Gray Area Retiree Space A

Under 60 reserve retirees (Gray Area) cannot travel space-a OCONUS. Presently, travel without dependants in CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. possessions is authorized. Dependent accompaniment is authorized after the reserve retiree turns age 60. An article was included in the recently approved 2006 National defense Authorization Act that addressed this issue. However, previous reports that Gray Area retirees were now authorized full entitlement under the 2006 NDAA appear to be in error as only a feasibility study on the issue was directed. To avoid any misunderstanding on this issue the following excerpt from the NDAA report is provided:

SEC. 359. REPORT ON SPACE-AVAILABLE TRAVEL FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS AND GRAY-AREA RETIREES.

(a) REPORT REQUIRED.-Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the feasibility of providing transportation on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis for-

(1)veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher;

(2) members and former members of a reserve component under 60 years of age who, but for age, would be eligible for retired pay under chapter 1223 of title 10, United States Code; and

(3) dependents of persons described in paragraph (1) or (2).

(b) CONSULTATION.-The Secretary of Defense shall prepare the report in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

At present disabled vets have no eligibility to fly space A unless they are retired from service. Additional info on this issue can be found at http://reservist.atspace.com As soon as DoD completes the feasibility study and reports the results a Bulletin Update on this issue will be provided. Concerned veteran are encouraged to provide input to their legislators prior to the submission of the report to Congress so they can know their constituents desires for approval or disapproval. At http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ can be found your legislator's name, district office location, telephone, and mailing address. [ Source: UTMC msg 22 Jan 06 & http://utmc.atspace.com ]