fromthechairman Passing the Torch I

MOAA bids a fond farewell to outgoing president Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), and extends a warm welcome to new president Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret).

In any organization, change is in- evitable — and at the same time, rarely easy. As we step off into 2016 with a new president and CEO in place at our national headquarters, a signifi cant change for any organization for sure, MOAA’s day-to-day mission remains unchanged: to continue our never-ending fi ght for the brave men and women, and their families, who serve and have served our great nation. Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN

(Ret), has manned MOAA’s helm for 13 years, leading our organization through truly transformational changes — from what many of you may remember as The Retired Offi cers Association to the far-more-impact- ful MOAA of today. Norb transitions Jan. 4. Given the dozens upon dozens of major organizational successes and legislative wins he’s notched over the years, it’s almost impossible to thank Norb and his wife, Judy, for their years of servant leadership to our military community. Let it only be said the Ryans’ impact on the community will be felt for generations to come. We have truly been blessed and are thankful for his decision, 13 years ago, to “never stop serving.” At the same time, we are pleased to wel- come MOAA’s new president, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, and his wife, Laura. Since his 2012 retirement from the Air Force, Dana has served as president of Chronicle Media, a large communications company in Augusta, Ga. His last military assignment was as commander of Alaskan Command. We are delighted to have some-

one with Dana’s leadership ability and business experience to pick up the reins. As turbulent as 2015 was for the troops,

2016 promises to be even more so, with fi scal uncertainty driving proposals for cutbacks in personnel programs to fund modernization and readiness. Some mem- bers of Congress already have proposed initiatives shifting more medical costs to benefi ciaries — to you. In a July 2015 speech, Senate Armed Services Person- nel Subcommittee Chair Lindsey Graham said, “The retired TRICARE community is going to have to increase over time the amount they pay to make it sustainable.” Some — including DoD — likely will continue eff orts to modify existing sys- tems and hike benefi ciary fees. Others may push to eliminate TRICARE and substitute a federal employee-like health plan. With no end to the bad ideas being generated, MOAA has its work cut out for it; every member must remain engaged to maximize our grassroots potential and shape policy discussions on the Hill. MOAA remains fi rm both in our commit- ment to sustaining a strong national defense and in our belief that sustaining a top-quali- ty all-volunteer force is key to doing so. Like our outgoing president, and like so many of you, we will never stop serving.

— Gen. Charles T. Robertson Jr., USAF (Ret)

online: Find MOAA at www.moaa.org, www.moaa.org/facebook, and www.moaa.org/twitter. 12 MILITARY OFFICER JANUARY 2016

PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT