European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Pago 10 the stars and stripes Friday. May 22,1987 buimihiphbvhhilhvhpvhohmivmwhwmhmiwibivh�wmwwb0mhiiwbbbhhhh goals services outlined by Ausa Coa Here is a question that needs to be answered Tor All soldiers who serve the United states of to the Ever rising flood of civilians who arc trying to Lake our service benefits tobacco alcohol commissary1, Etc. Way we need to Pul up a unite front and attempt 10 show our government just what will happen when Good soldiers leave he military be fore retirement time. In november and december 1986 the army did not Mecl its retention goals for career soldiers. If i understand it correctly there Are two organizations association of the United Stales army Ausa and non commissioned officers association co which Are supporting Pur service goats and needs. Both need Money to survive and at one Post or another each Soldier is asked if he or she will give his hard canted Money in Exchange for a voice in con Gress. This it Greal Bui what do these groups really do do hey sell insurance do they operate More for offi cers than forthe no ranks i do know the Ausa in the past did not allow cos to join. Do they now need our Money also Lei s have some Black and White answers so that All of i can see just where our Money goes. If they really help the Soldier then $20 or $30 a year is not too much but if they Are just another parasite living on the poor Soldier then let them die and Stop them from bothering us for donations. Will these organizations take time out from count ing Money and answer my questions i am ready to spend my Money for a Good reason staff sgt. Harold w. Goodman Seh Weinfurt Germany editor s note we seethed two replies la Thi utter. Tat firs is from Alfred Xvi. Deputy director regional activities. Association of the United states array we do appreciate very much you1 giving us the Opportunity to respond to the letter seeking to Clear the air on the role of the association of the United states army in support of our army and on soldiers. Thai role h the ule reason for our existence so t will be an easy ask provide the factual information you sek. Ausa we cluttered 37 yours ago a a private non profit educational Organ nation designed to speak with a Vole in support of a Strong total army and � viable National defense. Our actions represent he interests fall components of the army Active retired. Army re Steve. Army National guard army civilians of All ranks and family members thereof. We Are he Only organization thai does so we Art not an officers organization nor an organization solely for noncommissioned officers or enlisted soldiers. We Are the army s professional organization and on actions Are dedicated toward improving the institution and the people that Are the army. Since its inception Ausa membership has always been open not Only to All ranks within the army but also to anyone who subscribes to Ausa s alms an objectives. Titos to our Rolls Are added civilian govern ment and Community Leaden veterans local business my mid women families of soldiers educators professionals spanning a variety of careers and citizens who believe As firmly As we do that our army must be adequately manned property trained mid equipped professionally led and provided Wilh the resources to be ate id live a dignified Quality of life. As of the end of february 1987, our membership Rose a an All Lime High of 166,168, ind surpassed170,000 at the end of March. Of our 100,594 Active duty members 63,642 63 percent Are enlisted sol Diers. That percentage has remained stable Over the past 10 years. Each member receives the same benefits of membership regardless of rank and pays the same dues. We do what our membership charges us to do through our resolutions process. Our 135 chapters throughout the world formulate resolutions reflecting the major issues identified within their areas. For example Ausa s european department met in april discussed and adopted or rejected the resolutions presented by the chapters and forwarded its recommendations to our Headquarters for consideration by the resolutions committee of our National advisory Board during Oor annual meeting in resolutions Are then finalized presented to the chapter delegates for approval by vote Anil once adopted become our mandate from the membership for action. We report to All of our members the Content of the resolutions through army Magazine a Dausa news and follow up on our Progress through out the year. Note of cur current resolutions the majority Deal with people issues. We publish special reports fact sheets critical is sues information and defense reports in support of these resolutions and append Ihm to our testimony before various congressional committees. Our publications Are distributed to the Media the Congress the Adrouni Starlion and civil and military leaders through out the Colin Larj. We enjoy an enviable reputation for the professional integrity of our work As Well As forgot just identifying problems but for offering alternatives and solutions to then. All that we do is summarized for our members and copies of All of our reports Are available on request. We arc not an insurance organization. There arc no licensed agents on our staff either in be Headquarters or in the Field. We do have a group life insurance program available for our members information on which is mailed to the member directly from the underwriter. This program was established daring in Vietnam conflict to provide additional Protection for soldiers in particular those who could not obtain coverage without a War clause. We also have health Cine champs supplemental insurance which was de signed to protect the Soldier from the escalating medic costs being paid in the differential not covered by champs. These programs Are available but Areat the option of the members to choose depending on their personal circumstances. Our real business is to fight for the resources fro Congress to provide soldiers with the medical care they and heir families expect a an earned Benefit. I would suspect thai your correspondent May have in confined with an insurance organization which has an acronym very similar to ours restricts its services to officers but has no connection with the association of the United Stales army. Dues support member services with slightly More than half of our �20 annual individual fee covering the Cost of publication and delivery of army Magazine our professional journal on a monthly basis. We re turn to our chapters s3.75 for each member recruited or renewed in order to provide resources to the chapter to conduct local Soldier recognition programs family support activities social and athletic events Etc. Ausa news published and furnished each member monthly is funded from membership dues. We Are primarily a a Gunteer organization. The Council of trustees Region presidents chapter officials and those who serve on the National advisory committees Are All unpaid and contribute greatly of Ihler time talents and personal resources to serve reorganization. Our permanent staff of 61 is composed largely of data processing and administrative skill personnel paid below civil service scale. Perhaps we have not tooled our own born Well enough. But like the army we have the habit of get Ting on with the challenges that lie ahead rather than resting on our laurels. We arc proud however of our record of service to our army and to All soldiers not just those who Are members. For example Long before in became a popular cause Ausa sought re institution of the i Bill and congressman Montgomery he sponsor of this legislation credited our support As key to its successful passage. On heir Rale As a link Between the military and civilian communities Ausa chapters spawned the program to encourage Utility companies la their local area to reduce or eliminate deposits required of Mili tary personnel arriving at stateside installations thus alienating some of the financial hardship coincident to a permanent change of station. Nineteen conus installations noir have the program id being and it has been adopted is part of the army s family action plan with a goal to extend h to All installations. To encourage professional excellence we support at chapter or National level the awards presented la the distinguished graduates of the noes system in All components of he army As Well As usjv1a, oct and Roth. Ausa sponsored the first army family symposium and co sponsored those hat followed. Military construction troop and family housing military medical care retirement equitable compensation and realistic travel and household goods weight allowances have been and continue id be addressed before decision maker. Equally important Are our efforts to seek funding for the continuation of the modernization of the Soldier s weaponry and equipment a program that is Hardy so percent completed. These examples could continue at some length hut i personally am convinced that the single most important service thai Ausa provides the Soldier i Takin the Soldier s Story to the people of our country. Only through increased Public education awareness and appreciation for the selfless service performed by All of the members of our army family their genuine human needs and aspiration and their total Reliance on the support of the citizenry and their elected officials can we Hope la continue to Progress in keeping our army Strong and our soldiers cared for. We must continue to build friends for our army and we shall do that. There May be a time when a Soldier is no longer needed but there will never be a time when a Soldier no longer nerds friends. Editor s note the Setonte reply is from Bill Waikins director non cominis Ianca officers , Europe the non commissioned officers association co headquartered in san Antonio Texas was organized in i960 to promote and protect the benefits and rights of noncommissioned and a cry officers an veterans of All five branches of the armed forces Active duty. Reserve and National guard. The inter National Board of directors of the Coa is composed entirely of Active duty retired or Veteran noncommissioned and Petty officers. The president and executive vice president Are elected from his Board. In 1980 the International auxiliary and veterans division were added la the association to better serve the entire military Community. International head quarters encourages you to actively participate in the affairs of your association whether by attending local chapter meetings or starting your own attending symposiums seminars when held in your Are or by corresponding Wilh Headquarters. Following Are some services provided by Coa chapters chapters worldwide train future leaders in citric activities while acting As focal Points for Coa plans programs and social activities. To Start or join a chapter Contact chapter services at International Headquarters or me in Germany at Post Fach 1503,6980 Wortheim. Special olympics during the past 10 years special olympics programs worldwide have been the beneficiary of Coa s Effort in fund raising and most importantly countless hours of Volunteer support an both the local and National level. Personal analysis benefits Brief ing whether your status is Active duty retired or prior service you Are aware of the Many responsibilities and obligations to your family that Are yours to meet. Military experience is More than just time spent in service o your country. It has also provided Yon with the lawful Opportunity to enjoy certain benefits. Among the More important of these benefits Guaran teed by Public Law is your personal estate in the for of social Security and veterans administration hinted services which Are available to your survivor. This briefing is designed to assist you and is presented so that you and your family will better understand those benefits thus allowing a sound basis for plan Ning future Security for you and your loved ones. Toll service in provided at no Cost to Coa Zembara by our Coa Counselor Pentagon Federal credit Union membership in the second largest credit Union in the world is available to Coa members. For a minimum Deposit of $5 one share in he credit onion Timcan Ake advantage of the Many financial services provided worldwide by Pentagon Federal credit Union. National discount program Auto Matic with your membership special nationwide and overseas discount programs with Marriott hotels Hertz. National Thrifty and Alamo rental car agents. Veterans services the association currently has a network of veterans administration or Coa accredited Veteran services offices so numbering 200 in 94 locations in 16 Stales Guam the Virgin islands the District of Columbia and Japan. These service officers provide briefings counselling claims preparation and representation to thousand of veterans and their families and survivors each year. Scholarship Grants since its inception in 1975, the Coa has awarded aver $150,000 in non repayable Grants to sons and daughters of Coa members these Grants Are awarded annually by the Coa scholarship foundation which is entirely sup ported by individual and chapter donations legislative program the National capital office Natco is located in Alexandria a. Among the staff members Are experienced and Quali fied retired or Veteran noncommissioned and Petty officers. Their areas of expertise cover veterans Mili tary and legislative affairs. Three of the staff an full time congressionally registered lobbyists. Coa s legislative program is directed toward people the men and women who Are serving or have served in America s armed forces and f he families who support them. Natco Al the direction of the association membership has had and nil continue in have a decided Impact on those issues which most affect the Mij Jarv and Veltran Community. Coa journal official monthly newspaper filled Wilh information of interest to you and your family champs Champia and social Secu Rity updates chapter activities and much More. The journal is just one of the Many benefits included in the $15 annual membership dues veterans employment assistance an employment assistance program which holds numerous Job fairs annually across the United states and one or Toto in Europe and Hawaii each year. There Are Over 100 regularly participating companies seeking to hire train and educate i lie separating military ser use goals on Page 11
