from the editor
85 Years Strong
As MOAA celebrates its 85th anniversary this month, know your association remains as committed as ever to preserving your hard-earned benefits and to supporting the entire military family.
In February 1929, Col. Arthur Marix, USMC (Ret), and 62 other retired officers officially established The Retired Officers Association, known as TROA. Brought together by a desire to sponsor and support “national legislation which would be beneficial to retired officers and also to oppose such legislation which would be detrimental to their interests, as well as to support legislation bearing on strengthening national defense,” the association that was born some 85 years ago continues to have the backs not only of those who have retired from the uniformed services but also of those who currently serve in today’s all-volunteer force, along with their families and survivors.
Over the years, your association has evolved and grown — from its original 63 members in 1929 to more than 380,000 today. MOAA’s strength has always been its members, its reputation as a tenacious advocate and problem solver, and its ability to bring the strength of that membership to bear on issues of importance. That strength clearly was demonstrated in December 2013 when, in a matter of days, members generated nearly 200,000 emails to members of Congress regarding the retirement COLA cap that was included in the bipartisan budget deal. Even before final action had taken place on the bill, members of Congress already were vowing to fix the COLA-cap provision.
Your active participation will be key to MOAA’s continued success. Whether you send an email, write a letter, or discuss the issues with friends and colleagues, you can continue to influence outcomes and help achieve the vision of Marix and the charter members of your association.
Here at Military Officer, we remain committed to ensuring you have the information needed to be an active participant as part of MOAA’s “One Powerful Voice®.” Through departments like Washington Scene and Chapters in Action and in many of the feature articles we present to you each month, we will make every effort to keep you aware of the issues that affect you.
There are many other ways you can stay up-to-date. MOAA’s Legislative Update* e-newsletter is emailed every Friday, and soon you will be able to have legislative alerts delivered directly to your cellphone through MOAA’s new text message service. You always have access to the latest information at
www.moaa.org, and don’t forget the MOAA chapter in your area has current information and can provide opportunities for active participation in a variety of ways.
Eighty-five years ago, Marix envisioned an association that would lead the fight for what is right. It takes only a quick look to reveal that his vision is today’s Military Officers Association of America.
Fight on!
— Capt. Gordon J. Hume, USN (Ret)
*sign up: Subscribe to MOAA’s weekly Legislative Update at
www.moaa.org/email.
12 MILITARY OFFICER FEBRUARY 2014
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