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Why Some Retirees and Their Families Were Dropped from Tricare Select

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Over 124,000 working military retirees and their families were dropped from TRICARE Select at the beginning of the year due to a change in the requirement for a monthly enrollment fee. In June 2020, Tricare notified TRICARE Select beneficiaries that are Group A (sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurred before January 1, 2018) they must pay monthly enrollment fees to maintain their TRICARE health coverage beginning on January 1, 2021. This change is the first time this group will pay enrollment fees. At that time, Dr. Danita Hunter, director of the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency said, “In 2021, some TRICARE beneficiaries will pay enrollment fees for the first time, a change mandated by Congress. We’re communicating this well before the change is implemented so beneficiaries can be informed about the change, as well as their TRICARE plan and cost options.”

The initial group of more than 124,000 was dropped due to failure to set up payment for the new fees. Thru January about 75% have set up payment. For those that did not set up payment you were disenrolled and have 180 days from your disenrollment date to be reinstated.

What You Need to Know

Why is this happening?

This change to pay enrollment fees was part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. The Defense Health Agency received a delay in implementation to calendar year 2021.

Who did this affect?

This only affected Group A which is those that entered the military prior to January 1, 2018 and are enrolled in TRICARE Select. Active duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Select won’t pay enrollment fees and see no change. Those that use TRICARE For Life, TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Young Adult will also see no change.

How do I set up payments?

Your TRICARE regional contractor can help you set up payments. Don’t set up your payment through your Department of Defense (DoD) pay center you must go through TRICARE. If you don’t receive payments from a DoD pay center you can set up payment through electronic funds transfer, a credit card or a debit card.

How do I know when changes are made to TRICARE?

Visit the TRICARE website and sign up for email alerts. It is important to keep up to date so you are prepared for changes.

Additional Information

The new enrollment fees are $12.50 per month for an individual plan or $150 annually and $25 a month or $300 annually for a family plan. Only those family members enrolled in TRICARE Select with a Group A retiree sponsor pay the enrollment fee. You can have family members enrolled in different plans. So, if you only have one family member enrolled in Select you will pay the individual fee not the family rate. The catastrophic cap is increasing from $3,000 to $3,500. TRICARE Select enrollment fees count towards your catastrophic cap. The enrollment fees are waived if you are an active duty family member, a medically retired retiree or family member, or if you are a survivor of an active duty sponsor or a medically retired retiree.

For those in TRICARE East contact Humana Military at 800-444-5445. For TRICARE West contact

Health Net at 844-866-9378. TRICARE Overseas contact International SOS or contact your TOP Regional Call Center.

In Honor of Women’s History Month – Military Women Who Are Making History

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Women have a long history of service in the military dating back to the Revolutionary War where they supported the troops in unofficial roles. During the Civil War, Dr. Mary Walker provided medical care as a surgeon and become the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor. In World War I, women finally had official roles during the final two years of the war.

Women have come a long way in the military and today can serve in all branches of the military as well as any job they are qualified for. Basic Training is now coed. Here are some military women who will go down in history for the ceilings they broke and the many firsts.

General (ret.) Lori J. Robinson

Air Force General (ret.) Lori J. Robinson was the first woman in U.S. history to lead a combatant command at this level. At the time she served as the commander of the United State Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) she was the highest-ranking woman in U.S. military history. She retired with 37 years of military service.

General (ret.) Ann Elizabeth Dunwoody

General (ret.) Ann Elizabeth Dunwoody was the first woman in achieve the rank of a four-star general in 2008. Prior to that she was the top-ranking female in the Army when she was promoted to lieutenant general. She became the Commanding General of the United States Army Materiel Command. She retired from the Army in 2021.

Lt. General (ret.) Patricia D. Horoho

Lt. General (ret.) Patricia D. Horoho was the first woman and first Nurse Corps officer to serve as the 43rd Surgeon General of the United States Army and she served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Command.

First Female Rangers

These three women broke barriers by graduating from the United States Army Ranger School. Kristen Marie Griest and Shaye Lynne Haver both Army Officers were the first to graduate in 2015. Staff Sgt. Amanda Kelley became the first female enlisted graduate in 2018.

Admiral(ret.) Michelle Howard

In 2014, Admiral(ret.) Michelle Howard became the highest-ranking female officer in U.S. Navy history when she was promoted the first female four-star admiral. She served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the second highest position in the Navy.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-ILL

Iraq War veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-ILL, lost both legs when the Black Hawk helicopter she was flying was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in 2004. She continued serving in the Army National Guard until 2014 when she retired as a lieutenant colonel. She was first elected to Congress in 2012 and is now serving as a Senator.

Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz

Retired colonel and Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz broke many firsts during her time in the Air Force. She was the first female fighter pilot to fly an A-10 Thunderbolt II in combat. She was also the first female to command in combat a fighter squadron. In the court case McSally v. Rumsfeld, she successfully sued the U.S. Department of Defense to change military policy that required U.S. women stationed in Saudi Arabia to wear an abaya, the body-covering gown, when traveling off base. McSally served in Congress from 2015-2019.

Colonel (Ret) Eileen Collins

Colonel (Ret) Eileen Collins became the first female space shuttle commander in 1999. She joined the Air Force in 1999 and became a T-38 flight instructor. During her time at the Air Force Test Pilot School in 1990 she was selected for the astronaut program by NASA.

Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester

March 20, 2005 Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester’s squad was providing support to a supply convoy when it was ambushed by anti-Iraqi fighters. She was instrumental in the counterattack to repel the enemy. Hester’s bravery let to her receiving the Silver Star. She was the first woman to receive it since World War II for exceptional valor.  

This is just a small selection to honor the Women who serve in our Armed Forces.

The VA Vaccinates its 1 Millionth Veteran with the COVID-19 Vaccination

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently vaccinated its 1 millionth Veteran with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. They began vaccinations in December, 2020 and in just a month and a half administered 1 million does of the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans and VA health care workers. The VA is currently using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with second doses given 21 days after the first shot and the Moderna vaccine with second doses given 28 days after the first shot.

“In addition to administering 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, VA has begun publishing the number of Veterans who have received Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines at each facility across its enterprise,” said Acting VA Secretary Dat Tran.  “The number of doses administered to Veterans at each facility will be updated daily on the VA COVID-19 National Summary website.” The summary publishes vaccine date daily as well as information on COVID-19 cases. As of February 25, 2021, the VA has vaccinated 1,471,228 individuals with their first dose and 785,255 have completed their course by receiving their second dose of the vaccine.

Out of these numbers, 264,167 employees received their first dose and 228,521 received their second dose. The VA is the nation’s largest health care system and employs more than 322,030 full time health care professionals and support staff. They are well on their way to ensuring their essential staff can receive the vaccine. Employees are working to vaccinate the VA’s health care personnel and Veterans most at risk as soon as possible. The VA makes the data about vaccine doses public as a step toward being as transparent as possible during the pandemic.

Currently there are more than 215 VA sites nationally providing vaccines. Currently the supply of vaccines is limited but once supply increases the number of sites will expand. The VA is following the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the VA COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Plan. “VA guidance encourages local flexibility to maximize COVID-19 vaccine access and efficiency while limiting potential vaccine waste,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “In this limited supply phase, our COVID-19 vaccination strategy is balancing site-specific resources, facility needs, vaccine availability and status of the pandemic locally, as well as strict storage, handling and transportation parameters of available vaccines.”

VA is reaching out to Veterans who are eligible for vaccination. Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage, visit their local facility’s website or contact their care team. The goal is to offer the vaccine to all Veterans and employees who want it as supply increases.

How to Thank Military and Veteran Caregivers

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Did you know there are more than 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers? Their voluntary and uncompensated care provides $14 billion in service for wounded warriors each year. Most programs focus on the care recipient not the caregiver. (Source: RAND Corporation – Hidden Heroes, America’s Military Caregivers). They experience much stress as they support their loved ones. It is important as these families transition out of the military that we don’t lose touch with them. Even from afar there are things you can do to support and thank these vital caregivers.

  • Write a Letter or Card – Sometimes just being recognized for your hard work is enough. Take the time to write a letter or pick out a nice care and thank the caregiver for their service. Acknowledge the work that they do and express your support.
  • Help – Don’t say “let me know if there is anything I can do” rather be very specific. For example, offer to mow the yard or to weed a flower bed. Maybe do some laundry. Make a visit and access the family’s needs.
  • Get a group together and offer to pay for a service to clean the house. Having someone come in once a month is an amazing help.
  • One thing I have found very helpful is when someone stocks my freezer. Get a group together and make a bunch of freezer meals. There are so many options online with some great ideas. Make sure to include a list which can be posted on the refrigerator so the caregiver will know what is available.
  • Put together a care package based on the caregiver’s likes. Self-care items like candles, lotions, aromatherapy or anything to induce relaxing. A good book, a bottle of wine, or some great handcrafted chocolates. Make sure to package it nicely, there is just something about a nice presentation that makes even the simplest items seem special.
  • Send dinner – Order a ham or something that can be used for multiple meals.
  • Give the Caregiver a Day Off – If the situation allows offer to sit with their loved one so they can take a day off. The gift of time for oneself is precious when you are a primary caregiver 24/7.
  • Flowers – Flowers always make a special gift that really shows how much you care. In addition to flowers, house plants also are a thoughtful present.
  • Care Milestones – If their loved one has procedures scheduled, do what you can to help relieve their stress. Put together a meal train so they will have meals brought. Offer to be a point of contact and make phone calls to provide updates. Offer to bring necessities to the hospital.
  • Gift Cards – These are always a hit whether it is to a favorite restaurant or store. Spa gift cards are a great way to provide a splurge. The nice thing about a gift card is it allows the caregiver to select what they would like.

These are just a few ideas. Visit Pinterest for a wealth of ideas for caregiver gifts.

600 Students to Start Pilot Program for the United States Naval Community College

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The first students have started at the newly established United States Navy Community College (USNCC). The new college is intended to serve three services, the Navy, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard. Each service selected students for the January 2021 pilot program with input from their chain of command. Higher education can encourage service members to enlist or continue their service so this new program is a major incentive.

“We are very excited to make this announcement,” said Dr. Randi Cosentino, president of the USNCC. “We are working with top colleges and universities to bring to the members of our maritime service community programs that are going to be of high value to them and help them achieve their educational goals.”

Northern Virginia Community College, the University of Arizona, the University of Maryland Global Campus, Alexandria Technical and Community College, and the State University System of New York (SUNY Online), are part of the pilot program scheduled for January through June of 2021. The schools were notified in November of their selection to support the USNCC pilot program. “Now that we’ve identified our collaborating schools, we can move forward with our program to ensure we offer the best education to our service members and benefit all those involved,” Cosentino said. “The pilot will allow us to collect important data that will inform the development of the USNCC. Working in consortium with leading colleges will help us explore outcomes around the design of the program, the processes involved, working relationships and overall impact.

The USNCC is the result of a study that sought to identify opportunities to help prepare enlisted service members and support them throughout their career. Naval leadership directed programs that would provide access to naval-relevant education opportunities to produce better warfighters, improve operational readiness and to support lifelong learning. Areas of study during the pilot program will include the nuclear field, cyber security, data analytics, English, math, and naval ethics. 

“It is imperative we have a more educated enlisted force, grounded in the understanding of current events, allowing them to add context to the actions they may be ordered to do,” said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “This will provide a critical advantage in any scenario, but specifically to the understanding of how they fit into our overall strategic goals and objectives.”

“We have so much to be proud of throughout our military history and anything we can do to draw more attention to that through education has my enthusiastic support. There are many lessons there to be learned, and I have no doubt a better understanding of our origins will only contribute to the future successes of our Maritime services in any situation.”

“We are in an era of great power competition,” said Braithwaite. “Any advantage we can achieve over an adversary will increase our warfighting prowess. Innovating solutions through improvement of critical thinking skills will only serve to give our leaders more flexibility in the effective and efficient deployment of our naval forces.”

After the initial program January through June 2021 will have participants taking courses for college credit. The second phase of the program is currently scheduled for Fall 2022. This second phase will expand the study areas of the first phase and include select associate degree programs for 5,000 students. Being in the Fall 2023 and ongoing after that, the USNCC will expend enrollment for multiple degree programs and continue pursuing accreditation.

Department of Defense Plays Role in Combating Human Trafficking

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“Combating human trafficking is a responsibility the Defense Department (DoD) takes very seriously,” Anthony M. Kurta, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy, said during a recent seminar on Human Trafficking Awareness. “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It not only destroys the lives of those victimized, but also destroys countless families and poses a direct threat to the security and well-being of the entire world. Those who engage in human trafficking exploit the weak and the vulnerable and capitalize on those who patronize the sex-trade industry and those involved in forced labor. For those reasons, DoD is committed to continuing its aggressive stance against human trafficking, and will further training its personnel to expand awareness.”

One wouldn’t normally think of the DoD as working to prevent human trafficking, but the signs could be evident around DoD personnel. Some examples are a subcontractor could withhold passports and payments to employees. Some companies make workers pay a large fee to obtain a job on a DoD installation. The three most common forms of trafficking, according to the DoD’s Combating Trafficking in Persons office, are labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and child soldiering.

According to Kurta, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently received a presidential award for the development of the Memex program. It searches the deep web and connects open-source information to identify tracking patterns. U.S. law enforcements, military and intelligence entities are using it to stop human trafficking enterprises and bring traffickers to justice.

“Additionally, our Special Operations Command, partnered with the National Association to Protect Children and the U.S.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations to establish the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative Child Rescue Corps,” Kurta said. “Known as HERO, the group trains wounded, ill and injured service members in high-tech forensic and law enforcement skills to assist federal agents in the fight against online child sexual exploitation. HERO exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships to help combat trafficking in persons,” Kurta said.

The DoD also partners with the Joint Staff and combatant commands. According to Kurta, Joint training exercises are conducted that include trafficking in persons scenarios that will help ensure our forces understand their roles in preventing, recognizing, and reporting trafficking in persons incidents. The DoD will continue to invest in and develop a variety of robust training resources to help educate its total force to combat trafficking in persons. Such training also will include specialized training for DoD law enforcement and acquisition professionals, in addition to toolkits to assist leaders in developing their specialized training.

During the month of January, the DoD recognizes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Military and DoD civilian personnel must take at least one Combating Trafficking in Persons training course every fiscal year. Kurta quoted from the proclamation declaring January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: “There is no place in our world to allow modern slavery to persist,” he said. “We will do our part to strive for its total abolition.”

DoD says everyone can do their part in fighting trafficking. Incidents of human trafficking can be reported to the DoD Inspector General hotline at 1-800-424-9098, 703-604-8799 or DSN 664-8799, or at www.dodig.mil/hotline.

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines at the VA

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Like many health care providers, the VA is hard at work to distribute vaccines to Veterans in a phased plan based on the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information is constantly changing so it is important to check with the VA for updates. You can also sign up to stay informed by filling out this simple form.

Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine?

The VA’s phased plan is in effect and these groups listed below are now being vaccinated at some VA health care facilities. (From the VA official website) There is a limited amount of the first 2 COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will be available at some VA health care facilities.

  • VA health care personnel. Vaccinating our VA health care personnel helps us continue to provide care for Veterans.
  • Veterans living in our long-term care facilities
  • Veterans who receive care at VA and are at high risk from COVID-19 based on VA and CDC risk criteria. At many VA health care facilities, this group includes all Veterans who are at least 75 years old. Each facility will determine when Veterans in this group can receive a vaccine. They’ll base this decision on vaccine availability, local needs, as well as the strict storage and handling requirements of the vaccines.
  • Family caregivers who are enrolled in our Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) are eligible for vaccination when the Veteran they care for becomes eligible. If the Veteran you care for meets the criteria above, both you and the Veteran may be able to get vaccinated now. Vaccinating caregivers helps us support and protect Veterans.

Do not contact the VA about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are receiving care at your local VA health facility, they will contact you and let you know when you can make an appointment. Only those who are currently eligible for the vaccine based on the VA and CDC risk criteria can receive a vaccine. Some VA health care facilities are hosting, large vaccination events or requesting Veterans to call for an appointment. They options are for those in the risk categories mentioned above at this time.

How was the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan Created?

The VA based their phased COVID-19 plan on guidance from the CDC (from the VA website).

  • Risk of becoming infected with the virus
  • Risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19
  • Risk of spreading the virus to others
  • Risk of harm to society if essential workers, including health care personnel, are unable to work

There are many factors that can determine what your risk of server illness is. Death or severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. If you have certain health problems like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity it will increase your risk of severe illness of death. Lifestyle factors such as living in a group home also increases your risk.

Going Forward

Currently the 2 authorized COVID-19 vaccines require special handling and storage which limits its distribution to VA facilities with proper storage. There is a limited supply of vaccines but as soon as more vaccines are available VA care teams will let you know your options. Veterans have the choice if they want to get the vaccine or not. Your choice will not affect your VA health care or benefits. Once more vaccines are available the VA plants to offer a free a COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans who receive VA health care that want one.

Resources for More Information

For answers to general questions about getting a vaccine call 800-698-2411 TTY:711

When Will You Be Able To Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

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That is a good question as the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines continue their slow rollout. Shots have not been getting in arms as fast as expected. Alex M. Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services encouraged state governors to expedite uptake, if needed by expanding eligibility for the vaccines so that no doses go to waste during an Operation Warp Speed briefing, “States can … accelerate vaccine administration by moving on to providing vaccinations to broader populations right now. There is no reason that states need to complete, say, vaccinating all health care providers before opening up vaccinations to older Americans or other especially vulnerable populations.”

Azar reiterated that the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have made recommendations with healthcare workers high on the list to get the vaccine but these are just recommendations. He stated it is up to the states how vaccines are delivered within the state. At this point it is more important to get vaccine into arms as soon as possible than to keep it locked up until the right candidates step up to get their shot.

“They should never stand in the way of getting shots in arms, instead of keeping vaccines in the freezer, or even, heaven forbid, wasting a dose of vaccine in a vial,” Azar said. “It’s more important to vaccinate. I have encouraged our governors, and I will continue to do so, that if they are using all of the vaccine, that is … allocated, ordered, distributed, shipped — and they’re getting it into healthcare provider’s arms, every bit of it, that’s great. But if for some reason their distribution is struggling, and they’re having vaccines sit in freezers, then by all means you ought to be opening up to people … 65 and over. You ought to be making sure that the nursing home patients are getting vaccinated.”

Another way to speed up vaccine delivery, Azar said, will be with the early launch of the federal “Pharmacy Partnership” program, which will eventually cover more than 40,000 pharmacy locations within 19 pharmacy chains and associations across the U.S. “This partnership allows states to allocate vaccines directly to these partners and these partners can then administer vaccines to particular groups, like those over a certain age or in certain occupations, and eventually to the general public,” Azar said. “To help give states as many options as possible for vaccine administration, we’re launching the program this week and states can choose particular partners to send vaccines to now.”

“Nearly 20 million doses of vaccine [have been] already delivered,” Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna, the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed said. “We have delivered that to over 13,000 different locations throughout the United States … simultaneously, fair and equitable distribution of vaccines so that everybody has the opportunity to distribute simultaneously to the American people. I would tell you that it’s going very well and our goal is to maintain the steady drumbeat so that the states have a cadence of allocation, planning and then the appropriate distribution to the right places, as designated.”

The Department of Defense has established a Population Schema which details at what phase you can receive the vaccine.  There are two Phases and Phase one is broken into 3 subcategories. Basically 1a covers everyone involved in healthcare as well as the support care both military and civilian. 1b Critical National Capabilities and those about to deploy and DoD beneficiaries age 75 or older and essential workers. Phase 1c is DoD beneficiaries age 65-74 and those age 16 and older with increased risk for severe illness as well as essential workers not covered in previous phases. Lastly Phase 2 is everybody else age 16 and older.

Visit Health.Mil to get the latest update on getting the COVID-19 vaccine through the military healthcare system. Listed is all the sites that you can receive the vaccine once you are in the right phase.  Different sites can be in different phases, so it is important to check locally to see what phases your area is in.

You may also have the option to get the vaccine through your state’s healthcare system. Visit the CDC’s website for more information. There are tools to search options through your state. Demand for exceeds supply at this point. The key to getting the shot is to keep up on the most current information.

 

Enjoy Spring Break at Beachfront Military Lodgings

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Did you know there is a variety of military lodging around the country that offers beachfront accommodations? These make great options for a 2021 Spring Break family vacation. You might be familiar with the Hole Koa, an Armed Forces Recreation Center that is located right on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. It recently opened its redesigned main pool which now has water slides, a wading pool, splash pads, a pirate ship and much more. This is a great destination but is so well known you may have a difficult time getting reservations. There are so many military installations around the country that have beautiful accommodations right on ocean and bay front beaches. Just make sure to make your reservations as far out as possible. For active duty you can typically make reservations 12 months and for retirees it is six months. Check this list of fun vacation spots around the country:

The Destin Army Recreation Area

The Destin Army Recreation Area is a lovely, gated resort in an ideal location in the heart of Old Destin Florida and near the Harbor Walk Village which is a upscale area with restaurants and shops. Large moss dripped oak trips are spread about the 15-acre resort on the banks of the Choctawhatchee Bay. It is also just a short drive to the pristine white sand beaches Destin is known for. There are a variety of accommodation including 2- and 3-bedroom villas, 1-bedroom suites and hotel rooms. On site is a full service marina with a variety of watercraft available for rent.

Panama City Navy Getaway RV Park & Cabins

The Panama City Navy Getaway RV Park & Cabins are located on the beautiful St. Andrews Bay. The campground cabins are one bedroom with a sleeping loft and futon with fully equipped kitchens. They have either a deck or screened porch with views of the bay. The Marina and Outdoor Recreation Center has a variety of watercraft available for rent. The cabins are just a short drive to the Panama City Beach resort area.

Navy Getaways Vacation Rentals at Trumbo Point

There are a couple of options for military lodging in Key West Florida but the Navy Getaways Vacation Rentals are the best value. The lodging is 3 bedroom and 1.5 bathroom townhouses. Although not on the water you can bike (rentals on site) or walk to the major Key West destinations. Make sure to visit the Community Recreation Tickets & Travel Office located on Sigsbee Park for information and discounts on local attractions.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Gull Cottage

The Gull Cottage is the most unique of all the options in this list. Located in the tiny finishing village of Prospect Harbor, Maine, the guest house is a historic landmark along with the lighthouse located on site. It was built in 1891 and renovated in 1969 for use as a Navy recreational guest house. The two bedroom cottage is two-stories with lovely views of the harbor. A full kitchen is available with all the utensils. Good luck making a reservation as there is only one Gull Cottage.

Navy Getaways Barking Sands

Navy Getaways Barking Sands is located at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. These cottages sit a short walk from the beach. The outdoor adventure center has beach chairs for rent and you can also book tours. This is the type of place you go to get away from it all. The beach is quiet and secluded. The base is small so many things close early so plan ahead. Shenanigans is the on base all ranks club and offers lunch and dinner a few nights a week. Gorgeous waterfront views.

The Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

Located in Kure Beach, North Carolina the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is truly one of the military’s best kept secrets. Lodging options are cottages and lodge room. The Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean are just a short walk away. Located nearby is a military museum, the Beach House Bar & Grill, a rental center and an outdoor swimming pool. It is known for its large uncrowded beaches.

Navy Getaways Pacific Beach

Navy Getaways Pacific Beach is in Pacific Beach, Washington and it has 3-to-5-bedroom homes available to rent as well as a beachfront hotel. The location is perfect as a base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. You can drive to Lake Quinault and explore the rainforest. Further to the south is Ocean Shores a beach town. You can also just stay put and enjoy the beach. Pacific Northwest beaches are better for beach combing and kite flying. It can get pretty chilly and there are fierce currents. Be aware that cars can drive on the beach.

This is just a small sample of military beach lodging that is available. A good place to start is the Navy Lodge because most navy bases are located near the ocean. The Navy Lodge at North Island (Coronado) is located right on the beach. You can find books on military lodging at many base or post exchanges and military clothing sales stores. As you can imagine these are extremely popular places to stay so plan to book well in advance or luck out into a cancellation. Sometimes if nothing is coming available in the online booking system you can call and find a stray day or two for a  short stay.

COVID-19 Vaccines Are on Their Way with The Department of Defense Playing a Role with Operation Warp Speed

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With two vaccines for COVID-19 now receiving an emergency use authorization by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, the logistics of getting a shot in every arm is a huge logistic challenge. Tiberius is a software platform specifically developed for Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to plan and monitor the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. It provides the visibility necessary for a smooth transition from manufacturing the vaccine to allocating the vaccine down to provider level. Information from the U.S. Census, the Vaccine Tracking System and commercial logistics companies such a FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS) was incorporated into the platform.

Challenging Logistics

The logistics include not only the manufacturing, supply chain, allocation, and delivery of the vaccine but also the kits to administer the vaccine which include needles, syringes and supplies.

There are 64 jurisdictions which include U.S. states, territories and large metropolitan cities will use Tiberius to determine where their allocated doses will go based on guidance from the FDA, CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on how to prioritize the administration of vaccines.  An algorithm was devised based on the census-derived percentage of the U.S. population over the age of 18. Initially the vaccine will be limited as the first doses arrive around the country, but Operation Warp Speed will continue to run the algorithm each week as the supply increases and determine how much vaccine will go to each jurisdiction.

“The federal government is running the algorithm, but the states will make the decision as to where the doses go, and we will comply with their decision and get those doses to the final destination,” said Paul Mango, the deputy chief of staff for policy at HHS.

Once the vaccine ships, Tiberius will also be used to provide information updates for jurisdictional partners, said Deacon Maddox, Operation Warp Speed chief of plans, operations, and analytics. “Like most of America, public health professionals are working through the challenges brought on by quarantines, telework and social distancing,” Maddox said. “While the pandemic stresses both people and systems, our expertise and technology tools provide a disciplined and deliberate approach to prioritize vaccine delivery and ease the burden of public health officials throughout the nation.”

The federal government provided training materials when Tiberius was launched Labor Day weekend and HHS funds a help desk and technology personnel for each jurisdiction.

Vaccine Distribution

Army Gen. Gus F. Perna, chief operating officer of OWS recently briefed the media on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As soon as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received emergency use authorization from the FDA employees from Pfizer, UPS and FedEx began the work to pack the vaccine and get it shipped out. “The strategy is to get the initial Pfizer vaccine out to Americans right away,” he said. “As it becomes available, the vaccine is allocated in a fair and equitable manner to the states and territories, which stipulate the location and quantity needed,” he explained. The Moderna vaccine began shipment once it received emergency use authorization.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens Company, other pharmacies and the states created a very elaborate campaign strategy to get the vaccine to long-term health care facilities and first-line medical personnel who will be the initial priority group,” Perna said. “Our goal is every vaccine that goes out is safe and effective upon delivery. And, we wanted to make sure that deliveries occurred in the places where people could receive them and then begin administering the vaccine to the American people. And, it went incredibly well.” 

The federal government has purchased enough vaccines to meet the goal of vaccinating every American who wants it by the second quarter of 2021.

USAMMA Spearheads Military Distribution

The US Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) is spearheading the distribution for all branches of the services and is working with the Defense Health Agency’s Immunization Health Care Division. They are collecting the COVID-19 vaccine orders and submitting to the CDC. They will track the vaccine shipments from the vendors to each military location.

 USAMMA Distribution Operations Center Deputy Director Liz Andrews said, “the vaccine will ship directly from the vendor to several military medical treatment facilities throughout the U.S. where it will be used to immunize troops, as well as military beneficiaries and bolster their immunity against the pandemic.”

According to Andrews, one of the logistical challenges is the Pfizer vaccine must be kept at ultr-cold temperatures. She and her team can track not only the location of the vaccine but also its temperature throughout the distribution process. “This is a challenging mission but also very exciting. We are prepared to execute this mission and proud to be a part of Operation Warp Speed,” she said.

USAMMA was chosen for the mission because of their expertise in the distribution of military vaccines such as anthrax and small pox.

“The military hospitals are already used to working with us, so this made the process smoother for them as they were familiar with our systems and forms,” Andrews said. “The USAMMA Distribution Operations Center web development team also played a crucial role by swiftly adapting USAMMA’s existing vaccine ordering system, so it could be used for COVID-19 vaccine order processing. This was a total team effort, and we are just honored to be a part of this whole campaign.”

The Department of Defense will continue to play an important role in Operation Warp Speed until this pandemic is contained.