AFSA Chapter 990 begins 2013 with new officers Published Jan. 10, 2013 By Senior Master Sgt. Bob Woodin 71st Communications Squadron superintendent VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Chapter 990 of the Air Force Sergeants Association at Vance elected new officers and I was named president - a great honor and a great way to start 2013. This year's vice president is Master Sgt. Phil Brandley, 71st Medical Group; and elected trustees are Tech. Sgt. Linell McKissick, 71st Communications Squadron; Senior Airman Evan Gillespie, 71st CS; and Senior Airman Alisha Jones, 71st Operations Support Squadron. During discussions about where Chapter 990 is and where we want to go, one thing was very clear - membership is low at Vance. Perhaps the enlisted force here doesn't know what the AFSA is all about. The AFSA is a voice for military enlisted members in the United States Congress. Pay raises, moving allowances and health care are just a few of the issues AFSA representatives are concerned about when working with our elected government leaders in Washington, D.C. Chapter 990 currently has 167 active duty and retired Air Force members. About 25 percent of eligible active-duty enlisted at Vance are members. During 2013, we want to educate and organize. It is important that Vance Airmen know about the benefits of AFSA membership. We want to mentor our Airmen by putting them into trustee positions that they can learn and understand the importance of their contribution and learn how to affect change in their future. I am very excited about Chapter 990's future and our contribution to the big picture. We will seek the knowledge of those who have contributed before us and we will educate and train those who will fill our shoes when we are gone. The next meeting of Chapter 990 will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Jan. 18, in the Enlisted Lounge at the Vance Collocated Club.