Not here to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
In The News
Mar 13, 2025, By Melissa Chan – NBC News
On Your Side: Healthcare changes cause delays and frustrations for military families
By Ashley Reynolds KYTV News
Mar. 13, 2025
“It all has to do with a recent change to what’s known as Tricare. That’s the military’s health care program. On January 1, Tricare began delivering health care with TriWest. It was supposed to cut costs and improve access. Military families and providers tell On Your Side the transition is chaos. There’s a backlog of referrals and payments. If those clinics don’t get paid, the doors won’t stay open to help our soldiers and their families.”
“The disruptions impact nearly ten million people, including those at Fort Leonard Wood, who should receive secure medical, mental, and behavioral services.”
Welcome Home Troops
Ask a recruiter:
“On Your Side emailed TriWest asking for an on-camera interview. TriWest didn’t answer the request but asked for Buehre’s contact information. We gave it. We asked for an interview again and again and never heard back.”
“Hold times in the beginning were two to five hours depending on the time of the day and day of the week. They tell us that their system was not equipped for all of the services and the number of participants,” said Buehre.
What became of enlisted leaders?
It would be good to hear from the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on this.
1980s
Taking care of the troops was a big deal at one time. No recruiting crisis. What the hell happened?
Currently serving leadership brought us:
Military Barracks Blasted Over Horrid Living Conditions, Lack of Accountability
MOAA SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
If you did your homework back in May of 2024, you remember:
“We are committed to keeping all of our military families informed about your health plan, your choices, and ensuring a seamless transition to new contractors,” said Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, director of the DHA.
Source:
TRICARE Newsroom May 15, 2024
Q&A: What To Know as New TRICARE Contracts Begin in 2025
By TRICARE Communications
Original deadline:
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) and the two regional contractors in the East Region and West Region are currently transitioning to these new contracts to ensure health care delivery is ready for all beneficiaries on Jan. 1, 2025.
“…new contracts will improve health care delivery, quality, and access for beneficiaries living in the United States.”
History of problems in 2025:
TRICARE “…a seamless transition…”
7 Years Back:
Pick a decade anytime after the war in Vietnam. No matter what political party or personality is in the White House, Uncle Sam struggles to get veterans health care to work properly. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and young people have access to this info.
Recruiting crisis for Uncle Sam? Elected officials and top Pentagon Generals earned it.
From a Jan 14th blog:
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.
Maybe the new administration will get this all cleared up soon, but we’re not there yet.
Possibly of interest:
Working To Kill Commissaries 2024
Photo at top of page:
A symbol of Support The Troops nonsense rolled out for federal holidays.
Post-Vietnam guilt
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.