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NCOA Annual Business
Meeting, July 14-17, 2009
      The NCOA Annual Business Meeting will be held Wednesday, July 15, at 1:15 p.m. at the Golden Nugget Hotel, 29 E.
Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a controlled-access
meeting and membership cards will be verified. All doors will
be secured at 1:15 p.m. and latecomers will be denied entrance
until after all voting matters are accomplished. All Regular Division members are urged to attend.
International Auxiliary Annual
Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting of the NCOA International
Auxiliary will be held Wednesday, July 15, at 1:15 p.m. at the
Golden Nugget Hotel, 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada.
This is a controlled-access meeting and membership cards will
be verified. All doors will be secured at 10 a.m. and latecomers
will be denied entrance until after all voting matters are accomplished. All Auxiliary members are urged to attend.
Convention 2009 Committees Named
NCOA Journal
Spring 2009
Volume 34, No.1
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps H. Gene Overstreet
(Ret); Chairman of the Board: SgtMaj Paul W. Siverson, USMC (Ret);
Executive Vice President/Chairman, Finance & Audit Committee: CSM
Tony R. Franklin, USA (Ret); Treasurer: SGM Nick Lapajenko, USA (Ret);
Secretary: MSgt Robert L. Barnett, USAF.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MSgt Robert L. Barnett, USAF; CSM Tony R. Franklin, USA (Ret);
MCPO Terry M. Haines, USNR (Ret); MSG Rosie M. Jackson, USA
(Ret); MSgt Vincent T. Johnson Sr., USAF (Ret); SGM Nick Lapajenko,
USA (Ret); 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps H. Gene Overstreet,
(Ret); SGM Joe Terry, USA (Ret); SgtMaj Paul W. Siverson, USMC (Ret);
SgtMaj Michael J.Rooney,USMC (Ret); MSG Phyllis A. Williams, USA
(Ret).
International chaplain
MSG Kent M. Tucker, USA (Ret)
SENIOR ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
SMA Kenneth O. Preston, USA; Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Carlton W. Kent, USMC; MCPON Joe R. Campa, Jr., USN; CMSAF
Rodney J. McKinley, USAF; MCPOCG Charles W. Bowen.
Legislative/Resolutions Committee
The Legislative/Resolutions Committee is tasked with reviewing all new resolutions submitted by members or chapters for
consideration during the Association’s Annual Business Meeting. The Committee also reviews all current resolutions of
the Association. During its deliberations, the Committee may
modify or create any resolution to better serve the needs of the
Association. The Committee shall prepare a package of resolutions for consideration by the convention delegates that may
include: 1) Previously adopted resolutions recommended for
retention, 2) Previously adopted resolutions recommended for
retention with amendments, 3) New resolutions recommended
for approval, 4) Resolutions recommended for repeal, and 5)
Resolutions considered by the committee but not recommended
for approval.
The 2009 Legislative/Resolutions Committee will be comprised of the following individuals: Chairman - CMSgt (Ret)
Elizabeth S. Harper, Vice Chairman - Lady Bonnie L. Cooper,
Advisor - Sir Richard Schneider, SMSgt Elijah Anderson, SFC
Brenda Baker, Sir Roger Barker, Jr., Sir Scott Carnahan, SFC
Michael David, TSgt Molly Dzitko, Sir George Dolan, Sir J.F.
Goffinet, Sir James Hardin, Sir David Marston, TSgt Jason Porter, Sir Paul Rizzo, Sir Kent M. Tucker, Lady Patricia Weaver
and Lady Sunny Wirth.
SPECIAL ADVISORS FOR RESERVE
AND NATIONAL GUARD AFFAIRS
SgtMaj Joseph A. Staudt, Chairman; CSM Leon Caffie, USAR; CSM John
Gipe, USARNG; SgtMaj Jimmy D. Cummings, USMCR; FORCM(SW)
David Pennington, USNR; CMSgt Troy J. McIntosh; USAFR; CMSgt
Richard Smith, USANG; MCPO Jeffrey D. Smith, USCGR.
Tellers’ Committee
The Tellers Committee is tasked with the accurate tabulation
of the ballots from the Annual Business Meeting. The 2009
Tellers’ Committee will be made up of the following members
of the Knights of the Square Table: Sunny Wirth, Chairman,
James W. Hardin, Vice Chairman, J.F. Goffinet, Herbert E. Rogers and Marvin Weaver, Jr.
EDITORIAL
The NCOA Journal Managing Editor: Clifford Davis. Editorial contributions
of articles and photos are welcome. Send them to: The NCOA Journal, 10635
IH 35 North, San Antonio, TX 78233.
Master-At-Arms Committee
Appointed to serve on the Master-At-Arms Committee with
Chairman James Sullivan are the following Knights: Robert D.
Bruno, Scott Carnahan, Matthew Dailey and Carl Johnson.
ATTENTION POSTMASTERS
The NCOA Journal, published quarterly by NCOA, 10635 IH 35 North, San
Antonio, TX, 78233. POSTMASTER send address changes to The NCOA
Journal, P.O. Box 33790, San Antonio, TX 78265-3790. Periodical Postage
Paid at San Antonio, TX and additional offices. Annual subscription: $10 of the
membership fee. USPS 391300. ISSN 0747-0150.
4[09]
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
The Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States
of America is a fraternal, nonprofit organization with International
Headquarters at 10635 IH 35 North, San Antonio, TX 78233; (210) 6536161. The NCOA Journal is published for the infor­mation and enjoyment
of Association members. Views and opinions ex­pressed are those of the
author or source of material and do not necessarily reflect the opinions,
views or endorsements of NCOA or the Board of Directors. All materials in
The NCOA Journal are protected by copyright. Editorial materials may be
reproduced if the source is credited.
National Capital Office
P.O. Box 427, Alexandria, VA 22313; (703) 549-0311.
International Auxiliary
Executive Committee: Tammy Sullivan, President; Barbara Weatherill, Vice
President; Dianne Carnahan, Secretary; Rose Lapajenko, Treasurer. Board
Members: Alda Ashford, Vivian Bruno, Marian Rooney, Ronda Smith and
Patricia Weaver.
Knights of the Square Table
Grand Knight, Sir Ernie Fike, OE; Grand Knight Elect, Sir Curt Schumacher,
OE; Exchequer, Sir Duane Wilhite, OE; Scribe Sir Dave Marston, OS.
ADVERTISING
Advertisers: Contact J & S Publications at 8220 Hilton Road, Gaithersburg,
MD 20882, E-Mail - cathy.john@jspublications.com, Phone - (301) 4820720, Fax - (301) 482-0726. Unless clearly indicated as NCOA-sponsored,
paid ad­vertising in The NCOA Journal is not endorsed by the NCOA.
1
Knights of the Square Table
Delivering the Dream
Some of you know that my fulltime job is working for the
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). They have
just adopted a new slogan that I really like, “Delivering the
Dream”. It may be slightly misplaced when it comes to DISA,
but I think is a good slogan for me and the Knights of the
Square table. Our Past Grand Knight, Sir Terry used the phrase
“Leadership by Example” as his slogan. He encouraged the
Knights to take up the leadership role within the NCOA and do
whatever we could do to help the association grow and prosper.
“Delivering the Dream”! Wasn’t that one of the original
principals when NCOA formed the Knights of the Square
Table? Wasn’t it to be a reward for unselfish dedication to the
NCOA? Being a Knight is reward, given to a limited number
of leaders who went above and beyond what was expected,
to make the NCOA the greatest organization supporting the
enlisted personnel in our Armed Forces?
We are currently a body of approximately 250 members. Our
membership is governed by the total membership of the Association. The Knights are small in number, but strong in our
dedication. The ways for the Knights to grow are first to add to
the membership of NCOA. RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT!
Last year’s convention gave us the largest group of squires in
many years, and I want to see another bumper crop of Squires
in July when we meet in Las Vegas. I issue a challenge to the
Knights to recruit 500 new members by July (not counting
those names recruited through the USAA effort). Secondly I
challenge you to find more dedicated individuals that are willing to step forward and dedicate themselves to the Knights and
our great Association.
My fellow Knights, it is time for you to review the rules so
you are familiar with the operations of the Order. If you need a
copy of the rules, contact me at 786-293-3775 or E-mail
erniencoaoe@bellsouth.net.
It is also time to think about convention. Convention is a
great time to get together, enjoy old friends, meet new friends
and work for the good of the order. I know that Scoop and
the staff are working hard to make this another memorable
occasion. Last year will be hard to beat! As a Knight you are
required to attend conventions, however we know that not
everyone has personal issues that will prevent them from attending. The Rules require Knights, not attending, to notify
the Grand Knight prior to convention. I hope that I get very
few notifications and am looking forward to seeing you all in
Las Vegas in July.
My dream is that once again NCOA will be the pinnacle
military and fraternal organization. I want us once again to be
the organization “delivering the dream”.
Strength in Unity,
Ernie Fike
Grand Knight
2
NCOA International Auxiliary
You Can Make a
Difference
      Spring is here and summer is on
the way! Spring is a time to renew our
commitment to our families, our communities, our country and especially
our military members, past and present.
In these tough economic times it makes
sense to take care of each other and
help in whatever way we can, large
or small. Volunteering on behalf of our
veterans is just one way to contribute
and when we look around there are many, many opportunities to do so. Get involved or stay involved – you can
make a difference.
On another note, the International Auxiliary set a goal
of 2009 members at last years’ Las Vegas convention. We
are a wee bit short of that goal – okay, a lot short – and
we have three short months to complete that goal. I know
each of you want to reach that goal so I am asking each
auxiliary member to sign up one new member. Just one
new member apiece will not only ensure we reach our
goal, but we will surpass it! Thank you for your dedication
and service in helping to grow our association.
On behalf of the International Auxiliary, I wish to
thank staff member, Sharon Ciringione, for her
many years of service to the association and to wish her
well in the future as a retiree.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at convention
this year. As always, feel free to write me at TammySullivan50@hotmail.com or to call me with any questions,
concerns or just because you want to share success stories
about your chapter.
Tammy Sullivan
International Auxiliary President
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
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3
NCOA Alliance with Military.com Gaining Momentum
Members Get to see First Hand Benefit of Expos
At the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony launching the Miltiary.com & NCOA Career Expo events were, from left to right, Nancy
Fitzpatrick, Ambassador, Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner Griffin, City of Cocoa Beach, CMS Frank B. Evans
representing the 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, FL, Glen E. Morrell, 7th Sergeant Major of the Army, Melissa Stains, President, Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce, Kathleen Bishop, President, Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, Gene Overstreet, President, NCOA,
12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Vince Patton, Director, Community Outreach, Military.com, 8th Master Chief of the US
Coast Guard, Emma Richard, Titusville Chamber of Commerce, Chuck Galy, Executive Vice President, Melbourne-Palm Bay Area
Chamber of Commerce, and Tammi Tomlinson, Chairperson of the Ambassadors, Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
By Cliff “Scoop” Davis
Executive Director, NCOA
By the time our members read
this story, more than one third on this
yearís Career Expo schedule will be
over and NCOA members from coast
to coast will have been a vital part of
their successes.
Late last year NCOA and Military.com officials signed an agreement
to align themselves in hosting 34 Career Expos at locations around the
country. The alliance was a no-brainer
according to NCOA President Gene
Overstreet, 12th Sergeant Major of the
Marine Corps (Ret).
ìWhile NCOA has been a leader in the Veterans Employment arena,
we lacked the online presence and that
void has been filled by Military.com,
the militaryís leading website. Our ex4
pertise and extended arm
Table, Order of Excaliwith chapters around the
bur, and a former emcountry is also some- THE MOST POWERFUL RECRUITING EVENTS
ployee of NCOA in the
FOR VETERANS
thing Military.com saw
Veterans
Employment
as a huge benefit in partAssistance Program.
nering with us and our
While Fitzpatrick and
members have stepped
his wife Nancy were inup to the challenge.î
strumental in obtaining
The
Career
local military and ChamExpo program was
ber support, the chapter
launched
February
showed up in force to supwww.Milita
ry.com/caree
24th in Cocoa Beach,
port the launch of this yearís
r-expos ww
w.ncoausa.org
just down the road
events. Kudos to Chapter
from Patrick AFB and the support of mem-bers SMSgt H.L. Strong,
the Space Coast Chapter. Another ace MSgts Thomas Carns, and Omar Basin the hole for NCOA was having Bill night, SSgt Rebecca Cone and SrA
Fitzpatrick jump on board as the local Eric Clarke for their dedication and day
coordinator. Fitzpatrick, the co-au- long support of the initial event. The
thor of the book ìDoes Your Resume very first event saw 34 companies in atWear Combat Boots,î is also a Lifetime tendance and hosted more than 700 job
NCOA Member, Knight of the Square seekers.
This event
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SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
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Members Get to see First Hand Benefit of Expos
From the East Coast
the Expo trail headed
west to San Diego and
Sacramento in the first
week of March and again
NCOA members were
there to assist. In San
Diego, Tony Franklin,
Executive Vice President, drove three hours
to assist NCOA HQ team
for the day and in Sacramento NCOAís Auxiliary President Tammy
Sullivan and her husband
Jim, with the Central Valley Chapter supplied the extra manpower
needed to make the event successful.
The following week in
Tampa, Dick Steinberg, Past Grand
Knight and Paul Rizzo came from
the New Port Richey Gateway
Chapter to help for the day where
more than 1,300 people attended
the event. The following week
in Tacoma, WA, Auxiliary Vice
President Barbara Weatherill and
Bonnie Waliezer, Chairman of
the Trails End Auxiliary Chapter,
drove three hours from Oregon to
man the registration table all day to
assist NCOA.
6
events to boost local awareness and grow support for
their chapters. International Headquarters is always
excited to have local member and chapter support
when they come to town.
Please check the schedule
and see if weíre coming to
your area. Chapters and/or
members who want to help,
please e-mail me at execdir@ncoausa.org. Also, if
you feel your area would
be a great location for a Career Expo in 2010 and would like
to help organize such an event,
please let us know.
In St. Louis,
Spirit of St. Louis
Chapter Chairman
Doug Ziegelmann
and chapter members Michael David
and Willie Blue not
only helped out the
Expo team, but also
manned an NCOA
information booth
and signed up attendees into NCOA.
There
are
many more Career
Expos on tap this
year and it is a great opportunity for
local NCOA chapters and members
to get involved and parlay these
“I have been to several
Job Fairs around the
Metro St. Louis area over
the last few months
and the
Military.com/NCOA
Career Expo was
definitely the best.”
--Tim Holcomb,
Army Veteran
According to Military.com
officials, they have been very im-
pressed with the quality of events
NCOA has put on so far this year
and pleasantly surprised by the outstanding support we are receiving at
each event from members and chapters. Kudos to all who have helped
this endeavor so far this year, and if
anyone was left out of this article,
please let me know since it was not
intentional. Please read more updates by visiting our new web site
www.ncoausa.org.
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
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Excerpts from our
2009 Congressional Testimony
  H. Gene Overstreet, President NCOA
presented the Association’s formal Veteran Statement before a joint session of
the Committees on Veterans Affairs of
the United States Senate and the House
of Representatives on March 12, 2009.
“NCOA proudly represents enlisted
service members through every stage
of their military life, from the first
oath of enlistment to the playing of
taps. I would further point out that
the Association has been involved
in all of the lives and quality of life
of today’s service people who grew
up as military dependents. We literally have been with them providing
broad “cradle to grave” membership
services and representation before
legislative committees. The all service,
all component, and all enlisted base of
the association’s membership makes
NCOA unique among its colleagues.
“We are a voice that seeks a comprehensive legislative agenda for those
who cannot speak for themselves.
“Countless thousands will never have
the opportunity to speak with America
by addressing their concerns with you,
the members of the Veterans Committees of the Senate and House.
“We speak for the patriots whose service and sacrifices have preserved and
provided the FREEDOMS enjoyed by
all Americans.”
Gene Overstreet
12th Sergeant Major of the
United States Marine Corps
8
  Chairman Akaka, Chairman Filner, Members of the Senate and House Committees on Veteran Affairs, colleagues and veterans from all organizations here
today, I am Gene Overstreet, President, Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America (NCOA). On behalf of all our members
I am appreciative of the opportunity to formally present NCOA’s 2009 Legislative Agenda and address issues it believes are significant to Veterans, their
dependents, and survivors.
NCOA is privileged to represent active duty enlisted service members of all
military services, the United States Coast Guard, associated Guard and Reserve
Forces, retirees and veterans of all components. The representation of all enlisted members from services and components makes NCOA unique and enables it to provide a full and comprehensive perspective on active duty, veteran,
and survivor issues. Association membership provides for service members
and their families through every stage of their military career from enlistment
to eventual separation, retirement and provided their final military honors rendered on behalf of a grateful Nation. The Association defines well its membership service as “cradle, or enlistment, to grave” and continues to provide
services to the veterans surviving family members.
The Association adopts Resolutions annually at its Membership Business
Meeting that begin at local chapters in the CONUS and Overseas that through
the vetting process eventually establishes the parameters of the NCOA legislative agenda. Those ever emerging issues are front burner concerns impacting
the large number of active duty, Guard, Reserve members, retirees, Veterans,
their dependents, and survivors.
Year after year, I recognize that all who serve in the Congress or in the Uniformed Services have taken an Oath of Office, Enlistment, or Commissioning
in which the following affirmation is sacredly promised:
“…to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.”
While we take the same Oath, I am ever mindful that for military enlistment
or commissioning the significance of those words bear the possibility of extreme sacrifice and possibly death. There are no qualifiers in those words for
those entering military service except for the strong belief that they will have
the finest war fighting equipment, support services, health care, and all necessary institutional support while on active duty. They further believe that they
have the Nation’s institutional promises which include:
Whatever necessary quality and timely Veteran health care is needed for the
rest of the lives of the men and women as a result of their military service,
Adequate Benefits and Entitlements,
And, should they fall in the line of duty, the institutional commitment of a
grateful Nation to care for their survivors.
There has never been a qualifier in the military enlistment oath such as “support and defend the Constitution of the United States, funds and resources permitting” as such a qualifier would destroy military personnel readiness and
bring into question the stark reality of military service.
NCOA is a member of The Military Coalition, a forum of nationally
prominent uniformed services and veterans’ organizations that share a
collective view on Veteran and active duty issues.
NCOA is also a Veteran organizational supporter of the 2010 Independent Budget.
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
You come from every part of the country and serve
in every corner of the globe. You’ve risked your life
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SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
9
The Association likes
retirees to keep their
what it read in the news
full VA disability comrelease:
pensation along with
“The 2010 budget
their retired pay.  The
represents the first step
President’s budget retoward increasing fundquest also provides the
ing for VA efforts by
resources for effective
$25 billion over baseimplementation of the
line during the next five
post-9/11 GI Bill -- proyears.  The gradual exviding unprecedented
pansion in health care
levels of educational
enrollment that this NCOA President Overstreet at support to the men and
would support will open the Nation’s Capitol to testify women who have served
hospital and clinic doors before a Joint Hearing of the our country through acto more than 500,000 Senate Committee on Veterans tive military duty.”
Affairs and the House ComVeterans by 2013 that
The budget supposedly
mittee of Veterans Affairs.
have been regrettably
also provides specialty
excluded from VA medicare in such areas as
cal care benefits since 2003.  The 2010 prosthetics, vision and spinal cord inbudget request provides the resources jury, aging, and women’s health.   It
to achieve this level of service while demonstrates heightened homeless
maintaining high quality and timely veteran programs by collaboration
care for lower-income and service-dis- with nonprofits in maintaining stable
abled Veterans who currently rely on housing while providing supportive
VA medical care.”
services in job training, preventive
“The new budget provides greater care, and other critical services. And,
benefits for Veterans who are medi- it proposes to expand VA services
cally retired from active duty, allow- for rural communities in part by Vet
ing for the first time disabled military Centers and Mobile Clinics to access
health care, mental health services,
and necessary treatment.
While we liked what we read in the
press release, we will wait for the details of the Budget Request to comment further. The Association also
appreciated the Administration’s apparent support for the two year budget
proposal now widely endorsed within
the Veteran’s communities. You’ll recall that President Obama appeared to
support the two year budget concept,
as did his Nominee, now Secretary
Shinseki, before the Senate Veterans
Confirmation Hearing where the Secretary stated pointedly his support for
the concept. It appears that support
may have vaporized as it is nonexistent
without vapor trail in the President’s
recent comments or the Secretary’s
rhetoric. The two year budget concept
was not evident in the recent DVA
budget news release.
For further testimony and our specific
recommendations to Congress. visit
our website at www.ncoausa.org
In Memory Day Honors National Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Richard C. Schneider, NCOA’s Executive Director for Government Affairs
was the keynote speaker at the 11th
annual In Memory Day Ceremony
held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C April 20th.
Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund commented that one-hundred
and twenty-three American heroes
from the Vietnam War era were honored posthumously during the annual
In Memory Day Ceremony. NCOA’s
National Defense Foundation was the
sponsor host for this program.
In Memory Day was created to pay
tribute to the men and women who
died prematurely from noncombat in10
juries and emotional suffering caused
directly by the Vietnam War, but who
are not eligible to have their names
inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. “In Memory Day allows
The Wall to do what it does best: provide a healing environment for family
members and friends,” said Scruggs.
“It also allows all of us to pay tribute
to these brave Americans who served
and sacrificed for their country.”
During the ceremony, family members read aloud their loved ones’
names in chronological order by date
of death. Following the ceremony,
participants lay tributes at the base of
The Wall corresponding to the honorees’ dates of service in Vietnam, so
that these Vietnam veterans come to
rest near those comrades with whom
they served. With the addition of this
year’s honorees, over 1,800 individuals will be honored in the In Memory
Honor Roll.
Information on the In Memory program and an application for a veteran
whose premature death was the result
of health issues from the Vietnam
War is available at www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=8. Applications
may be processed for the In Memory
Day program scheduled for Monday,
April 19, 2010.
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
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SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
11
USAA Supports NCOA Membership
Growth, Events
• 2009 should be even better with USAA’s
expanded support of our great association
In 2008 NCOA’s membership
grew every month and a large
part of that success was due to
the special membership campaign
sponsored by USAA. Well, 2009
should be even better with USAA’s
expanded support of our great Association.
In the new agreement, signed in
April, USAA will be a major sponsor
at this year’s convention, be our first
paid advertiser on our new website
and a Platinum Sponsor of all the Miltiary.com and NCOA Career Expos.
In addition, the scope of the membership campaign has been expanded.
USAA has been a big advertiser
and supporter of the NCOA Journal and the Association itself for
many years, but a large percentage of
NCOA’s membership had been unable
to join USAA. That changed recently
with USAA opening up the opportunity for retirees to join.
“I wanted to join USAA many years
ago, but was unable to,” said Scoop
Davis, NCOA Executive Director.
“I was very frustrated that I had not
joined while on active duty and while
my son, an Air Force Staff Sergeant
was a member, I did not qualify. Well
that changed April 18 as I officially
became a member of USAA complete
with a savings and checking account
to prove it.”
According to Davis, not every member of NCOA can be a member, but
that number is very low. (Please see
page 13 for eligibility guidelines).
12
A large percentage of
NCOA’s membership
had been unable to join USAA.
That changed recently with USAA
opening up the opportunity
for retirees to join.
“I’m very excited to be a member
and will check all of the products
and services that USAA has to offer its members to see if they work
for me and my family,” Davis said.
“Dealing with professionals like Rick
Trent, Master Chief Petty Officer of
the Coast Guard (Ret) and Eric Benken, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air
Force (Ret), is very refreshing
because they truly care about
enlisted men and women, past
and present and their families. They also have both been
speakers at NCOA Conventions
and are very supportive of our
great Association.”
Disclaimer: There are no official
NCOA endorsements or affinity programs currently in place with USAA
and this story and the support USAA
has provided to NCOA in no way constitutes an endorsement of their products and/or services.
Flanked by USAA Military Affairs Directors, Rick Trent, left, Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Coast guard (Ret) and Eric Benken, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (Ret),
is Cliff “Scoop” Davis, NCOA Executive Director. The three were discussing the new
agreement NCOA and USAA just signed at the USAA Headquarters in San Antonio.
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
USAA Who is eligible?
Membership is open to:
Active-duty officers and enlisted
personnel.
Children whose eligible parents have or
had a USAA auto or property insurance
product.*
National Guard and Selected Reserve
officers and enlisted personnel.
Officer candidates in commissioning
programs (Academy, ROTC, OCS/OTS).
Former military personnel:
• Retired officers and enlisted personnel.
• Former officers and enlisted personnel
who separated from the military on
or after Jan. 1, 1996.
Former USAA members who had USAA
auto or property insurance.
* Children must be 18 years or older to be
eligible for USAA membership and
purchase products in their own name.
Children under the age of 18 can be listed
as family members on their eligible
parents’ auto policies.
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SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
13
Another Exciting Benefit for NCOA Members
Another exciting benefit is now available for NCOA members to take advantage of – www.PrintingForLess.com.
According to Cliff “Scoop” Davis,
NCOA’s Executive Director, he is very
excited about our new partnership with
PrintingForLess.com.
“PrintingForLess.com was willing to
go above and beyond to meet the online printing needs of our Association
and its members. From what I’ve seen,
every member can expect every online
printing job will be met with excellent
customer service and the highest quality printing. This is just one more way
the Association can deliver value to
our members.
“Members attending the 45th Annual
NCOA Convention July 14-17 at the
Golden Nugget will see first-hand this
company’s quality of work and their
willingness to support our Association
as they are printing this year’s program
for FREE,” Davis added. “I am always
excited to support special member benefits when they go above and beyond
for our members and our programs.”
The secret behind the quality of PrintingForLess.com is in the depth of their
experience. They were the first online
commercial printer focusing on smallmedium size business customers, delivering premium quality print materials
with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee since 1999.
PrintingForLess.com offers premium print products for NCOA members
through the Member Benefits link on
our website at www.ncoausa.org. Their
products include business cards, brochures, stationery, posters, postcards,
rack cards, greeting cards, catalogs and
much more. With NCOA’s new partnership, members will enjoy an exclusive
10 percent discount and other benefits
on all the products PrintingForLess.
com offers through the NCOA website.
Through the entire print project you
will be supported by a three person
team dedicated to NCOA customers.
Printingforless.com accepts any type
of file, allowing an easier and more
Introducing...
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job. If you are unsatisfied with their
print quality, PrintingForLess.com will
either reprint your project or refund
your purchase price. Because of their
detailed attention to the quality of their
product and customer focus PrintingForLess.com has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in the online printing industry.
PrintingForLess.com won the American Business Awards “Best CustomerService Organization” award and is
consistently recognized in business
publications and blogs for remarkable
customer service.
PrintingForLess.com is also environmentally friendly and is sustained 100
percent by wind power; is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, uses
100 percent recycled paper, soy based
ink and has an active waste reduction
and recycling program. For more information on this new great benefit,
visit www.ncoausa.org .
NCOA has partnered with PrintingForLess.com, the leader
in online commercial printing, to make buying print
materials easier through PFL’s exclusive website for NCOA
Members. With PFL enjoy:
10% Discount On All Print Orders
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14
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SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
Convention 2009 Fact Sheet
  Dates for the convention are July 14 -17, 2009. Host hotel is the Golden Nugget, 129 E. Fremont Street, Las Vegas,
Nevada 89101.
• Rate for single/double occupancy on Sunday through
Thursday is $49 per night, plus applicable taxes. Rate for
single/double occupancy on Friday and Saturday is $79, plus
applicable taxes. All individual room reservations must be
made directly with the Golden Nugget at (800) 634-3454.
You MUST specify you are with NCOA. Reservations must
be made prior to June 10 to guarantee convention rate. Reservations made after June 10 will be subject to space/rate
availability. Check in time at the hotel is 3:00 p.m., check
out is noon.
• The Golden Nugget requires a first night’s room and tax deposit to accompany each reservation request. It is the policy
of the Golden Nugget to charge the first night room and tax
deposit to the individual’s credit card at the time the reservation is made if a credit card is used in lieu of a cash deposit.
The deposit is refundable if cancellation occurs at least 48
hours prior to scheduled arrival.
• A variety of commercial shuttle services are available from
McCarran International Airport to the hotel. The
shuttles services are located on the west side of the baggage
claim area, outside exit doors 8-13. One way ticket cost
is approximately $7.
• Convention registration fee is $150 per person prior to
June 1 and $175 per person on or after June 1. Each registration fee provides delegate with one ticket to the Opening Icebreaker, Vanguard Banquet and President’s Breakfast.
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
Requests for refund of registration fees (minus $25 administrative fee) must be submitted in writing prior to June 30.
Additional event tickets may be purchased at the Convention
Registration Desk. Individual ticket costs are: Opening Icebreaker - $50, Vanguard Banquet - $75, President’s Breakfast - $40.
• Chapters or individuals with resolutions to submit on subjects for consideration by the International Board of Directors and the general membership at the 2009 Annual Business Meeting must submit the resolution to International
Headquarters, Attn: Tina Kish, by May 1.
• The five senior service chiefs will hold a Senior Enlisted
Service Chiefs’ Panel on Thursday, July 16 from 8:30 - 10:30
a.m.
• Invitations have been issued for guest speakers for the
Opening Ceremony and the Vanguard Banquet. Additional
information will be available at a later date.
• Companies wishing to have an exhibit table on Wednesday
and Thursday, July 15 & 16 are invited to contact the
Convention Manager at tkish@ncoausa.org or by telephone
at (210) 653-6161, extension 261.
• Dress for most events is casual business attire. Active duty
military are asked to wear dress uniform with short
sleeves and open collar during the Senior Enlisted Panel.
Dress for the Opening Icebreaker is casual business.Vanguard Banquet is semi-formal and the President’s Breakfast
is casual. Knights of the Square Table will set dress requirements for all Knights events.
15
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SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
WWI
WWII
VIETNAM
COLD WAR
IRAQ
PEACETIME
Lt Gen Richard Y. Newton III, Manpower and Personnel (A1), hosted the
Headquarters, United States Air Force annual personnel award ceremony at
the Pentagon on February 19, 2009. Recipients included (l-r) NCO of the
Year -TSgt Melissa J. Abraham, SNCO of the Year - MSgt Todd S. Geehan,
Company Grade Officer of the Year - Captain Jacob S. Sotiriadis, and
presenting NCOA Recognition Awards - Mr. Matt Dailey, National Capital
Region Military Associate. Not shown Airman of the Year - Airman Shawn
R. Christensen.
Visit Us!
www.4thInfantry.org
2009 OFFICIAL NCOA PROXY BALLOT
I, the undersigned member of the Non Commissioned Officers Association of the
U.S.A., do hereby appoint ____________________________________________ or
MCPO Terry Haines, USNR (Ret), SgtMaj Michael J. Rooney, USMC (Ret) and SGM
Joseph Terry, USA (Ret) and (Official Proxy Committee acting by majority vote of or if
one be present, that one alone) with full power of substitution to represent me and cast
my vote at the 2009 Annual Membership Meeting to be held at the Golden Nugget,
129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada 89101, for the purpose of electing directors
and such business that may properly come before such a meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
Date __________________
Member# _________________ Exp. Date _________
Signature ____________________________________________________________
Print Full Name _______________________________________________________
NCOA Membership #
BALLOTS WILL BE
CAST AT 1:15 P.M.
JULY 15, 2009
MAIL IN A STANDARD
9½” X 4” ENVELOPE TO
NCOA
ATTN: PROXY
10635 IH 35 N
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78233
BALLOTS MUST BE
POSTMARKED BY
JUNE 30
2009 OFFICIAL NCOA AUXILIARY PROXY BALLOT
I, the undersigned member of the International Auxiliary of the Non Commissioned
Officers Association of the U.S.A., do hereby appoint _________________________
or Ronda Smith and Patricia Weaver (Official Proxy Committee acting by majority
vote of, if one be present that one alone) with full power of substitution to represent me
and cast my vote at the 2009 Annual Membership Meeting to be held at the Golden
Nugget, 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 for the purpose of electing
directors and such business that may properly come before such a meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Auxiliary Membership #
BALLOTS WILL BE
CAST AT 1:15 P.M.
JULY 15, 2009.
Signature ____________________________________________________________
MAIL IN A STANDARD
9½” X 4” ENVELOPE TO
NCOA
ATTN: AUX. PROXY
10635 IH 35 N
SAN ANTONIO, TX
78233
Print Full Name _______________________________________________________
BALLOTS MUST BE
Date __________________
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
Member# _________________ Exp. Date _________
POSTMARKED BY
JUNE 30
17
NCOA Convention 2009, July 14-17, 2009
Registration Form
Return completed form to:
NCOA Convention Manager
P.O. Box 33790
San Antonio, TX 78265
Last Name ___________________________ First Name _________________
M.I. _______
Address ______________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________ State __________ ZIP _____________
Home Phone _______________________
Business Phone ________________________
Total number of Registered Convention Delegates ______________
First names/nicknames for registered delegate name tags:
Delegate #1 _________________________
Delegate #2 _________________________
Service Status ___________________________
Service Status ___________________________
Chapter Affiliation_______________________
I currently hold NCOA chapter position of:
_____ Chairman _____ Vice Chairman
_____ Trustee
Chapter Affiliation_______________________
I currently hold NCOA chapter position of:
_____ Chairman _____ Vice Chairman
_____ Trustee
I am a: _____ Knight of the Square Table
_____ Member of the Rat Pack
_____ Auxiliary Member
_____ First time attendee
I am a: _____ Knight of the Square Table
_____ Member of the Rat Pack
_____ Auxiliary Member
_____ First time attendee
Registration fee paid prior to June 1 is $150 per person. On or after June 1, registration will be
$175 per person. Each registration fee provides the delegate with a ticket to the Opening
Reception, Awards Banquet and the President's Breakfast. Requests for refund of registration fees
(minus a $25 administrative fee) must be submitted in writing and received prior to June 30.
Absolutely no refunds will be made after June 30.
Enclosed is a check or money order (payable to NCOA Convention 2009) for $______________
Please charge my ______VISA _____MasterCard _____American Express _____Discover Card
for registration fees for _______ people.
Card #___________________________________
Billing Zip Code _________________________
Signature ___________________________________
Expiration Date _________________
CVV# _________________
Date________________________
HOTEL RESERVATION INFORMATION: Host hotel for the convention will be the Golden Nugget, 129
E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89101. A special convention rate of $49 per night (single or double) has been
established. All individual hotel reservations must be made directly with the Golden Nugget, (800) 634-3454.
You must specify that you are with NCOA. In order to ensure availability and rate, reservations MUST be made
prior to June 14.
18
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
NCOA Convention 2009 Agenda
Tuesday, July 14
0800 – 0945 Career Expo Company
Set-up
1000 – 1400 Military.com & NCOA
Career Expo
1300 – 1700 Convention/Knights
Registration
1400 – 1600 Legislative/Resolution
Committee Meeting
1400 – 1700 Exhibitor Set-up
1630 – 1700 Rat Pack Meeting
1830 – 2030 Opening Icebreaker
Wednesday, July 15
0800 – 1130 NCOA Opening
Ceremony
0800 – 0815 – Welcome by NCOA
President
0815 - 0835 – Guest Speaker
0835 – 0915 – Legislative Update
0915 – 0930 – Break
0935 – 1000 – NCOA Awards
1000 – 1030 – Invited Guests
Presentations
1030 – 1130 – NCOA updates
0900 – 1700 Exhibits Open
1130 – 1300 Break
1315 – 1415 NCOA Annual Business
Meeting
1315 – 1415 Auxiliary Annual
Business Meeting
1415 – 1430 Break
1430 – 1530 Joint Session NCOA
& Auxiliary -State of the Association and Auxiliary
1530 – 1600 Hall of Fame Award
1800 – 2000 Rat Pack Initiation
& Parade of Checks
2000 Free night
Thursday, July 16
0700 – 0815 Knights’ Orientation
– Squires & Elevation
(OS/OE)
0800 – 1500 Exhibits Open
0830 – 1030 Senior Enlisted Panel
1030 – 1045 Break
1050 – 1130 NCOA updates
1130 – 1300 Break
1330 – 1530 Knights’ Annual
Business Meeting
1830 – 1900 Vanguard Reception
1915 – 2230 Vanguard Banquet
Friday, July 17
0800 – 0930 Presidents’
Farewell Breakfast
Chapter Gallery
Top 3 Chapters
November
The NCOA Birthplace Chapter is helping
keep America beautiful by participating
in the Adopt-a-Highway Program. Chapter members were out in force on April
4 as they picked up trash along a 2 mile
stretch of highway in front of Lackland
Air Force Base.
Dragon Hill
Gateway
Five Star
December
Five Star
Dragon Hill
Spirit of Sacramento
January
Conversion –
processing halted
February
Five Star
La Petite Femme Auxiliary
Gateway
March
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
Dragon Hill
Jim Pettit
Pacific Surf
19
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JUNCTION CITY 66441
DICK EDWARDS AUTO PLAZA
375 Grant Avenue
Ph: (785) 238-5114
Contact: Rod Pratt or Joe Gibby
Advertisers listed are not endorsed NCOA
Certified Merchants, however, they have pledged
to provide great deals to our members.
Alaska
ANCHORAGE 99501
ALASKA SALES & SERVICE
1300 E. 5th Ave
Ph: (907) 265-7579 or (800) 478-9641
Contact: Richard Dixon
California
OXNARD 93030
Oxnard TOYOTA
1631 Auto Center Drive
Ph: (805) 988-7900 or (800) 229-6988
Contact: Scott Dodd
Santa Maria 93454
IversEn motor co. chrysler/
dodge/jeep/rvs
1918 So. Broadway
Ph: (805) 925-9545
Contact: Wiggins Lambert
VENTURA 93003
CROWN DODGE/CHRYSLER/JEEP
6300 King Street
Ph: (805) 639-2195 or (800) 240-1243
Contact: Thomas Parvaneh
Colorado
COLORADO SPRINGS 80910
Ferguson Pontiac/GMC Trucks
950 S. Academy Blvd.
Ph: (719) 596-5005
Contact: Gary Burton or Brian Binkley (used)
JUNCTION CITY 66441
JIM CLARK CHEVY-OLDSPONTIAC-CADILLAC-JEEP-SUZUKI
911 Goldenbelt Blvd.
Ph: (785) 238-3141 or (800) 238-3141
www.clarkcars.com
Contact: Willie Thornberg
MANHATTAN 66502
jon murdock CHEVROLET
CADILLAC MITSUBISHI
600 McCall Road
Ph: (913) 776-1950 or
Toll Free (800) 658-4664
Contact: Tracy M. Trout
Maryland
GLEN BURNIE 21061
BOB BELL FORD, INC.
7125 Ritchie Hwy.
Ph: (410) 766-3600
Contact: Larry Mathers
Minnesota
BUFFALO 55313
MORRIES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP
705 Hwy. 55 East
P.O. Box 577
Direct (763) 765-1819
Contact: Daron Ziebell
Toll Free (800) 227-2838
Missouri
ST ROBERT 65584
SELLERS-SEXTON FORDLINCOLN-MERCURY MAZDA
341 Adams Ave
Ph: (573) 336-2000
Contact: Mike Freeman
NCOA Benevolent Programs Donations Update
Scholarship Fund
David Ardilla, Sarah Aughton, Mahalia Baynard, Timothy Butka, Harry Chipchase,
Misty Coen, Harold Cornish, Michael Coyne, Donald Craig, Daniel Fiala, Charles
Fretheim, Michael Gavlak, Clarence Harris, Richard Holgin, William Hoover, Theron
Imlay, Linda Jones, Richard Krug, Gregory Longacre, Chris Mark, Dean Morey, William
Muncie, James Ostrosky, Jerry Peavy, Crystal Porter, John Richter, Edward Schrader,
Andrew Selking, Christopher Walker and James Woolley
Chapters: Jim Pettit, Sierra
Medical Fund
Robert Alfes, Glen Allen, David Ardilla, Sarah Aughton, Mahalia Baynard, Donald
Craig, James Gaddy, James Gibson, Clarence Harris, William Hoover, Edwina Williams,
Gregory Longacre, William Muncie, Steven Nelson, Ronald O’Rourke, John Richter,
Jeffrey Rose, Jean Siftar (in memory of Philip Siftar), Christopher Walker and James
Woolley
Chapters: Jim Pettit, Sierra
Disaster Relief Fund
David Ardilla, Mahalia Baynard, Michael Boggs, Robert Broussard, Donald Craig,
Sidney Daniels, Margott Fowler, Charles Fretheim, Clarence Harris, William Hoover,
Tina Kish (in memory of Pat Gursky), John McDonagh, Dean Morey, William Muncie,
Karl Ohrn, Crystal Porter, John Richter, Christopher Walker and James Woolley
Chapters: Jim Pettit, Sierra
20
WAYNESVILLE 65583
LOWE CHEVROLET AND BUICK
Hwy H, Exit 156
Ph: (573) 774-3141
Contact: David Fox or
Jim Featherston
Ohio
MIAMISBURG 45342
INTERSTATE FORD, INC
125 S. Alex Road
PH: (513) 866-0781 or 422-0541
Contact: Chuck George
(Excludes specialty vehicles)
South Carolina
COLUMBIA 29210
BOB BENNETT FORD
177 Greystone Boulevard
Ph: (803) 779-3673
Contact: Bruce Merchant or Bob Carter
South Dakota
RAPID CITY 57702
RAPID CHEVROLET/TOYOTA
2090 Deadwood Ave.
Ph: (605) 343-1282
Contact: Ken Callanan-Chevrolet
Ph: (605) 342-2490
Contact: Joe Bloomstrom-Toyota
Texas
Killeen 76543
Bates nissan
5501 East Cen-Tex Exp.
Ph: (254) 699-7181
Fax: (254) 699-3729
Contact: John Johnston
NCOA Welcomes
New Life Members
New Auxiliary Life Members
Linda Jones, Joan Lepine, Ineko Marston,
Kristin Rogers and Dianne Stahl
New Life Members
Daniel Abbott, Mark Ayers, Gerald
Boling, Milton Campbell, Joseph Caswell,
Henry Clancy, David Cox, Joseph Davis,
Joseph DeGroat, Michael Diggs, Ronald
Fuller, James Gladstone, Ihor Kurniawka,
William Langlitz, Charles Mahone, Beau
Markin, Arthur McCuistion, Fred Miller,
John Mills, Dennis Moran, William
Muncie, Ronald O’Rourke, Walter
Osenbaugh, Jason Palmer, Leo Pimple,
Dohrmann Pischel, David Porter, Lamar
Richardson, Wallace Rogers, Roy Roma,
Thomas Sams, Clinton Smith, Ralph
Smith, Peter Strong, Melvin Trumbo,
David Truesdale, Jimmy B. Walker and
George Zalasky
Disclosure of Federal Grants and
Contracts
The Non Commissioned Officers
Association of the USA (NCOA) does not
currently receive, nor has the Association
ever received, any federal money for
grants or contracts.
All of the Association’s activities and
services are accomplished completely free
of any federal funding.
SPRING 2009 NCOA JOURNAL
You deserve
the
Military Savings
Everything you would expect...
• convenient and historic locations
• oversized rooms with queen-size beds
• HBO and free cable TV
• free local and 800 calls
• complimentary coffee and newspaper
• kitchenette • hair dryer & ironing board
• on-site business services
• data port connection
• guest laundry • plus much more
�
Wherever you’re heading, call Navy Lodge first!
Call 1-800-NAVY-INN (1-800-628-9466)
or visit the website at
www.navy-lodge.com.
1-800-NAVY-INN
www.navy-lodge.com
average
40
E
As part of our U.S. Military Family, you enjoy exclusive access to
Navy Lodges worldwide - at savings that averages up to 40 percent
less than civilian hotels! Throughout the world, Navy Lodges offer
comfort and convenience to where military personnel work.
AanV
S
It’s yours at Navy Lodge...Worldwide!
%
compared to
civilian hotels
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