Texas Council of Chapters

Si Simonson, Colonel, US Army-Retired

Welcome to the Texas Council of Chapters for the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA). As the President of the Texas Council of Chapters of MOAA, I am honored to represent the men and women who comprise the numerous MOAA Chapters based throughout the State of Texas. The Military Officers Association of America, its state councils, and the individual chapters are concerned about the benefits due to all who have worn the uniform and the benefits due to the spouses and dependents who have also served in support of their service members.

Texas is unique in that in its large expanse there are over fifty active duty, guard, and reserve installations, with diverse missions. Texas is also home to more than 1.7 million veterans. Although we are an organization of Commission and Warrant Officers, our advocacy reaches out in support of all ranks of Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, veterans, spouses and dependents.

It is important, as an organization, that we partner with other military organizations, non-profits, Veteran Service Offices (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs) in our areas to multiply the effects of our efforts. Working with your local City Councils, Chambers of Commerce, volunteering at community activities, helping in service members transitions, and so on only serves to put our name out in the community as an organization that is concerned where our military and the community are moving.

MOAA members in the state number over 34,000. Many of these members, however, are not members of a local chapter. It is important that those national members become chapter members not only to support the goals of our national organization, but also those of our state in advocacy and serving their local community. Newer veterans are attracted to community service and to VSOs that have tangible results. By communicating our successes and demonstrating our value, we improve our chances of growing our membership.

The Texas Council works with a military coalition within the state, the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organization (TCVO) – much as our national organization does with the Military Coalition in Washington DC. This coalition, open to state, chapter and individual members of the VFW, American Legion, DAV (among many others), amplifies our collective voices in support of military and veteran issues. Collaboration also ensures our ability to learn about emerging issues in the military/veteran community, as it extends our geographical reach in the far expanses of Texas. When the veteran community speaks with “One Voice�, legislators necessarily listen, as we work to help craft legislation which would be beneficial to the large numbers of consistent voters who also happen to be service members, veterans, and their family members. We, along with other veteran and military service organizations, have been successful in getting legislation passed that has had real impacts. These “wins� include expanded property tax exemptions; the initiation and expansion of Veteran Treatment Courts; a state-wide Veteran Suicide Prevention Plan; dedicated grant funds through the Texas Veterans Commission and HHSC that directly assist veterans and family members; and maintaining all provisions of the Hazelwood Act for Education, despite strong opposition from universities across Texas. These wins don’t happen without strong, sustained advocacy through multiple legislative sessions!

If you see issues that you think that we should consider, please reach out to me, or your local MOAA Chapter leadership, so that we may address them. You can email me at si.simonson@verizon.net