Commissioned Officers Association of the United States
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| Commissioned Officers Association of the United States | |
|---|---|
| Name | Commissioned Officers Association of the United States |
| Formation | 1929 |
| Type | Veterans' service organization |
| Location | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Region served | United States |
| Membership | Uniformed services officers |
| Leader title | National President |
| Leader name | [Name varies] |
| Website | [Official website] |
Commissioned Officers Association of the United States is an American veterans' service organization representing commissioned officers of the uniformed services. Founded in 1929, the association has engaged with federal institutions, enacted member services, and participated in legislative advocacy across Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill, and the Department of Defense. It has interacted with numerous organizations and figures including congressional committees, service secretaries, and national veterans' groups.
History
The association traces roots to the interwar period alongside organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Reserve Officers Association of the United States, and National Association for Uniformed Services. Early leaders engaged with policymakers from Congressional Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the Department of the Navy to address retirement and personnel issues. During World War II and the Korean War, the association expanded membership similar to growth seen in American Red Cross, USO, and National Guard Bureau programs. Postwar periods brought interaction with the Department of Defense, Office of Personnel Management, and legislative milestones such as the Military Retirement Reform Act and debates following the Goldwater-Nichols Act. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the association collaborated with organizations like Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and testified before panels including the House Committee on Armed Services and Senate Armed Services Committee.
Mission and Objectives
The association's objectives align with historical goals of groups such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to promote welfare for uniformed officers, including interaction with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, and legislative bodies like United States Congress. Its mission statements emphasize advocacy on retirement, health care, pay, and professional development, mirroring concerns addressed by National Military Family Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and Fleet Reserve Association. It seeks to influence policy debates involving statutes like the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act and budgetary deliberations tied to the Pay-As-You-Go Act.
Membership and Eligibility
Membership criteria echo admission practices of organizations such as Military Officers Association of America, Association of the United States Army, Naval Officers Association of America, and Air Force Association. Eligible members typically include commissioned officers from components of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, and reserve components like the Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve. Affiliated or associate categories can include retirees, veterans who served under statutes like the Selective Service Act, and certain civilian officials from the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
Organization and Leadership
Governance structures resemble models used by American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, with national officers, regional directors, and local chapters interacting with entities such as the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, Merit Systems Protection Board, and congressional delegations. Leadership roles have engaged with service secretaries including the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, and legislative leaders from United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. The association has convened national conventions in venues near Washington, D.C., engaging with think tanks like the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Heritage Foundation, and Rand Corporation.
Activities and Programs
Programs mirror offerings by Military Officers Association of America and Association of the United States Navy, including career transition assistance, benefits counseling, and survivor support. The association organizes seminars involving speakers from the Office of Personnel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, Armed Forces Retirement Home, and professional entities like National Defense University and United States Naval Academy. It provides member services such as legal referrals, liaison with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and outreach in coordination with veteran service organizations including Vietnam Veterans of America and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Advocacy and Policy Positions
The association has publicly advocated on issues comparable to those addressed by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, including military retirement protection, pay raises, health care under TRICARE, and survivor benefits tied to the Survivors' Benefits Plan. It has submitted testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Senate Committee on Appropriations, and House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on defense budgets, retirement reform, and personnel policies. Positions have intersected with debates over base realignment and closure processes linked to Base Realignment and Closure Commission deliberations and with legislative initiatives like the Retired Pay Restoration Act.
Publications and Communications
The association issues newsletters, position papers, and policy briefs akin to materials produced by Military Officers Association of America and American Legion that target members, policymakers, and media outlets such as The Washington Post, Stars and Stripes, and Defense News. Communications channels include congressional testimony, white papers distributed to the United States Congress, and informational guides addressing benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and Office of Personnel Management. The association has maintained relationships with national veterans' coalitions and participated in coalitions that include Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and AMVETS.