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 128th 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 CARDMILITARY/RETIREE SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS & ONLINE NEWSRAO RETIREE NEWSLETTERS
REPORTING DEATH OF SERVICE MEMBER/SPOUSERETIREE INFORMATION & RESOURCES
SURVIVOR ASSISTANCETRAVEL & LODGINGTRICARE - MEDICARE - VA INFO
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERSWI COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICEWI NG RETIREE COUNCIL
UPCOMING RETIREE EVENTS
Printable Reference handbooks for Wisconsin National Guard / Reserve Gray Area members and Retirees
- Army National Guard and Reserve Retirement Information Handbook (pdf)
- Wisconsin Air National Guard Retirement Information Handbook (pdf)
- ID Card - Issuer Site Locator Click this link
- ID Card - Make An Appointment Click this link
Military/Retiree Support Organizations
- National Military Support Coalition
- American Legion
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Wisconsin National Guard Officers Association (WINGA)
- Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association (WNGEA)
- Army Echoes - Retiree Newsletter
- Air Force Afterburner - Retiree Newsletter
- Navy Shift Colors - Retiree Newsletter
- Marine MCCS - Retiree Newsletter
- MILITARY PAY DFAS Retiree Newsletter
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Misc
Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs
2019 Newsletters
- RAO Newsletter – #2019-6 – Remarriage Affects a Retiree’s Survivor Benefit Plan coverage
- RAO Newsletter – #2019-5 – APPLICATION NOW ONLINE FOR AIR GUARD RETIREMENT
- RAO Newsletter – #2019-4 – Get to Know Your TRICARE Select Plan
- RAO Newsletter – #2019-3 – TRICARE Health Coverage after Retirement
- RAO Newsletter – #2019-2 – Legislation Introduced for Chiropractic Bill that would Support Guard, Reserve, Retirees
- RAO Newsletter – #2019-1 – Understanding Your TRICARE Explanation of Benefits
2018 Newsletters
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-11 – TRICARE Open Season is Over but Enrollment Still Possible
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-10 – FEDVIP Dental/Vision Plans - How to Choose and Enroll in a FEDVIP Dental or Vision Plan for 2019
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-9 – FEDVIP Dental/Vision Plans - Compare 2019 FEDVIP Dental, Vision Plans Ahead of Open Season
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-8 – TRICARE Beneficiaries Future Options for Vision and Dental Coverage
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-7 – The Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) for Surviving Spouses is now a Permanent Benefit
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-6 – Your myPay Account Information is Available To Go
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-5 – When Can a Retiree Change their Participation in the Survivor Benefit Plan?
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-4 – TRICARE Qualifying Life Events
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-3 – TRICARE coverage for nutritional needs
- RAO Newsletter – #2018-1 – Increases to TRICARE Pharmacy Co-payments in effect 1 Feb
2017 Newsletters
- RAO Newsletter - #2017-4 - TRICARE Improvements in Preventive Care Coverage with TRICARE Select
- RAO Newsletter - #2017-3 - TRICARE Express Scripts Annual Consent for Automatic Prescription Refills
- RAO Newsletter - #2017-2 - New Medicare Cards are on the Way
- RAO Newsletter - #2017-1 - TRICARE Dental Program includes “gray area” retirees
2016 Newsletters
- RAO Newsletter - #2016-6 - TRICARE Expands Coverage for Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure
- RAO Newsletter - #2016-4 - Medicare and TRICARE: How to keep your TRICARE Coverage
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’
* Please report any broken or bad links you may find to the RAO
Air Force
- Air Force
- Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC)
- Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC)
- Air National Guard
- Wisconsin Air National Guard Retirement Information Handbook (pdf)
Army
- Army
- Army Retirement Services
- Army National Guard
- Fort McCoy
- Army National Guard and Reserve Retirement Information Handbook (pdf)
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy
Department of Defense
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Defense Eligibility & Enrollment System (DEERS)
- Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS)
- ID Cards (Military) Site Locator
- National Archives and Records Center - Veterans Records
- My Pay (DFAS)Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Veterans Affairs
BX/PX/Commissary
- Army Survivors Assistance
- Air Force Survivors Assistance
- Navy - Marine Survivors Assistance
- Coast Guard Survivors Assistance
- Military Veterans Survivor Information
- Wisconsin Veterans Survivor Information
- Military Funeral Honors
Installation Lodging
Morale, Welfare & Recreation Sites (MWR)
- Bellows Air Force Station (Waimanalo Bay, Hawaii)
- Fort Sam Houston Recreation Area (Canyon Lake, Texas)
- Killauea Military Camp (Big Island Hawaii)
- Hale Koa Hotel (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- Rocky Mountain Blue (Keystone Resort, Colorado)
- Dragon Hill Lodge (Seoul, Korea)
- Edelweiss Lodge & Resort (Garmisch–Partenkirchen, Germany)
- Shades of Green (Disney World, Florida)
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 Plans
- TRICARE SMART Site
- Allowable Charges
- Delta Dental Program
- Formulary Skin Care Research
- Mail Order Scripts Express Pharmacy
- Tricare Pharmacy Information
- My Tricare Claims North Region
- Tricare For Life Information
VA Health Care Center - Great Lakes, IL
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.
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