Military officers defend our nation and provide leadership in and outside of the uniform. Advocating for the military community remains an important task that has many organizations working together and independently to ensure military interests are taken seriously. Moreover, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a nonprofit providing membership to former military personnel and active duty alike. MOAA offers its members access to resources they can enjoy while advocating for the modern military officer and the community at large.
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What Is MOAA?
The Military Officers Association of America is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocating for a robust national defense and the needs of the military community. Additionally, MOAA offers extensive benefits tailored to the needs of military officers.
The core of MOAA’s mission is enhancing the lives of servicemembers and families through advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., regardless of party lines.
Its experts work to pass legislation supporting the military community while opposing threats to their well-being.
The Military Officers Association of America amplifies its voice for effective advocacy due to its strong membership, experience, and dedication to helping officers and all military members thrive while serving and after separating from service.
Membership is open to active duty, retired, former officers, and their surviving spouses from all U.S. uniformed services.
Governed by a board of directors representing all eight uniformed services and six geographic regions, MOAA’s leadership ensures effective management and representation.
The MOAA headquarters can be found in Alexandria, Virginia, and helps the organization provide valuable resources and support to its members, with proximity to D.C.
The History of the Military Officers Association of America
It was originally established in 1929, as the Retired Officers Association, the organization aimed to offer guidance and support to military officers across the United States while fostering camaraderie among the American Armed Forces.
When the Retired Officers Association got started, the group was headquartered out of Los Angeles, California, before moving to the District of Columbia region in 1944, boasting around 2,600 members at the time.
In 2002, the association underwent a significant transformation, rebranding itself as the Military Officers Association of America, a change that officially took effect on January 1, 2003.
Today, MOAA has over 380,000 members and stands as the largest military officers organization in the United States.
MOAA Benefits Available to Members
There are several ways the military community benefits from MOAA, including in the worlds of finance, healthcare, and education. In fact, you can even receive exclusive discounts, transition services, and more.
Below, we’re breaking down some of the resources and benefits provided through a MOAA membership:
MOAA COLA Watch
COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) affects the benefits for those on Social Security, receiving disability, and retired military members. Additionally, the MOAA COLA Watch is a tool to help accurately track the current rate.
A task the organization takes seriously as it monitors COLA and works to stop budget cuts.
MOAA Insurance
MOAA insurance plans are available which can help you with everything from healthcare to preparing for final expenses and more. Here’s a quick look at some of the types of plans offered:
- MOAA MEDIPLUS TRICARE supplements
- Healthcare options (vision, long-term care, hospital indemnity, etc.)
- Pet insurance
- Life insurance policies
MOAA Educational Assistance
Scholarships, grants, programs, and more are available to help families afford the rising costs of higher education. There are many educational benefits available, though requirements and application deadlines vary for each opportunity.
MOAA Membership Tiers
There are three different types of memberships available: BASIC, PREMIUM, and LIFE. That is, each tier builds upon the last, offering even more benefits for joining.
BASIC membership is free, whereas PREMIUM and LIFE both come with different pricing options depending on your subscription. The only exception is that LIFE is also free to those who qualify and are ages 100+.
Below, you can learn more about the different tiers MOAA has to offer with this chart:
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