Continue to serve: RAO office seeks new director

by Staff Sgt. Nesha Humes Stanton
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
James Montgomery waves for the camera during the Retiree Appreciation Day event Oct. 13, 2015, on Ramstein. The event provided retirees an opportunity to connect with other veterans and current service members as they learn more about how the Air Force functions today. — Photo by Lane Plummer

The Kaiserslautern Military Community is seeking a volunteer director for the Retiree Activities Office, the volunteer-based organization that supports retirees, active-duty members, and spouses throughout the KMC.

Col. Joseph Wenckus, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, said the community needs an energetic, retired senior noncommissioned officer or officer to be the next director.

“Part of why our KMC community is so successful is because of our wonderful retiree community,” said Wenckus. “Our overseas retirees are ambassadors and represent our nation well. Now we need someone to represent them as the RAO director. If you have the time and you feel the calling to serve one more time, now is the time to step up!”

As a liaison between the retiree population and the commander, the RAO helps address issues within the retiree community as well as host outreach days and seminars.

The seminars include information on how to retire in Germany, how to navigate Veteran’s Affairs benefits and Tricare while being retired in Germany, and how to obtain information for a surviving spouse.

“We are able to provide the programs we have in place because of the support of our retiree community,” Wenckus said. “We need your support to keep this community thriving.”

For more information on this position or to apply, please contact current director SMSgt (ret.) Luis De Andrade at luis.deandrande@us.af.mil or dial DSN: 480-5486. De Andrade will soon leave the position after serving for four dedicated years.