AFSA Chapter 1554's Newest Members

  • Published
  • By Capt. Sheryll Klinkel
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Air Force Sergeants Association welcomed Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Hugh Hanlon, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. James Sanders, 8th Fighter Wing command chief, into Chapter 1554 here July 28.

"AFSA voices the needs of Airmen to Capitol Hill, the White House and the Pentagon. And coming from the Pentagon, I know Washington is listening," said Colonel Dolan. "It is an honor to be a part of AFSA because we (Airmen) wouldn't have what we have now without organizations like this."

The international non-profit organization has over 120,000 enlisted members. Officers and family members show their support by becoming associate and auxiliary members, respectively.

All of these people are dedicated to speaking on behalf of the people behind the stripes. The organization represents the professional and personal interests of active duty, retired and veteran enlisted members of the Air Force, National Guard and Reserves.

"Some issues the organization has raised include increasing tuition assistance, improving the quality of life, increasing retirement benefits for National Guardsmen and Reservists and more recently, making flag desecration a criminal offense," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Harmon, AFSA Chapter 1554 activities coordinator.

The organization also promotes and gives leadership opportunities to its enlisted members.

"Asking our leadership to join was Sergeant Harmon's idea. He put a plan together and made it happen," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Sydnor, AFSA Chapter 1554 president. "This is a great opportunity for our junior noncommissioned officers to showcase their leadership skills."

Once you become a member of AFSA, you are also able to transfer chapters.

"I have been a member since I was a staff sergeant," said Chief Sanders. "The more people we have, the more voices we have for support."

Chapter 1554 has approximately 100 members and they always welcome new members. For more information on AFSA, contact the chapter's membership coordinator, Master Sgt. Mark Cunningham, at 782-4471, or visit the national Web site at www.hqafsa.org.