The Voice of Sea Services Personnel.No organization lobbies more effectively on behalf of active duty, Reserve and veteran Sea Services personnel than FRA. The Association understands the needs of enlisted personnel and has served as their voice on Capitol Hill for more than 95 years. FRA was the first organization to exclusively represent the interests of enlisted personnel before Congress and remains committed to bringing their perspective to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.As a leading organization in The Military Coalition, FRA works closely with 35 other military and veterans’ organizations on important personnel issues. In addition to direct representation in Congress, the Association sponsors legislative seminars across the country to better inform Sea Services personnel, Reservists, retirees and veterans about governmental actions that affect them and what they can do to protect their interests. FRA is also your homeport for solving career problems and is your direct link to the Departments of Defense (DoD), Homeland Security (DHS) and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and other government agencies having oversight of your benefit programs and your current and future security. The Association stands ready to serve you and your family to include caring support and assistance in times of trouble or distress.Those interested in supporting the Association or receiving additional information should contact FRA’s National Head quarters by calling 1800FRA1924, visiting us at www.fra.org, or sending an email to fra@fra.org.FRA has been working to preserve and protect benefits and quality-of-life programs for Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard personnel since 1924. The Association gives voice to its members’ concerns and, as a result, continues to generate significant improvements for military personnel and their families.The History OF FRA document outlines many of the Association’s successes over the past eight decades that demonstrate FRA’s longstanding commitment to the men and women who wear the cloth of our nation. It chronicles the grassroots lobbying efforts aimed at improving the living and working conditions for our members and their shipmates. And most importantly, it highlights FRA’s legacy of loyalty, protection and service that still resonates today.The coming years will be especially challenging for FRA as it works to protect current and former service members’ benefits and quality-of-life programs. As the countries focused changes and DoD adapts to arbitrary sequestration related budget cuts, it’s increasingly difficult to sustain and adequately fund major pay and benefit enhancements enacted since 2000. In addition, the number of veterans seeking VA treatment and rehabilitation continues to grow, creating the need for increased VA support and associated funding. Congress must balance the need for weaponry and force-protection measures with its commitment to keep the promises made to today’s service members and those who served in the past. As a result, efforts to transfer the cost of DoD and VA healthcare programs to retirees and veterans will undoubtedly continue.While FRA is steadfast in the fight to protect and/or enhance quality-of-life and earned benefit programs, we cannot do it alone. Members must stay informed and voice their individual concerns to their elected officials when specific benefits are threatened. Collectively, service members — both past and present — can protect earned benefits.We invite you to learn more about our prestigious organization, explore our history, and be actively involved in charting our future. Familiarize yourself with our success story, share it and invite others to join our efforts. Loyalty, Protection, and Service
