1. Make yourself heard. MOAA’s chapters provide critical grassroots support for MOAA’s national legislative agenda. Our benefits are under attack, and MOAA is in the fight to preserve them. Chapter members let their legislators know what’s on their minds and open doors for MOAA’s legislative team in Washington, D.C. In these difficult times, MOAA members need to stick together, and our chapters are the best way we know to do that.

2. Give back to the community. Chapter members are MOAA’s ambassadors in their communities, supporting countless programs that make a difference in the lives of others. These members continue their “officership” service and are giving back in the truest sense.

3. Value added to chapter members’ lives. MOAA chapters sponsor interesting programs and opportunities to interact with civic, political, military, and business leaders on issues important to members.

4. Networking with fellow officers. Chapters include second-career members in the work force and retired servicemembers who have contacts in their communities that can be valuable to transitioning officers.

5. Stay informed. Chapter newsletters, websites, and meetings provide you with the latest information on local, state, and national issues and changes to military benefits.

6. Influencing state legislation. Most states have a council of chapters that unites chapters in the state. These councils, and independent chapters in states without a council, often lobby for and pass state-level legislation that affects military members and their families, such as exempting military retired pay from state income tax or increasing funding for state veterans programs.

7. Camaraderie with a purpose. MOAA chapters unite active duty, former, and retired officers from every branch of service, including National Guard and Reserve, as well as surviving spouses. These centers of camaraderie not only give you a chance to connect with other members with similar backgrounds and interest, but to also develop close and lasting friendships.

Who can join? Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Retired or Former officers or surviving spouses from the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, Public Health Service, and the NOAA Commissioned Corps).

The easiest and fastest way to join/renew your membership is online. You may accomplish this a couple of ways, using the options listed below:

- A downloadable form specifically for WNC-MOAA that you can fill out on your computer and email or mail with your check can be found HERE.

With a Credit Card

- A "Join/Renew Your Local Chapter" page is located on the MOAA site HERE.

You will initially be asked three questions, each with a dropdown selection menu.

1. Do you want to join or renew Select Renew

2. State: Select - North Carolina

3. Chapter: Select - Western North Carolina Chapter, MOAA

Then click on NEXT and continue to follow the instructions.

You will be asked to fill out your personal contact and military info on this page (don’t forget to have your National MOAA membership number handy)

You will be asked if you want to renew for 1, 2, or 3 years.

You will be asked for your payment credit card or PayPal information.

You will receive a confirmation of payment from MOAA via email.