Alexandria, VA- Based on feedback from active duty and Reserve personnel, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is offering a free guide called Communicate With Your Elected Officials to help Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and their families participate in the legislative process. Readers of OnWatch, FRA's online publication (www.fra.org/onwatch ) were recently surveyed on the legislative process. Only 30 percent rated their knowledge of the process as "good" and to help address this, FRA offers a free guide to help educate personnel because it's vital to make sure their pay, benefits and quality of life concerns are being heard on Capitol Hill. In an interview with OnWatch, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Joe Campa urged sailors to be educated about the system. "Congress is very important to our military. As American citizens, we all need to be fully aware of what's going on in our Congress."

"Senior enlisted leaders have asked that we make Communicate With Your Elected Officials available as it is an important tool for the career enlisted force," said FRA National Executive Director, Joe Barnes. "They understand that there's no law protecting pay and benefits and that all military personnel are constituents of members of Congress."
The guide lists contact information for members of 110th Congress Second Session, provides a roster of key committees, explains the proper ways to format correspondence and defines key election terms. It also highlights legislative issues related to military personnel such as pay increases, benefit parity and Montgomery GI Bill funding.
To order a free "Communicate With Your Elected Officials," please send an email request to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it with your name, mailing address, rank and branch of service or call 800-FRA-1924.

FRA is a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization representing the interests of current and former enlisted members the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. In addition to its advocacy work on Capitol Hill in support of enlisted personnel, FRA aids members with career issues by maintaining close relationships with government agencies and by educating lawmakers about the challenges facing those who serve in the armed forces. The Association also awards scholarships totaling nearly $100,000 annually, sponsors a national essay contest, and assists its members with disaster relief grants.