Welcome to the Secretary of the Navy's Retiree Council Website
UPDATED/VERIFIED AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 2025
SECNAVINST 5420.169K is the most current version of the instruction
Per SECNAVINST 5420.169K the Secretary of the Navy Retiree Council (SECNAV's RC) is one of the four elements of the Department of the Navy Retired Activities Program. It was established to consider issues of significant importance to retired military personnel and their family members, to facilitate interaction between Department of Navy leadership and the Navy and Marine Corps retired community, and to facilitate participation in other aspects of the Retired Activities Program. The SECNAV’s RC has the authority to review the effectiveness of current programs and policies affecting retirees. The SECNAV’s RC is also authorized to make recommendations concerning improvements to privileges, benefits, assistance to retirees, quality of life, and any other matters relating to retired personnel to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Military Personnel Policy (DASN/MPP).
All SECNAV’s RC members are issued Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) and DTS travel orders to attend annual meetings in Washington, DC. Council members are assigned to committees (compensation, medical, and outreach/resources) and are required to participate in quarterly teleconferences prior to each annual meeting. At the conclusion of the annual meeting a SECNAV's RC Report is submitted to the DASN with recommendations to the Secretary of the Navy. To be considered for the FY 2026 Council membership (Navy) contact the Navy Retired Activities Program Manager at (901) 874-6969 or send applications to: MILL_RetiredActivities@navy.mil, deadline is 15 Jul 25.
Submissions must include the following information and submitted on a 1 to 2 page MS Office Word document:
1) Per SECNAVINST 5420.169L, I am applying for membership on the Navy and Marine Corps Retiree Council for CY YYY-YYYY;
2) Full Name/City and State Information/Email/Phone Number and address;
3) Retired Rank, Rate, Designator and date of retirement and number of years served;
4) Active/Reserve Duty Summary (especially duties involving the retired community);
5) Current work responsibilities;
6) Active involvement in voluntary services in the community/retired community;
7) Subject matter expertise (compensation, medical, outreach/resources);
8) I understand that assignment to the Council is a four-year commitment, which yearly reappointments. I commit, absent a medical emergency for myself or an immediate family member, to attend in person the annual meeting of the Council each year in Wash DC. I understand that failure to attend the annual meeting in person may result in not being reappointed to the Council for the following year. A statement about willingness to travel to Wash DC for annual Council in person.
9) If I am selected for membership on the Navy and Marine Corps Retiree Council, I understand and fully accept the expectations and responsibilities of: Need to prepare for and participate in quarterly conference calls, to be responsive to communications and discussions within the assigned committees as issues are formulated, vetted, fleshed out or discarded, to prepare issue papers for those issues brought forward to the plenary Council, ready to go before convening (editing and emergent issues done at the Council).
10) Statement that you are willing to support local Retired Activities Office (RAO) and Retirement Appreciation Days.