Again AUSA Redstone-Huntsville ranks best

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Special Sections

2006 represents the fourth consecutive year that the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville affiliation of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) has received international recognition as a chapter. For the past two years (2006 and 2005) the local chapter has been given the "Award for Best Large Chapter Overall" from AUSA National.

This year's recognition was received during the AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. To merit such honors is no easy task. The local chapter competes with hundreds of others across the U.S. and overseas. Chapters are judged based on such criteria as having the largest chapter membership, overall percent increase in membership, excellence in corporate membership growth, and best general membership meeting.

Perhaps even more meaningful to a truly active chapter like Redstone-Huntsville, is the criteria that reflects the greatest percent increase in government and civilian membership; and exhibits the most active pursuit of AUSA objectives.

"Our community is a huge partner with AUSA and we all continue to do superb work in supporting the soldiers and their families. (This award) is just another indicator of the amount of support we provide," says Emily Vandiver, 2006 chapter president of AUSA Redstone-Huntsville.

The overarching mission of AUSA National and its chapters is to represent every American soldier through three primary objectives. First and foremost it is to be the "voice" for the Army. Then it uses that voice to gain public support of the Army's role in national security. Finally, AUSA provides further support through professional education and informational programs.

Considered a private, nonprofit, educational association, AUSA has local chapters across the world. Members at both the chapter and national level are typically made up of individuals, businesses, and other organizations that are "dedicated to supporting and maintaining a strong national defense with emphasis on the role of the United States Army."

Yet AUSA supports the needs and interests of all components of what's considered the "Total Army." That includes Active Duty, Army Reserve, National Guard, Department of the Army civilians, retirees and family members.

The Redstone-Huntsville chapter has certainly extended its reach to that Total Army, and perhaps beyond. Founded in 1959, it has since grown to include over 250 corporate members and more than 2,500 individual members. It has proven to be an integral part of the community, bringing together the soldiers and the civilians.

"Partnered with business, industry, and the entire community, AUSA is able to provide outstanding support to the Army," says Vandiver. Among its traditional programs are the many awards that the chapter bestows on local soldiers and civilians. Included are such honors as Soldier of the Year; the Military and Civilian Instrutor of the Year; Redstone Arsenal Soldier of the Quarter/Year; the Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Quarter/Year; and the DA Civilian of the Year. Students in ROTC are also recognized with the Leadership Award for both juniors and seniors in high school.

"We have just announced our newest Chapter award, the First Sergeant John Ordway Leadership Award, named in honor of SGT John Ordway who served as First Sergeant on the Lewis & Clark Expedition 200 years ago," notes Vandiver. "Additionally, we do such things as provide a military dependent Space Camp Scholarship each year, and hold a reception for a Military Appreciation night in Santa's Village in Constitution Hall Park. We also support deploying and returning troops, and Operation Christmas Bear for military families of deployed soldiers."

The entire community also enjoys participating in other well-known events that the chapter sponsors each year, such as the Veteran's Day Parade and the Armed Forces Week Soldier Show. Most recently, Vandiver says the chapter sponsored two Military Appreciation Night events to honor all military. The first was a UAH hockey game (against the Air Force); and the other was a Huntsville Havoc hockey game (against the PeeDee Cyclones).

"Our primary emphasis is on the soldiers and their families, and we will continue to uphold our high standards in accomplishing this goal," she says.

The accomplishment of that goal in past years has not gone unrecognized. In addition to the most recent national awards, the Chapter also received the "Best Chapter Award" for AUSA 3rd Region in 2004 and 2005.

"Our chapter has been a top-notch chapter for many years even without formal awards," says Vandiver. "We look forward to more people joining with us on our team to do even more."