The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) was founded in 1963 by two men retired from the Air Force — Master Sergeant George Skonce and Master Sergeant Dean Sorell. These two dedicated retirees realized that they, and their fellow enlisted retirees, had no voice in the corridors of power to stand up for their hard-earned rights and promised benefits.
The men and women of our armed services have willingly sacrificed to serve our nation and protect our freedoms. Almost from the beginning of our nation the people and government of this country have acknowledged the debt we owe to those who have served in uniform.
For years there was an implicit contract between the members of the uniformed services and the government — the nation would care for the health and welfare of those who served (and their families) while on duty and afterward.
Then in 1956, the Dependant Medical Care Act changed health care for military retirees forever with the language: “Medical and dental care in any medical facility of the uniformed services may… be furnished… subject to the availability of space, facilities, and the capabilities of the medical staff, to retired members of the uniformed services.”
From that day until today, medical care for retired military personnel and their families has been in jeopardy.
For almost 50 years, TREA – The Retired ENLISTED Association – has been on the frontlines in Washington, D.C., in the fight to protect and enhance the promised and earned retirement benefits of enlisted personnel who spent their careers in the Armed Forces of the United States.
The Retired Enlisted Association has grown to become one of the most influential organizations working to protect and ensure the health and welfare of all military personnel, especially the ENLISTED retirees.
The simple step of becoming a member of TREA is a tremendous help. In the battle to protect your earned benefits in the halls of Congress, the corridors of the Pentagon, and the offices of the White House, just like in most battles, BIG NUMBERS count.
We have chapters across the country. After joining, a representative from our nearest chapter may contact you and provide additional information on how you can help. You can also get information from TREA’s Legislative Office about pending legislation affecting retirees and take part in our grass-roots lobbying efforts.
Ever since the 1956 Act, pressure to cut back on the cost of military retiree benefits — especially health care — has grown relentlessly. Unless we can remain vigilant on your behalf, there is little to stop that trend from continuing.
The leaders of TREA and our legislative staff in Washington cannot fight alone — we need your help and support. In short, we need you to join TREA and help us help you.
As the most powerful voice for retired enlisted personnel from all branches of service, TREA fights everyday in Washington DC to protect your military retirement benefits. We can only continue to have this kind of clout and influence if retired AND active duty men and women like you join TREA and stay with us for the long haul.
Just as freedom can only be protected through eternal vigilance, so it is with the promised health and welfare benefits of retired military personnel.
For more information or to become a member, visit www.trea.org/About/About.html.