Signal Corps Regimental Association

Signal Corps Regimental Association. The Signal Corps Regimental Association (SCRA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the heritage, camaraderie, and professional development of the United States Army Signal Corps. Established in 1990, it serves as the official association for the Signal Regiment, fostering connections across generations of Signal Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, and industry partners. The association operates under the auspices of the Chief of Signal and is headquartered at Fort Eisenhower, the home of the Signal School.

History

The association was formally established in 1990 to create a permanent organization for the Signal Regiment, building upon earlier, less formal networks of Signal Corps veterans. Its creation coincided with a period of significant transformation for the United States Army following the end of the Cold War and during operations like Desert Storm. Key figures in its founding included senior leaders from the Office of the Chief of Signal and the Signal Center and Fort Gordon. A major early milestone was the establishment of the Signal Corps Regimental Award program to recognize excellence within the Signal Regiment. Over the decades, it has expanded its role in preserving the history of the Signal Corps, from the era of the American Civil War and Albert J. Myer to the digital battlefields of the Global War on Terrorism.

Organization and structure

The association is governed by a national board of directors, which includes the sitting Chief of Signal who serves as the honorary president. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director and a small staff operating from Fort Eisenhower. Geographically, the organization is supported by a network of local chapters, often based near major United States Army installations with significant Signal Corps presence, such as Fort Cavazos, Fort Liberty, and Joint Base San Antonio. Key committees oversee functions like membership, finance, awards, and the annual Signal Symposium. The association works in close coordination with the U.S. Army Signal School, the Signal Corps Regimental Museum, and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy to align its activities with regimental priorities.

Membership and benefits

Membership is open to all active duty, National Guard, Army Reserve, retired, and former members of the United States Army Signal Corps, as well as Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and interested members of the public. Primary benefits include subscription to the professional journal *The Signal* magazine, access to networking events like the Signal Ball, and eligibility for professional development scholarships. Members receive discounts on association merchandise and event registration, and they gain opportunities to participate in historical and ceremonial activities, such as those at the Signal Corps Regimental Museum. The association also administers several award programs, including the Order of the Mercury, to honor contributions to the Signal Regiment.

Activities and programs

A cornerstone activity is hosting the annual Signal Symposium, a major professional forum held at Fort Eisenhower that brings together Signal Corps leaders, industry experts, and academia. The association actively supports the Signal Corps Regimental Museum through fundraising and volunteer efforts to preserve artifacts from conflicts like World War II and the Vietnam War. It organizes social and ceremonial events, including regional chapter meetings, the Signal Regimental Birthday celebration, and the Signal Ball. Key programs include scholarship funds for soldiers and family members, sponsorship of Best Warrior Competition events, and the publication of *The Signal* magazine, which features technical articles, historical pieces, and regimental news.

Affiliations and partnerships

The association maintains a formal and integral relationship with the Office of the Chief of Signal and the U.S. Army Signal School at Fort Eisenhower. It partners with the Signal Corps Regimental Museum and the Army Historical Foundation on heritage preservation projects. The SCRA collaborates with industry leaders in the defense sector and information technology, such as those represented at the AFCEA TechNet conferences, to support modernization efforts for the Signal Corps. It also works with other military associations, including the Association of the United States Army and the Non Commissioned Officers Association, on broader advocacy and support initiatives for the United States Army.

Category:United States Army associations Category:United States Army Signal Corps Category:Organizations based in Georgia (U.S. state)