Airmen wise to have plan for life

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Parnel Scalambrino
  • 60th Force Support Squadron readiness NCO in charge
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  One of the telltale signs of a military professional is preparation.

As members of the United States Armed Forces, we need to be prepared in a variety of ways for numerous situations 365 days a year. Ultimately, we may have to be prepared to lay our lives down for our country and its freedoms.

Recently, a young Airman did just that. What makes this loss of life more difficult was that he was unprepared. At the time of his death, he hadn't properly identified the beneficiaries of his death gratuity and life insurance.

His Virtual Record of Emergency Data and Service Member's Group Life Insurance were not updated. During a previous opportunity to name someone for his entitlements, he chose by law for the legal matters concerning his death. The by law option wasn't favorable to his true family dynamics.

This Airman was raised in a hostile family environment. His birth father was incarcerated when he was young and his birth mother abandoned him by the age of 6. He was raised by an adopted care giver until his enlistment in the United States Air Force.

Selecting by law on his SGLI gave his birth mother full rights and advantages to all of his pay and life insurance, someone he probably wouldn't have chosen to be the sole beneficiary of his estate. This was an unfortunate set of events for the adopted care giver.
Dealing with the loss of a family member or a friend can be one of life's most difficult challenges. We want to ensure we make it as easy as possible for those affected the most. Be precise when naming someone for entitlements. List names specifically of those you want to have the rights to claim your SGLI, death gratuity and for the rights to your remains. Be prepared.

Become knowledgeable with the regulations and laws concerning death and legal matters where you are stationed. Have an up to date will, power of attorney, advanced directive, SGLI benefit worksheet and vRED completed.

Regularly verify that your address, phone number and contact information are accurate and up to date. This information is critical for the casualty notification team. They will need immediate access to information to contact family members if a situation occurs.

Visit Virtual Military Personnel Flight today and prove yourself as a military professional. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.