It helps members keep on top of military and political events affecting military and post-military life. Chapter participation can be of major assistance to the national association in its ongoing efforts to lobby for the rights of retired military members. An effectively mobilized chapter helps influence national, state, or local governmental actions that affect military service members or retirees. For instance, in many states today, military retirees are enjoying some state tax relief as the result of TROA chapter activism. For instance, many chapters sponsor local ROTC and Junior ROTC programs and hold annual award events for outstanding cadets of those programs.
Many chapters sponsor local college scholarship programs.
Many chapter members also contribute considerable volunteer time to support local health care or community action programs. Most chapters also have a designated personal affairs representative who can help surviving spouses apply for authorized benefits and entitlements. Keep in mind that chapter membership is not for everyone. If you have indicated to potential chapter members the benefits of membership and get a lukewarm or negative response, don't be afraid to tell them that maybe chapter membership is not for them and that their continued national membership is still vitally important. It is better to have a TROA member who has been told the truth than to have a disgruntled member.