Retiree office rife with knowledge

Published July 19, 2012
By Master Sgt. Genevieve Sills
Space Innovation and Development Center

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Retiree Activities Office in the mission support facility, Building 350, is a small office that may go unnoticed. Upon further inspection, though, the office is teeming with years of experience and knowledge.

It is up to the people inside to keep in contact with bases around the globe regarding retiree affairs. Their knowledge is evident through the information crammed into every nook and cranny of space. The office is staffed by two former senior NCOs. They are but two of the more than 17,000 military retirees who now call the Colorado Springs area home.

Several weeks ago, I visited the office to meet the retirees who run it to find out what kind of support they provide fellow retirees in the area. Retired Sgt. Maj. Thaddeus Gembczynski and retired Senior Master Sgt. Micky Morris were manning the office that day.

These two retirees stay active in the community by directing others toward information and agencies that will help them. The help requested might be casualty assistance, ways to get involved in activities on and off base, ID cards and other programs.

Gembczynski and Morris take extra care when individuals are suffering the loss of a loved one. In a family member's time of need, the Retiree Activities Office will help guide family members to all the proper avenues and assistance offered by the military. Air Force Instruction 36-3106, Retirees Activities Program, governs the program. The AFI was originally established to address needs of retirees from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Morris and Gembczynski attend Retiree Activities Council meetings once a month, which enables them to get the latest word on happenings on Peterson, the Air Force Academy and the hospital. At the council meetings, there are also representatives from the Veterans Affairs Office, Delta Dental and TRICARE for life, local and state government, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and an Army liaison.

The office also helps retirees find assistance if they need help with any issues. If you would like to contact the Retiree Activities Office on Peterson AFB, call 556-7153.

The Peterson retiree office serves more than 49,000 retirees and their family members in the Pikes Peak region. The 21st Space Wing is hosting the Pikes Peak area retiree appreciation fair from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. July 28 at The Club. Activities include information booths, TRICARE changes, benefits and mission briefs, local happenings and more. There will also be a military working dog demonstration, music by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band Wild Blue Country and a free lunch. For information, call Senior Master Sgt. Lucinda Yslas at 556-7799.