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The two retired/separated representatives on the NGAUS board of directors unveiled the working concept to establish a new association task force at last week’s retired/separated virtual meeting.
The NGAUS Retired/Separated Caucus Task Force would mobilize skilled and experienced members out of uniform to help strengthen association advocacy and its influence on issues related to the current force as well as retirees.
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. April Vogel and retired Army Brig. Gen. Mike Oster told those online that the task force would help turn more retirees into advocates, mentors, educators and storytellers.
“Retirees are people who have been there and done that,” Oster said. “We also know that several of you across this part of the organization are well-connected to the people that are making decisions that affect the National Guard.”
“Our retirees and our separated members represent an untapped force multiplier that's sitting right in our ranks,” Vogel added.
She explained the task force is the product of two years of survey feedback from the Retired/Separated Caucus Luncheon at the annual NGAUS conference.
The working concept is for the task force to have four focus areas or “pillars”: Health Care & Benefits Security, Retirement Equity & Transition, Force Relevance & Guard Future, and Advocacy, Membership & Influence.
For example, the Retirement Equity & Transition pillar would focus on 20-year parity, tax treatment of retirement pay, benefit gaps compared to active-duty service members and transition support.
The task force would be chaired by one retiree with each panel having a working group of five to seven members selected for their expertise, networks and willingness to actively engage, Oster explained.
Ultimately, the task force would create a Guard Voice Network that would engage civic organizations, contribute to local media and elevate real-world narratives that reinforce NGAUS priorities.
Another goal is to activate more retirees to strengthen employer relationships, support Guard-friendly policies and enhance local understanding of the Guard’s role and value.
Oster said he and Vogel believe they have about a “70% solution.” They solicited feedback from the 100+ attendees at the virtual meeting, which was overwhelmingly positive.
The task force will also be a topic of conversation at the Retired/Separated Caucus Lunch at the 148th General Conference & Exhibition, Aug. 28-31 in Indianapolis. It is set for Aug. 30 in the Indiana War Memorial.
“And appreciate everybody starting to lean forward in this attempt to try to further engage this community and take advantage of the opportunities that we have with all of the horsepower and the education and the experience and the desire to continue to serve,” said Oster.
The meeting was part of series that began in 2024. The next retiree virtual meeting will be in November or early December.
A recording of the virtual can viewed here.
The slides used to present the Retired/Separated Caucus Task Force are available here.
—By John Goheen
