by Robert F. Sawallesh
04 Apr 2001
How would you like to shop for a new car and everytime you went back to check the car the salesman said the wording has just been changed on the warranty? Or what about after you bought the car the dealership said they will honor the warranty based on "space available" auto repairs only? What if the dealership said your guaranteed warranty has been changed to a "comprehensive warranty." Perhaps the warranty program could be called TRICAR with three levels at TRICAR Standard, TRICAR Extra and TRICAR Prime. About the same as gasoline standards, huh.
Would you buy that same brand of car again or even trust that automotive company? What if the automotive company got so nervous because of law suits that they offered you a maintenance program called TRICAR For Life
(TFL). Suppose they claim TFL is a VICTORY for you and they do not even know the details.
It appears the Pentagon cannot make up its mind on how to address the medical benefits for active duty and military retirees. Every time you turn around they are changing the words. For the past seven years I have been visiting military recruiting sites for the sole purpose of collecting materiel listing medical benefits.
Recently I was at a major military recruiting headquarters and on the coffee table in the secretary's area were numerous booklets on TRICARE. Nothing like getting TRICARE before the eyes of the recruits. TRICARE is the
infamous medical care program in the military. Major rumbles are now being heard from active duty and their spouses regarding TRICARE.
Below are some quotes on military medical care benefits that were sent to me or what I collected. Notice how the wording varies from year to year or even month to month. There are also excellent comments from two retired Marine recruiters.
Famous Pentagon Military Recruiting (Medical) Quotes
The Bluejackets Manual, 1940, page 142 states the following about retirees, "They are entitled to medical treatment and hospitalization."
A Marine Corps recruiting booklet from the 1960s states, " To these tangible rewards can be added allowances for food and clothing, the finest medical care in the world, insurance protection...."
Air Force Pamphlet, No. 35-4-1, 1 April 1962, by order of General Curtis E. LeMay. 118. Retired Member: b. Treatment authorized. Eligible retired members will be furnished required medical and dental care and adjuncts thereto to the same extent as provided for active duty members in any medical facility of the Uniformed Service. This care will be subject to mission requirements and the availability of space, facilities and capabilities of the medical staff as determined by the cognizant medical authority in charge of the medical facility. Forwarded by an Air Force retiree from Texas.
Do you remember this famous quote if you retired from the Air Force? Air Force Preretirement Counseling Guide, April 1986, Chapter 5 Medical Care 5-2f. "One very important point, you never lose your eligibility for treatment in military hospitals and clinics." \
USCG Information Guide, 1991, USGPO. "Retirement...You continue to receive free medical and dental treatment for yourself plus medical care for dependents."
A Navy recruiting pamphlet approved 1 Mar 93 stated, " free medical and dental care." Another Navy recruiting pamphlet dated 1 Jan 1993 simply lists the benefit as "health care."
In June 1993 an Army pamphlet published for recruiting musicians stated, " Here are just a few of unequaled benefits that can be yours: Medical and dental care for you and your family."
The Army in 1993 published the following in a recruiting pamphlet, "Superb Health Care. Health care is provided to you and your family while you are in the Army, and for the rest of your life if you serve a minimum of 20 years of active Federal service to earn your retirement."
To attract women the Coast Guard published a pamphlet in July, 1994 which reads: "Free comprehensive medical and dental care; partial benefits for your dependents."
Do you know what "comprehensive" means? I will tell you later in this dispatch.
"You'll need Air Force training and education in the 21st Century" is the title of an Air Force recruiting pamphlet NPS 94-034. On benefits it reads, "There's more. You'll have comprehensive medical and dental care."
In December 1994 an Army Warrant Officer Flight Training recruiting booklet stated the following about a career with solid benefits: " You and you're family, if you are married, will receive no or low cost medical and dental care."
The Pentagon must be running out of ink because in March 1995 an Army recruiting pamphlet on skill training stated the following, " ...and get medical and dental care and other benefits." Only several words on medical care.
The Navy published in June 1995 a booklet on "Today's Navy." Under benefits you will find, "free medical and dental care."
"Your Air Force" recruiting booklet (NPS 95-005) states, "As an Air Force member, you receive comprehensive medical and dental care at no cost to you, and your salary continues if you become ill or are injured. Your dependents receive comprehensive medical care, and are eligible for a low-cost dental plan."
"Life in the Marine Corps" is a Marine recruiting booklet published in 8/95 that reads: "There are other benefits you can cash in as well. Like free medical and dental care."
USAF "This could be your ticket to the future" recruiting pamphlet (NPS 95-042). The medical portion states, "If you get sick, no problem. You are 100% covered, medical and dental."
Army ROTC booklet on "Your Future as an Army Officer", (October 1995). "Medical Benefits: Better than Blue Cross. Medical care and hospitalization are provided for an officer and his or her family. Dental care is also authorized for all active duty personnel."
Captain Robert J. Nichols of Valrico, Florida is a retired US Marine and he is a veteran of the Korean War (Chosin Reservoir) and the Vietnam War. He is also a Corporate Retiree and he states, " Most major company corporate medical plans are better than TRICARE!" Captain Nichols was also a US Marine Recruiter from 1951 through 1954 after returning from the Korean War.
In November 1995 the Army published a recruiting booklet on Army experiences. Under benefits it stated, "Free or low cost medical and dental care."
To recruit nurses the Air Force published ROTC pamphlet 96-015 which reads: After you're commissioned...We provide comprehensive medical and dental care."
"Why the Navy" pamphlet dated 1 Mar 96 states the following on Why the Navy? It lists "medical and dental care provided;*" The asterisk reads, "* free medical care for your family if space is available. Civilian medical and dental care available at low cost for family members."
The "Off Duty" magazine of June 96 had a full page Army reenlistment ad which read, "...in addition to benefits like health and family care...." Now, just what is family care? Is this family medical care?
"The Navy Experience" recruiting booklet (511-2697) states, "free medical and dental care." The booklet further states, "Medical and dental care are available to your family on a low-cost, space-available basis." This is an "oxymoron" says Captain Nichols!
To recruit USAF ROTC cadets a ROTC 97--009 pamphlet states: "You'll receive 30 days of vacation per year--plus comprehensive medical and dental care." What happened to the "free" medical care? Did the Pentagon cut the word "free" out of their dictionary?
"Why the Marines?" recruiting pamphlet dated 9-97 states," All branches of the armed forces offer benefits like college funds, technical training, job security, free medical and dental care."
"Your future in the Air Force" (NPS 98-001) recruiting booklet asks this question: How many civilian firms offer a package like this? Under the money heading it reads: "Comprehensive medical and dental care."
Lets not forget the Coast Guard. They too have joined the "comprehensive" medical train. A 3/98 recruiting pamphlet states. " Free comprehensive medical and dental care for you; partial benefits for your dependents."
An Army Financial Advantage recruiting booklet published in January 1999 states: " The Army financial package has quite a bit going for you. Here's the rundown again: Medical and Dental care - No /low cost to you."
The Army in July 1998 approved an Army Education pamphlet which read: "Other benefits are hard to beat, too...No cost or low cost medical and dental care."
An "Army Benefits" recruiting pamphlet published in February 1999 reads: "Superb Health Care is a substantial benefit while you are in the Army. You and your family members receive no or low cost medical and dental care where available." Sounds like another oxymoron.
To inform parents the Army published a booklet in May 1999 titled, " Army Answers to Parents." The medical benefits read, "...as well as low-cost or no-cost medical and dental care, are provided." And yet another oxymoron
"Getting on Board, How you can join the Navy" is a recruiting booklet approved by the Navy on 1 September 1999. The medical portion states, " Comprehensive medical and dental care (also available to your family on a low-cost, space-available basis).
The Army must be getting very nervous about putting benefits in print because an Army Nurse Corps recruiting pamphlet dated September, 1999 simply reads the following about health benefits, "Medical and dental care."
Air Force Officer recruiting booklet (ROTC 99-005) states the following on medical benefits, "You will also get an excellent salary, receive comprehensive medical and dental care..."
Who in the Pentagon ever came up with the word "comprehensive?" What does comprehensive mean? According to Webster's New World Dictionary, comprehensive means, " dealing with all or many of the relevant details; including much;" This is about as clear as mud. Just what the Pentagon ordered. Whomever came up with the word "comprehensive" probably was awarded the Legion of Merit by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee.
In May 2000 the Army published a pamphlet to recruit musicians and the pamphlet stated the following "No-cost or low-cost medical and dental benefits for you and your family."
An Air Force ROTC Question and Answer pamphlet was obtained at a major university in 2001. It stated the following about active duty medical and dental care: "Furnished at no cost."
"Here's what it takes to train a Seal", a Navy recruiting pamphlet was reviewed and approved 1 June 1999. The pamphlet states the Navy will reward you with exceptional benefits. Not one word could be found about health benefits.
"Flight Plan - Air Force" (NPS 00-001). Under More Benefits it states that you will receive "Comprehensive medical and dental care." Another line reads "Medical care plans for dependents." And yet another line reads "Low-cost dental plan for dependents."
Just what do former military recruiters think about what is going on in today's military medical community? Sergeant Major Michael Rodosovich, USMC, Retired, from Falls Church, Virginia is an 83 year old Marine veteran of Iwo Jima, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was both a Marine recruiter and a Marine Drill Instructor (DI). When asked if he would testify before Congress on military retiree medical care he said he would, "testify tomorrow."
Captain Nichols states he would gladly testify before an open hearing of Congress. He further stated he wished he retained his background materiel on recruiting literature and posters. If you have any historical recruiting literature from any military service that you would like to share with Captain Nichols please contact him at bnickusmc@aol.com.
What was life like for a Marine recruiter? Captain Nichols was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Service from November 1951 through 1954. He was in the 4th Marine Corps Recruiting District in Philadelphia, PA., with duty as the NCOIC of the USMC Recruiting Sub-Station in Williamsport, PA. During that time he traveled throughout Central, PA., covering some eleven counties. He visited and spoke at Career Counseling Conferences in many high
schools and colleges. His mission was to recruit future high school graduates into the USMC and to promote enrollment in the USMC Officer Programs.
Nichols said that the only real significant ammunition the recruiters had in those days were Patriotism (the Korean War was in full swing) and the opportunities one might enjoy through a military career. During his presentations he focused on educational and travel opportunities while on active duty plus the benefits of a military career. He stated we [recruiters] were able to guarantee that a 20 year career would insure a Military Pension for Life, utilization of all military facilities such as commissaries and base exchanges plus the top of the list which was Free Medical Care for the retiree and his family for LIFE.
Editor's comments:
Why is Congress and the Pentagon afraid to have active duty and spouses, military retirees and spouses and military widows appear before an open hearing in Congress? Captain Nichols says it is because "The White House, Congress and the Pentagon cannot bear to hear the truth."
Today's Congressmen love to hold meetings in their offices on military retiree medical care -- with the doors shut and out of view of the American public.