The Veterans' Bulletin Board

COLA set for 1 December
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities will be 2.6 percent, effective 1 Dec. 2001, and payable in the 2 Jan. 2002 check. For those who retired before 1 Dec. 2001, the COLA will be 2.6 percent. For those who retired after 1 Jan. 2001, the COLA will be less than 2.6 percent.
If you are one of those who retired under July 2001 pay scales greater than January pay scales (i.e., if you received a special pay increase in July), you will not get a COLA this year.

For exact figures, contact your Retirement Services Officer (RSO).
Retirees, uniforms and new berets
Since the introduction of the new Army beret, a number of questions have been raised regarding retiree wear of the uniform in general and the beret in particular. This guidance is therefore provided by the Human Resources Directorate of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.

As a retiree, you are authorized to wear the uniform for occasions of ceremony, patriotic events, and other military-related functions. Additionally, if you are an ROTC instructor, you are authorized to wear the uniform with the Cadet Command shoulder sleeve insignia.

You may wear the combat patch on the right shoulder if authorized to do so while in the service. Additionally, you wear the rank at which you retired, and all permanently awarded decorations and badges.

Since you are authorized to wear the uniform, you are also authorized to wear the black beret with the Army flash, since it is now the standard headgear for the Army. The Army flash is the only flash authorized for wear on the black beret.

Unfortunately, the supply of berets with the Army flash is limited, and fielding of the active and reserve components is not expected to be completed until next year. Therefore, the black beret will not be available for purchase in clothing stores until then. Meanwhile, retirees may wear the garrison cap, or the green service (saucer) cap.

Volunteering for recall
The Army Reserve Personnel Command (AR-PERSCOM) reports that almost 5,000 retirees have called 1-800-325-2660 to volunteer for recall since 11 September.

AR-PERSCOM continues to maintain a retiree recall volunteer list and adds retirees who call to the list. Should the need to recall retirees be deemed necessary and approved, retirees who have volunteered need not contact AR-PERSCOM again. They will be notified through official channels of their services are needed for Operation Noble Eagle (homefront) or Enduring Freedom.
Any inquiries/comments regarding the above should be sent to Editor, Army Echoes, HQDA DAPE-RSO, Alexandria, VA 22332-0470. E-mail: Laura.Paul@hoffman.army.mil.
Retirement Services Officer for Utah is located at Ft. Carson, CO.