The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) is a non-profit organization

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 representing the professional and personal interests of nearly 111,000 active, retired and veteran total enlisted

Enlisted rank

An enlisted rank is, in most Militaries, any rank below a commissioned officer or warrant officer. The term can also be inclusive of non-commissioned officers...

 members of the United States Air Force

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

 and their families.

The AFSA is the recipient of a congressional charter

Congressional charter

A congressional charter is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group. Congress issued federal charters from 1791 until 1992 under Title 36 of the United States Code....

 under Title 36 of the United States Code

Title 36 of the United States Code

Title 36 of the United States Code outlines the role of Patriotic Societies and Observances in the United States Code.*Subtitle I—Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies*Subtitle II—Patriotic and National Organizations...

. It promotes enlisted concerns to enhance their quality of life, assures the preservation of entitlements earned through service and sacrifice, and maintains a vigilant presence on Capitol Hill.

Membership

Membership in the organization is open to: Air Force Active Duty (AFAD), Air National Guard

Air National Guard

The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...

(ANG), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) active, retired, and veteran enlisted members of all grades. Family members (spouses, children, parents, and siblings) are eligible for membership in the AFSA Auxiliary. Other persons are eligible for associate membership.

Structure

The AFSA is governed by a 23-member Executive Council. On the Council are a President, Vice President, and four trustees (representing AFAD, AFRC, ANG, and retired and veteran personnel) who are elected by the general membership. There are also 14 geographical division presidents who are elected by their constituents. The Auxiliary President and former AFSA President serve as advisors to the Council. An Executive Director reports to the Council and operates the International Headquarters located in the Airmen Memorial Building in Suitland, Maryland.

History

The AFSA was founded and incorporated on May 3, 1961, and has evolved into an organization highly respected by congressional members and Department of Defense officials. AFSA is a leading force on Capitol Hill and works closely with elected representatives and their staff members to assist in drafting proposals for legislation on issues related to military members and their families. AFSA testifies numerous times each year before House and Senate committees and sub-committees. AFSA also works closely with White House staff personnel and Pentagon officials to ensure that enlisted members' concerns are heard and acted upon.

AFSA Publications

The organization publishes Sergeants magazine. The annual Enlisted Almanac edition has been praised as the definitive reference of Air Force and DoD enlisted statistics and projections. The AFSA Newsletter, published each week informs members of the most recent legislative action, issues, and news that affects them and provides other news of interest to The Total Air Force Enlisted Corp and their families.

Scholarship Programs

The AFSA and the Airmen Memorial Foundation (AMF) conduct an annual scholarship program to financially assist the undergraduate studies of single, eligible, dependent children of AFAD, AFRC and ANG enlisted members in active duty, retired, or veteran status. The AFSA program contains membership requirement, but there is none in the AMF or CMSAF Scholarship programs. These programs combined have awarded $1,359,850 in college aid to deserving students.

Airmen Memorial Museum

The Airmen Memorial Museum(AMM) stands as a tribute to the enlisted Airmen of the United States Air Force and its predecessor services. The AMM collects and preserves artifacts, tells the enlisted story, and preserves the enlisted heritage of U.S. air and space power via public education.