An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Club membership benefits all, celebrates heritage

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. John Gillette
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing command chief
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  As professional Airmen it's time for you to join the Club! For some, this simply-stated expectation is all that it has taken for you to be a member of one of our long-standing institutions. For the rest, you will ask "What's in it for me?" Well, there is no better time to join the Club if you are looking for value.

Years ago, our Airmen understood that Club membership was an expectation, but for some reason we lost their commitment to support the institution that provides a place for us to celebrate our proud heritage. I know times have changed and the Club has been slow to keep pace, but I am asking you all to help me transform the Club from the inside rather than sit on the fence and expect someone else to do it for you. Robust membership gives us the financial footing we need to stop maintaining status quo and start making real progress.

I personally have been a Club member since I joined the Air Force nearly 28 years ago. It was ingrained in me at an early age what the expectations were and that professional Airmen supported the greater organization. "What's in it for me?" did not enter my mind. I was not concerned with discounts or coupons but rather how can I help preserve the things that are important to me as a professional Airman.

For years now, Club members have been doing more than their fair share to keep the doors open and the lights on in the facility that we all use to hold official functions. The Club gives us a place to celebrate our Airmen and hold on to our heritage and traditions. We need a place for Airman Leadership School graduations, retirement ceremonies and change of commands. Currently, only 16 percent of the enlisted are Club members and only 27 percent of the officers; less than half of what we need to break even.

Soon you will see the traditional Club membership morph into a membership that gives you privileges at all of the Services activities. Services is in the process now of changing prices to offer Club members discounts at the RV Storage Lot, Auto Skills, Resale Lot, Golf Course and every other Services activity on the installation. You can stop thinking of your Club membership in the traditional sense and more as a Services membership that gives you distinct privileges. By the time we fully implement those distinct benefits, I am confident you will find real value in being a Services member.

First and foremost, I would like to appeal to your professionalism and ask you to help me preserve our heritage and traditions as Airmen. But, I know that may not be enough for some of you and that is why you are going to start seeing distinct privileges for being a Services member.

Currently, Services is offering a six-month free membership if you join before Oct. 15. Your Services Team is eager to earn your business and your trust ... Give them a chance!