After a 21-year military career, Cmdr. Mike McCoy, USCG (Ret), said he wanted to focus on giving back and on doing anything his wife asked him to do because of all she sacrificed during his time on active duty. (Courtesy Photo)

By Kristin Davis

This was a good day for retired Coast Guard Cmdr. Mike McCoy. He’d spent several hours at the Air Force Retiree Activities Office at the U.S. Air Force Academy, a volunteer-led office that helps military retirees and their families with benefits guidance and access to services. A medically retired Marine who’d already reached out to other veterans’ groups without success came in for help. Through a connection with another organization, McCoy facilitated a satisfactory resolution.

“Every once in a while, you get a call where you know you made a difference,” McCoy said. “There are a lot of widows and retirees who are having problems getting hold of someone, who don’t have access to the internet, and everything is on the internet now. How do I solve this problem?”

Much of his 21-year military career was about problem solving, and McCoy was good at it. When he retired from the civilian sector for a final time in 2020, McCoy knew how he wanted to spend his time.

“My whole focus was doing anything my wife asked me to do because she sacrificed so much during my time on active duty — and on giving back,” he said. “MOAA helps me do that.”