By Matt Bookwalter
Photo editor
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Sitting around a large table, and in seats lining the walls of the commissary conference room is an influential collection of Fort Belvoir’s community, The Retiree Council.

The 18-member committee is the eyes and ears for the garrison commander, when it comes to matters concerning benefits for active-duty Family members and retirees.

“We act as the interface between the retired and the post commander,” said retired Lt. Col. Gerald Musarra, the council’s chairman. “We’re not here to light the world on fire, but there are always things to do.”

The council meets every other month to discuss the state of the post and its facilities. Representatives from around the base, as well as the local community, normally attend to give input and take feedback.

“We have 18 members in the council,” Musarra said. “I also invite outside guests from around the post and from Fairfax County to attend our meetings. When we get input from different sources in the community, we can really take that into account to make a difference.”

The Retiree Council helps make sure support groups, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Facilities, and other benefits, stay open to active-duty Family members and the retired community.

“We know what it’s like to live the active-duty life,” said Musarra. “We never leave out the Families. The military is a Family profession. We know that no Soldier will have a full career without Family support.”

Because the council is made up from the retired community, they’re able to spend more time on making sure these benefits stay in place.

“Active-duty members have their own work,” said Matt Daily, vice chairman of the retiree council. “They shouldn’t worry about keeping facilities open. That’s a retiree responsibility.”

Fort Belvoir isn’t the only post with a retiree council, every Army installation is required to provide one.

“We don’t do it because we’re mandated to,” said Musarra. “We do it because we want to take care of Soldiers and their Families.”

Our main focus is to get the word out to retirees and Family members, what’s available to them through communication, Daily added.

To learn more about the Retiree Council, contact Musarra at (703) 768-9402.