve who aren't 60, the so-called "gray area" retirees, have been able to purchase TRR to provide health coverage for themselves and their eligible family members. To make purchasing TRR easier, gray area retirees can now get a DS Logon by contacting the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System/Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office (DSO) and remotely verify their identity.

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January 2011 - The President has made the care and support of military Families a top national security policy priority. He ordered the development of a coordinated Federal Government-wide approach to supporting military Families. The report detailing the Government's plan to Strengthen Our Military Families was signed by every Cabinet member and approved by the President. You can access the report here.