Free Glasses for Military Retirees

Although I am sure there are people in the know about this benefit, I didn’t find anyone talking about it during my transition preparations.

After reading SECNAVINST 6810.1 (AFI 44-117/Army Regulation 40-63), I discovered that retirees, regardless of rank, who require vision correction are entitled to receive one pair of standard issue spectacles or half-eye spectacles per year through the Naval Ophthalmic Support Training Activity (NOSTRA).

If you have a TRICARE plan and receive treatment at a Military Treatment Facility, contact your MTF and they will place the order through the Spectacle Request Transmission System (SRTS).

If you have a TRICARE plan, but you aren’t authorized treatment at an MTF (or live greater than 50 miles from the MTF), submit DD Form 771 along with your mailing address, daytime phone number, and email address to NOSTRA.

Detailed ordering information is available at this link: https://www.med.navy.mil/Naval-Medical-Readiness-Logistics-Command/Naval-Ophthalmic-Readiness-Activity/Ordering/how-to-order-retiree/