The American Retirees Association and its Mission 

The American Retirees Association (ARA) is a non profit organization, chartered expressly to deal with the impact of the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA) (10 U.S.C. 1408 et seq.) on uniformed service personnel. We are approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a non profit organization, meaning that your dues and contributions are tax-deductible. Our members serve in active and "indefinite" (aka retired/retained) duty, reserve and National Guard components of the uniformed services. ARA officers and directors are all unpaid volunteers.

The ARA headquarters is located in Redlands, California, where our administrative, financial, newsletter and literature publication and product sales, etc., matters are managed by our office staff. ARA policy, legal and legislative issues are addressed by our Washington DC action line (202-609-9948).

Current ARA Efforts Have Four Main Thrusts

· The first of these is in the legislative arena: This includes maintaining necessary government relations and legal expertise to persuade those elected to represent our interests in Congress, correct harmful USFSPA inequities. These efforts are focused primarily on Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee members of both bodies of Congress.

· The second effort is directed at enjoining the Pentagon to brief its service personnel regarding the existence and potential impact of USFSPA' inequities, and encouraging them take the lead in proposing thoughtful remedies to Congress.

· Third, the ARA coordinates its efforts with our national community of veterans support organizations; the overwhelming majority of these organizations support reform or repeal of the USFSPA and recognize ARA as a leader of this effort.

· Finally, the ARA cooperates with individuals and groups that challenge the USFSPA in the courts.

All of these activities have, in the first place, the objective of relief for those uniformed service veterans already injured by this unfair law. Concomitantly, our intent is to reduce or remove the future threat to service personnel. ARA understands the polarized nature of USFSPA issues and emotional extremes engendered by divorce. We contend, however, that uniformed service veterans are entitled to the equal justice under law mandated by the Constitution, and that fair and equitable treatment of both parties to a divorce action is both politically sensible and morally sound.

The key to success is strength in numbers. We urge you to join the fight to cure the inequities of a shameful, unfair and discriminatory law.

The ARA publishes a book, "Divorce and the Military II" which is an excellent, authentic source of information for divorcing uniformed service personnel, spouses and their attorneys. Copies may be obtained at our website or by calling our Redlands, California business office. ARA members receive a cover price discount.

Support the veterans organization committed exclusively to defending the rights of members of the uniformed services in divorce court. Join the ARA today and help spread the word that help is on the way for USFSPA casualties.

Where We Are

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