AFSA gives voice to enlisted Published April 2, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Beverly Lutz 354th Medical Support Squadron EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The Air Force Sergeants Association is the Air Force enlisted organization dedicated to the people behind the stripes. The men and women behind the high tech machinery, the military protocol and the daring maneuvers ... the people who have invested their lives in the cause of freedom in America. Each year Congress makes hundreds of decisions on issues that directly affect the lives of enlisted people and their families. Important issues are decided upon, such as medical care, job security, salaries, commissary privileges and other benefits. There was a time when the voices of the enlisted Airmen were nowhere to be heard ... until the spring of l96l when a handful of men came together to form the Air Force Sergeants Association. AFSA is an international organization dedicated to speaking out on behalf of enlisted Air Force personnel and today has nearly 135,000 AFSA members, the voice of the enlisted rings strong on Capitol Hill. "I often call AFSA when a tough legislative job needs to be done; for over three decades they've been an extremely effective and respected presence on Capitol Hill," said Sen. John McCain, Republican for Arizona. "AFSA educates those members on Capitol Hill who have never served and perhaps don't fully understand the sacrifices the enlisted members of the Air Force, the Reserve and the National Guard make to protect our great nation." AFSA lobbyists continue to inform members of Congress of the sacrifices those who wear and have worn the uniform (and their families) make on a daily basis for the protection of the American way of life. From fighting for full pay raises for those still wearing the uniform, to full on-time cost of living allowances for retirees, AFSA continues to preserve and improve the quality-of-life for its members. AFSA and AFSA Auxiliary members have access to members-only benefits and services, including a variety of affordable health and auto insurance plans, credit card availability, discounts on family eye wear and contact lenses, cruises arranged for your budget and lifestyles, as well as many other money-saving services. Another major benefit is the AFSA scholarship program. This valuable program provides members an opportunity to help finance their childrens' educations. In 2001, AFSA headquarters awarded 19 scholarship grants totaling $30,500 three of which were sponsored by divisions or chapters. In addition, the AFSA Auxiliary awarded six $1,000 scholarships to AFSA dependents. AFSA's membership is comprised of Air Force enlistees, both active and retired, of all grades, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and offers an auxiliary program for family members of Air Force personnel. The association is headquartered in the Airmen Memorial building in Washington. Eielson Chapter 1474 is very involved in base activities and the local community. Such as providing induction certificates for all staff sergeant and master sergeant promotees, donating money to 354th Fighter Wing Annual Awards Banquet and 11th Air Force Annual Awards ceremony and the chapter volunteers time at the local food pantry in Fairbanks each November. The chapter donates awards for all the Airman Leadership School graduations and each year the chapter gives more to the Home Your Proud Of program, the prisoner of war and missing in action ceremony, the Air Force Ball, Taylor Grant education scholarship and First Term Airman of the Year. The chapter also provides a medal and certificate to the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.' outstanding member of the year. Chapter 1474 meets every second Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at the Yukon Club.