April - June 2026
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR SOLDIERS WITH 17 OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE
COVER STORY
Leading the Next Generation with JROTC
Created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916, the Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (Army JROTC) is one of the largest youth development and citizenship programs in the country today. Col. Lee A. Evans, director of Army JROTC, says, “Our purpose is to instill in students the values of citizenship, service, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.” All activities, he continued, revolve around our mission statement. “The mission,” he says, “is to motivate young people to become better citizens.” A perennial pursuit, if you will.
MONEY MATTERS
Is this IRS communication authentic?
Know how and when the IRS contacts you so you can protect yourself from impersonators.
Project Army Reserve Retirement Income
As you prepare for retirement whether as a Troop Program Unit (TPU) or Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldier, understanding how your military retirement pay is calculated is essential. There are four retired pay plans: Final Basic Pay, High-36 or High-3, High-36 or REDUX, and the Blended Retirement ...
AER Turns Your Support into A Lifeline
Army Emergency Relief (AER), has been a cornerstone of Army support for more than 84 years, offering grants, zero-interest loans, and scholarships. This year’s goal is 20% participation, including financial support generated by AAFES point-of-sale contributions. Raising campaign funds assists in ...
Roth In-plan Conversions for Your TSP
As of January 2026, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) allows those with a traditional (pre-tax) balance in their TSP account to convert money to their Roth (after-tax) balance in their TSP account. This is called a “Roth in-plan conversion.” If you don’t have a Roth balance in your TSP account, your ...
Prep Your myPay Acount for Retirement
The online account management system, myPay, used by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), is the fastest and most secure way to manage your military pay account. Before you retire, there are a few steps you should take in myPay to make your transition a smooth one.
PLANNING GUIDANCE
NEW! RCSBP Elections in IPPS-A
Did you know that as a Reserve Component (RC) Soldier, you can now submit your Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan Election (RCSBP) within the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A)? Reserve Component Soldiers receive notifications directing them to contact their Retirement Services Officer (RSO) prior to receiving their Notification of Eligibility (NOE) for non-regular retired pay. This allows you to receive your mandatory RCSBP counseling in preparation for their RCSBP decision. Once the NOE is published, you should receive a notification from IPPS-A that includes ...
BENEFEDS: New Chapter, New Benefits
If you missed open season, you may still be able to enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) for the 2026 plan year with an effective date of January 1 by submitting a Belated Enrollment/Change Form. The time limit for a belated enrollment or change may be ...
TRICARE: What to do before retirement
Are you getting ready to retire from active duty or the National Guard or Reserve? You should know there are some steps to take to ensure your TRICARE coverage continues as you make the transition to civilian life.
Where to find answers after you retire?
After you retire, it can be difficult to identify which agency you should contact for questions about your pay or benefits. Here are the main points of contact you should keep handy.
POST RETIREMENT PERSPECTIVES
Staying Job Search Savvy Online
Searching for a new job can be exciting, but as more hiring and recruiting moves online, job scams have unfortunately become increasingly common. Fraudsters can pose as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other legitimate employers, create fake job postings, or request personal information under the guise of processing an application. Knowing how to spot the warning signs can help protect your time, money and personal information.
Are you in the Retired Reserve
waiting on a non-regular retirement?
- If you haven't already, sign up for a "Future Retiree" myPay account. This is a convenient way to keep your contact information updated with DFAS during the gray area period so that you receive important news from the Army and DFAS. Plus, you will receive a reminder when your window to apply for retired pay is approaching!
- If you think you might qualify for a reduced age retirement, visit the HRC website for elibility information. If you are eligible, contact your RSO for assistance in calculating your retirement eligibility date.
New SFL Podcasts on Retirement
Check out the latest Soldier for Life (SFL) podcast episodes about subjects relevant to Army retirement. Especially Season 16, Episodes 8 on the USAR Private Public Leadership Program (P3) and 9, which covers the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) 101. Click on the arrow below and start listening.
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