Membership in Professional Military Associations

“A young boy was walking with his father along a county road.  They came across a very large tree branch, the boy asked, “Do you think I could move that branch?”  His father answered, “if you use all your strength, I’m sure you can.”  So the boy tried mightily to lift, pull and push the branch, but he couldn’t move it.  Discouraged he said, “Dad, you were wrong, I can’t do it.” His dad said, “Try again.”  This time, as the boy struggled with the branch, his father joined him and together they pushed the branch aside.  “Son,” the father said, “the first time you didn’t use all your strength.  You didn’t ask me to help.” 

Given the number of responsibilities you juggle on a daily basis, joining a professional military organization may not be one of your top priorities.  After all, who has time for more meetings and activities?  However, such thinking may lead to both you and your military organization to missing out on the full potential of “using all your strength”. 

Service in the Profession of Arms is unlike any other profession, both as an institution as well as with respect to an individual member.  The consequences of failure in the profession of arms for the Armed Forces member, and the Nation, are direr than in other profession.  Members serving in the profession of arms are distinguished differently from other professions by the "unlimited liability" they assume in their oaths of office.

It is not important what your rank, branch or occupational specialty is, membership in a professional military association benefits both you and the Profession of Arms as a whole. 

Individual benefits include:  

-          A.  Networking and Professional Relationships

-          B. Professional and personal advocacy for your career.

-          C. Discounts and privileges with a variety of business partners.

Organization benefits:

-          A. Stronger voice on Capitol Hill

-          B. Improves state’s association operations

-          C. Communicates the organization’s “story”; our strengths, capabilities and needs - a clear and consistent message.

Through service in the profession of arms and the California Army National Guard, your membership in professional military associations helps to build our “entire strength” through a united voice.   While all ranks are encouraged and welcome in any association, oftentimes associations will be tailored for certain ranks or branches.  An example of this is the National Guard Association of the United States and of California, which are postured for officers.  The Sergeants Major Association and the Enlisted Association of the National Guardsmen of the United States (EANGUS) and California (CAL-EANGUS) are each postured for senior NCOs and enlisted personnel.  There are many more military professional associations that you can participate in, starting with service organizations like the Air Force or Army association; however, only NGAC and NGAUS focus specifically on Army and Air National Guard issues.  I highly recommend and encourage all California National Guard members to seek out and join a professional military association this year.  It’s an opportunity that will strengthen your career and your choice to be a member of the profession of arms.