Elmendorf’s sergeant association

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Dexter Sandiford
  • Alaskan Command Joint Staff
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Air Force Sergeant Association is a respected professional organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of "the people behind the stripes" for over 47 years. Since May of 1961, AFSA has been "The Voice of the total Air Force Enlisted Force". Currently, AFSA represents the professional and personal interests of over 120,000 Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard active, retired, and veteran enlisted members and their families. 

AFSA exists to fight on Capital Hill to preserve and advance entitlements Air Force professionals receive from the moment they join USAF to the time they leave the service. AFSA's membership is open to all Airman, NCOs, and Officer Personnel. Key areas of focus include military pay raises, cost of living allowances, health care, retirement benefits, preserving our commissary and Base Exchange quality etc. AFSA is always there for the all Air Force professionals to include those who are wearing the stripes and those who have worn them¬--AFSA is just like family. 

AFSA pushes hard to educate all members of congress on the needs of the military professional. AFSA works diligently each day to protect and improve the quality of life for the Total Air Force Enlisted Corps and their families. AFSA's Key victories in 2008 included: 

     · Won approval for a 3.9 percent military pay raise effective January 1, 2009; 0.5% above what the administration requested and required by law 
     · Special 500-lb weight allowance for spouses' professional books and equipment during military moves
     · Second family separation allowance when dual military parents are deployed simultaneously
     · Ten days of paternity leave for a married member of the armed forces whose wife gives birth; for use in connection with the birth of the child
     · Continues to fight to enhance transferability of education benefits to family members and ensure services have associated funding
     · Prevent reduction in commissary and Base Exchange privileges
     · Resist increases to TRICARE payments for active and retired personnel 

Elmendorf Air Force Base's Air Force Sergeant Association, Chapter 1473, is dedicated to keeping its members informed in 2009. Our chapter's top four priorities for 2009 are membership and retention, communication with leadership, legislation and base and community involvement. This includes our goal to educate our base population and increase and retain membership. A measurable goal this year is to go from 700 active members to 1000 in 2009. This will help us preserve and improve the quality of life for our Air Force servicemembers and their families. We also have a plan for a quarterly newsletter, which will keep leadership at all levels informed of the chapter's plans and accomplishments. 

Community involvement is extremely important to our organization.in 2008, we will continue to support Cub Scout troop # 100, the Alaska Pioneer Home, JROTC Annual Awards Banquet, Team Elmendorf Quarterly/Annual Awards and sponsor the ALS Leadership Award. Our goal is to be visible throughout the base and community. 

Chapter 1473 meets every third Thursday of the month at 1130 a.m. at the Kashim. I encourage everyone who is not a member of this great association to seriously consider joining today. AFSA is respected as a base and community leader that you can be a part of! In addition, you will gain enhanced insight to better relate to the issues affecting you and your families, and be empowered to communicate your concerns to AFSA Headquarters and others. Your membership WILL make a difference.