Chapter Military Officers Association of America

Volume XII Issue 9 The Bulletin Oct 2015 OFFICERS, BOARD, AND CHAIRS PRESIDENT: Lt. Col. Mike Sampognaro USAF Luncheon Program 408-779-7389 1st VP: Lt. Col. Jay Craddock USAF 650-968-0446 15 Oct 2015 2nd VP: CWO5 Robert Landgraf USMC 408-323-8838 Secretary: COL Warren Enos AUS 408-245-2217 Treasurer: CAPT Lloyd McBeth USN 408-241-3514 Past President: CAPT Paul Barrish USN 408-356-7531

DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS Auxiliary Liaison vacant Chaplain Chaplain Fred Tittle USMC 609-802-3492 Commissary/Exchange Advisory CDR Ralph Hunt USN 650-967-8467 Friends-in-Need (FIN) Program CDR Al Mouns USN 408-257-5629 Programs Lt. Col. Jesse Craddock USAF 650-968-0446 ROTC CWO4 Patrick Clark USA 831-402-8548 Membership/Recruitment CWO5 Robert Landgraf USMC 408-323-8838 Scholarship CAPT Paul Barrish USN 408-356-7531 Travel (Space-A Advisory) CDR V.A. Eagye USN 408-733-3177 Web Master Lt Col Mike Sampognaro USAF 408-779-7389 Veteran Affairs Lt Col Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142 Development Officer Colonel Gregory F. Jones CAPT Gil Borgardt USN 650-342-1270 Sargeant-at-Arms CDR Ralph Hunt USN 650-967-8467 Commander, 129th Rescue Chapter Outreach CWO5 Robert Landgraf USMC 408-323-8838 CALMOAA, Legislation & Navy League Liaison LCDR Tom Winant USN 650-678-7120 Personal Affairs CAPT Robert French USN 650-363-1188 Social Hour: 11:00 AM

The Chapter Board meets at the Moffett Air Traffic Luncheon: 11:45 AM Control Tower, Luncheon is $26.00 Bulletin Editor Lt. Col. Mike Sampognaro, USAF See Back Page for Reservations Form and Directions “The Bulletin” is published 11 or 12 times annually P.O. BOX 2, Moffett Federal Airfield, CA 94035 Please direct all correspondence to above address CALENDAR OF EVENTS

RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE (RAO) 1 Oct Board Meeting 11:00 AM Bldg 587 on Wescoat Court, 650-603-8047 15 Oct Luncheon 11:00 AM 5 Nov Board Meeting 11:00 AM 19 Nov Luncheon 11:00 AM PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE SVC WEBSITES Our Chapter website is www. October, we are now about a month away from a busy siliconvalleymoaa.org, a shorter November luncheon with election of new officers and our 50th as a link is www.svcmoaa.org. You MOAA Chapter. We have a great speaker coming in from MOAA can also get to it from the na- Natonal with valuable information about benefits. tional MOAA site: Put the cursor By the way, I had a question from a member at the last luncheon over Chapters and select Chapter about the Space A resort benefits for a surviving spouse. The Locator, CA, then Silicon Valley answer, it depends on the resort. I checked a few resorts and a Chapter. From there you may link over to our primary website surviving spouse is welcome at some. We will have to check with above. Our home page has links our November speaker for more information. for The Bulletin and eBulletin. B mike

NOMINATING COMMITTEE ACCEPTING RESUMÉS TRICARE FOR LIFE None of the fifty attendees at July’s extraordinary luncheon meeting SERVICE will forget the 9/11 survivor’s thrilling story or the Craddock’s 70th Anniversary tribute. Capitalizing on that enthusiasm, the Board For assistance, contact the activated a Nominating Committee to propose a slate for next year’s Wisconsin Physicians Service Board of Directors. www.tricare4u.com Officers, directors, and committee chairs enjoy camaraderie and a 866-773-0404 chance to move our Silicon Valley Chapter forward. Board members capitalize on a lifetime’s experience, knowledge, and skills to manage REPORTING DEATHS Chapter activities. Certain Board members have assumed several jobs. Members can report the death of The work is satisfying and, for those interested, can be a stepping-stone a retiree locally through the to state or national MOAA service assignments. Retire Activity Office (RAO). Closer to home, arranging monthly programs, soliciting funds and The phone number is awarding scholarships, monitoring legislation, and publishing a Bulletin 650-603-8047 require certain organizational skills and, occasionally, technical (word- You can also notify a MOAA processing) ability. Accordingly, the Nominating Committee has several member’s death to: goals: (1) Prepare a slate of officers for the 2016 Board of Directors. (2) MOAA, Attn: MSC, Identify and attract new Board members. (3) Emphasize a leadership 201 N Washington St, track to minimize musical chairs before elections. Some current Board Alexandria, VA 22314-2539. members fill several jobs because they are intrigued by the challenge; Or: Call 1-800-234-6622 but dying should not be the easiest way to leave the Board. A prior Or: E-mail: [email protected]. Bulletin editor served for decades before retiring from the Board. Notify SVC-MOAA by phoning To be sure that your Silicon Valley Chapter remains vibrant with the Membership Chair–see more programs on last July’s model, contact a member of your listing on front page of The Nominating Committee to express your interest. Our phone numbers are Bulletin. B in the masthead on this Bulletin’s cover. Better yet, email one of us: CDR Al Mouns, USN, Chairman, [email protected], CAPT Paul Barrish, Thought For The Month USN, [email protected], CAPT Lloyd McBeth, USN, " Once a month, try something you don't think [email protected], CDR Ralph Hunt (USNR) you'd be good at. You can find [email protected], CWO5 Robert Landgraf, USMC, such happy surprises." [email protected]. Dianna Agron ______SOURCE: Nominang Commiee

- 2 - OCTOBER SPEAKER hours from the time of notification to the rescue of the airmen. Combat Rescue Officers (CROs) of the A four engine Wing's 131st Rescue Squadron had been providing C130J Super Hercules from the in personnel recovery support for Combined Joint Task Port Hueneme, California on July 19, 2013 banks left, Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) during their quickly loses altitude, and drops a line of fire deployment to the region. retardant over trees in the mountains above Palm Incident reports of the Air Guard fighting fires Springs. The 146th was activated July 18 to support appeared in greater numbers beginning as early as CAL Fire and other agencies on the Mountain fire mid-2013 and continue to the present. On one and other potential wildfire activity throughout the occasion nearly a dozen aircraft and crews from both state. And since that time the Air Guard has been the California Air and Army National Guard battled deployed to fight fires almost continuously wildfires across , specifically the throughout the western states. American, Swedes and Rim fires. The two C-130J The chapter’s October luncheon speaker will be air tankers were assigned to the Rim fire and both Colonel Gregory F. Jones, Commander, 129th Rescue aircraft were equipped with the Modular Airborne Wing, California Air National Guard, Moffett Federal Firefighting Systems II (MAFFS) and were capable Airfield. He will provide a wide-ranging description of discharging 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant of Air Guard activities and trends which could along the leading edge of a fire in less than five include perspectives from Washington, D.C. and seconds. Sacramento as well as details of recent dramatic To date, 129th Rescue Wing is credited with operations at home and abroad. Prior to assuming his saving the lives of more than 1,000 people. From current position, Colonel Jones was attached to Office arid deserts and snow-covered mountain tops to of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, urban and rural settings, 129th Rescue Wing air Manpower and Reserve Affairs as the Department of guardsmen can reach any destination by land, air or Defense Liaison to the National Science Foundation. sea. Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow On August 18, 2015 elements of the 129th Rescue aircraft, HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and Wing responded to a call from the Coast Guard and Guardian Angel teams (PJs and CROs), the 129th planned to fly to a point 900 miles West of San Rescue Wing conducts combat search and rescue, Francisco in an effort to rescue a seriously injured and the rescue of distressed persons aboard ships, man aboard a commercial vessel. In such a case lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations. highly skilled pararescuemen would parachute into A graduate of the University of Southern the ocean, board the ship, stabilize the patient, and California and the Air War College, Colonel Jones return the man to safety. Last year Lt. Col. Daniel has extensive executive management and command Lapostole, a 129th HH-60 helicopter pilot and May flight experience. His deployments in small part luncheon speaker, told members about a young include support of Operations Desert Shield, Noble family with a child suffering from a life threatening Eagle, and Joint Forge. "No matter what the medical condition while sailing some 900 miles environment or the circumstances, our Air southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. For the Air Guardsmen always rise to the occasion," he says. "In Guard, the rescue was successful and for the Wing it every rescue our Air Guardsmen perform, they live was save number 1,007. up to the Air Force Rescue motto: 'That Others May In late March 2015 129th pararescuemen were Live.' " involved in the rescue of two Saudi Arabian airmen ______from the Gulf of Aden after their two-seater F-15 SOURCE: 129TH Rescue Wing fighter jet crashed. An HH-60 helicopter flying from Djibouti, where the U.S. maintains a major regional base, recovered the two Saudi airmen at approximately 5:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, March26th. The recovery operation took about two

- 3 - SEPTEMBER SPEAKER REPORT across the country, an action which was intended to After meeting with an apparent contact connected implement the 9/11 Commission Report with the Afghanistan Taliban and mujahidin in the recommendations. To understand the organization, San Jose area, the 28 year old male suspect agreed to Mr. Buehler suggested thinking about the television build and detonate a vehicle-borne explosive device program “24,” yet he said the series was a bit at a bank branch in Oakland. After arrival at the overblown in terms of reality. The intent is to bank he carefully set the bomb at the base of a provide information sharing and that is done through building support column, adjusted the trigger device, an extensive network of public and private partners, walked across the street, activated a second cell such as the FBI and local law enforcement agencies; phone, and at an agreed-upon time pushed the button. information was provided about available services, This was a typical incident of real concern to new areas of interest and concern such as cyber intelligence professionals and their partners. security, a threat assessment system including The chapter’s September speaker was Mr. Craig indicators of threats, as well as an extensive Buehler, Director of Private Sector Engagement at suspicious activity reporting system. the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center NCRIC is very much involved with the (NCRIC) in . He provided an illustrated intelligence cycle, namely planning to undertake a briefing about efforts to assist nongovernmental specific task, collecting information openly and personnel with security issues, specifically threat covertly, processing the information and including it assessment and appropriate responses. He has an in an incident file, analyzing the information to see almost 30 year law enforcement background with 22 how it all fits together, and finally disseminating of those years working the narcotics beat. useful intelligence to those with a need to know, The NCRIC serves as a focal point in the Northern most often a policymaker. It is this collection of District of California for the receipt, analysis, information and creation of useful intelligence that gathering, and sharing of threat-related information results in success stories such as prevention and between the federal government and state, local, apprehension of those who would bomb facilities, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners. The attack law enforcement officers such as in Ferguson, Private Sector Program is a free government service MO, or use illegal high tech weapons. designed to provide specific law enforcement-related Once the suspect attempted to detonate the bomb benefits to its membership, specifically personnel by using the second cell phone he had purchased to who through their employment or the business they place two calls to the trigger device and there was no own and operate have infrastructure protection, explosion, Federal agents arrested him. According to emergency management, and/or business continuity Mr. Buehler the system works and today Americans or resiliency responsibilities. are assured of a higher level of security than ever In reality, and unknown to the suspect at the time, before. the man he met with was an undercover FBI agent. ______At the meeting the suspect proposed structuring the SOURCE: Luncheon Speaker attack to make it appear that the responsible party was an umbrella organization for a loose collection of anti-government militias and their sympathizers. The stated goal was to trigger a governmental crackdown, which the suspect expected would trigger a right- wing counter-response against the government followed by, he hoped, civil war. Unbeknownst to the suspect, the explosive device that he allegedly attempted to use had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement and posed no threat to the public. Mr. Buehler described the creation of a national fusion center network comprised of 78 facilities - 4 - SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT college units with a 3.28 grade point average. Cadet Alexander V. Treshler, a San Jose State “I plan on becoming an active duty U.S. Army University student participating with the Santa Clara Armor officer,” he said. Indeed, LTC Tiedeman University Army ROTC program, in late spring was announced on September 23rd that Cadet Alex awarded a SVC 2015 $1,000 scholarship. He was Treshler was selected for active duty service and he honored and presented an attractive certificate at the should be congratulated for achieving this highly September luncheon meeting. In a May 18th letter to competitive status. “My primary career goal is to the chapter he said, “Please accept my apology for have a stable lifetime military career. If I were to not attending the MOAA awards ceremony scheduled retire from the military, I would want to land a high- for May 21st but I have a final exam scheduled for end management job that utilizes my skills as an the same day and time as the event.” Army officer.” “I wish to express my thanks and gratitude for the At the time of the September luncheon Cadet scholarship award,” Treshler continued. “I received Treshler had just returned from a 7 week summer the award during the Annual Military Science training experience at the U.S. Army Armor School Department awards Ceremony held May 13, 2015 at and Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was Santa Clara University. Your generous award will go accompanied to the luncheon by Santa Clara a long way to not just defray needed educational University ROTC cadre member, CPT Daimhin expenses but also to continue to inspire and motivate Graves, AR, USA. The ROTC cadets are truly me to realize my potential to be a worthy leader fortunate to have highly qualified instructors. within the ranks of the U.S. Army. I am indeed Captain Graves was commissioned as an Armor 2D fortunate and humbled to receive this award, as well Lt in 2006 from the University of Colorado, has as having been nominated for it by Professor of attended the Armor basic and career officer Military Science LTC John Tiedeman.” leadership courses, and has held key line and staff As an MSIII cadet, Treshler takes on more positions in part with the 2nd Infantry Divisions and responsible roles and tasks in ROTC. During the fall 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort 2014 semester, he was a squad leader. Then in the Campbell, Kentucky. He has extensive service in the first half of the spring 2015 semester, he was a Middle East. battalion assistant S-1 (Personnel), responsible for Chapter member ROTC scholarship donations accountability of cadets. Aside from his assigned continue to go directly to motivated and capable tasks, he volunteered for most ROTC events, and cadets with high potential for service to the military participated in several recruitment drives. At the and general communities. same time, he has been successful in meeting the ______challenge of finding the necessary time to balance his SOURCE: University/ROTC Program Records activities with the need to maintain good academics. Cadet Treshler is a History major with a Military Science (Army ROTC) minor. While taking 14 semester units he said, “Upper-division history classes are now 4 units each instead of 3 units. That means in one history class, there is a ton of reading, papers, and exams. While it is challenging, after putting in the time, hard work, and effort, passing these classes can be very rewarding.” He explained that to him history is a fascinating subject. He has a passion to learn how modern societies and civilizations came to be by studying the triumphs and consequences of the past. His favorite history courses tend to be on American history. He has completed 103 combined SJSU and community

- 5 - Justice Department are investigating some of the companies and individuals involved, according to government officials, and recouping some of Tricare's losses. In July, the Justice Department settled allegations of Pentagon warns of improper prescriptions with Blanding Health Mart Pharmacy of Jacksonville, Florida, for $8.4 million. Tricare mail scam And in June, the government settled for $3.78 By Patricia Kime, Staff writer 8:54 a.m. EDT million with MediMix, a compounding pharmacy September 3, 2015 company also based in Jacksonville, Florida, on The Defense Health Agency is warning Tricare allegations that its top referring physician sent beneficiaries of an elaborate mail scam designed to hundreds of improper prescriptions to the company. steal money from their banks. The doctor was married to a MediMix senior vice According to the DHA Office of Program Integrity, president. some Tricare beneficiaries received letters from a The Defense Department changed its reimbursement bogus company called Tricare Survey Inc., offering policy for compounded medications on May 1, them the chance to work as "secret shoppers." effectively shutting down the opportunity for The mailings instruct recipients to cash enclosed companies to be reimbursed for questionable checks for $3,775 at their banks, keep a percentage of prescriptions. the money for themselves and use the rest to buy six But DoD's Defense Criminal Investigative Service $500 shopping cards to be used at retailers for “secret continues to investigate some pharmacies and shopping” excursions. marketing companies as well as other cases of health But when recipients report the card numbers to the care fraud involving Tricare, according to DoD company, as instructed in the letters, the fraudsters Inspector General spokeswoman Bridget Serchak. use the numbers to transfer the amount to their own Serchak said the sheer size of the defense health accounts. program budget makes it an attractive target and In the alert, issued by the Defense Department on Tricare beneficiaries can do their part in preventing Sunday, Tricare officials “strongly advised” scams. beneficiaries not to participate in the scheme, saying "This isn't a victimless crime," she said. "The more they may be held accountable by their banks for the [the government] pays out for fraudulent claims, the money. harder it is to keep the costs down for legitimate “Tricare will identify the checks as counterfeit … and Tricare benefits." return them to the bank in which they were drawn Defense health officials urge anyone who received a from as non-cashable. Potential exists for the secret shopper letter to submit a report to the DHA beneficiary to be personally liable for the entire Program Integrity Office. They can do so online on $3775.00,” the notification stated. the office's web page by clicking the "Report Health Companies and individuals target military personnel Care Fraud” button. and families with scams with such frequency that in 2012, federal and state law enforcement agencies created a database of offenders, called the Repeat Offenders Against Military database. Earlier this year, for example, Tricare beneficiaries were lured by compounding pharmacies and marketers to fill prescriptions for pain creams, ointments and other topical medicines they didn't necessarily need, costing the government nearly $1 billion. The FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and

- 6 - Membership Application and Renewal Form

Silicon Valley Chapter Military Officers Association of America Mail to: SVC-MOAA P.O. Box 2 Moffett Federal Airfield, CA 94035

Membership Application and Renewal Form Date______Enroll Me As: New Member_____Renewing Member_____Aux Member____ Annual Dues: $30.00 $______(Auxiliary – Dues are not charged, donations gratefully accepted) Donations to SVC Fund $______Donations to Scholarship Fund $______Donations to PAWS $______Donation to USO $______(All Donations are Tax Deductible) Total: $______Make checks payable to SVC-MOAA and mail to above address. Please complete all applicable blanks Status: Active___Reserve____ Guard___Retired____Former Officer___ Widow(er)______Are you a National MOAA Member?______When did you join SVC or PROC?______

Name:______/______/___/______/______Last First MI Rank Service

Address:______/______Number Street (P.O. Box, etc.) Apt/Suite

City______State______Zip______/______Spouse’s Name______5 Digit 4 Digit

Phone(____)______E-mail______

SVC Dues are due 1 January and are separate from National MOAA Dues. SVC Dues support the Bulletin and Administrative functions. Luncheons are self-supporting. Dues are not prorated. Donations can be made to the Silicon Valley Chapter’s general fund and/or the various funds listed above. If you are a new chapter member, please advise us how you learned about this chapter. Silicon Valley Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America P.O. Box 2 Moffett Field, CA 94035

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Oct 2015

LOCATION – BILTMORE HOTEL -- 2151 LAURELWOOD RD, SANTA CLARA, CA DIRECTIONS: Going North on Hwy 101: Exit at Montague/San Tomas, then Montague; then Right on Laurelwood. Going South on Hwy 101: Exit at Montague/San Tomas, then Montague, then Right on Laurelwood. ------Cut Here------Cut Here------****LUNCHEON RESERVATION FORM**** Deadline to reach SVC no later than 9 Oct If you have not sent in your reservation form by the above date and still wish to attend, please call Jay Craddock, 650-968-0446

LUNCHEON PRICE - $26.00 Times: Social Hour 11:00 AM, Luncheon 11:45 AM

Please reserve ______places for the 15 Oct Luncheon A TOTAL of $______including a donation of $______for (circle one) Scholarship, PAWS, USO, or undesignated donation

Make checks payable to: PROGRAM CHAIR-SVC

Mailto: LTCJayCraddock, 1448 Fallen Leaf Lane, Los Altos, CA 94024-5809

RESERVE IN THE NAME OF: ______Telephone: ______MENU: Buffet - Two hot entrees with vegetables. Assorted breads and rolls. Desserts. Coffee and tea. NAMES OF PERSONS WHO ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR PAYMENT: