Military Retirees – The RAO
Today’s Guest Column is from Dave Starr. Dave addresses a subject that is quite important, US Military Retirees living in the Philippines. Let’s read more and see what Dave has to say:
Hi, for those who haven’t met me yet I’m Dave Starr, and American citizen residing in Marilao, Bulacan in central Luzon, very close to Metro Manila. I’ve been living substantially in Asian countries for a big part of the past 20 years and have been a regular visitor to the Philippines for nearly 8 years now. My wife, Mita (who holds both US and Philippine citizenship) was born in Quezon City and has made her home in several other Asian countries as well is being with me in the US for 6 years or so. I’ve also lived in the UK and in Germany, so we are pretty much an international couple. One thing you might be figuring out from that travelogue is that to have lived in all those places I must be old … and I am, a little bit, I’m 62 this year, a bit older than Bob and many of the regular readers here.
One of the things that also sets me apart from many of the Live in the Philippines blog ‘crowd’ is, I’m a US military retiree and also am also retired from the US Civil Service, so I have some unique benefits and even an out and out privilege or two that makes the Philippines a great place to live, for my wife and I.
Several of hose “good things” have come about and are in place today because of the efforts of several unique and dedicated volunteer organizations here in the Philippines known as the RAO (Retired Activities Office). In general these are organizations “of military retirees, for military retirees” but if you aren’t a retiree don’t stop reading just yet … the several RAO’s here in the Philippines offer a number of resources of interest to anyone, even non-US folks, and they also offer some services to non-military US citizens.
The RAO’s were formed years ago, long before the US bases closed, to provide a central point for military retirees who were no longer living on or even near the bases, and who were not directly supported by the US military. Military retirees in general can live anywhere they choose, but even in countries that still host US forces the “official” US military seldom offers much support … in many countries it’s not even allowed by the host country.
When the US bases went away in 1991, several gentlemen grabbed the bull by the horns and moved existing RAO’s off the former US installation (all now Philippine government property) and into rented quarters in surrounding towns. The two largest groups, the Subic bay RAO and the Clark Field (Angeles City) RAO were part of this effort. Both today exist in private rented offices and are supported entirely by membership dues and contributions (The US government does not fund them). There is also an active Manila RAO with offices near the US Embassy (no web site) and there may be others I have missed … is so, let me know and I’ll make note).
One of the greatest assets these groups offer is right there in the links I just mentioned … there is a wealth of information and answers about living here in the Philippines on both web sites. Rental property, homes, schools, medical care, taxes and a lot of other day to day “how it is here” information.
For US citizens and their spouses, the Angeles RAO is the only place I know of in the Philippines where an alien spouse of a US citizen can get an IRS ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). If you marry in the Philippines and your new wife doesn’t have a Social Security number yet (and won’t ever get one, unless she legally travels to the US) you’ll need an ITIN for her if you wish to file jointly. In the past couples could just file with the spouse showing “applied for” but it’s not that way any more. Little things like that are the sorts of services your RAO’s can help with … for any US citizen.
Another thing I feel is very useful to anyone on these websites are lists of medical facilities that are already certified under the military retiree health care program, TRICARE. Of course TRICARE is only for retirees, but a clinic that already deals regularly with US government billing and reporting standards may be a good place to deal with for your own medical care … of course, YMMV.
And of course I gave to mention the RAO’s number one service … this one is restricted to US military and civil service retirees… US mail service. The US government moves mail to the embassy in Manila as part of the embassy mission. Several RAO’s pick up and drop off mail at the embassy and distribute it throughout the Philippines as a service (for a small fee) to retirees. Frankly I have sued my US mail privilege a lot less than I thought I would, (snail mail is dying a pretty rapid death) but it’s still a nice little touch of home to have the messenger drop off a packet of genuine US mail at my door. And at the rate I send “snail mail” back to the US, the roll of stamps I brought with me here ought to last the next 150 years or so … wonder how much a US First class letter will cost by then?
There are quite a few satellite offices of the RAO in the Philippines … and a lot of folks at the main offices who have always been very helpful to me … so if you have a specific question you don’t know the answer to, or wonder if you might be entitled to a particular service, feel free to email either Chief Jim Boyd at the Angles RAO or Chief Chester Gross at Subic (after you’ve looked for the answer on their sites, of coursed) … or I’ll be happy to take questions as well at davestarr (at) gmail (dot) com or on my blog where I cover many of these subjects myself, www.philfaqs.com
Thanks, Dave – Good info for military retirees contemplating the move or having made the move, as well as proving a source of info all can use via those websites. Have used those websites considerably in the past.
While in the Phils last Dec-Jan, I made contact with the RAO in Laoag (Ilocos Norte) and started to “get comfortable” with the process (I’m retired Navy). Was surprised to find out that there are quite a few more retired “kanos” up at the top of Luzon!
Prior to making contact, my list of retired military friends living in the Phils only contained Pinoy names! So, the RAO provides yet another benefit – other kanos willing to share your joys, sorrows, and “Only in the PI” stories. 
Hi Dave – I just wanted to say “thank you” for a great column. We have not had much info on the site specifically geared toward military retirees, so this makes a good start.
Thanks again!!
Hi Dave,
Although I like to think I am pretty self sufficient, it’s nice to have other avenues of assitance when you are in another country. That’s really important when you have to deal with the U.S. government/military bureauacy from the Philippines. Having the RAO available will definitely influence my decision to move to the PI.
Still trying to make up my mind…
Mark
Very good info. I have spoken with Jim Boyd a number of times with questions about medical benifits and Id card renewal. Glad to see the information passed around a little more.
I will be moving to the Philippines myself in amother year or so so any information about this is a help.
Tom
Thanks a lot Dave. I plan to retire from the Air National Guard soon, and I was wondering what military services were available in the Philippines. When we make our move in a few years this information will be very useful. Do you think the U.S. will ever open bases there again? The U.S. is still assisting the Filipino military in an advisory roll against the Abu Sayyaf right?
Joe
Thanks a lot for this info. This is good info since my husband is in the military. We are retiring in the next couple of years or so.
Shirley
What is the phone number and address of the Military RAO in Manila?
Hi George – As far as I know, there is no RAO Office in Manila. The closest would be in Angeles. Their website is here:
http://mozcom.com/~rao_cabr/
Their phone number is (63)- 045 888 2748
I NEED GUIDANCE!!! I am a 61 year old disabled vet currently receiving a VA pension and barely surviving on it here in sunny California. I met a Filipina lady and we probably will be married. I want us to reside in the Philippines. the first thing I want to know is how do vets receive their checks? Do they have direct deposit in a bank in the Philippines or do they use a bank stateside? I need ALL the ins and outs of pulling up stakes and moving there. Like how often do I have to go stateside to retain citizenship? I got a good catch-22 problem, I know that there is medical assistance for only service connected disabilities, which I have, it is for hearing, BUT while undergoing a disc replacement, VA hospital all hell broke loose, damn near died, well now I am csi outpatient. Now that is VA connected, will that fall under “service” connected? and what about my medical supplies and medications for the spinal cord injury?
If anyone can help here is my email address xxxxxxxxx I would be indebted to you.
Editors Note: Rich, I don’t publish people’s e-mail addresses in the comments. Firstly, there is no way that I can verify that this is really your e-mail (some people do nasty things like publish other’s e-mail and then they get bombed with e-mail that they don’t want. Secondly, for the benefit of others reading, it’s good to have answer’s to your questions published here. If you are wanting the answer, there could be hundreds of others who have the same questions.
Hi Rich (but poor)- You are a US citizen for life, no matter if you ever go back or not. You don’t have to worry about that. Even if you wanted to get rid of your US citizenship, it is very hard to do.
I will let others answer your other questions, because I am not a vet, so I don’t have good information on what to say on those questions.
Good luck to you.
Dave [2/19/09]
I just ran across you site. I am the Director of RAO Baguio and editor of the twice monthly RAO Bulletin sent worldwide to over 67,000 vets. Also, the Baguio VITA and Embassy Warden. I saw we were left out of your article on Philippine RAO’s so I thought I would cut you in on ours. Below is our Mission statement. As a veteran you might want to be added to our Bulletin directory. You can check it out at the website I noted above. If so, sent me your email addee do i can asdd you to it. Also, to my PI diretory for passing Embassy Warden notices, recruiter visits, etc,
EMO
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RAO Baguio Mission Statement: Your Retired Activities Office was established on John Hay Air Force Base in 1978 when the U.S. military establishment recognized the need to support their retirees in Baguio. It was and still is a non-funded, non-profit organization manned by volunteers who are concerned for the welfare of their fellow retirees, widows, and dependents. Upon closure of John Hay and subsequently all other bases in the Philippines a few of us decided that this service to retirees must be maintained if we were to continue to live in the area. When the base closed in 1991 we set up operations as usual in town as an Independent RAO and extended our services to all Expats and Filipino citizens. RAOs in Subic and Angeles City did likewise but remain primarily for the benefit of military retirees. Initially our organizations had no official status because all Navy RAOs are supposed to be connected and supported by U.S. military bases. However, through the efforts of the U.S. Embassy and the Subic/Angeles RAO Directors, our government eventually recognized basic services to retirees in this country were needed which DOD was unable to provide. Subic and Baguio RAO became officially recognized by the Navy as an independent RAO’s [independent because Navy policy mandates that RAOs be associated with bases of which we have none] and the Angeles RAO became a recognized Air Force office as a satellite of Hickam AFB, HI. Later the Manila RAO became recognized by the Navy and subsequently the Air Force authorized the establishment of additional satellite offices under the direction of the Retiree Activities Office Angeles to support the smaller outlying military retiree communities. This has resulted in SRAOs being located in Bicol, Cagayan De Oro, Cavite City, Cebu, Iloilo, La Union, Leyete, Laoag City, and Samar. Over the years Baguio’s assistance has expanded to cover all Americans, their dependents, and even expats from other countries on occasion. We support the tenets of the RAO program, follow the guidance of the Department of the Navy OPNAV Instruction 1720.3E, and are pledged to provide assistance to our community as follows:
~ Function as a central information center for the Baguio & La Union communities.
~ Coordinate VA & Tricare medical care in the area.
~ Provide assistance in submitting VA & Tricare claims.
~ Maintain locator files and assist in casualty reporting.
~ Assist veterans, widows, and dependents in obtaining benefits.
~ Advise users of services available via U.S. Embassy, Social Security & VA
~ Assist with pay problems which can not be resolved by the recipient
~ Provide U.S. tax assistance and forms through the VITA program
~ Coordinate blood donation program for veterans and their dependents.
~ Provide information on U.S. Embassy and Immigration requirements for newborns,
marriages, visas, and U.S. citizenship.
~ Provide or assist in obtaining U.S. Government forms
~ Assist with U.S. military recruiting
~ Interface with U.S. Embassy and other RAO’s as necessary to assist local Americans.
~ Assist in providing VA Fee-Basis Care local treatment to disabled veterans in Baguio/LaUnion
~ Assist in DEERS registration and obtaining military ID cards.
~ Coordinate FPO military and AMS civilian mail services for the area.
~ Maintain a Bulletin of veteran information.
~ Provide an answer service via email worldwide to vet queries on policy, benefits, and the RP
~ Provide Internet & FAX communication services for veterans and dependents.
~ Assist local nationals in obtaining U.S. benefits, ITIN numbers, and immigration visas.
~ Assist in Voter registration.
I have been reading the blogs from most US military retirees there in the Philippines and except for a few, a lot of them are very critical about the TRICARE reimbursement system. For some special few who have turned into an Anti-TRICARE Extremist based on the specific demands from TRICARE to provide referential basis for changes in TRICARE policies.
I am also thinking strongly in moving there to retire in a few years but my thought process involves the following priorities:
1. In regards to my medical care, I am aware of the limitations of the health care system there and the gap between them and the TRICARE requirement, therefore being there “on my own” is something I already accept.
2. Preventive health care will be my focus to stay healthy as long as possible. If I end up with a difficult chronic illness such as diabtes, High BP, High Cholesterol and I don’t plan in controlling it, I will not retire there in for some live in an isolated barrio.
This is because I know complications from the chronic illnesses I mentioned will sap my savings there including my quality of life.
3. Defrauding the US gov’t by filing fraudulent medical claims is a no-no for me. I will not even think of it. There is more to life than that.
Sincerely,
Jim Mariano.
Hello all. I am a military retiree living in Manila. There is an RAO in Manila. I dont have the phone number but its located on the corner of Roxas Blvd and Quirno on the side of the Aloha Hotel. Also i noticed that you havent updated your information. Chester Gross passed away about 8months ago and Jim Boyd has taken over for him.
sorry made a mistake on my post…its supposed to be Jim Tyler (not Jim Boyd) who took over for chester
Dave Starr’s Column was informative to militaty retirees livng in the Philippines and RAO in their part helping out with the retiree’s benefits! I too just recently acquired my military benefits and am now trying to figure my TRICARE Standard health benefits. I know Jim Boyd, the RAO director in Angeles, I’ve contacted him numerous times via online concerning military benefits. He is vary knowledgeable and helpful. I would like to see more topics concerning retired military families as how they are doing in using their benefits here in the Philippines!
Art from Sta Rosa, Laguna