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AFSA International President visits Andersen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angelique Smythe
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The Air Force Sergeants' Association International President visited Team Andersen Nov. 15 through 16 to inform Air Force enlisted personnel about their military benefits being fought for in Washington D.C.

Important issues such as medical care, job security, pay, commissary privileges, educational benefits, retirement benefits, where Airmen live and how they're treated are included in the decisions made that directly affect the lives of enlisted people and their families.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. John McClausin said it is important to him that "we do for our enlisted members what we didn't do for them back in my day. We need to make it better for those who are in service now and also for those who will come after."

Chief McClausin represents 122,000 AFSA members worldwide. These include all enlisted grades of Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, retired, veteran and family members. With 300 million legal citizens in the nation, and Air Force personnel accounting for less than one percent of that population, he believes the nation owes the military a debt of gratitude for defending the American way-of-life - not just a paycheck.

"Last year there were 65 new elected Congress officials," he said. "Eleven have a military back ground, but none were ever in the Air Force. So we have to get up there and keep educating Congress about your quality of life issues. We're your voice. We're your representative."

For two weeks each month, Chief McClausin voluntarily spends time in Washington D.C. with the Senate and the House of Representatives. What is he doing with the Senate and the House of Representatives.

"I'm here on my own," he said. "It's my way of giving back to the Air Force after 32 years of service."

For more information about AFSA, visit www.AFSAHQ.org or call 1-800-638-0594. Or to see the AFSA platforms of legislative targets to be used as a "blueprint" for testimonial and lobbying efforts, visit https://www.afsahq.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Top_Issues&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=2610.