FRA is the largest professional military association representing current and former enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It advocates on Capitol Hill for pay, benefits, health care, and quality of life programs. As a congressionally chartered non-profit, FRA listens to member needs and provides advocacy, assistance, and a voice to Congress on issues important to active duty, retired, veteran, and family members.

1. What is FRA? FRA is the largest and most experienced professional military association representing current and former enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. We are a congressionally chartered, non-profit association committed to improving pay, benefits and the quality of life for our members and their families. FRA is named after the Navy and Marine Corps’ program for personnel transferring to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve after 20 or more years of service. We listen to the needs of our members and provide avenues for their voices to be heard on Capitol Hill. FRA’s legislative advocacy focuses on pay, health care and other benefits, family readiness and quality-of-life programs. We assist members in dealing with DoD, VA and other agencies. We work closely with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard leadership including MCPON, SgtMaj USMC, MCPOCG, and other senior enlisted leaders.

2. What Congress Gives, Congress Can Take Away FRA shipmates were the first enlisted service members of any service to testify before Congress. There is NO LAW on the books to protect the pay and benefits you’ve earned. Your benefits can be reduced or repealed during any legislative cycle. Because there are no guarantees that benefits will not be changed, it is important to have advocates representing your needs and the needs and concerns of your family!

3. FRA Works to Improve: Treatment for Wounded Warriors Active and Reserve Pay and Benefits Retired Pay & Benefits Veterans Benefits Reform of USFSPA Health Care Access & Funding Education Programs Family Readiness Bonuses & Special Pays Other Quality of Life Programs

4. FRA-Led Initiatives: Benefit active duty, reserve, veteran, and retired sea service personnel and their families Landmark Pay Study resulted in targeted Senior Enlisted pay hikes in 2001 through 2005 and significantly influenced higher-than-ECI basic pay increases Enactment of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits for VEAP-era personnel (2008) who previously had no education benefits Active duty protection from predatory lenders (2007) Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP) for USCG Boarding Teams (2004) Sea Pay Reform Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal REDUX (1999) The Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) (1972) Establishment of CHAMPUS (1966)

5. Current Legislation: FRA is tracking a broad range of legislation on a daily basis on important issues that include: Prohibition of Retiree Health Care Fee Increases Active Duty Pay Raise at least 0.5 % above ECI Additional Targeted Pay Increases for Senior Enlisted Lower Reserve Retirement Age Retroactive to 9/11/01 Concurrent Receipt Improvements MGIB Improvements for Reserve/Active and VEAP-Era Agent Orange Disability Claims Reform for Vietnam era veterans Updating BAH Standards More Wounded Warrior Assistance Dislocation Allowance for Retiring Personnel Retention of Last Month’s Retiree Pay by Surviving Spouse

6. Challenges FRA Faces Keeping pay, health care, and benefits adequately funded Fewer and fewer members of Congress and staff personnel have military experience Lack of awareness about the power of grassroots support Sustaining a strong membership base

7. What You Can Do! VOTE Stay informed about threats to your pay and benefits Visit the Action Center at www.fra.org Call 1-800-FRA-1924 and request a copy of FRA’s “Communicate with your Elected Officials” FRA Membership will help you Stay informed Participate in the legislative process Qualify for FRA Scholarships Communicate with elected officials (via FRA’s Action Center )

8. FRA is very interested in hearing from you. There are several ways to share your questions, concerns and perspectives with FRA: 1. Take our online surveys at www.fra.org/survey . The surveys are quick, easy and help us share your concerns with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. 2. Become an FRA Fan on Facebook. Visit www.fra.org/fb and join our growing list of fans. 3. Be a part of FRA’s online communities. Visit www.fra.org/communities to participate in discussions, ask questions and hear others’ perspectives. 4. Contact FRA Headquarters directly. Call us at 1-800-FRA-1924 (1-800-372-1924) or e-mail [email_address] . Let FRA know what’s on your mind!