Retiree Activities Office

Retiree Activities Program

The Retiree Activities Office (RAO) has two locations in the state. You can contact either office that is closest to your location.

The main RAO office is located in Madison, WI 53704, in the Office of The Adjutant General, at 2400 Wright Street, Room 160. The office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 0730-1130, closed on holidays. The phone number is (608) 242-3115, or toll free 1-800-335-5147, ext 3115; DSN number is 724-3115. If you call at a time when the office is closed, please leave a message on our voice mail. Please include your name and phone number and short message. The Madison RAO E-mail address is:

The alternate RAO office is located in Milwaukee, WI 53207, at the 128^th Air Refueling Wing base, at 1836 E. Grange Avenue, in the Wing HQ building (512), Staff Room - #14. The office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1000-1400 hours. Closed on holidays. The phone number is (414) 944-8212. If you call at a time when the office is closed, please leave a message on our voice mail. Please include your name and phone number and short message.
The Milwaukee RAO E-mail address is:

The RAO mission is to act as an interface between the active duty and retired communities, keep retirees and widows of retirees (all ranks and services) informed on matters related to their military status, provide appropriate information and services as necessary including TRICARE, Military ID Cards, Survivor Benefits, Death Reporting and much more. The RAO also maintains a list of toll-free phone numbers, Web sites and e-mail addresses for additional information that can be found on the links below.

Please report any bad Internet links, or bad phone numbers to the RAO.
Use the Internet Links below to find more information:

ID CARD MILITARY/RETIREE SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS & ONLINE NEWS RAO RETIREE NEWSLETTERS
REPORTING DEATH OF SERVICE MEMBER/SPOUSE RETIREE INFORMATION & RESOURCES
SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE TRAVEL & LODGING TRICARE - MEDICARE - VA INFO
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS WI COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE WI NG RETIREE COUNCIL
UPCOMING RETIREE EVENTS

Printable Reference handbooks for Wisconsin National Guard / Reserve Gray Area members and Retirees

ID CARD

ID Card - Issuer Site Locator Click this link
ID Card - Make An Appointment Click this link

MILITARY/RETIREE SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS & ONLINE NEWS

Military/Retiree Support Organizations

Military/Retiree Online News

Air Force

Army

Marine Corps

Navy

Misc

RAO RETIREE NEWSLETTERS

2020 Newsletters

2019 Newsletters

2018 Newsletters

2017 Newsletters

REPORTING DEATH OF SERVICE MEMBER/SPOUSE

Receiving military retired or annuitant pay

Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy
Call Defense Finance Accounting System (DFAS) 800-321-1080 or 216-552-5955, or report on-line at https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/survivors/Retiree-death.html or Google ‘Report death of Military Retiree’
Coast Guard
Call Coast Guard Personnel Center 800-772-8724

Gray Area Retirees/Spouse

Air Force: Call Air Reservce Personnel Center (ARPC) 800-525-0102
Army: Call Army Human Resources Command (AHRC) 888-276-9472
Marine: Call Marine Personnel Center 800-847-1597
Navy: Call Navy Personnel Center 866-827-5672
Coast Guard: Call Coast Guard Personnel Center 800-772-8724

Receiving Federal retired or annuitant pay (Civil Service)

Coast Guard
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 888-767-6738, or report on-line at www.opm.gov/retirement-services/my-annuity-and-benefits/life-events/death/report-of-death or Google ‘Report death of Federal Retired Employee’

RETIREE INFORMATION & RESOURCES

* Please report any broken or bad links you may find to the RAO

Air Force

Army

Coast Guard

Coast Guard

Marine Corps

Marine Corps

Navy

Department of Defense

Veterans Affairs

BX/PX/Commissary

SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE

TRAVEL & LODGING

Installation Lodging

Morale, Welfare & Recreation Sites (MWR)

Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC)

AFVC is a Space Available program offering DOD affiliated personnel affordable Condo vacations at over 3500 resorts around the world.

Space Available Travel

AMC travel Web - For more information on Space-A travel, visit the AMC travel Web

TRICARE – MEDICARE - VA INFORMATION

Military Tricare System

Medicare

VA Health Care Center - Great Lakes, IL

VA Pharmacy - Great Lakes, IL

SPECIAL UPCOMING EVENTS FOR RETIREES

Senior Leadership Update Brief

This will be a great opportunity to receive an update on important current events impacting the Air and Army National Guard. Additionally, you will be receiving two "War Fighter Briefs" from Airmen and Soldiers that recently returned from overseas deployments.

Please RSVP by Clicking This Link
NOTE: Attendance is limited to the Retiree Council, retired O-6’s and above, retired E-9’s and above and retired WO5’s.

Hall of Honor Nominations Information

Each year the Wisconsin Army National Guard conducts our annual Hall of Honor Program. The Hall of Honor is the highest recognition the Adjutant General can bestow upon a former member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

More information, the Regulation, and nomination form are available by contacting the program coordinator, SSG Dana Cowell, via email at or phone 1-800-335-5147 extension 3011.

Please pass this along to someone you know that does not have internet or email. Click here for details to nominate a Wisconsin National Guard Soldier

2019 Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD)

Date: To be Determined, but normally will be in September 2019

Location: Wisconsin Military Academy, Ft McCoy, WI *** Housing and Meals details will be available in the mailing.

Activities: Learn about your retirement, your benefits, and any changes that may affect you.

Meet fellow retirees, and old friends
Know more about your retirement and benefits
Drawings for door prizes
And much more

Registration deadline: To be determined.

WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD RETIREE COUNCIL

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Wisconsin National Guard Retiree Council is to assist the Adjutant General in maintaining a strong National Guard by providing a channel for the interaction between active members, retired members and surviving spouses; to provide a focal point for organizations with concerns of the retired community and the AG's office, and to offer assistance to Army and Air National Guard units in development and maintaining rapport with their local communities.

The Retiree Council, within resources available and in accordance with the regulations and traditions of the Wisconsin National Guard, and the policies of the Adjutant General, assists in maintaining a strong Wisconsin National Guard by:

Supporting legislation pertaining to the Wisconsin National Guard to include liaison with local, state, and national elected and appointed officials.
Support Retiree Activities Offices (RAO) to provide a common source of information for retirees of all branches of service, in accordance with existing regulations.
Sponsor a Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD) periodically, in the odd numbered years, to educate the retired community on their benefits and responsibilities, and provide a forum for retirees to voice their concerns.
Encouraging and promoting membership and support of the Wisconsin National Guard Association (WINGA), and the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association (WNGEA) at the state and national levels.

ORGANIZATION

The Retiree Council currently consists of retired members of the Army and Air National Guard appointed annually by the Adjutant General to conduct scheduled meetings for the purpose of implementing plans to accomplish the above objectives. Additionally, there are honorary members who have served with distinction in the past on the Retiree Council and who wish to continue to be an asset to the council by serving in an advisory capacity.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Retiree Council is as follows:

President (Army or Air, retired officer or NCO)
Vice President
An Army National Guard representative appointed by the commander from each major command authorized in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
An Air National Guard representative appointed by the Wing or Installation commander, from the Milwaukee, Madison and Volk Field areas.
A representative from both the WINGA and the WNGEA who have been selected to represent their respective retired memberships (either Army or Air).
One member appointed to represent each Retiree Activities Office. (Army or Air)
One member appointed to represent the Wisconsin Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (Army or Air).
The President shall have authority to appoint a Secretary, Treasurer, and a Public Affairs representative, to be appointed to the Council for the period of the President's term only. Such members can be ex officio members.
Honorary members (non-voting) as appointed on orders based upon their level of interest and willingness to actively support the Wisconsin National Guard and Retiree Council activities.

The President is appointed by the Adjutant General for a term of two years, and may be reappointed for two additional terms.

SCHEDULED MEETINGS

The Retiree Council meets two times each year, and three times in the year there is a Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD). The Executive Committee, consisting of the President, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and meets prior to the main Retiree Council meeting. Other council members may be invited to attend if there is a need for them to attend.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Anyone wishing to contact the Retiree Activities Offices, or Retiree Council can do so at the following address:

RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICES

The Retiree Council is most supportive of the Retiree Activities Offices (RAO's) that provide extensive resources to assist military retirees with access to information. You are directed to the RAO office listed below for the office closest to your home.

Madison: Joint Force Headquarters Wisconsin
2400 Wright Street, Room 160, Madison, WI 53704-2572
(608) 242-3115, or (800) 335-5147 ext. 3115
Office hours: Tues & Thur from 0730-1130 hours. Except holidays

Milwaukee: 128th ARW Headquarters / Retirees Office
1835 E. Grange Ave. Building 512, Room 14, Milwaukee, WI 53207-6132
(414) 944-8212
Office hours: Tues & Wed from 1000-1400 hours. Except holidays

RETIREE COUNCIL

Madison: Wisconsin National Guard Retiree Council
c/o The Adjutant General Joint Forces Headquarters,
Wisconsin 2400 Wright Street
Madison, WI 53704-2572