What is the AFSA Auxiliary?

The AFSA Auxiliary was established in 1973. Delegates to the AFSA International Convention that year recognized and acknowledged the invaluable contributions made daily by enlisted family members. Those delegates wanted to add the "family" dimension to the only organization whose sole focus is Air Force enlisted personnel.

From that dedicated beginning, the AFSA Auxiliary has grown and become an invaluable ally for progress and an essential partner in safeguarding and improving the quality of life for all Air Force enlisted families.

Under its current leadership, the AFSA Auxiliary continues to serve Air Force enlisted families' concerns. The heart of the organization is its nearly 100 local chapters worldwide. The governing body is an Executive Council consisting of six members, five of whom are elected by the general membership. The elected members of the Council include an International President, a Vice President, and three Trustees. A Senior Advisor to the Council is appointed by the President. Additionally, each of AFSA's 16 Divisions may name an Auxiliary Coordinator to serve as liaison between the AFSA and Auxiliary organizations.

Since its inception, the AFSA Auxiliary has adopted numerous community service and humanitarian projects.  It has worked diligently in support of hospitalized veterans by paying visits to the hospitals, working as volunteers for hospital projects, and providing financial assistance in the form of donations to veteran's programs.

The AFSA Auxiliary has been and continues to be an active and vocal supporter of efforts to attain an accurate accounting of America's POW/MIAs. Voter registration is another area of interest and activity for AFSA Auxiliary chapters. The AFSA Auxiliary is extremely proud of its continuing endeavors on behalf of The Enlisted Men's Widows Home. Again, Auxiliary members have donated tirelessly, both personally and financially, to preserve The Home for widowed spouses of those who have served their country in the enlisted ranks.

Caring for our enlisted family is the top priority of the AFSA Auxiliary. For that reason, the Auxiliary publishes a Surviving Spouse Manual and disseminates a wide variety of information pertinent to Air Force families in such areas as spousal employment, health care, and survivor benefits. It sponsors and maintains a "Clipping Hands Coupon" program that gives enlisted families stationed overseas a little extra help with their grocery bills.

Another priority of the AFSA Auxiliary is education for members and dependents. As such, it provides scholarships for dependents pursuing a college degree. It also makes available Furthering Educational Grants for qualifying Auxiliary members who may want to change professions or who are entering the job market for the first time. "We take care of our own" is more than a slogan to the AFSA Auxiliary!

Awareness and Action ­ these are central to the AFSA Auxiliary's legislative agenda. As mentioned, voter registration is an ongoing project. Auxiliary members work with their AFSA counterparts as advocates on behalf of Air Force enlisted family issues pertaining to active duty, reserve component, and retired forces. Among the issues the AFSA Auxiliary has taken on over the years are: CHAMPUS inequities, passage of the Forgotten Widows Bill, elimination of the Social Security offset in the Survivor Benefit Plan, preservation and expansion of commissary entitlements, and provision of long­term nursing home care.  COLAs for retired members is an issue that arises each year, and the AFSA Auxiliary is steadfast in its fight, along with AFSA, to preserve the entitlements of those who have earned them. The AFSA Auxiliary is the "speaker's platform" for enlisted spouses, friends and families.

AFSA Auxiliary members are eligible for all association benefits and services. These include a portfolio of over 30 services ranging from affordable insurance and car rental discounts to home­buying assistance.

Auxiliary members adopted the "Red Rose of Remembrance" symbol in 1989. It is a perpetual reminder of our comrades, friends and neighbors who have yet to come home from combat in all of America's wars. The red rose is the AFSA Auxiliary's way of expressing its deep concern and strong support for all members of our armed forces. The Red Rose of Remembrance symbolizes the eternal bond of caring and sharing that exists among Auxiliary members.

The AFSA Auxiliary represents the AFSA "family." Its members are independent people ­ dynamic, involved, progressive.  They care about protecting the quality of the life they have chosen and are working to affect their own futures.

Eligibility for Auxiliary Membership

Active:  Any spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son and/or daughter, not less than 16 years of age, of members of AFSA, and widowers, widows, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and/or daughters, not less than sixteen (16) years of age, of persons who were eligible for membership in AFSA at the time of their death, shall be considered eligible for Active membership. Former widowers and widows of Active members who remarry shall be considered eligible for Active membership. Any husband or wife divorced from a spouse eligible for Active membership in AFSA at the time of divorce shall be considered eligible for Active membership.

Affiliate: ( Not Eligible to Vote or Hold Office)

Any spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son and/or daughter, not less than sixteen (16) years of age, of Associate members of AFSA, and widowers, widows, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and/or daughters, not less than sixteen (16) years of age, of persons who were eligible for Associate membership in AFSA at the time of their death, shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership. Former widowers and widows of Associate members who remarry shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership. Any husband or wife divorced from a spouse eligible for Associate membership in AFSA at the time of divorce shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership. Persons not otherwise eligible for membership, having objectives in consonance with those of AFSA, and who have demonstrated dedication to these objectives, shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership.

It's About Your Family

   Auxiliary chapters sponsor events that:

• Foster personal growth (public speaking, human relations, salesmanship);

• Encourage legislative activity (voter registration, grassroots support or opposition, policy/legislative awareness sessions);

• Assist the base or local community (fund-raising activities for VA hospitals, Enlisted Widows Home, local charities); 

• Are fun for the entire family.

• Auxiliary members proudly say they've formed lifetime friendships through Auxiliary activities such as picnics, holiday parties and special trips.  AFSA's Auxiliary makes everyone, young and old, newcomer or longtime resident, feel like family.

• For yourself, for your family, for your future - Vision Your Family's Future with AFSA's Auxiliary.

10 Reason's Why...AFSA's Auxiliary is the choice for all Air Force Enlisted Families