THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 10, 1995 TAG: 9505100457
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICHARD GRIMES, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Q. If service members are convicted of murder or malicious wounding, will they be allowed to rejoin the service after they've served their time? Are they paid while they're in jail?
A. Public affairs officers love it when you call with these kind of questions. If service members are convicted of murder or malicious wounding, it is unlikely they will be allowed to rejoin the service.
If the service person is convicted in a military trial, a dishonorable discharge is usually included in the sentence. The military does not allow dishonorably discharged members return to service.
If a civilian court finds the service member guilty, the military again generally doles out a dishonorable discharge and the service member is out of luck.
As for the pay question, the Uniform Code of Military Justice does, in a small percentage of cases, allow the guilty service members to continue being paid while they are in jail. The Defense Department is even now introducing legislation to Congress to close this loophole.
The courts are doing their part in the meantime. Michael Fricke, a local Navy officer, pleaded guilty to charges he had hired someone to kill his wife. As part of Fricke's sentence, the military judge ordered him to forfeit all pay and allowances. In addition, he handed Fricke a discharge. However, Fricke was allowed to keep his base pay of $3,700 while his case is being reviewed.
The judge went even further. Fricke had collected $100,000 from an insurance policy taken out on his wife. The judge ordered Fricke to pay a fine of $100,000. He was then given the option of putting the $100,000 in a trust fund for his young son.
Q. I know you lose your CHAMPUS benefits at 65, but can you continue to get prescriptions filled?
A. Yes. The Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and its branch offices fill prescriptions for retirees that have been written by civilian doctors. In fact, their senior citizen prescription program is one of the most popular. For more information on the program, contact Tricare at 677-6000.
Q. Why do retired military have to go to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to get a hearing aid?
A. Due to the number of patients at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, retired patients needing hearing aids are sent to Walter Reed in Washington D.C., which has the resources to properly treat these patients.
If you have a question for their ear, nose and throat specialists, you can reach them at (202)782-6638. If you need the central number for Walter Reed, it's (703)545-6700. MEMO: Hot Line runs every other week. To submit your questions, see the
INFOLINE box at left.
by CNB