Marine Corps Aviation Association Incorporated

TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE INTEREST IN MARINE CORPS AVIATION, PERPETUATE THE SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP TRADITIONAL IN MARINE CORPS AVIATION, PROVIDE APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN MARINE CORPS AVIATION, AND ASSIMILATE AND PERPETUATE THE HISTORICAL TRADITIONS OF THE FIRST MARINE AVIATION FORCE VETERANS ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONVENTION: EACH MAY, MCAA HOSTS AN ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM AND AWARDS CEREMONY FOR OUR MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, BOTH ACTIVE AND RESERVE DUTY. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EVENT IS MANY-FOLD: TO PROVIDE A MEANS OF REUNION FOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT SEEN EACH OTHER IN SOME TIME, A VENUE FOR CURRENT SERVICE PERSONNEL TO DISCUSS THEIR UPCOMING PRIORITIES, THE EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS NEEDED FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS, AND TO RECOGNIZE THOSE IN SERVICE FOR EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN THEIR EXECUTION OF DUTIES. THE CONVENTION IS 4 DAYS LONG, IS ATTENDED BY SOME 900 PEOPLE, AND INCLUDES A VARIETY OF EVENTS, WHICH DRAW A DIVERSE SET OF ATTENDEES AND MEMBERS. ALMOST ALL OF THOSE THAT ATTEND ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE MARINE CORPS, HAVE SERVED IN THE MARINE CORPS, OR ARE CLOSELY AFFILIATED WITH THE MARINE CORPS THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP TO THOSE THAT DO SERVE. THE WEEK-LONG SYMPOSIUM INCLUDES SOCIAL EVENTS, BOTH ON SITE AT THE RESIDENT HOTEL, OR IN THE LOCAL AREA. SOME EVENTS RELATE DIRECTLY TO CURRENT EVENTS, TO INCLUDE THE STATUS OF MARINE CORPS UNITS, TO LONGER TERM PLANS AT THE AIR WING OR ENTERPRISE LEVEL. THE CONVENTION CONCLUDES WITH AN AWARDS BANQUET WHERE 28 INDIVIDUAL AND MILITARY UNITS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEIR PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES IN THE LAST CALENDAR YEAR.

SCHOLARSHIPS & DONATIONS: EVERY YEAR, THE ASSOCIATION GIVES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF REVENUE GAINED TO ACTIVE CHARITIES THAT ARE APPROVED UNDER IRS PARAGRAPH 501(C)(3). TO QUALIFY FOR OUR PHILANTHROPY, CHARITIES MUST SERVE IN ONE OF A FEW AREAS: ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MARINES OR THEIR FAMILIES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MARINE FAMILIES IN NEED, AND SUPPORT FOR WOUNDED OR DISABLED MARINES, PREFERABLY IN THE AVIATION DISCIPLINES.

SQUADRON SUPPORT: THE ASSOCIATION IS ORGANIZED UNDER A NATIONAL OFFICE AND ALSO HAS 24 REGIONAL SQUADRONS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE 50 UNITED STATES. EACH SQUADRON IS COMPRISED OF ASSOCIATION MEMBERS THAT LIVE IN THE VICINITY OF THE SQUADRON AND WILL HOLD AUTHORIZED, INDEPENDENT EVENTS AS PART OF THE INCENTIVE TO HAVE THE ORGANIZED SQUADRON. SQUADRONS VARY IN SIZE FROM A DOZEN MEMBERS TO A FEW HUNDRED. EACH SQUADRON OPERATES WITHIN THE GOVERNANCE, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES OF THE NATIONAL OFFICE, BUT IS REQUIRED THEIR OWN SET OF GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.