AFSA is the Air Force enlisted organization dedicated to the people behind the stripes. We are all enlisted grades of Air Force Active Duty, ANG and AFRC, retired, veteran and family members. We are the men and women who have a long and rich heritage of being the force behind the high-tech machinery, of being well-educated decision makers, of being the people who make procurement recommendations and of being the people who work on systems and platforms and assisting in research and development. We are 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 such as medical care, job security, pay, commissary privileges, education benefits and other benefits. There was a time when the voice of the enlisted Airman was 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 the people behind the stripes and today, with nearly 130,000 members, AFSA has led the way on both Capitol Hill and in the Pentagon and has earned the recognition and respect of Washington's leaders for its sustained role as the "Voice of the Enlisted". The AFSA mission, at the headquarters level, is to advocate improved quality-of-life and economic fairness that will support the well-being of Air Force enlisted personnel and their families.

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 (COLA) for retirees, AFSA continues to lead the way to preserve and improve the quality-of-life for its members. Several other areas where AFSA has been successful the past several years include:

TRICARE enhancements, including portability between regions, reduction in the catastrophic cap for both TRICARE Prime and Standard, elimination of active duty family members’ co-payments for Prime, and better efficiencies in administration, reimbursement and procedure within the TRICARE system.

AFSA's leading role on Capitol Hill was best described by Senator John McCain, Republican for Arizona, who said: "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. 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 and AFSA Auxiliary members are kept up-to-date with SERGEANTS magazine. This top-rated publication provides substantive articles and features about Air Force enlisted issues. The annual Enlisted Almanac edition has been praised as the definitive reference of Air Force and DOD statistics and projections. Additionally, members have access to a toll-free Capitol Hill Update recording and weekly AFSA Bulletin with the latest information on proposals and legislation on matters affecting military people, retirees and their families.

AFSA and AFSA Auxiliary members have access to members-only benefits and services, including a variety of affordable health and auto insurance plans, VISA and MasterCard availability, many other money-saving services tailored to enlisted life and needs.

Another major benefit is the AFSA Scholarship Program. This valuable program provides members an opportunity to help finance their childrens' educations. In addition, the AFSA Auxiliary offers scholarships and education grants to AFSA family members.

In 1983, AFSA founded the Airmen Memorial Foundation (AMF).  This separate organization sponsors several major programs.  AMF program includes:

• • The AMF Scholarship Program.
  • The CMSAF Scholarship Program.

AFSA founded the Airmen Memorial Museum(AMM) in 1988. The AMM is dedicated to the heritage and accomplishments of all Air Force enlisted people. The museum is located in the Airmen Memorial Building in Suitland, Maryland. With its semi-permanent and temporary exhibits, including "The Orderly Room," the AMM serves as an important source for Air Force enlisted history. It is now listed on the Air Force Chief of Staff's Reading List.

In 1997 the AMM published the first comprehensive history of the Air Force Enlisted Force, "Unsung Heroes: The History of the Enlisted Airmen from the Dawn of Flight to Desert Storm." This history was written from an enlisted perspective.

The Air Force Sergeants Association staff is headquartered in the member-owned Airmen Memorial Building (AMB) located at 5211 Auth Road in Suitland, Maryland just eight miles from Washington, D.C. The AMB is a 33,000 square foot three-story structure of concrete and glass housing, in addition to AFSA Headquarters, the AMF and the AMM. The AMB is conveniently located l mile from Andrews Air Force Base and adjacent to metro Washington's Beltway Exit 7A and 7B.

For more information about AFSA, its Airmen Memorial Foundation or its Airmen Memorial Museum you may contact us, toll-free at 1-800-638-0594 or (301) 899-3500; by fax at (301) 899-8l36 and on the Internet at www.AFSAHQ.org. You may correspond with AFSA, the AMM or the AMF by writing to the following address: 5211 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746.