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By George Berry                                                                                                                                  

The First Flight Military Officers’ Association (FFMOA) Chapter, chartered September 6, 1995, is comprised of retired and active military officers and their spouses that meet every month. Some meetings feature an engaging speaker.

On September 7 at noon, Captain Frank Michael will be visiting our chapter at Duck Woods Country Club. Michael is the MOAA Program Director for Council & Chapter Affairs and a 30-year Navy Veteran. Those interested in attending our September 7 meeting should call 703-473-0528.

The chapter strongly supports leadership development of our community youth through the surrounding county ROTC/JROTC programs. Not all counties in the FFMOA area of responsibility have JROTC programs. The table at the end of this article depicts the location of the nine JROTC programs that support our local 601 JROTC students.

Each year, FFMOA provides one outstanding JROTC student at each of the 9 JROTC area programs with scholarship funds. Since its inception, FFMOA has provided over $25,000 in scholarship funds to those who have demonstrated potential leadership. While the JROTC is affiliated with the military, it is not designed to recruit students into the military. All JROTC programs are designated to develop leadership skills that will help students be more successful in today’s world, as well as the many challenges that they might face. The USAF JROTC program has a process where a limited number of talented students can receive a Commercial Pilots License upon graduation.

Previously, under LtCol Grimes’ leadership, the Currituck High School AF-JROTC Unit received the Distinguished Unit with Merit Award, presented to only 20% of the Nation’s JROTC units. Cadet Ryan Englehard leadership skill have also earned him an appointment and full scholarship at the U.S. Naval Academy. Looks like JROTC pays off!

The FFMOA mission is to benefit the members of the uniformed services, their families and survivors and to advocate for a strong national defense, while providing needed support to the community and its members. We are from a generation of success minded individuals that desire to share our leadership skills with the community.

FFMOA has over 22 members and growing, but we know that there are many more retired officers in our area that may know about our chapter. FFMOA is open to any officer that has served or is currently on active duty or in the reserves. Additionally, all spouses of a military officers are also welcome to join us. If you would like to support our youth and/or exchange stories with other officers in our area, then FFMO might be right for you. Contact George Berry, Commander USN-Ret, FFMOA Membership Chairman, by cell number 703-473-0528.

FFMOA Supports JROTC Students, 2019 and 2020

Bertie County – 60

Camden County – 85

Currituck County – 140

Dare County – 0

Edenton/Chowan Counties – 65

Elizabeth City: Northeastern – 38

Hertford County – 82

Hyde County – 0

Martin County – 32

Northeastern (Elizabeth City) – 38

Pasquotank County – 55

Tyrrell County – 0

Washington County – 44

FFMOA supports 601 JROTC students in northeastern North Carolina.

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