Securing Our Future
An important message for TROA members

In February 2002, after two years of research and study, TROA's Board of Directors elected to propose to the members the changing of the association's name to the Military Officers Association of America. Many alternatives were considered, including keeping TROA, but this name rose to the top among those surveyed because it expresses the association's values and clearly defines whom it serves and what it does. TROA officials will administer the vote through ballots sent with the August edition of The Retired Officer Magazine. They ask that all members keep informed on this issue through the magazine and the Web Base (www.TROA.org). Below are some of the main questions we are getting through e-mails, calls, and chapter visits.

Your Questions Answered

What is the proposed new name?

Military Officers Association of America

Why propose and recommend a name change?

To help assure the future viability of the association and the chapter system.

After two years of research into recruiting and retention issues, TROA's Board of Directors recognized that the name should be changed to better reflect the association's work and all the people it represents. TROA's legislative initiatives, chapter efforts, and member services have long served active duty, Reserve, National Guard, and second-career officers and their families, as well as retired officers.

We believe the name change will help recruit more active duty and second-career officers — many of whom have the mistaken idea that one must be retired to join. Another concern is that the word "retired" has taken on new meaning. Officers leaving the services and embarking on second careers don't view themselves as retired.

What research went into this proposal?

In an effort to improve its position as a powerful voice for the seven uniformed services, TROA has conducted significant research since 2000. During this time, three telephone surveys, numerous focus groups, and interviews with influential Department of Defense (DoD), legislative, news media, and military decision makers were conducted as well as an exhaustive review of TROA's demographics. This data was presented to the board who used this information to form their decision.

Who was involved in this proposal?

TROA's Board of Directors established a Name Evaluation Committee of board members to oversee the research and fully evaluate all possible options. The committee worked with the staff and outside experts in the corporate identity field before presenting their findings to the full board. The board voted unanimously to recommend to the membership that the name be changed. The voting membership will make the final decision on whether the name will be changed in a ballot that will appear in the August issue of The Retired Officer Magazine.

What impact would a name change have on our name recognition and influence in the Congress and DoD?

During TROA's research, a potential name change was discussed with many key individuals on Capitol Hill and DoD. Most indicated their belief that, with an aggressive campaign to inform Capitol Hill and others about the name change, any loss of recognition should be a relatively short-term problem. The TROA legislative staff has personal relationships with many of the key players on the Hill, and the name change would not affect those relationships. Over the longer run, we expect that the name change will lead to increased membership numbers, thereby giving the association proportionally more clout in both arenas.

If the proposal passes, would it cause TROA to change its current mission?

No, a name change will not cause TROA to change or de-emphasize its current mission. In fact, key figures on Capitol Hill believe it actually will help TROA be recognized for the work already being done.

If the name change proposal passes, will there be any shift in emphasis from the retired members over the age of 65 to those members under the age of 65?

No, TROA believes there is no need to change its emphasis. While the association has received the bulk of its recognition for work in the over-65 audience, it has fought hard on key issues like pay comparability and the repeal of redux for younger officers. The new name simply allows TROA to be recognized for the valuable work done for all officers and their families.

How will you decide whether or not to implement the change if it passes?

The voting membership will have an opportunity to vote on the recommendation in August 2002. A ballot will be in TROA's August magazine, and we are investigating the feasibility of voting via the Internet. The results will be announced several weeks after the vote.

If the name change passes, what happens to the TROA logo?

It is very likely that the current TROA logo will be modified but look almost the same as today's logo. This will serve as a link to the association's proud history and its continued commitment to its members.

If the name change passes, would the association have an acronym — MOAA?

The acronym MOAA could be used, but it would be pronounced by using each initial (m-o-a-a), not as a single sound. Just as AARP is not "arp," we would not be "moa," but M-O-A-A.

If the proposal passes, would TROA lose members?

The research indicates that nearly all members support the initiative when presented with the reasons behind it. There might be a few who choose to leave, but that number will be small. The research predicts that the association will gain significantly more members over the next five years than it will lose if the membership votes to change the name.

Larger membership means more influence on all issues — including those focused on the over-65 audience — and at the same time ensures the association will continue to be a powerful voice in the future.

Why add "of America" to the name?

During the research, key words were identified as representating the values of the association members. Testing indicated that words like "military," "officer," "association," and "America" all had attributes that were positive among large segments of those interviewed. With this knowledge, the current name was constructed to represent the association's membership and goals.

If the name change proposal passes, will my dues increase?

Dues will not be affected by any name change. Future changes in dues would be a result of inflation and the fact that there has not been a dues increase since 1988.

If the proposal passes, how long would it take to implement the change?

If the members vote for the name change, the new name will become effective on a date to be determined by TROA's board, but not later than Oct. 1, 2003. After the date to be determined, the association will be called the Military Officers Association of America.

If the proposal passes, will I still be eligible for membership as a retiree?

Yes. The association's membership requirements and goals will not change.

If the proposal passes, will USPHS and NOAA officers continue to be eligible for membership?

Absolutely. Officers from both the USPHS and NOAA have been eligible for membership for the past 40 years and will continue to be a valuable part of the association.

Were nonmilitary TROA members like USPHS and NOAA officers consulted during the name evaluation process, and, if so, what was the tone of their responses?

This issue was considered carefully, and we consulted many officers from each uniformed service. Also, TROA's Board of Directors contains flag rank officers who are retired from the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Understanding that a new name would provide their officers greater influence on key issues, USPHS and NOAA officers who were contacted overwhelmingly supported the new name. Their sole concern was the continued strength of the association, and they indicated they would support whatever actions might be necessary to maintain that strength.

Additionally, both NOAA and USPHS have statutory ties to the military, since the president may transfer those services to DoD in time of national emergency under Title 10 of the United States Code.

Military Officers Association of America sounds like a union. Aren't active duty members prohibited from joining unions?

The Name Evaluation Committee and board are well aware of section 976 of Title 10 of the United States Code, which prohibits membership in military unions. They are also aware that subsection 976(g) explicitly permits servicemembers to be members of organizations like TROA:

"Nothing in this section shall limit the right of any member of the armed forces ... to join or maintain membership in any organization or association not constituting a ‘military labor organization' as defined in subsection (a)(2) of this section."

It goes without saying that TROA does not engage in any of the activities described in this definition.

If the name change proposal passes, will TROA cover the cost of new chapter materials with new flags, stationery, pins, hats, shirts, etcetera?

If the voting membership votes for a name change, the board will be asked to consider providing chapters with some money for new items. That amount has not been determined.

What happens if the new name proposal is defeated? Will you present another name to be considered?

There are no current plans to do that.