Looking Good

Congratulations on the new format of Military Officer magazine! As a “younger” member of MOAA, I feel it is important to convey the message that MOAA is relevant to today’s generation—not just something you join after you leave active duty or retire. The new magazine format certainly conveys the message that MOAA is working for us today and will be there for us in the future.

— Capt. John B. Hollein, USA
Waynesville, Mo.

The layout and design inside, with the color-coded bars for department and feature identification, make for easy identification of people, articles, features, and information. … Overall, you get my vote for a job well done!

— Col. Ron Baker, USAF-Ret.
Alamogordo, N.M.

I’m sure these changes will be welcomed by the majority of your readers. I am especially pleased with the new typefaces and size and more white space. I hope the use of more white space will eliminate the use of dark background colors on printed articles. This process has always frustrated and added to the eyestrain of your older (once 20/20 vision) readers. The new format makes for easier, faster, and more enjoyable reading.

— Lt. Col. John J. Schadegg, USAF-Ret.
via e-mail

The new look … is nothing short of spectacular! The cover quality, the new page headings, and the general slick appearance … make me more proud than ever to be a member.

— Capt. Jerome L. Grill, USCGR-Ret.
Morristown, N.J.

The font you have been using in the past is much classier. The new method is gaudy and does nothing for the presentation of an otherwise fine publication. Personally, I think you should go back to presenting the name as you were doing [before].

— CWO4 Robert K. Grayson, USA-Ret.
via e-mail

As a life member of The Retired Officers Association [now MOAA] since 1965, I have been the recipient of its changes and progress over the past 40 years. This short note is to compliment you on the new redesign, which is outstanding—even the upgraded quality and color tones are very attractive.

Through the years I have [been] kept informed of all the important legislation of interest to me, and now at the age of 83, I am delighted that the benefits of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) are finally being restored to what was promised us. Since my wife and I are really senior citizens, we don’t expect to reap any big rewards—but future ladies will. However, I do have the assurance of being listed on the “Sounding Taps” page.

— Cmdr. Stephen Whiteman, USN-Ret.
San Diego

Unmanned History

The article entitled “The Pilot Who Wasn’t There” [January 2005] did not mention the extensive Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) operations by the Air Force throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and beyond. … Among the 111 drones I launched into North Vietnam, several were in support of the intelligence gathering effort in support of a raid on the POW camp in the summer and fall of 1970. … When the cloud cover hampered the SR-71s’ abilities and the threat was too intense for U-2s or RF-4s, air-launched photoreconnaissance drones did the job! And we did it without INS, GPS, satellite links, etc.

— Col. Roland D. Guidry, USAF-Ret.
Destin, Fla.

“The Pilot Who Wasn’t There” is absolutely outstanding. It is well researched, well written, fascinating, and important. Kudos to you. ...

I was involved with the operations of the Matador, the Air Force’s first operational surface-to-surface missile, a winged air-breathing vehicle, in the 1950s.

— Maj. Gen. Richard Boverie, USAF-Ret.
West Palm Beach, Fla.

Thanks, Mostly

As a nearly 30-year member of [MOAA] and a life member, my sincere thanks to you for the many hard-fought, and hard-won, battles of 2004 on behalf of our membership. The SBP offset change is very important to me. But what really awed me in the [January issue of Military Officer] were the 2005 goals. Although all of them are important, obtaining exemption of Medicare Part B for those of us who served prior to Dec. 7, 1956, and moving up the 30-year paid-up SBP equity to 2005 are indeed worthy.

— Capt. Gerald Mulenburg, USAF-Ret.
Mountain View, Calif.

I am just writing to say thank you for all the work [MOAA has] done in the areas of concurrent receipt, SBP, and [combat-related special compensation]. In particular, I want to thank the kind men and women who answer the phone when I call and Bill Pierce and Bud Schneeweis [of MOAA’s Benefits Information Department], who have provided answers and sometimes provoked action when I was unable to get anything done on my own.

— Col. Louis J. Hablas Jr., USAF-Ret.
Danville, Ill.

I am a bit disappointed with the January 2005 [Military Officer], as so much of it is devoted to [MOAA’s] attempts to obtain many and varied increased benefits for military retirees at the expense of the American taxpayer. I believe we should feel very fortunate with all the many entitlements that we presently have. Our current efforts to substantially increase those benefits at a time when the country is fighting an unnecessary war with huge costs involved smacks of attempting to take advantage of a wartime pro-military bias on the part of the American people.

— Col. Lee R. Pitzer, USAF-Ret.
O Fallon, Ill.

Thank you for the article on “Your MOAA Dues’ Worth” [“Washington Scene,” February 2005]. When TRICARE For Life began, I took the first month’s savings on health insurance and became a life member.

— Col. Jere Moore, USA-Ret.
Tallahassee, Fla.

Seeing Red

After reading [“Seeing Orange,” January 2005], I went immediately to my computer to check with the VA
to see if changes had been made. The Agent Orange Web page still limits neuropathy cases to within two years of occurrence.

— Col. Corwin Mitchell, USA-Ret.
New Bern, N.C.

Editor’s note: You are correct. While peripheral neuropathy is a presumptive condition of Agent Orange, it must appear within one year of exposure and resolve within two years of the date of onset. We deeply regret presenting misleading information in the magazine. For additional information, visit the VA’s Web site, www.va.gov/agentorange.