FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Retirees are an important part of the Fort Campbell community, as such the installation’s Retirement and Separation Services hosts an annual appreciation day specifically designed to benefit retirees and their Families.
“Many of them don’t work on post and it’s kind of hard to get them all in one place. We don’t want them to have any doubts that we appreciate what they’ve done,” Ted Faulkner, Personnel Processing Branch chief and retirement services officer, told the Fort Campbell Courier.
This year’s Retiree Appreciation Day begins with registration at 8 a.m. Sept. 22 at the Soldier Support Center, 2702 Michigan Ave. Col. Joseph P. Kuchan, Fort Campbell garrison commander, will provide remarks and the 101st Airborne Division Band will perform during the opening ceremony beginning at 9 a.m.
Retiree Appreciation Day is a perfect opportunity for retirees to find out about the latest changes to benefits, renew ID cards and get vaccinations all at one location. Representatives from 33 organization including U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, and Disabled American Veterans will be available to field retirees’ questions at the Soldier Support Center.
In concert with appreciation day, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital staff will provide a health fair also beginning at 9 a.m. at the Soldier Support Center during which attendees can get immunized against the flu virus, pneumonia and singles. “All kinds of different organizations will be there, all with some form of benefit for the retiree so they can provide updates,” Faulkner told the Fort Campbell Courier. “In a lot of cases retirees just have no idea the different benefits that are available to them.”
Significant updates retirees should be aware of include changes to TRICARE. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 will afford retirees the same dental and vision insurance plans as federal employees as of Jan. 1, 2019. Additionally, TRICARE has moved to an open season registration. To take advantage of the vision and dental insurance coverage, as well as update or make changes to TRICARE coverage, beneficiaries must now do so during open season, Nov. 12-Dec. 10.
“Many have heard that’s going to happen. Very few know how it’s going to work,” Faulkner told the Fort Campbell Courier. “This is a prime opportunity how the new dental and visions plans will work and how they open season works, because retirees aren’t used to open seasons.”
Retirees and their families also are encouraged to take a bus tour, have brunch or get acquainted with Soldiers who are serving today. The bus tour includes stops at the newly renovated Brig. Gen. Don. F. Pratt Memorial Museum and 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s Dining Facility, where brunch will be served 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The dining facility only accepts cash, and brunch costs $6.25. Those interested in dining should make reservations by calling Fort Campbell’s Retirement Services at the number listed below.
Soldiers from 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD) and 101st Airborne Division Artillery, as well as other units, will be on site at the Soldier Support Center to meet with retirees and show them some of the military equipment they use in service to the nation. Additionally, shredding services will be available for retirees and Families who wish to dispose of personal paperwork. For more information, call Fort Campbell’s Retirement Services at 270-798-5280.