Cast Your Ballot
Do your part to determine the association's future course.
By Lt. Gen. Michael A. Nelson, USAF-Ret.

Hey, officer colleagues, that coverwrap you just went past was important! If you tore it off and pitched it, please go dig it out of the trash can. Read it carefully, and then, in the great American tradition, exercise your right as a regular member of troa and vote!

This year, in addition to our always-important biennial election of board members and the set of resolutions presented to you by the board of directors, you will have the opportunity to weigh in on the most important decision for our association in recent years, the proposed name change to the Military Officers Association of America (requiring approval of two-thirds of those voting).

You've probably read about why the board voted unanimously to recommend this change (if you haven't, see page 12 or have a look at our Web Base, www.troa.org/namechange). In the end, for me it boils down to this: We have a great name. But we know from our research, which has a very high level of reliability, that the word "retired" is an unnecessary deterrent for many potential members, particularly active duty and second-career officers, because they aren't or do not think of themselves as retired. We want and need them aboard, especially because they are young (ok, younger), and we know our association sells itself once we recruit a new member. A member at age 40 represents a probable 40- or 50-year relationship, exactly what we all want. We are, after all, working to influence national policy affecting our members (and many others), and membership numbers make a difference in our clout on Capitol Hill.

And don't worry that we will wander away on policy. Precisely because the overwhelming majority of our membership is always going to be retired and, well, mature, we'd be crazy to lose our focus on issues that we have championed for all these years. We're going to continue to push for policy changes that the bulk of our members want and deserve, e.g., health care, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) improvements, retired pay equity, and so on. We will, of course, also continue the work we always have done quietly for active duty and second-career officers (and their spouses and families), though with a new, more accurate name, I think our work will be more recognized and credible across the officer community - and on the Hill.

No doubt other combinations of words could have been selected for a new name. After all, the possibilities are infinite. But the board did a lot of careful research in arriving at this combination, and I believe it is the best available alternative. If you are among those who have another favorite, I hope you will see your way clear to vote for this option because it's better than our current name, even if it is not the one you had in mind.

Finally, let me note that it is rare in any organization that a member has an opportunity to make a choice of this magnitude. I ask you to join me as one who will, as the Military Officers Association of America grows in size and influence, proudly associate myself with those who voted "yes" back in 2002. Let's cast a vote for a great future. Thanks.