Tim Powers on Military Officers Association of America as part of the essay series “The Road to 250: Community Spirit in Action,” celebrating the history of unity in Clarksville ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is the nation’s largest and most influential association of uniformed service officers and their surviving spouses. MOAA is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization, with more than 360,000 members from every branch of uniformed service. We are a powerful force speaking for a strong national defense by representing the people who make a strong national defense possible. We are the leading voice on compensation and all benefit matters for all members of the uniformed services community. MOAA supports two charities: one that provides scholarships to children of uniformed service members and one that assists all currently and previously serving veterans and their families after a loss due to natural disaster.
While the association does advocate a strong national defense, it does not, as an association, become involved in matters pertaining to military strategy or individual weapons systems of the various services. Additionally, although permitted by law to lobby, its status as a tax-exempt veterans’ organization precludes MOAA from participating in political activities. This means we cannot intervene directly or indirectly in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any political party or candidate for public office.
History of MOAA
As for MOAA’s history, in 1963, the Fort Campbell Chapter of The Retired Officers Association (TROA) was formed through the efforts of a small group of retired officers. The primary purpose was to establish fraternal relations among retired officers of all branches of the military to include the Geodetic Survey and the Public Health Services. The second purpose was to support actions which were in the best interest of the members. The membership grew and, on Oct. 1, 1971, the Fort Campbell Chapter joined the National Retired Officers Association. On Jan. 1, 2003, The Retired Officers’ Association’s name was changed to “The Military Officers Association of America” (MOAA).
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The Fort Campbell Chapter is a member of both the Kentucky and Tennessee Council of Chapters. Our chapter meets the third Saturday of every month at noon for a Dutch-treat meal. The location of the lunch varies. Sometimes we meet at a Tennessee or Kentucky local restaurant. At other times, we enjoy a catered meal at the local library or the USO facility on Fort Campbell. We invite a local speaker for the monthly meetings. We are very active with legislative activities in both Nashville and Frankfort
The mission of our chapter is to promote the interests of our organization, our members, and the national MOAA by educating the public and expanding our contribution to the local community.
Tim Powers
| ROAD TO 250 SERIES:
- Sons of American Revolution stands behind creation of strong, unified country
- Daughters of American Revolution keeps spirit of independence alive
- NAACP voice of conscience in an American community
- The Austin Peay belt: Generations across region part of APSU family
- Churches have shaped civic life for more than two centuries
- Cumberland Winds brings town and gown together for music, culture
- Journalism in Clarksville has merged competition with collaboration
- Central Civitan’s Lone Oak Picnic keeps cultural, political tradition alive
- Federation of Women’s Clubs pulled together for education, activism
- Community Concert Association brings quality music, education
- Gateway Chamber Orchestra has enriched cultural landscape
- Rotary Clubs enhance Clarksville with parks, scholarships, books
- 917 Society builds stronger America through Constitution education
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