The primary mission of the Northern Virginia Chapter is to promote the purposes and objectives of the national MOAA organization. It also actively supports the Virginia Council of Chapters and its efforts to facilitate participation in Virginia Legislative issues concerning military, veterans, military retirees and their families. The Chapter also provides a local focal point for members to come together for professional fellowship, assistance and information as well as to provide a social outlet for those who have served their country in the uniformed services.

Membership in the Northern Virginia Chapter is open to active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, former commissioned officers, and warrant officers of the uniformed services - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Auxiliary membership is also available for surviving spouses of deceased officers. Eligible officers are invited to join us and are guests of the chapter at their first meeting. Regular members dues are $12.00 annually and Auxiliary dues are $6.00.

In addition to the activities noted in 'About Our Chapter,' a Scholarship Program is currently under development. The intent of the Chapter is to establish a perpetual scholarship through MOAA which requires $25,000 to begin a perpetual program. The Chapter is about half-way toward that goal and intends to run a Chapter drive over the next three years to reach the $25,000 goal. In addition to monthly meetings featuring military and community leaders, a bimonthly newsletter for members advises them of ongoing activities of interest. An email network to inform members about key Virginia State or Federal Government issues that impact the active and retired military community is being planned. In addition we hope to use the system to distribute our Chapter newsletter.

Chapter officers participate in the Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC) of MOAA which meets quarterly to plan and carry out state legislative activities beneficial to all members of the uniformed services and their families. Activities include organizing a state legislative luncheon in Washington DC for all national Virginia legislators and an annual visit to the General Assembly in Richmond. Both of these events permit us to meet face to face with respective elected officials to discuss pertinent legislative issued pertaining to military veterans with the state. The monthly chapter newsletter also includes legislative and other information from MOAA and other sources to encourage our members to make direct contact with the appropriate legislators when an important issue is being considered at the state and national levels.

During 2015, the Chapter meets on the third Wednesday of the month from January through June and on the third Wednesday during the months of September through December. The Chapter meets at the Officers' Club on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Meetings begin with a social hour at 1130 followed by lunch at 1200 and a speaker at 1300. The Annual Membership meeting and election of officers is held at the December meeting. The Chapter Board of Directors meets bimonthly at 1030 at the Officers' Club to conduct chapter business, select speakers and coordinate activities to be brought before the membership.

The Northern Virginia Chapter was established in 1975. Chapter membership has grown from the original 75 charter members to more than 300 today. The Chapter's geographic area encompasses Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria. MOAA ROTC certificates and medals are presented to cadets at Georgetown University, George Mason University, George Washington University and Howard University. MOAA Junior ROTC medals and certificates are also presented to cadets at South Lakes, Chantilly High Schools as well as the Arlington Career Center. 2d Lt Gold Bar insignia is presented to the graduates of the five ROTC programs upon their commissioning. Other activities include annual financial contributions to help support the programs of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC. We participate in veteran activities such as the Memorial Day Parade, presentation of the MOAA wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, as well as welcoming ceremonies for local units returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.