I expected a mailed statement in December that still has not arrived. Recently I have called twice to speak to a human at DFAS. I spoke with a different person on each call.
On both occasions, the person I spoke with was professional. It is clear that customer service staff in the call center have been downsized probably to save money.
Long hold times, frustrated callers, difficult web protocols. I feel for the few call center people available who must deal with unhappy customers.
Plenty of cash for Ukraine. Plenty of cash for decades of undeclared/unwon DOD wars.
Recommendation: Staff up the call centers at DFAS and at TRICARE.
Tortuous web protocols at TRICARE and DFAS contribute to the number of people who want to call and speak to a human.
Treat your call center people well by hiring adequate numbers of staff to share the load.
Elected officials:
Stop kissing veteran ass on Armistice Day and every other chance you get. Stop with the “Thanks for your service” nonsense.
People volunteered to go to far away places and maybe never come back again.
Go to work to smooth out the process they face when they need to call and manage whatever benefits they earned.
Older veterans have influence with kids, grandkids and younger members of the community. Do right by them if you ever hope to dig out of your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.
This whole thing should be no more tricky to use than an Amazon account.
TRICARE News:
Military.com Jan 14, 2025
By Patricia Kime
Tricare West Region Beneficiaries and Providers Are Flooding Former Contractor with Calls
“Prior to the changeover, beneficiaries expressed concern over the strength of TriWest’s network, fearing they would lose their providers, and frustration with the company’s customer-service interfaces, including phone lines and the website.”
“Some callers reported waiting hours on hold to update their payment information.”
Possibly of interest:
New Orleans – Armed Forces Recruiting Crisis
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays
Photo:
On watch over Fort Ebey