Club-membership benefits continue to grow Published Sept. 29, 2008 By Dan Cosgrove 305th Services Squadron McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Moments after Gary Kelly's set of kings was topped by a runner-runner straight, the assistant operations officer for the 305th Security Forces Squadron shrugged and simply said, "that's poker." The bad beat that had eliminated Mr. Kelly from The Club's poker tournament no doubt smarted less because, as a Club member, his entry into the event had come at no cost. A free seat in The Club's weekly, no-limit, Texas-hold 'em tournament is just one of many reasons Club membership here is growing faster than at any other Air Force base. "Club membership's a great deal." said Steve Pivin, 305th Services Squadron business operations chief. "It's a value, not only in tradition, but in the products and services we provide the McGuire community." Twenty-seven people signed up for the McGuire Club Card during the months of April through August. This, according to the Services Agency Information System, made McGuire No. 1 throughout the Air Force in obtaining new club members during that period. "People are starting to see that, by utilizing just a few of the many benefits, they exceed what they're paying in membership dues," Mr. Pivin said. The list of Club-membership benefits, which includes free Friday appetizers and monthly breakfasts, discounted meals at Pudgy's Sports Bar, Falcon Creek Golf Course and Club functions and 10 percent off green fees and cart rentals at the golf course, is growing. Starting soon, Club members will receive price breaks at the Auto Skills Center and other services facilities across base. "That's huge," said Rebecca Brooks, wife of Tech. Sgt. Donald Brooks, 305th SFS. Ms. Brooks said she saved more than $60 on her last auto-repair bill thanks to a club-card discount at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. "As Club members, we definitely get our money's worth." The Club's monthly membership fee is based on rank. Enlisted members, grades one through four, pay $4. Grades five and six pay $8 and seven through nine pay $15. Officers pay $18. Mr. Pivin estimated Club members save a minimum of $20 a month. Plus, he said, members have access to The Club's function rooms and reciprocal privileges at Air Force bases worldwide. To highlight the benefits of membership, The Club initiated its membership drive this summer. It held three concerts, during which it served barbecue fare free to Club members. It also added extra incentives for signing up. Through Oct. 15, new members receive six months' free dues and a scratch card worth between $5 and $100. They're also eligible for 10 $1,000 cash prizes. The final club-membership-drive event will be the popular Oktoberfest, Oct. 3, 5 to 9 pm., during which members will be served draft beer and free German food. Immediate family members of Club Card holders are automatically eligible for all membership benefits. The program is open to DoD civilian employees, all members of the Armed Forces and retired military. Sgt. 1st Class Gary Johnson, a Blue Force Tracker instructor at Fort Dix, said programs exclusive to McGuire Club members like "Football Frenzy" and a recent trip to Atlantic City, N.J., were enticing, but the big draw for him was customer service. "(The 305th Services Squadron) really goes over and above for Club members," Sergeant Johnson said. Members also receive a birthday-month coupon to Pudgy's, and may compete for $25,000 in scholarships. A full list of benefits is on the Web site at www.305services.com. The Club Card comes in the form of a Mastercard credit card, which has a two-percent-cash-back reward program, or a proprietary card good at services activities only. The proprietary card offers a minimal line of credit. "It's a privilege (to be a Club member)," said Mr. Kelly, a retired chief master sergeant and club-card holder since 1977. "I view it as my professional responsibility. If you're in the military, you should be all the way in the military."