It appears some dependents are experiencing difficulties in obtaining an agent assistant letter from the Navy. As a result, Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo is seeking answers.

76-year old Dorothea Pereda's husband served in the US military for 20 years before retiring and being medically discharged from service. Although he passed away five years ago his service to the nation means that his spouse and dependents should be given the same military benefits offered to service members. While Pereda does have military benefits she has had difficulty in obtaining an agent letter for her daughter Marie Pereda. She said, "Does she have any medical conditions that would warrant an agent? Yes and did you provide that documentation? Yes. And what did they say when you provided that documentation from the medical doctor that she does need an agent? They didn't mention much they didn't state anything in regards to that we provided to them we had hoped that that would address the situation we have said it in my mom's letter in her emails and everything but it didn't change anything."

In response to the situation Navy Base Guam director of public affairs Jeff Landis in a statement to KUAM "in extremely rare circumstances an agent letter maybe authorized for a person to act on behalf of the privilege holder. For example, situations where competent medical authority has deemed there to be a bona fide need." further adding that "a medical recommendation is only one aspect taken into consideration for the access request as there are many other factors involved in the decision."

Marie Pereda was previously authorized as her mother's agent for the last three years however when she tried to renew the agent letter in December 2014 they were surprised to receive a response stating their request for an agent/assistance application was denied, saying, "There was no explanation it was just denied they sent my mother a letter stating it was denied there was no real legal meaning or how do you put it, it was just denied."

With their attempts to appeal the decision also denied they have reached out to local senators and Congresswoman Bordallo for help. In a statement from Congresswoman Bordallo to KUAM she says she is "aware of the situation and the difficulties some dependents are experiencing with obtaining an agent assistant letter. Our office is in communication with the Navy and is seeking answers regarding any potential broad policy change. In specific cases, the office is working with the Navy to try and resolve our constituents base access issues."