Affiliated Military Organizations

The American Legion

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in its communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to its fellow service members and veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. In the 20th century, the VFW’s voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI Bill, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In the 21st century, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a new GI Bill, giving expanded educational benefits to America’s active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

AMVETS

As one of America’s leading veterans service organizations with over 250,000 members, AMVETS (or American Veterans) has a proud history of assisting veterans and sponsoring numerous programs that serve our country and its citizens. Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who is currently serving, or who has honorably served, in the U.S. Armed Forces from World War II to the present, to include the National Guard and Reserves.

Fleet Reserve Association

The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization that represents the interests of the sea service community before the U.S. Congress. Membership in FRA is open to all current and former sailors, marines, and Coast Guard personnel. The only requirement to join FRA is to have served as an enlisted member in the USN, USMC, or USCG for at least one day. The Association was founded by Navy Chief Yeoman George L. Carlin, and chartered in 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. FRA was born out of the need for an organization to protect the pay and benefits of enlisted sea service members and their families on Capitol Hill. FRA also assists its members with career problems by maintaining close liaison with the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and other government agencies.

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation

The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and the United States Naval Academy Foundation are two independent, not-for-profit corporations sharing a single president and CEO and operating as a fully integrated organization in support of the Naval Academy and its mission. The organization’s focus and core competencies are engagement and philanthropy in pursuit of complementary and closely aligned missions. The course set by Alumni Association founders in 1886 rings true today as the Alumni Association serves and supports the United States, the Naval Service, the Naval Academy and its alumni: by furthering the highest standards at the Naval Academy; by seeking out, informing, encouraging and assisting outstanding, qualified young men and women to pursue careers as officers through the Naval Academy; and by initiating and sponsoring activities which perpetuate the history, traditions, memories and growth of the Naval Academy and bind alumni together in support of the highest ideals of command, citizenship and government.

West Point Association of Graduates

West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) is the Alumni Association for the United States Military Academy (USMA). Its mission is to serve West Point and its graduates; its purpose is to further the ideals and promote the welfare of the USMA. WPAOG was founded in 1869 to reunite Academy graduates who found themselves on opposing sides during the American Civil War. Today, it continues to strengthen the bonds of the “Long Gray Line” through communications and services to graduates, Classes and Societies; as well as building relationships with current Cadets at West Point… our future graduates.

Air Force Academy Association of Graduates

The Association of Graduates is the alumni association of the U.S. Air Force Academy. It is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving graduates and members, enhancing the heritage of the institution and enriching the cadet experience by funding programs not supported by appropriated funds. It is pleased to help chronicle and publicize the graduate accomplishments, create programs and services to support and foster camaraderie among graduates, and assist the Academy in producing great leaders for the Air Force. It also acts as a liaison between Academy leadership and the graduates who hold such high affinity for their alma mater.

Navy League of the United States

The Navy League of the United States was founded in 1902 with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt. The Navy League has provided a powerful voice for a stronger sea service to Congress and to the American people. The Navy League has grown into the foremost citizens’ organization to serve, support and stand with all the sea services – the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.

The Armed Services YMCA

Almost 100 years old, the Armed Services YMCA of Honolulu began serving military members in Hawaii in 1917, when the original Royal Hawaiian Hotel was purchased to house the Army Navy YMCA. Since then, in coordination with Department of Defense and local military commands, the Armed Services YMCA has worked closely to identify gaps in services and developed programming to meet those needs. While the programs offered by the Armed Services YMCA have evolved since our support of military members during WWII, the core mission remains the same – to make military life easier by enhancing the lives of military members and their families through programs that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life. Today, we are honored to provide low cost specialized programs and support services to over 44,110 Hawaii military members and their families, with a focus on junior enlisted from all branches of service.