Military Officers Association of America   

Southern Maine Chapter Newsletter

  July 2007

Vol 23  No. 3

Since the deployments of the Maine National Guard began, men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan thought they were putting their deployments behind them.  For many, however, the deployment wasn’t left behind; it continues to shadow their lives.

As the result of a recent collaboration between the Community Counseling Center, the University of Southern Maine, and the Maine National Guard, returning veterans were surveyed to determine the readjustment issues they faced.  Not surprisingly, about 30 percent reported readjustment difficulties with 13-14 percent falling into the clinical category of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  While these numbers did not surprise us, they confirmed what we had suspected: battles leave scars both physically and emotionally.

To deal with these issues, Chaplain Andy Gibson began meeting with representatives of the Veterans Administration, Vet Centers and community-based mental health professionals to coordinate a program to help our men and women deal with stress and stress related issues.  The idea was to assist them in adjusting from deployments and thus the names of the program became the Military Adjustment Program or MAP.

The typical MAP training session consists of three parts: training on stress and stress management; instruction by mental health professionals on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and; small group sessions in which groups of 6-10 veterans talk together, as a group, about stresses they are dealing with, facilitated by a MAP team member.  The goal of the MAP training is to help veterans gain

Our May speaker was no stranger to many of our members in attendance at the May Quarterly Luncheon held at the Portland Country Club, especially those members who are enrolled in the US Family Health Plan (USFHP) at Martin’s Point.  Dr. David H. Howes, has been the President and CEO of Martin’s Point Health Care for the past 4 years, overseeing a rapid period of growth for Martin’s Point.  As of May, there were over 25,500 members enrolled in four states (780 new members  in the first four months of 2007 alone).    

Dr. Howes stated that Martin’s Point consists of three health care centers in Portland and Brunswick, ME, and Portsmouth, NH.  It is a broad network consisting of 15,000 Primary Care Physicians, 3,500 specialists, and over 400 employees using leading edge information technology.  The role of Martin’s Point is to deliver care through the US Family Health Plan.  They have incorporated new techniques learned from advances in military health care on the battlefield (Iraq and Afghanistan).  The key objectives of health care include processes that are patient-centered, safe, efficient, and effective.  Their delivery systems use the highest standards of quality, which are applied consistently.  Customer service is a priority and is continually improving.  From surveys Martin’s Point has learned that beneficiaries are satisfied with their health care experiences.

Dr. Howes illustrated one of the key improvements currently underway at Martin’s Point, the shift from written medical records to electronic records for active duty and retired military personnel and their families.  The challenging transition is designed to ensure patient safety.  The new system produces legible, efficient, accurate, complete and interoperable and private records.

Dr. Howes stressed that Martin’s Point is a patient-focused health care organization.  Patient advocacy issues are addressed by on-site personnel who strive to solve problems as quickly and efficiently as possible.  They employ a number of military outreach specialists who work to educate members on the benefits and available opportunities found within the USFHP system.  They offer coordinators to assist members find the network specialists who can address a patient’s medical problem(s).

Our featured speaker for the August Breakfast at the Woodlands Club will be CAPT James E. Rendon, the new Commander, Sector Northern New England, based in South Portland, Maine.  This will be an excellent opportunity to meet Jim in person and welcome him and his family into our community.  Be sure to mark your calendars and return your reservation form today!

CAPT Rendon assumed command of Sector Northern New England in June 2007.  He is a surface operations specialist with a diverse list of assignments over his 24-year Coast Guard career.  Most recently he served as Chief of Response, Fifth Coast Guard District, in Portsmouth, VA, where he managed multi-mission response operations along the coast and inland waterways of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. 

CAPT Rendon is a cutterman with afloat tours as Deck Watch Officer aboard DURABLE, a 210-foot cutter home-ported in Brownsville, TX; Executive Officer aboard the Patrol Boat OCRACOKE, in Roosevelt Roads, PR; and Commanding Officer of the Surface Effect Ship PETREL, in Key West, FL. His operational ashore assignments consist of staff-adviser, Seventh Coast Guard District Intelligence and Law Enforcement Branch in Miami, FL, Operations Officer, Group Key West, as well as Commander, Coast Guard Group Mayport, FL.

Southern Maine Chapter, MOAA, has been supporting the Maine National Guard Family Readiness Program for a number of years.   Now in its seventh year, the Youth Camp specifically developed for Maine National Guard children, will run two one-week sessions during August.  The goal, as always, is to provide children of the Maine Air and Army Guard with an enjoyable and exciting outdoor experience.  During their week at camp, kids meet other kids in the same age group and share experiences.  They build strong friendships that will support them during family deployments.  The camp focuses on patriotism, leadership, confidence building, self-esteem development, crafts, outdoor activities, water sports, etc.  The camp has proved to be a true gift to the families of Maine National members in our state.  The first priority is to send those children whose parent is currently deployed.

The US Family Health Plan (USFHP) of Martin's Point held its quarterly Military Advisory Council meeting on June 12, 2007.  The Southern Maine Chapter, MOAA, was represented by Col Douglas Scott and Maj Vaughn Twaddel.  The meeting was led by Col Bill Hall, our Chapter 2nd Vice President, assisted by other Martin’s Point staff. 

Bill Hall presented an update of Generations Advantage, the new Medicare program for seniors NOT eligible for US Family Health Plan (USFHP) and TRICARE.  Martin’s Point will expand availability of this program beyond the original six counties to eight counties in Maine.

Dan Wasneechak of Martin’s Point gave an update of the work of the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care.  This task force was authorized by Congress in the FY07 authorization bill in response to the Department of Defense’s legislative proposals to raise fees and co-payments for military retirees.  The Defense Department’s legislative proposals were not accepted by Congress for either FY07 or FY08.  Congress created the task force to study this issue.  With regard to the issue on fees, the task force, in its interim report, made two recommendations:

     1.  Increase beneficiary cost sharing to a level below that of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan or of “generous private-sector plans” but at or below the level in effect on 1996.

     2.  Phase in cost-sharing increases over three to five years.  Congress might want to consider a one-time increase in military retired pay to offset part or all of the increase.

The task force also recommended that enrollment fees, deductibles, and co-payments should be tiered to account for differences on retiree’s pay grades.  The task force intends to continue meeting through the summer and into the fall, approximately twice a month.  The final report will be issued in December.

Bill Hall announced that the Martin’s Point Pharmacy will conduct a survey this August on customer satisfaction with the pharmacy.  He also mentioned that the network expansion continues in all areas of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and upstate New York.  Overall membership is up by over 1000 members in the first five months of this year.  Dan Wasneechak noted that Martin’s Point is now the largest of the original six USFHP sites in the country and that contract renewal with the Department of Defense was imminent.

The first Annual Military Scholarship Golf Classic will be held at Sable Oaks Golf Club in South Portland, Maine, at 0700 on Thursday, September 13, 2007. 

The tournament proceeds will be used as seed money for a scholarship program being established by the Southern Maine Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.  Martin’s Point Health Care will be the tournament’s primary sponsor.  The tournament will be a four-person scramble format with shotgun start at 0800.  There will be a buffet lunch and awards ceremony immediately following the tournament.  Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third-place teams, as well as longest drive and closest-to-the-pin for both ladies and men.

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stress coping skills, to discover that fellow veterans are dealing with many of the same issues, and to find out where to get support or counseling should they need it.

As the program matured, we looked for opportunities to improve the process and have added a significant component to MAP, one-on-one counseling.

The idea here is to require each returnee to see a trained counselor, providing an opportunity for that individual to share any difficulties they may be experiencing and to get linked up with follow-on care should it be appropriate.  The mandatory one-on-one counseling is designed to keep “stigma” from being a factor in a returning veteran getting whatever mental health care might be in order.  The thought process was, if everybody “has to” see a mental health professional as part of the mandatory MAP process, it is less likely that peer pressure or stigma will be a factor in keeping them from seeking help.

The men and women of the Maine National Guard are its most important asset.  They have endured amazing sacrifices for their country and the very least we can do is to ensure that they get whatever assistance they need in their readjustment back into civilian life.

The Military Adjustment Program, to include one-on-one counseling, is the start of that readjustment process.

Outreach and education are vital services for Martin’s Point, beginning with new member orientations.  Newsletters highlight new services, changes, and programs available to USFHP members.  Martin’s Point is working to build relationships with the Reserve community (National Guard Family Program, Marine Reserve, etc.).  New efforts include outreach education, weight control programs, disease management programs, patient care coordination, referral management, health coaching, and group visits.

This year has been designated the “Year of the Military Family” by USFHP.  Special events have been planned to honor veterans as well as others who serve veterans and their families.  Martin’s Point has a number of community outreach programs designed to support and partner with the military community.

Dr. Howes described the annual survey administered to a sample of USFHP members conducted by the Myers Group.  Questions were based on consumer assessment of health care providers and systems offered by USFHP.  The survey measured member satisfaction with health care, personal doctors, and specialists.  It focused on getting needed care, and how quickly; doctor communications; courtesy of office staff and customer service; and claims handling.  They also addressed flu shots and smoking cessation programs.

The survey reflected a 99th percentile satisfaction with customer service; getting needed care (90%); getting care quickly (93%); how well doctors communicate (96%); courteous and helpful office staff (99%); customer service (87%); claims processing (96%); rating a personal doctor (85%); rating a specialist (87%); rating of health care (90%); flu shots (55%); advising smokers to quit (84%); smoking cessation-medication (54%); smoking cessation-strategies (65%).

Dr. Howes summarized that safety, quality, service and satisfaction are critical to health care.  The USFHP is transforming the Military Health System by providing safe and effective patient care; strong customer service; and the highest levels of satisfaction in the country.

Jim served as Aide de Camp to the 20th Commandant of the Coast Guard.  He also completed a Congressional Fellowship in our Nation’s Capitol, where he worked for the House of Representatives, Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, followed by a 2-year assignment as Drug Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the House.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (5), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (3), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and a variety of other unit awards and service ribbons.  He is authorized to wear the Cutterman’s Insignia and the Boat Force Operations Insignia.

A graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1983, CAPT Rendon holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois.  He also completed study at the National War College, Class of 2005, where he earned a Master’s Degree in National Security Strategy.

CAPT Rendon is one of four family member officers in the Coast Guard.  He is married to the former Felicitas Trevino of Rockville, Maryland.  They have two daughters, Kristina Marie and Katherine Nicole.

Please fill out the Reservations Form to make your reservations for the luncheon.

Our youth need this kind of healthful activity in a time of uncertainty such as this.  The National Guard provides facilities and staffing.  Funds for food, T-shirts, and supplies are raised through donations from Maine companies, organizations like our Chapter, and generous individuals.  The Southern Maine Chapter donated $500 this year to support the camp.  Many of our members also have generously donated.  Any donation that you could make would be greatly appreciated.  Checks may be sent to:

On 21 June LD 529, “An Act to Encourage Newly Retired Veterans to Reside in Maine," was left to die in the State Senate.  It had been solidly supported by the Taxation Committee and in the House.  LD 529 is the last in a long series of initiatives by Maine Veterans to provide tax relief for those receiving military retired pay and to provide an incentive to attract military retirees to Maine.  The decision facing the Military Coalition and our MOAA Chapter is whether to continue to pursue this initiative.

These efforts started long before the Military Coalition came into being in 2001 and its initial legislation LD 1010, “An Act to Exempt Military Retired Pensions from State Income Tax.”  LD 1010 did not pass and LD 972 and now LD 529 suffered a similar fate.  There are many reasons for yet another unsuccessful effort of your MOAA Chapter members, working in conjunction with the Maine Military Coalition, to get passage of this legislation.  The next several months will provide an opportunity to reflect on them.

One constant during all of this time has been the hard work of so many members of the Military Coalition and the principal sponsors of our Bills and the apparent support from many of the leaders of the State Legislature.  Representatives Jane Eberle and Thomas Watson were our principal sponsors of the last two Bills.  We owe them a debt of gratitude for their leadership and extensive work on our behalf.  Their legislative skill and total support of our efforts brought us very close to winning approval. 

We also have many members of the Military Coalition to thank for their years of effort to make Maine a more attractive place for Military Retirees to live.  The work of COL Ed Chase of the Pine Tree MOAA Chapter was a pioneering effort.  And the relentless pursuit by 1LT Jack Berman to insure continuous communications with the military community and the key legislators has been a truly professional and outstanding effort.

With the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station this was the year to approve this legislation.  LD 529 wouldn’t give all that we had hoped to achieve when we introduced LD 1010, but it fit a specific need that was doable if the will existed in the State.  The testimony by retiring Navy personnel at the committee hearings as to the importance of this legislation to their retirement location plans was loud and clear.

The reasons to attract retired military personnel to the State of Maine are many.  Our message was not persuasive enough.  We have also heard our Governor and Legislators talk about support for our troops.  A tangible step, beyond hollow words, could have been taken with passage of LD 529 during this session of the legislature.  But it wasn’t.

We can quit at this point or press on and build on the work that has been done in the past…that is a decision to ponder as we prepare for the next session of the legislature. 

Automobiles from Lexus of Portland and Bill Dodge Auto Group will be the prizes for anyone fortunate enough to score a hole-in-one on designated holes.  Entry fee is $200 per four-person team ($50 per player).  Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available, as shown in the registration form.  This is a great opportunity to show your support and promote your company.  Cut-off for registration is August 31, 2007.

In Memoriam

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