**FACTS:**
On August 10, 2024, the Pentagon announced a significant policy change regarding Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) eligibility. This change affects reserve component service members who are separating from active duty. The new policy removes the requirement for these members to prove that their active duty was “substantively connected” to a war, contingency operation, or national emergency.
**SITUATION:**
The previous policy, which had been in place for years, required reservists’ active duty orders to be coded in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) as “in support of a contingency operation” to qualify for TAMP. This meant that many reserve component service members who served for more than 30 days during a national emergency but were not involved in traditional war or contingency operations were denied TAMP benefits.
This policy was challenged in a class-action lawsuit filed by National Guard and Reserve service members, who argued that the Pentagon’s requirement was not authorized by law. The lawsuit was led by Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Gontarz, who claimed that Congressional intent was to provide TAMP coverage to all reserve component service members who serve more than 30 days during a national emergency, regardless of the nature of their active duty.
**IMPACT:**
The change, which went into effect immediately, is expected to impact thousands of current and former National Guard and Reserve members and their families. According to the Pentagon, more than 160,000 reserve component members were authorized to serve on active duty for operational support and in support of the reserve components in fiscal 2026 alone. The new policy allows these service members to receive TAMP benefits without having to prove that their active duty was connected to a war or national emergency.
**FAQ:**
**Q: What is the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)?**
A: TAMP is a program that provides eligible service members and their families with 180 days of premium-free medical and dental coverage after their active-duty orders end. The program is designed to help troops maintain their health care coverage as they transition back to civilian life.
**Q: What was the previous policy regarding TAMP eligibility?**
A: The previous policy required reservists to demonstrate that their active duty service was “substantively connected in some way to a war, a contingency operation or a national emergency” to qualify for TAMP. This policy was challenged in a class-action lawsuit.
**Q: What is the new policy regarding TAMP eligibility?**
A: The new policy removes the requirement for reservists to demonstrate that their active duty service was connected to a war or national emergency. Instead, reserve component service members who serve more than 30 days during a national emergency are now eligible for TAMP benefits.
**Q: How can service members request reimbursement for health care-related costs?**
A: Service members who were denied TAMP benefits on or after April 24, 2020, can request reimbursement through the Defense Health Agency.
**CONCLUSION:**
The Pentagon’s policy change regarding TAMP eligibility is a significant victory for reserve component service members who have been denied benefits in the past. The new policy aligns with Congressional intent and ensures that all reserve component service members who serve during a national emergency are eligible for TAMP benefits. This change will provide much-needed health care coverage to thousands of service members and their families as they transition back to civilian life.
