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MOAA reaches and informs members through a host of channels, but Military Offi cer remains highly valued and powerful. By Col. Jonathan Withington, USA (Ret)

There is no higher priority for MOAA than keeping our more than 380,000 members informed about our priorities, advocacy, and achievements. The Com- munications Department is responsible for print, digital, design, advertising sales, and public relations. We endeavor to reach all members using the latest tools available, be it an award-winning magazine in print or on your tablet, a new responsive website (com- ing soon), or a suite of e-newsletters and so- cial media channels. While MOAA’s digital offerings continue to expand, our magazine remains highly valued by membership. Military Officer is delivered monthly to

more than 285,000 Premium and Life mem- bers. Another 7,000 complimentary editions go to places such as the White House, con- gressional offices, military units, and other related organizations. The 92-page, four- color magazine has come a long way since it first was established in 1945 as a quarterly, eight-page, black-and-white newsletter. We aim to design, edit, and publish a

premier product that keeps our members engaged and informed. We rely on data gathered through our biennial readership survey to guide our editorial decisions. MOAA membership spans a range of ages and experiences, and survey results tell us which magazine topics — from current operations and advocacy to finance, his- tory, and travel — are of greater (or lesser) interest to members in various demo- graphics. We also strive to put together a product that will serve the junior officer

currently deployed to Afghanistan as well as the fully retired Vietnam veteran. For our tech-savvy members, we offer

Military Officer Select,* an interactive tablet app that features a majority of Military Officer content. In July, I had the privilege of visit- ing our print plant, Quad Graphics, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. I left with a far greater appreciation of the level of effort that goes into the physical production of Military Officer. Consideration for a magazine begins as far as eight months out. After the editorial work and layout are complete, our printer takes over. They have two weeks to print, finish, and distribute the magazine. Consider the following facts. It takes: more than 125,000 pounds of environ- mentally responsible paper to produce just one issue;  28 hours on the press to print the magazine; 36 hours in finishing to stitch (assemble) the magazine; 200 hours in comail to bundle with other magazines for postage; and four days to deliver the magazine across the country. It’s a true privilege to serve as editor-

in-chief of the single most powerful mem- ber communication. We are here for you, and we never stop serving.

MO

— Col. Jonathan Withington, USA (Ret), is director of MOAA’s Communications Department.

*online: Search for “MOAA Publications” in the iTunes Store or in Google Play to download the tablet app. 48 MILITARY OFFICER SEPTEMBER 2015