AFSA: impact of the enlisted voice Published Jan. 19, 2010 By Master Sgt. Rich Parsons AFSA communications trustee SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Many Airmen might be under the impression that the Air Force Sergeants Association is only for sergeants, or that it has no benefit for officers, retirees or family members. AFSA is a voice for all of the above. While many might think that our nation's elected officials have a true pulse for what military members are all about, the numbers tell a different story. When an answer is needed about what matters most to the enlisted force, AFSA representatives are there to educate Congress and fight for what is best. When the chief master sergeant of the Air Force needs to know what is important to the men and women of the Air Force, AFSA is there to provide that answer and fight for those needs. That fight benefits more than just the enlisted force. Many of the benefits Air Force members enjoy were in some way impacted by representatives speaking to the needs of the entire Air Force family. Over the years, the AFSA has addressed everything from annual pay raises; increased TriCare, Veteran's Administration, retirement, and education benefits; to various quality of life issues, such as modernization of base housing and dormitory living. The list goes on, but those are examples of what the enlisted voice can do to benefit the airman basic, the colonel, the retiree and the family member. Many might think it is too early to start thinking about retirement, but that could not be further from the truth. Take a look at the amount of time it took for some of the current salaries, benefits and incentives to receive approval, and it may seem otherwise. Whether it's a plan to make a career of the Air Force or stay in long enough to rack up some educational benefits, now is the time to be heard. One way to do this is by becoming an AFSA member. Joining the organization is only a few mouse clicks away. Due to the efforts of many highly-motivated members, the Spangdahlem chapter has increased its strength by 358 members during 2009. As of the December report, AFSA Chapter 1681 membership was at 855 and growing. Participation is neccessary for AFSA to continue as a strong enlisted voice. There are a few ways you can become a member of AFSA, in particular Chapter 1681. To join, visit www.hqafsa.org and specify, or contact your unit representative. Most units have at least one member who volunteered to be the unit's point of contact for AFSA matters, assist in disseminating information, aid in new membership requests, transfer memberships from a previous chapter to 1681 and answer various questions about AFSA. The local chapter just completed the election process and selected its new executive council. The new leaders of Chapter 1681 are: president Tech. Sgt. Tammy Jenness, 52nd Fighter Wing; vice president Master Sgt. Kevin Mead, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron; secretary Tech. Sgt. Jason Scott, 52nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron; treasurer Master Sgt. Jason Steege, 52nd Medical Operations Squadron; and Airmen activities coordinator Airman 1st Class Jennifer Schmermund, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron. There are also many members who work behind the scenes to make things happen within the chapter and for the community. The newest trustees are Tech. Sgt. Sgt Kimberly Kimbril, 52nd FW; Staff Sgt. Carrie Mikeska, 52nd Medical Support Squadron; Senior Master Sgt. Bodie McCoy, 52nd AMDS; Master Sgt. Rich Parsons, 52nd CES; Staff Sgt. Tonea Johnson, 52nd LRS; Tech. Sgt. Steve Dobbs, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron; Senior Master Sgt. Rob Pfeifle, 52 CES; and retired Mr. Gary Braden. Chapter 1981 was very busy in 2009. AFSA was heavily involved with the 2009 St. Martin's Special Children's Day when volunteers supported the event and helped 112 children from Department of Defense Dependents Schools and St. Martin's School. They assisted with the 2009 Angel Tree, a base-wide effort that collected 200 gifts and $2,200 that allowed 66 Saber kids and families to experience a joyful holiday season. AFSA also was active in the education of Saber Airmen, speaking to each class at the First Term Airmen Center, and Saber Intro, as well as at quarterly NCO Professional Enhancement Courses. Members of AFSA invite any interested Airmen to attendgeneral membership monthly meetings to allow an opportunity to see firsthand what is going on and ways to directly contribute to the base and local community. Meetings take place 11:30 a.m. every third Tuesday of the month at the Brick House or the Stripes Lounge in Club Eifel. Below is a list of Chapter 1681 unit representatives: 52nd FW Tech. Sgt. Michael Meyer Master Sgt. Sheldon Smith 23rd Fighter Squadron Airman 1st Class Alfredo Hugo 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit Staff Sgt. David Haines Airman 1st Class Nicholas Morris 606th Air Control Squadron Master Sgt. Kenneth Bosshard Master Sgt. Randall Bach Tech. Sgt. Joshua Criss 52nd Maintenance Group Staff Sgt. Ismael Santiago 52nd CMS Tech Sgt. Steven Dobbs 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit Tech. Sgt. Erik Kuhlmann 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron Senior Master Sgt. Charles Miller Tech. Sgt. William Casey Staff Sgt. Clinton Scott Airman 1st Class Matthew Phillips 52nd Maintenance Operations Squadron Tech. Sgt. Steven Nealy Tech. Sgt. Cirilo Rendon Tech. Sgt. DeJanairo Wilson 52nd Mission Support Group Staff Sgt. Marcie Ireland Airman 1st Class George Torres 52nd CES Tech. Sgt. Jacques Phillips Staff Sgt. Stacey Smyth 52nd Communications Squadron Senior Master Sgt. Jerrod Roth Staff Sgt. Travis Smith Airman 1st Class Michael Williams 52nd Security Forces Squadron Tech. Sgt. Damon Henderson Staff Sgt. Shawn Henderson 52nd Force Support Squadron Master Sgt. Michael Nurse Master Sgt. Steven Wilson 52nd LRS Squadron Master Sgt. Andrea Callies Master Sgt. Lee Ayers Staff Sgt. Brandy Gaither 702nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron Staff Sgt. BreAnna Martinez Staff Sgt. Juan Ramon 52nd Medical Group Senior Master Sgt. Charles Cremeans Master Sgt. Terry Johnson Master Sgt. Bryan Cole 52nd Dental Squadron Airman 1st Class Brittany Ratcliff Airman 1st Class Danielle Kinder 52nd MDSS Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Lantagne 52nd MDOS Airman 1st Class April Young