DoD Announces Implementation of Traumatic Injury Protection
November 30, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the implementation of traumatic injury protection insurance under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program as enacted by section 1032 of Public Law 109-13.

The program, which will be known as TSGLI, is designed to provide financial assistance to service members during their recovery period from a serious traumatic injury.

On Dec. 1, all members eligible for SGLI will become insured for traumatic injury protection of up to $100,000 unless they decline SGLI coverage. A flat monthly premium of $1.00 will be added to the monthly SGLI deduction, regardless of the amount of SGLI coverage that the member has elected effective Dec. 1.

TSGLI is not disability compensation and has no effect on entitlement for compensation and pension benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs or disability benefits provided by the Department of Defense. It is an insurance product similar to commercial dismemberment policies.

TSGLI provides money for a loss due to a specific traumatic event while disability compensation is intended to provide ongoing financial support to make up for the loss in income-earning potential due to service-connected injuries.

The retroactive provision of PL 109-13 provides that any service member, who suffers a qualifying loss between Oct. 7, 2001, and Dec. 1, 2005, will receive a benefit under the TSGLI program if the loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Department of Defense developed this program in close coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will closely monitor implementation with the services and make necessary adjustments if required.

For more information, service members should contact their individual service. Points of contact for service members are: Jeanette Mendy at (800) 237-1336 or [email protected] for Army; Thomas Perry at (210) 565-3310 or 2410 or [email protected] for Air Force; MCPO Ralph Gallaugher at (800) 368-3202 or [email protected] for Navy; Lt. Col. Will Goldschmidt at (703) 432-9277 or [email protected] for Marine Corps; Lt. Terrence Walsh at (202) 267-1648 or [email protected] for Coast Guard; and Lt. Cdr. Tiffany Edmonds at (301) 594-2963 or [email protected] for the U.S. Public Health Service.