NORTH CAROLINA
GySgt Luis Alers
Gunnery Sergeant Luis Alers (Ret.) draws on 22 years in the Marine Corps and responsibility as a gunnery sergeant to uphold the Marine standards of leadership and steadfastness in his professional and personal endeavors, and to open doors and smooth the way for retiring Marines.
As the Retired Affairs Officer for Marine Corps Installations East for more than twelve years, Luis Alers has administered and coordinated the Retired Affairs Program aimed at providing services to retirees and their families, served as the liaison to various veterans organizations for the commanding officer of MCI-East, and as liaison to local, state, and federal elected representatives on issues that affect retirees. Mr. Alers has counselled retirees and their families on casualty assistance for both retired and active duty service members, survivors’ benefits, adjusting to retired life, and issues faced by newly retired personnel.
Mr. Alers also serves as the Installation Retired Activities office coordinator, which requires awareness of proposed legislation and changes in law relating to the Retired Affairs Program, Department of Defense Instruction, and Marine Corps policies and plans. He coordinates and ensures the implementation of laws, policies and procedures governing retirement services for all military retirees, their family members and survivors in the geographic area of responsibility.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mr. Alers has used his free time and personal resources to provide services to homebound veterans. He has also visited nursing/rehabilitation residences to bring American flags and wish military residents a happy birthday and has attended funeral services of service members who have no one to attend their funerals. Mr. Alers authored and distributed a pamphlet to veterans organizations on items needed if someone passes.
Mr. Alers also serves as the Installation Retired Activities office coordinator, which requires awareness of proposed legislation and changes in law relating to the Retired Affairs Program, Department of Defense Instruction, and Marine Corps policies and plans. He coordinates and ensures the implementation of laws, policies and procedures governing retirement services for all military retirees, their family members and survivors in the geographic area of responsibility.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mr. Alers has used his free time and personal resources to provide services to homebound veterans. He has also visited nursing/rehabilitation residences to bring American flags and wish military residents a happy birthday and has attended funeral services of service members who have no one to attend their funerals. Mr. Alers authored and distributed a pamphlet to veterans organizations on items needed if someone passes.
Mr. Alers has authored articles for the Camp Lejeune newspaper, the “Globe,” lectured at pre-retirement seminars, organized vendors and donations for Retiree Appreciation Day, and helped reinvigorate the Military Widows Association without a budget, calling on sponsor and veterans organizations for support and purchasing his own supplies.
The list of Veterans Service Organizations Mr. Alers has been involved with is extensive and includes the Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Loyal Escorts of the Green Garter (auxiliary of Women Marines Association), Wreaths Across America, and Toys for Tots.
Mr. Alers has lived up to the mantra, “leave no one behind.”
Location: Jacksonville, North Carolina
Submitted by: Jou Alers