Keeping the USS ARA Afloat

One of the classic shipboard arguments has always been whether it is the conning team on the bridge or the crew members in the engine room who move the ship. The engine room may be considered as being manned throughout by ARA members while the bridge is manned by the ARA"s officers.

Experienced mariners know that neither the bridge nor the engine room can function without a competent, dedicated crew. In the case of the USS ARA, that is the membership ... and it is to the 'crew' that this 'view' is directed.

In the first place, the good ship ARA is seriously undermanned. The dues of a minimum of 1,800 members are required just to finance the annual administrative and operations costs of merely staying afloat. We are still around because of the extra contributions of less than one third of our members -- and because of the proceeds from the sales of the ARA's book, "Divorce and the Military II". This has sustained a bare minimum effort, restricted to working Capitol Hill for legislative relief. We have been unable to raise the funds necessary to initiate some action in the courts which might resolve one or more contentious issues while provided a fringe benefit by influencing the action on Capitol Hill.

Particularly puzzling is that our crew does not include a representative cross section of the tens of thousands of military members who have been impacted by the USFSPA. To those who have suggested "better advertising", we point out that the sale of 15,000 books certainly may be considered to be 'advertising' of the best kind; yet where are these people who certainly didn't buy the book just for light reading during their vacations? We HAVE tried advertising in periodicals such as the "Times" publications and magazines of other veterans organizations. The return in dues has been less than 25 percent of the costs of advertising.

Perhaps the clues to our problem can be found within the current personnel complement of the ARA. Our experience is that less than one third of our members ever get involved in those activities (such as congressional contacts) where their participation is requested. This is generally the same group which provides supplementary financial support. We know that many people join large organizations, such as MOAA or the American Legion, and find that they can expect results without any further investment beyond their dues. This might work for organization of tens of thousands of members but it doesn't work for the ARA.

It is worth pointing out, too, that most of the members of the staffs of large organizations are salaried. ARA's managers are all volunteers. The best that can be hoped for is the reimbursement of some expenses. For the last five years, even this has not been possible.

Let's tell it how it is: the Pentagon is not the only site where the "All Volunteer Force" concept is in trouble. The thankless task of fending for people who show few signs of interest in their own fate, the time involved, and the financial exposure lead to thoughts of "to hell with it." The ARA management team is still intact ONLY because of a sense of obligation to those few people who DO care and provide tangible evidence of it. The ARA needs more members and it needs more money -- not to create an empire or to enrich a few, but TO GET THE JOB DONE!!

It's up to you who read this web page to:

1. Recruit one or more new members.

2. Make sure your dues are paid up and contribute whatever more you can.

3. Procure one or more copies of "Divorce and the Military II" and recommend the book to one or more acquaintances who need it.

4. Participate in those member support activities as requested from time to time.

5. View your contribution of time and/or money as an investment on which you expect a return in the form of reduction or elimination of payments currently being made to an ex-spouse.

6. Submit any ideas you may have on keeping the USS ARA afloat and operationally effective.