Base retiree activities offices worldwide need volunteers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Matthew McGovern
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
Retiree activities office members currently need volunteers at 109 offices at active-duty, Reserve and Guard bases around the world.

"All of the retiree activities offices are suffering for a new group of people to volunteer because the core of (current volunteers) are getting sick, getting older and passing away," said Patricia Peek, the chief of retirees services. "None of the retiree activities offices have a surplus of people; we need their time, their efforts and their talents at these offices."

Volunteer opportunities for retired military and their family members occur in several areas, depending on the base. Most bases have openings in areas like the hospital, clinic and pharmacy administration sections; thrift shops; legal offices; family support centers and the retiree activities office itself.

Retired Master Sgt. Joseph Rowan has volunteered at the retiree activities office at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for more than 25 years.

"If I didn't like it, I wouldn't be here as long as I have," Sergeant Rowan said. "Giving back to the Air Force by helping others and showing people where they can give back, is what's enjoyable about volunteering."

Retiree activities office volunteers assist retirees with several actions including: serving as an information center for space-available travel, Tricare and base services; offering referrals for financial assistance and pay matters; counseling active-duty Airmen nearing retirement; and providing literature on retirement issues.

"Anybody can be beneficial to a retiree activities office, it mainly takes the right attitude and the right feeling about retirees," said retired Lt. Gen.  Steven R. Polk, the co-chairman of the Air Force Retiree Council.

During a recent retiree activities office area meeting, General Polk said he had an opportunity to witness the dedicated people working as retiree activities office volunteers and was impressed with their enthusiasm, he hopes it's contagious.

"I think it's important for each of us individually to stay engaged; (after retirement) to keep our mind working and to stay busy; volunteering is one way we can do that later in life," the general said.

"We've all benefited from our time on active duty, and we've benefited from the training and education that were provided. During that phase of life where you do have some time to give back volunteering, it can be very rewarding to do that," he said.

"This is the Year of the Air Force Family and that family includes not only our active duty, but it includes our civil service, our contractors, our family members and it includes our retirees. So the motto of the retirees is 'still serving,' so where a base needs help, it's important for volunteers to provide that help."

For more retiree activities office information and locations near you, visit http://www.retirees.af.mil/raos/