Bravo Zulu! When I enlisted in 1958, the newsletter was a 8½ x 11½ mimographed sheet of paper. The Reservist has come a long way, and I look forward to each issue. Around 1980, as a member of Reserve Unit 05-145, Wash. D.C., I was the first enlisted person to qualify as a watchstander at the Coast Guard Headquarters National Response Center, manning phone to respond to [oil spills]. The value of reservists was finally acknowledged because it freed up newly commissioned ensigns to be reassigned to duties more appropriate to their rank. Bravo Zulu. Petty Officer 1st Class E.J. Duffy, USCGR (ret.) Just a quick note to let you know how spectacular the Reservist magazine is now. When I joined (a long time back) the magazine was just basically not much of anything. Now, so professional, WOW! Chief Petty Officer Susan Hanlon USCGR (ret.) Thanks, Chief! You make our day. It’s a privilege to put together these issues so we can honor our fellow reservists. There’s so many good people, and so many stories. COCOM secret I really enjoyed the article co-authored by Capts. Hiigel and Grenier on COCOM Coast Guard units. I've often thought Coast Guard duty at one of DoD's COCOMs was one of the its best kept secrets. I did four years at USTRANSCOM (2004-2008), and it remains one of the best reserve assignments I ever had. It provided me a unique opportunity to work with true professionals in the Coast Guard Reserve as well as our DoD colleagues from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. I was really able to see the broad spectrum of what our national security structure engaged in on a daily basis at the strategic and operational levels, heightened by the fact that the war in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) was at its height as was the conflict in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). One thing I walked away from upon departing USTRANSCOM was the high degree of professionalism constantly displayed by our colleagues in arms. I spent a few years in the Army Reserve and National Guard (1984-1990) before making the switch to the Coast Guard, so I was able to see the huge change that had come about within DoD, especially within the Army, which I am most familiar with. COCOM duty also came with some exceptionally unique opportunities such as the chance to deploy to the Republic of Korea for a two-week exercise, Ulchi Focus Lens, in August 2005. I used to joke I'd always wanted to go to South Korea when I was in the Army and had to join the Coast Guard to get there! Capt. David L. Teska, USCGR (ret.) You nailed it: the COCOM assignments are one of the best kept secrets in the Reserve. My husband was stationed at CGRU SOUTHCOM and spoke highly of the assignment and the opportunities. Thanks much, sir, both for the great feedback and for your service. Ribbon wrangling I was assigned to the 2nd Coast Guard District from 1967 to 1998 in reserve status. I can’t identify this ribbon. I did not find [it] on the Coast Guard ribbon chart. The middle bar is blue, then white, then Coast Guard orange, then black, then white, and then black. There is a gold border around the ribbon. Can you give me your opinion? Enjoy your articles in the Reservist. Thanks. CWO4 Taylor C. “Gus” Berry, USCGR (ret.) Good afternoon, sir, glad to hear you’re enjoying the articles as much as we enjoy writing them! As for the ribbon, it’s the Department of Transportation Outstanding Unit award. In 1994, Sec. Federico Pena issued the Secretary's outstanding achievement medal to the entire organization. The ribbon was framed and issued to personnel at the time as a unit award. TRICARE for life This was a letter received by our friends at the Long Blue Line magazine for Coast Guard retired community: I have come across several Coast Guard retirees, and retired members of other services, who are unaware of TRICARE for Life. I have guided those I come in contact with about TFL. The topic has come up on some of the CG Veteran Facebook pages and other websites, most of the time they are looking for a supplement to Medicare. It seems that many are not aware that they become eligible for TRICARE at age 60, and TRICARE for Life at age 65. This is especially true with Reserve retirees; they may have been told about it years ago when they were [in the] service, but as time went on, they forgot about it, or possibly were never told. I have found some who already have supplemental insurance and not aware of TFL. I think we have got to do a better job of getting this information out to members as they near the age of 60 and 65, I am not sure how we do it but it seems to me it would not be too difficult to get age information on retirees from PPC. When I turned 60 I elected to take TRICARE Standard and drop the coverage from my civilian employer, the 80/20 coverage and maximum out-of- pocket was better than I had. I was also able to retire and take Social Security at age 63 because I have the TRICARE coverage. I saw in the Long Blue Line TRICARE is explained on page 50 but kind of mixed up with Medicare. There is a retiree council being set up here in Louisville, K.Y., which I plan to be active in. This is one topic I plan to bring up and work with but wanted to bring it to your attention first. Lt. Leslie Allen, USCGR (ret) Excellent advice. Retired service members have many benefits, and Tricare for Life is just one of them (which I intend to use myself when the time comes!). For more information on Tricare for Life, please visit: www.uscg.mil/retiree and click on the Retiree Community Benefits tab. [Then] Lt. Cmdr. David Teska was deployed to Camp Walker in Daegu, South Korea, in August 2005 for exercise Ulchi Focus Lens.
