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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 23, 2015

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Retiree Council enhances mission

By L.A. Shively JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs

After a career in the Army, former Soldiers might find adjustment to civilian life poses unique challenges.

"I didn't know how to buy insurance. I didn't know how to do things for myself because, in the military, they tell you to be here at such and such a time, go to dental, check your eyes - time to get your shots," said Serafina De Los Santos in rapid-fire succession.

De Los Santos serves as the executive director for the 502nd Force Support Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. She retired after serving for 22 years; serving first as an enlisted Air Force Airman, then using the GI Bill to earn her degree, followed by earning her commission with the Army.

"So now that you are out - how do you do all of that? How do you know the differences between TRICARE Standard and Prime? You have to learn by doing and hope you guess right," De Los Santo continued. "There are a lot of things you take for granted when you are in the military and then all of a sudden you're out there flappin' on your own."

She said that a dynamic retiree council would be the force that could steer retirees in the right direction.

Launching the "Soldier For Life" program two years ago, the Chief of Staff of the Army focused on a holistic approach toward better reintegrating retirees into civilian life. The approach meant a change in perspective for the Army and for Soldiers.

"Now that we have the Soldier for Life program, you don't become a retiree when you leave active duty," said Col. Steven Toft, 502nd FSG commander. "You are still a Soldier for life and that applies to retirees as well. They are all Soldiers for life.

"We don't stop caring for a Soldier once they leave active duty and the retiree council is critical to the program," Toft explained.

The retiree council at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, although still in existence, has been somewhat dormant during the last couple of years. But Toft, De Los Santos and the 502nd FSG team are working toward bringing it back online with an enhanced mission.

"We are using the  Soldier for Life concept as the foundation on which to reenergize our retiree council. Now that we are a joint base we want it to support retirees from all services," De Los Santos said.

The Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Retiree Council can be a forum where great ideas are exchanged that affect retirees, explained Jim Cunningham, Alamo Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America's executive vice president for state legislative affairs and regional vice president for the Texas Council of Chapters. Cunningham retired as a major from the Army.

Mapping out the enhanced mission for the retiree council includes tapping into community partnerships already in place through JBSA's partnership with the city of San Antonio as well as other entities directly.

"We are partnering with the San Antonio Area Foundation and other community organizations," De Los Santos said.

Top on the agenda for invigorating the retiree council is identifying leadership interested in making the council work and meet on a regular basis, explained Cunningham.

"Having leadership or council members become involved with other JBSA entities, community projects within San Antonio and Bexar County, and having state agencies and non-profits promote and make known the benefits of the Soldier for Life program as well as continually identify resources that may be available to retirees is imperative," Cunningham said.
Cunningham also stressed that an effective retiree appreciation day planning is essential.

"Make it more than just a day that retirees come and get a flu shot and trinkets from exhibitors. Some retiree appreciation days around the country and in Texas are two- or three-day events," he said.

"Being a lifer in the modern Army is proactive," De Los Santos said, underscoring the Soldier for Life maxim: Start Strong - Serve Strong - Reintegrate Strong - Remain Strong.

Retirees interested in becoming a part of the council can contact the 502nd FSG at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 221-2632.