News

Air Force Sergeants Association campaigns for 700 members

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Danielle Lachney
  • Air Force Sergeants Association
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  "With reverence for God and Country and being ever mindful of the glorious traditions of the United States Air Force, our duty to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, our responsibility to aid in maintaining a superior aerospace defense for our beloved country, and desire to assist in obtaining the highest caliber of men and women for our Air Force, our interest in the welfare of persons who served and are serving in the Air Force, and devotion to our fellow airmen in fortune or distress, and our reverence for the memory of our departed airmen, we unite to further the aims and objectives of this association."

The above is the Air Force Sergeants Association's Preamble, the guiding principles that govern our association. If this sounds like you, we want you to be a part of our organization. Here at Columbus Air Force Base our goal is to increase our numbers to over 700 members by the end of 2015.

Who can be a member? All Air Force enlisted personnel, both active duty and retired, while officers and family members can join as auxiliary members. This year AFSA has lowered its membership fees to $25 for a five-year membership.

What does the AFSA do? As stated in the Preamble, members of AFSA unite to further the intentions and goals of those who are serving and have served. This is done in two ways: through legislative programs and through providing opportunities to our Airmen. 

The legislative programs focus on issues affecting our enlisted Airmen and their families. AFSA leaders regularly meet with Congress and senior Air Force Leaders to voice the concerns of our Airmen, retirees and family members. Items addressed include pay, tuition assistance, healthcare, COLA, transition programs and care for survivors. To find more information on all the legislative programs, visit the AFSA home page at hqafsa.org and click on Legislative.

The second aspect of the AFSA is providing opportunities to our Airmen, retirees and family members. AFSA does this by offering scholarships, grants and free SAT & ACT college test prep programs to further educational goals. AFSA also partners with agencies to provide its members with employment opportunities, discounted medical prescriptions and legal assistance, as well as life, health, auto and home insurance.

Members also have the opportunity to help in the local community, as chapter members travel to local schools to present scholarships and awards to junior ROTC cadets. 

Chapter 651 is challenging our current members to recruit new members. Anyone who can recruit 15 members will be awarded with a coin from AFSA headquarters, to be presented by Chief Master Sgt. Rita Felton, 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief, at a wing Commander's Call.

Our goal is to reach every enlisted member at Columbus AFB and bring in 350 new members in 2015. Team BLAZE has over 500 enlisted members on base and with your help we can easily break this goal of 700 members.

For more information or for questions about membership, please contact Master Sgt. Nesha Willis at 434-2511 or Tech. Sgt. Danielle Lachney at 434-2546.