AFSA Chapter 881, Whiteman AFB

10/22/2026

AFSA Legislative Week | Making Every Voice Count

We’re grateful to former Legislative Trustee and current Secretary Jared Monteiro, alongside current Legislative Trustee Clayton Ballard, for staffing our table and helping spread awareness about AFSA’s legislative priorities and the importance of taking action to make our voices heard. Everyone has a voice! AFSA is that bridge that connect us from lowest rank all the way up to Capitol Hill to truly have our voices heard for major legislative reform. As part of the Armed Forces, we are one big family fighting for change.

10/21/2026

AFSA LEGISLATIVE WEEK | Breaking Barriers for Military Spouses

Military service is a family commitment, but are we doing enough to support the careers of the spouses who stand behind that commitment?

One of the conversations that stayed with our AFSA representative, Margot Cadigan from the ADC Summit in Washington, D.C., was military spouse unemployment.

Military spouse unemployment is about more than finding a job. It’s about building a career when your family’s next move may be dictated by orders. It’s about leaving behind professional networks, navigating state licensing requirements, explaining employment gaps, finding affordable childcare, and starting over in a new community—sometimes for the third or fourth time.

The consequences extend far beyond a missed paycheck. Spouses can lose retirement contributions, career advancement, financial independence, and years of professional growth. For dual-military families, balancing two careers alongside military obligations can make those challenges even more complicated.

So, what can we do?

We need stronger partnerships between military communities and employers, greater recognition of professional credentials across state lines, expanded access to flexible and remote employment, and policies that recognize the realities of military life. We also need to listen to military spouses themselves and ensure their experiences help shape the solutions.

This is where advocacy matters. Organizations like AFSA have an opportunity to elevate these concerns, engage with decision-makers, and help ensure military families are part of the conversation—not an afterthought.

Our service members should not have to choose between serving their country and building a stable future for their families. And their spouses shouldn’t have to repeatedly sacrifice their professional aspirations because of that service.

The question isn’t whether military spouses are qualified. It’s whether we are creating the opportunities for them to succeed.



AFSA Division 3 Air Force Sergeants Association

10/20/2026

When legislation falls short, advocacy must go further.

During Legislative Awareness Week, we joined the Missouri VFW for candid conversations about the concerns impacting our veteran community. One key concern was HCS HJR 115 and the disappointment surrounding its outcome for disabled veterans.

Although this effort stopped in the Senate, the work continues. We must turn these conversations into action by strengthening relationships with lawmakers, elevating constituent concerns, and holding ongoing discussions about legislative solutions that support disabled veterans and their families. AFSA Chapter 881 remains committed to keeping these issues on the table and advocating for meaningful progress.

10/19/2026

🇺🇸AFSA Legislative Week: A Call for Advocacy🇺🇸

From making membership renewal calls to keep our AFSA family strong, to advocating for our enlisted force, sharing local legislative updates, and engaging with community leaders, we’re working on multiple fronts to support our service members, veterans, retirees, and their families.

We appreciate Senior Advisor Dale Lutzen for always advocating for veterans’, and their access to care through legislative engagement in Missouri and Kansas.

He meets with state senators and representatives, and community organizations, working to secure funding for Missouri’s HB 262 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) bill and to advance similar legislation in Kansas that would include first responders.

We cannot thank Dale enough for his continued dedication to our chapter and his efforts to turn advocacy into action!

Every conversation matters. Every voice counts. Every action moves us forward.

10/17/2026

A little spooky, a lot of spirit! 👻🎃

We are proud to support the Whiteman Dorm Council and SAPR office as they bring some Halloween fun to Team Whiteman!

From creative costumes to community connections, events like these help build camaraderie and remind our Airmen that they’re part of something bigger. We encourage our members and community to spread the word and support this spooktacular event!

Overview:
Creepin It Real Costume Contest
📅 October 22, 2026
📍 Mission’s End
⏰ 1730–1930

Questions? Reach out to A1C Martinelli




10/13/2026

Give Today for a Better Tomorrow!

A MESSAGE TO OUR LEGACY MEMBERS...
As an AFSA Legacy Member, you helped build the Air Force Sergeants Association. Now help us carry it forward.

For 65 years, AFSA has stood beside the men and women who serve our nation. Many of our members, like you, have been with us for decades. You joined because you believed in something bigger than yourself... the power of Airmen standing together.

You helped build this association. You helped create the legacy. You understand the importance of staying in the fight and continually advocating for your service and benefits within the halls of Congress.

And now, we are asking you to help protect it.

AFSA faces very real challenges. Our Headquarters—your Airmen Memorial Building—was built in 1980 and is aging, needing significant ongoing repairs and upgrades. HVAC systems, water infrastructure, pumps, piping, and electrical systems all need immediate attention and upgrades. Our utilities and operating costs continue to rise dramatically. And changing membership dynamics are creating challenges that threaten our ability to do what we've done for 65 years.

We don't want to simply maintain a building.
We want to preserve your HQ, the place from which AFSA continues its mission.

For 65 years, generations of members have helped AFSA fight for military families, protect earned benefits, and make a difference in communities around the world. We need the next generation to carry that legacy forward.

Please donate $35, $65, or $100 to help preserve AFSA's future for the next 65 years... and beyond. We'll publish and highlight all Legacy Member sponsors on our website! Please help today!

https://members.hqafsa.org/Members_AFSA/Membership/WebForms/2026/Legacy_Donation_2026.aspx

10/11/2026

We stand with our veterans, showing our support at EVERY opportunity.

Through quality time, meaningful companionship, fundraising efforts that enhance their quality of life, and quarterly meetings to listen to their needs, we remain committed to honoring those who have served.

But our support doesn’t stop there. We will continue to fight for our veterans, advocate on their behalf, and ensure their voices are heard where it matters most.

Our veterans deserve more than words. They deserve action, advocacy, and a community that stands beside them.

AFSA supports our veterans today, tomorrow, and always.



Air Force Sergeants Association AFSA Division 3

10/10/2026

AFSA Resilience | Resilience on Tap: Beyond the Buzz

What if the goal wasn’t just to raise awareness about alcohol, but to equip people with the tools to make healthier choices?

Whiteman’s Resilience Team partnered with Mental Health, SAPR, the Military and Family Readiness Center, and Health Promotion to bring this vision to life!

From b**r goggles and tricycle challenges demonstrating the effects of impairment to mocktails offering a fun, alcohol-free alternative, participants explored practical ways to socialize, manage stress, and build connections without making drinking the go-to.

AFSA International President Steven Haro reminds us of the power of connection:

“...when we lead through connection, we create trust, inspire action, and build organizations that last.”

That same spirit of connection is what makes events like these meaningful. By working together, we can strengthen our community, reduce stigma, and ensure service members have the tools and support to make informed choices.

A huge thank you to Brian, Simone, Margot, Jordan, Silvia, and Vargas for helping turn this vision into action! Shoutout to Whiteman AFB Health Promotion Whiteman Primary Prevention Workforce Whiteman AFB SAPR Program Whiteman Military & Family Readiness Center and Whiteman Medical Group.



Air Force Sergeants Association AFSA Division 3 Whiteman Development Advisor/First Term Enlisted Center Whiteman AFB Top III Summit365

10/09/2026

Family Matters Friday | Meet Our Five & Thrive Representative

We’re excited to introduce Ashley Ross as Whiteman’s Five & Thrive Community Relations Representative! Ashley is helping connect our military families with valuable resources, programs, and support across five key areas: childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and spousal employment.

As part of that mission, we’re highlighting opportunities that help military families thrive, including the upcoming ACT NOW Education Military Spouse Fellowship Summit!

Whiteman spouses, whether you’re exploring a new career path, looking to expand your education, or preparing to reenter the workforce, this virtual event offers opportunities to connect with employers, explore certifications, and get guidance for your professional goals.

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: Noon–5 p.m. Central
Location: Virtual

Register here: https://actnoweducation.org/fellowship-summit

Join us in welcoming Ashley Ross to this role and helping spread the word about resources that strengthen our military community!



Air Force Sergeants Association AFSA Division 3 Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council

10/07/2026

Legislative Awareness Week is an opportunity to learn how AFSA is advocating for our community from the work happening right here at Chapter 881 to the efforts being led by AFSA in DC!

By the end of the week, you’ll know what we’re getting after and how you can stay informed and engaged.

Save the date: October 18–24 🇺🇸