U.S Army “Retiree Appreciation Days” Season is Upon Us
By Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.)
U.S. Army Retiree Appreciation Days (RADs) are annual events hosted by Army installations around the world to keep retired service members, surviving spouses, and their families informed about military benefits and updates.
Location of RADs events:
- 29 August, Saturday at JB Ellington, Houston, TX RAD
- 31 August, Monday at USAG Stuttgart, Germany RAD
- 3 September, Thursday at USAG Bavaria (Grafenwoehr), RAD
- 10 September, Thursday at Fort Leonard Wood, MO RAD and at USAG-Rheinland-Pfalz/Ramstein, Germany, RAD
- 11 September, Friday at Fort Leonard Wood, MO RAD and Fort McCoy, WI RAD
- 12 September, Saturday at JBSA-Randolph, TX RAD and Joint RAD Welch, MN
- 15 September, Tuesday at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD RAD and USAG Italy RAD
- 16 September, Wednesday at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD RAD
- 17 September, Thursday at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD RAD, Fort Sill, OK RAD, Rinehart Fitness Center and JB Myer-Henderson, VA RAD
- 18 September, Friday at Fort Sill, OK RAD and Rinehart Fitness Center and Fort Hood, TX RAD and USAG-Benelux-Brunssum (Netherlands) RAD
- 19 September, Saturday at Fort Hood, TX RAD, Camp Humphreys, Korea RAD Camp Humphreys Morning Calm Center, Fort Campbell, KY, Selfridge, Air National Guard, MI, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Harrison Township, MI 48045, USA and USAG Benelux-SHAPE RAD
- 23 September, Wednesday at USAG Ansbach, Germany RAD
- 25 September, Friday at Rock Island, IL RAD
- 26 September, Saturday at Fort Drum, NY RAD, Clark Hall, 10720 Mt Belvedere Blvd, Fort Drum, NY 13602, USA and Fort Lee, VA RAD
- 27 September, Sunday at JB Langley-Eustis, VA RAD3 October, Saturday at USAG-Wiesbaden, Germany RAD
- 8 October, Thursday at Fort Bliss, TX RAD
- 9 October, Friday at Fort Bliss, TX RAD
Key Services & Activities Offered
- Healthcare & Medical: On-site vaccinations (e.g., annual flu shots), health screenings, and medical record/enrollment updates.
- Benefits & Information Briefings: Updates on TRICARE (for Life and Under 65), FEDVIP (dental and vision), VA claims/eligibility, and DFAS pay updates.
- Legal Assistance: Assistance with powers of attorney, estate planning, wills, and general legal advice.
- ID Card & Personnel Services: Renewal of Uniformed Services ID cards (USID/CAC) and DEERS updates.
- MWR & Social Events: Golf scrambles, breakfasts or lunches, guest speakers, static equipment displays, and access to Post Exchange (PX) and Commissary sales.
Attendance & Scheduling Information
- Who Can Attend: Army retirees, retired members of other military branches, surviving spouses, and eligible family members.
- Event Schedules: RADs are scheduled independently by each Army garrison—typically during the spring, summer, or fall months.
- Finding Local Dates: Exact dates and schedules are published on individual installation websites (under Retirement Services Office / RSO), garrison social media pages, and the official Army Retirement Services Program Office portal.
©2026 Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army. All rights reserved.
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