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Change of Name and HeartWhen I read about the proposed [TROA] name change in the April issue of [The Retired Officer Magazine], my first reaction was a negative one. I felt comfortable with the present name and could not see any advantages to the one proposed. After reading CWO Anthony De Angelis', USA-Ret., letter ["Your Views," April 2002], I was even more convinced that a name change was not desirable. However, after giving it a lot of thought and reading all of the reasons for the name change reached by TROA's board of directors after two years of research and study, I decided it was the best way to go. I believe that the name proposed — Military Officers Association of America — will provide dividends in many ways, including a nexus between officers on active duty and those in either a second career or retirement. Capt. Donald L. Creed, USN-Ret. After reading ["Securing Our Future" and "Your Views," April 2002] regarding the proposed name change, I was surprised no one mentioned a common question I've been asked. During conversations with people having no military connection, I'll frequently tell them I'm a member of The Retired Officers Association. Invariably, the immediate response is, "What police department did you retire from?" This has happened time and time again over the years, most recently this past January while doing some copying for our chapter at a copy facility. As far as this retiree is concerned, the vote will definitely be for the change. CWO Shel Miller, USA-Ret. I have just received my copy of the April 2002 magazine, and I want to compliment you on a splendid issue, packed full of valuable and complete information. The main purpose of this communication, however, is to congratulate the board of directors and the president for the way they have handled the proposed name change by involving the membership, offering logical reasons, and providing the time and opportunity for evaluating and commenting on the proposal. This does not often happen when organizations want to make changes of any kind. The past is littered with the corpses of organizations that have made changes arbitrarily and suddenly without involving the membership and, as a result, lost their members and existence. Keep on doing it right. Lt. Cmdr. E. McCartan, USN-Ret. I've just read ["Securing Our Future," April 2002] discussing the proposed name change, and the justification was weak. Here's why I'm opposed [to an association name change]:
Active duty officers are already eligible for membership.
I don't believe that a military retiree feels he has to be fully retired to join TROA, as you claim on page 29.
I joined TROA because it is an organization devoted to championing the concerns of retired officers. Once the name changes, and if the expected tide of new members occurs, those new members will expect the organization to be their advocate. This will dilute your focus on retirees.
You may have missed the point that the advocates for active duty types are the respective service chiefs. If the chiefs feel an issue should be addressed, they will do so. If they do not feel that way, no association, regardless of its size, will succeed in winning that issue.
You indicated the organization already works on the behalf of active duty personnel.
Bottom line: This dog don't hunt. Don Lewis Editor's note: Editor's note: TROA's board of directors carefully considered and debated these name change issues. Sound research, as well as many personal encounters, indicate the word "retired" is an inhibitor to membership for many active duty and second career officers. The name change would in no way represent a change of mission or focus for the association. Active duty people have been TROA members since 1950, and the association has long lobbied for issues pertaining to the active duty force. As for service chiefs being the advocates for their people, political realities often constrain their ability to act or speak out about many issues. That's why organizations such as TROA, AFA, AUSA, etcetera exist. Read more about the name change initiative at www.troa.org/namechange. Second Career, Third GearI read your recent article "Shifting Gears" with interest. I, too, chose to work with nonprofits. Using my Air Force logistics background, I managed the California Academy of Sciences, Oregon Coast Aquarium, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art over a 10-year period. I found the work rewarding and very interesting. You could learn more each day than you had time to remember. Nonprofits are also in many cases lacking in managers who can take charge, handle multiple tasks, and provide the leadership that is needed. Maj. Don Morgan, USAF-Ret. [It's] ironic [that The Retired Officer Magazine, March 2002] had two distinct examples of the total unfairness disabled military members are experiencing daily. The article on concurrent receipt for disabled retirees ["Washington Scene"], in contrast to the article on [second careers] for military members ["Shifing Gears"], is documentary proof that veterans are being unfairly penalized. I suggest each military member, especially those in harm's way, send the House Budget Committee a copy of each article. Why should a service-connected disabled veteran be penalized into poverty [while] his "band of brothers" prospers in a wide range of options in a second career? If the current fighting soldier understood the penalty for injury, we might find the Budget Committee members picking up arms to defend this country. This injustice cannot stand. Lt. Col. Tom Davis, USAF-Ret. Attack on Religious LibertyI was surprised The Retired Officer Magazine would print anything prepared by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ["Striking a Balance," March 2002]. Anthony D. Romero's article misled us and glossed over the principles of the ACLU. The ACLU has consistently demonstrated its extreme anti-God beliefs in the name of civil liberties. It has generated lawsuits to have the Ten Commandments removed from courtrooms, government buildings, and schools. It has tried to remove references to God from logos and seals, including "In God We Trust" from federal reserve notes. It has even tried to get "under God" removed from the pledge of allegiance. Our country was founded on Christian beliefs, yet the ACLU has managed to get much of [this information] removed from our school history books. It is interesting that the ACLU was rather quiet following the September terrorist attacks; however, it has since gradually resumed its disturbing antics again. We as a country do not stop other religious beliefs. I realize that there are religious fanatics in our country and ... in other countries. I am a life member of TROA and am an active member of the Yuma [Ariz.] Chapter. Lt. Col. Glenn Miller, USAF-Ret.
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